Camp Tuscazoar Breeze

August 1997

Fink Truss Bridge now a part of Camp Tuscazoar

The historic Fink Truss Bridge, located along an abandoned stretch of State Route 212 just north of Camp Tuscazoar, has been donated to the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation by area resident Charles Lebold. A series of small land acquisitions along the Tuscarawas River will link the bridge to the camp.

The Fink Truss Bridge, also known as the Zoarville Station Bridge is the only known bridge in existence that uses the "through truss" design developed by German designer Albert Fink. The bridge was constructed in the late 1860’s near Dover and was moved to its present location in 1905. The Fink Truss Bridge is now listed on National Register of Historic Places, the Ohio Register of Historic Places and the Historic American Engineering Record.

"We are pleased to lead the effort to preserve this unique structure and we owe a great debt to Mr. Lebold for his generosity," said Ted Novak, president of the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation. "Our efforts will continue to focus on improving our camp’s facilities for hikers and campers, but the opportunity to preserve this historic structure could not be passed by. After its restoration, the bridge will certainly be a popular hiking destination for our visitors and another point of interest within the Ohio and Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor."

The Foundation is now working with the Ohio and Erie Canal Corridor Coalition to secure donations of labor, materials and dollars to restore the aging bridge, which is presently too deteriorated to cross safely. Once repairs are complete, the bridge will be a key stop along the Zoar Valley Trail, allowing hikers to cross the Connotton Creek.

The Fink Truss Bridge was constructed by Smith, Latrobe and Company on behalf of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad as part of an extensive all-metal bridge system. The design is called a "through" truss because traffic passed through the structure of the bridge.

This bridge design also used distinctive "Phoenix" columns - hollow wrought-iron tubes known for their strength. But the expense and difficulty in fabricating the "Phoenix" columns brought an end to the use of this design.

The historic Fink Truss Bridge, which spans the Connotton Creek, is now part of Camp Tuscazoar.

Rex Farrall carving, OA rock return to Tuscazoar

Small land purchases along the Tuscarawas River have restored two well-known features to the camp property. The carving of an Indian chief, completed by camp staff member Rex Farrall in the 1920's, and a nearby rock bearing the Order of the Arrow symbol are now officially the property of Camp Tuscazoar. This area has long been visited by our campers, but has not actually been part of the camp property since the late 1930's. During the construction of Dover Dam, this property was awarded to the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District. The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation purchased three tracts of land from the District, totaling slightly more than 18 acres. The purchase also provides the camp with waterfront access along the river and links the Fink Truss Bridge to the camp.

Enjoy these fun fall happenings in the Tuscazoar hills!

Annual Pig Roast slated for Sunday, Sept. 14

Families, friends, neighbors and all the "old-time campers’ will descend on central camp Sept. 14 to spend the afternoon relaxing, reminiscing, reacquainting and, most importantly, eating. The country music will be lively. The food will be delicious. The door prizes and other games will be entertaining. And the weather? This is the year the sun will truly shine (we hope).

Meals will be served in the camp dining hall from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The menu includes roast pork, barbecued chicken, green beans, applesauce, baked potatoes, rolls and butter, beverage, and of course the homemade desserts. This meal will fill up the heartiest of campers. And the advance cost is only $8 for adults and $4 for children. Prices will be slightly higher at the door.

The W.C. Moorhead Museum will also be open during the Pig Roast, offering visitors the opportunity to view the historic photos, books, newspaper articles, uniforms and other items now on display. As always, the camp trading post will be open, so that our guests can take home the latest camp patches, shirts, hats and cassette tapes. The Pig Roast is Camp Tuscazoar’s most important fund-raiser of the year. Proceeds will help fund the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation’s increasing operating budget, and support new improvement projects. For tickets, please call 330-478-2511 or 330-859-2288 or contact a member of the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation. See you at the table on September 14!
 

Pig Gig will offer hikes, heritage and a hearty dinner 
Sept. 12th-14th

From one end of Camp Tuscazoar to the other, campers at the annual Pig Gig campout on Sept. 12-14 will have opportunities to "hike through history" while completing requirements for the American Heritage merit badge. A merit badge counselor will be on hand for consultation.

The Zoarite Iron Mines, Hoover Lodge, Troop 5 Cabin and the latest addition to Camp Tuscazoar, the Fink Truss Bridge, will be included in the Saturday activities. And, after a long day crisscrossing the trails, campers will be treated to a hearty pig roast dinner in the camp dining hall. The menu will include roast pork, green beans, applesauce, roll and butter, dessert and a beverage.

The $5 per person fee include participation in all activities and the Pig Roast Dinner. Saturday's activities will be capped with a rousing campfire in the Hoover Lodge amphitheater.

