Camp Tuscazoar Breeze

April 1997 Vol. 8, Number 2

Ralph P. Lahm bequeaths large donation to Tuscazoar

Ralph P. Lahm, owner of the former Slasor & Lieser Co., left more than $1 million to Dover area charitable or community organizations following his death at age 94 in December 1995. Camp Tuscazoar was included among those organizations.

The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation has received two shares from Mr. Lahm’s estate and trust for maintenance, operation and improvement of the camp. Other organizations that will benefit from Mr. Lahm’s generosity include the United Way of Tuscarawas County; Tuscora Park; the Dover Salvation Army; Tuscarawas County District Library; Dover City Schools and the Tuscarawas County Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Ralph Lahm had no children, but wanted to provide opportunities for other childen. He was born in Dover (then called Canal Dover) in 1901. He graduated from Dover High School in 1920 and, for many years, he and his wife lived in New Philadelphia.

The Foundation is now studying a variety of options for this contribution. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Mr. Lahm for his donation and his support of Camp Tuscazoar.

Many projects set to get underway

Spring will see many projects blossom at camp. The Keppler latrine will be complete for Dover Dam Weekend. In other news:

An environmental class from the Tuscarawas County Joint Vocational School is re-routing the deteriorated trail from central camp to Pioneer Point. The new trail will minimize erosion and provide a more gradual ascent to the Point.

Scout Matt Seaburn will replace the landscaping railroad ties along the south side of the dining hall for his Eagle project.

Troop 200's Mike George will work with Trustee Bill Wagner to establish a permanent nature trail in camp for his Eagle project.

Troop 911’s John Milburn intends to improve the landscaping around Tom’s Chapel, while Scout Stephen Gray will build Bat boxes and Martin houses to be placed near the camp parking lot.

A committee has also been established to develop a long-term water solution for the camp. This group has worked through the winter months to improve the camp’s tool house, which houses the camp well. New walls, a new floor and other improvements will ensure that the water supply remains free of contaminants. The group’s next task will be to study the installation of new water lines to key camping areas. If you have experience with outdoor plumbing and water systems, this committee would greatly appreciate any assistance. Please contact Don Selby at 330-477-5085.

 
Camp Tuscazoar clatter

A new trail from Cincinnati to Cleveland will pass by our camp. The Ohio to Erie Trail will use lands formerly occupied by railroads and canals for a 325-mile, cross-state, multi-purpose recreation and transportation trail. This trail will link with the Zoar Valley Trail in Bolivar and will travel along the railroad bed. The target completion date is 2003, to coincide with the bicentennial of the state of Ohio. For more information, call 614-538-0607.

The Camp Tuscazoar website has received more than 150 visitors since its January debut. Trustee Brian Criswell serves as "webmaster," keeping the website up to date with the latest event wrap-ups, previews and a host of other information. We’ve even received our first Camp Tuscazoar Foundation member through the web! Explore Tuscazoar on the internet at www.tuscazoar.org.

 
Camp, hike, climb, tour Dover Dam on May 2-4

Is your group planning to attend the 1997 Dover Dam Weekend? For many, this annual spring event offers a last weekend of camping prior to the start of the summer vacation season. This year’s event, scheduled for May 2-4, will offer many fun activities: games, hikes, the climbing wall, an all-day scavenger hunt and, of course, an evening campfire at Hoover Lodge.

The weekend would not be complete without tours of Dover Dam. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will lead small groups through the massive concrete structure at the south end of camp. Also, the NTR canoe livery in Bolivar offers special canoeing rates for Dover Dam Weekend. Transportation to and from the livery can be arranged for groups that provide advance notice.

A $5 per person activity fee will include all camp events, a 1997 Dover Dam Weekend patch and dinner on Saturday. We’re having spaghetti! Canoeing and campsite fees are extra.

For camping reservations, canoeing reservations or more information, contact the camp ranger at 330-859-2288.

Join our spring adventure!

The 10th annual

Dover Dam weekend

May 2-4 at Camp Tuscazoar

Spend an exciting weekend in the heart of the Tuscarawas River valley. Activities and events will include:

* All-day, iron-man scavenger hunt

* Climbing wall

* Spaghetti and meatball dinner

* Canoeing (additional fee required)

* Tours of Dover Dam

* A Saturday evening campfire

The cost is $5 per person, which includes a commemorative patch and dinner on Saturday. Camping fees are additional. Simply return the bottom portion of this flyer to the camp address and join the fun! For additional information, call the camp Ranger at 330-859-2288.