This event becomes more popular each year. But, campsites are still available, so call today to make your reservations.

What's waiting in the woods? Find out at Enchanted Tuscazoar, Oct. 25, 26

The troop slowly made their way along the winding trail. Ahead, a shadowy creature crouched behind a tree, watching their every move. As the group approached, the furry creature slipped from behind the tree into the trail. Immediately, the members of the group identified the black and white animal: a skunk!

On Saturday, Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26, Tuscazoar visitors will share similar experiences during Enchanted Tuscazoar. This fun, non-scary fall activity is aimed at younger children, offering a glimpse at the daily life of Ohio's woodland birds, animals and insects. Along the trail, hikers have encountered a gypsy moth, a whitetail deer, a field mouse, a fox, and an owl (all volunteers in costume). As always, refreshments will be served following the walk in the camp dining hall. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Groups will be offered their choice of day and time.

What forest denizens will make an appearance this year? Bring your youngsters to Tuscazoar to find out.

Volunteers are needed for this event. To register, or to help out, please call Nancy Schoenbaum at 330-493-1386.

 
Items of interest:

Camp Tuscazoar' needs Campmasters for the fall camping season. If you would enjoy spending a few weekends in the "majesty of nature", call Don Selby at 330-477-5085.

The 1998 Gold Rush is Feb. 13-15 and Dover Dam Weekend will be May 1-3. Circle these dates on your group's event calendar.

Be sure to check our world wide web site periodically for camp news, calendars, promotional items and more. We're at http://www.tuscazoar.org.

Camp Tuscazoar Eagle Project Round-Up

For information on completing an Eagle project, contact Don Selby at 330-477-5085

Joe Butts of Troop 25 repaired the porch supports at Jamboree Lodge, regraded the area for drainage and installed drain pipe. Trustee Bernie Richard assisted.	Mark Starchan of Troop 122 rebuilt the shower stall area at the showerhouse. Troop 301 (above) painted the showerhouse inside and out.

Mike Seaburn of Troop 144 removed and replaced a railroad tie wall on the south side of Kimble Hall.	Led by Scoutmaster Dick Courtney, Troop 301 gave the exterior of Kimble Hall a fresh coat of paint as part of the requirements for the 50 miler award.

A later photo of Mike Seaburn's work near Kimble Hall.	Brian Harmon constructed and installed new campsite directory and traffic direction signs.

Dover Dam Weekend was exciting, challenging, and full of surprises!

More than 200 kids participated in the Dover Dam Weekend activities in May, and its safe to say that they all got wet at least once. Everyone will remember the windy thunderstorm that hit camp at about 2 p.m. Saturday. It downed several trees throughout camp, one of which took out the electric lines on Boy Scout Road, leaving all of camp without power and blocking the road for most of the afternoon. But the storm did little to "dampen" the spirit of the scavenger hunt participants. Soon, everyone was back on the trails in search of the nuggets needed for the contest. Congratulations to the Girl Scouts who won the scavenger hunt with 136 of a possible 162 points!

Dinner was a challenge without electricity, but thanks to Chairman Bob Spencer, his troop of helpful kids, and dedicated Camp trustees and volunteers, dinner was served hot and on time. There was plenty of steaming spaghetti, mounds of sauce, and meatballs for everybody. A special thanks to Mrs. Spencer for adding meatballs to our usual fare...it was a delicious and welcome treat.

The electric was restored around midnight, and Sunday morning we awoke to bright, clear, dry skies. A good time was had by all! Thanks Chairman Bob for your hard work! You really pulled it off!

Adopt a campsite -- and stay for free!

The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation is introducing an "Adopt-A-Campsite" program. Groups that complete a minimum four-hour work project during their stay in camp will not be charged for their cabin or tent site usage. The project must be submitted to and approved by chairperson Don Selby prior to the camping weekend. Call Don at 330-477-5085.

Camp Tuscazoar receives Ohio EPA water license

Tuscazoar has been named an authorized public water source by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The license states that the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation will "ensure that the public water system is operated and maintained in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 6109 of the revised code."

Prior to granting the license, the EPA tested the camp’s water to ensure that it was safe for washing and drinking. The Foundation must apply for annual license renewal.

To ensure that the camp’s water supply remains free of contaminants, a chlorination system will be installed prior to the fall camping season. This system will treat the water supply, maintaining a flow of fresh, clean water to all of the camp’s facilities.

Coming Events:

Aug. 3 CTF Board Meeting
Aug. 9 Camp Workday
Sept. 7 CTF Board Meeting
Sept. 13 Camp Workday
Sept. 11-13 Pig Gig Campout
Sept. 14 Annual Pig Roast

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

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