Animals will return for Enchanted Tuscazoar

Woodland creatures will once again entertain visitors with tales of life in the wild as Camp Tuscazoar hosts its fifth Enchanted Tuscazoar on October 11th and 12th. This exciting, but non-scary, event is geared primarily for younger kids. A short walk through the fall forest will bring hikers face-to-face with such creatures as an owl, a squirrel, a skunk and a deer. Light refreshments will be served after the walk. The cost for the event is $2 per person. Groups will be offered their preference of time and date to attend. Volunteers are needed as helpers or to play one of the animals. For reservations, information or to help out, please call Nancy Schoenbaum at 330-493-1386.

NOTICE: With regret...the '97 Cook Off described below has been cancelled by the CTF Board for lack of pre-registered participants. The following article is left here only for information purposes, and because it did appear in the April BREEZE.

Calling All Cooks!
It's time for the 3rd annual
Great Tuscazoar Cook Off

Everyone’s invited... June 14 at Camp Tuscazoar

Cook Off to offer great food and first "Fink Truss Trek"

Soups, stews, vegetables, meat, salads, bread -- just a sampling of the tasty dishes that will be served at the third annual "Great Tuscazoar Cookoff" on June 14. Scoutmasters, scouts and participants from other youth organizations will pit their culinary skills against one another to determine who is the finest outdoor cook.

From 4 to 7 p.m., you are invited to sample the food prepared by these competitors. Ten dishes can be sampled for a $5 fee, and ballots will be provided to vote for your top favorites. Bring your family, your friends, your co-workers or anyone who’s looking for an out-of-the-ordinary dining experience.

This year’s event will also include the "Fink Truss Trek." At 3 p.m., visitors will board buses in the camp parking lot and will travel to the nearby Fink Truss Bridge. This bridge, which sits adjacent to camp property, was moved to its present location in 1905 and remains the only bridge of its kind. A local historian will present a brief history of the bridge and its significance. Afterwards, visitors will have the opportunity to hike back to camp along the railroad bed to participate in the cookoff.

Prizes will be awarded to the favorites in the adult and youth categories. Every participant who prepares a dish for the cookoff will receive a special prize and will eat free. Cooks must register in advance. To register contact the camp Ranger. Campsites are available for groups preferring to camp for the weekend.

Scoutmasters, scouts and other youth groups are invited to whip up their favorite outdoor recipes. Prizes will be awarded for the top favorites. Also, each individual who prepares a dish for the summer cookout will receive a special prize and will eat free at the festival. The festival hours will be 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Plan your recipe now! For further information, call Camp Tuscazoar at 330-859-2288.

We will keep the spirit burning at Camp Tuscazoar.

97 Gold Rush a rousing success!

With more than 150 campers, February’s Gold Rush was an exciting event. The weather surprised us all, providing about 3 inches of fresh snow Friday night. The snow blanketed the camp in white and made the sledding just terrific.

A special thank you goes to Jim Murray and Joe Snyder for putting together this event and planning such exciting and entertaining cities! The "bomb" city was a big hit and provided a real challenge for patrols to work together. All the cities focused on some form of skills or teamwork, making the day a real learning experience as well as a real workout.

Steaming cups of chili and grilled cheese sandwiches warmed up our participants at mid-day. And with the events continuing after lunch, everybody was ready to let loose when the Saturday evening Rendezvous was held in Kimble Hall. Camp Trustee Dale Tschantz led the group of die-hard campers and Gold Rushers in songs and cheers and Joe Snyder and Jim Murray played along. Then came the awards where the top scoring patrols were lauded for their successes at the cities, having met the challenges of the day and coming through as winners! A big Tuscazoar YA-HOO to the winning patrols!

Some patrols had klondike sleds, and we hope more will build and bring them next year. A sled makes the event more of a challenge and makes the teamwork all that much more important. And there is less to carry up and down the hills...you only need to drag everything. Oh, it’s such fun! The sleds we saw were decorated with troop colors and names and colorful patrol flags. That’s the spirit we like to see!

 
"We need a bus!" pleads CTF Board

Do you know of a bus that we could use for camp events? Transportation is needed for the Great Tuscazoar Cookoff and the fall Pig Roast. If you can help, please call Nancy Schoenbaum at 330-493-1386.

Coming Events:

May 2-4 Dover Dam Weekend
May 11 CTF Board Meeting
May 17 Camp Workday
June 1 CTF Board Meeting
June 7 Camp Workday
June 14 Great Tuscazoar Cookoff

Camp Tuscazoar "Breeze"
is published by the
Camp Tuscazoar Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 308
Zoarville, OH 44656-0308

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