Camp Tuscazoar Breeze

January 1998           Vol. 9, Number 1

February Gold Rush will mark 10 years of winter competition

For the past nine year, campers have trudged through snow, or our famous Tuscazoar mud, pitting their skills against their fellow campers in our annual Gold Rush competition. Pushing sleds or carrying backpacks, they've built campfires, split logs, walked on snowshoes, cooked hearty meals, panned for gold and have even built an igloo or two in the winter woods.

Our 10th annual Gold Rush Competition is scheduled for Feb. 13-15. Plan now to put your group's winter camping skills to the test at this special tenth anniversary event.

The competition kicks off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, as competing units will be asked to demonstrate their abilities in bowling for nuggets, the four-man square knot, fire-starting, first aid, lashing and more. Sleds are not required.

Competitors will be divided into three categories based on the unit's average age. Trophies will be presented in each category.

Check-in for campers will begin on Friday evening, February 13. The competition will conclude on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Units may compete without camping, but must register in advance. The $6 per person fee ($7 for Saturday registration) includes a hot chili lunch and a commemorative patch.

More information can be found at the '98 Gold Rush Page.

 
New camping rates adopted for '98

The Camp Tuscazoar board of trustees has adopted a new camping fee schedule for 1998. The following rates took effect on January 1:

These rates have been established to help the Foundation offset the steadily rising costs of camp utilities and maintenance. The Foundation remains committed to keeping our camping rates as low as possible for our visitors. Those who paid for 1998 reservations prior to January 1 will not be assessed any additional camping fees for their reservations.

  
CNG Foundation awards grant to Camp Tuscazoar

The Consolidated Natural Gas Company (CNG) Foundation has made Camp Tuscazoar a 1997 CNG Foundation grant recipient.

"The CNG Foundation is making this grant on behalf of its newest affiliate, East Ohio Energy, which has recently begun operations in the Ohio region," said a letter to the Foundation. "We are pleased to make this contribution to Camp Tuscazoar and wish you and the organization much continued success."

"We are extremely grateful to the CNG Foundation for this generous contribution," said CTF President Ted Novak. "The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation has earmarked these funds to help support repairs to the adirondacks at Three Legs campsite."

Additional grants are also being sought to aid the upcoming repairs at Three Legs.

Got the winter blues?

Look forward to Dover Dam Weekend, May 1-3

Gentle spring breezes; chirping birds; new leaves; colorful forest flowers: it's not too early to start thinking about the signs of spring and our annual Dover Dam Weekend, May 1-3.

Of course, last year the "gentle spring breezes" uprooted several trees and blew down a few tents in camp. Hopefully we won't see a repeat of that this year.

Campsite reservations are already being made for this year's Dover Dam event, which is being billed as a "Mystery Weekend". The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will again offer tours of Dover Dam. Several other activity stations will also be operated throughout camp. As in previous years, canoe trips will be available at reduced rates at the NTR Canoe Livery in Bolivar. A campfire filled with songs, skits and a few "moments of magic" will complete the activities.

The cost is $6 per person for advance registration or $7 for Saturday sign-up, which includes our traditional spaghetti dinner (with meatballs) and patch. Camping and canoeing fees are additional.

Weather, food and turnout were awesome for Pig events

What a way to celebrate autumn! The weather couldn't have been better and neither could the food.

Thanks to all our campers, visitors, and the volunteers who helped us feed more than 700 hungry piglovin' people during this long three-day weekend.

It's not an easy job, but Jim Wright and his crew of helpers worked tirelessly to get the pigs cooked and ready for our hungry crowd. Many thanks to Jim and all the others who were invaluable.

Our new pig roasters and cooking area behind the dining hall made things easier and it was great to "christen" the facility with such wonderful events.

On Saturday, groups visited the Zoarite iron mines, then heard an outstanding presentation at the Fink Truss Bridge by Dave Simmons of the Ohio Historical Society. Several groups took advantage of the warm weather and went canoeing.

Kevin O'Brien, a former camp staffer and Ranger, taught groups of campers some of the songs that have been sung at Camp Tuscazoar for decades. These songs surfaced again that evening at our camp-wide campfire at Hoover Lodge. (Tapes of camp songs are available from our Trading Post in the W.C. Moorhead Museum, and can be found at our web site Trading Post too.)

At dinner, the chow line moved smoothly and anyone hungry was soon filled to the brim with roasted pork, baked potato, green beans and more.

As the last of our campers departed on Sunday, visitors began arriving for our annual Pig Roast. Once more, the weather was nearly perfect, offering opportunities for hiking the camp's trails. The food was excellent, as was the entertainment by Crossroads. No one left with an empty stomach.

Again...thanks to all the volunteers, trustees, members and scouts who helped us prepare and serve the wonderful meals. Your efforts helped us raise a significant amount of money to "help keep the spirit burning" at Camp Tuscazoar this year. We look forward to seeing everyone at next year's Pig events and all the other 1998 Camp Tuscazoar events too!

  
Items of interest:

The Foundation's "Adopt-A-Campsite" program allows groups that complete a work project to stay in camp at no charge. Contact Don Selby at 330-477-5085 for details.

We've set up a special area on our worldwide web site that will enable friends of the Zoarville Station (Fink Truss) Bridge to monitor our progress as we work to restore this historic structure. You can visit this special page at http://www.tuscazoar.org/ZSBUpdate.htm.

 
Many projects completed in 1997

Acquiring the Fink Truss Bridge and getting water to Hoover Lodge were just two of the highlights of a busy 1997 at Camp Tuscazoar. The following projects were completed or started:

In addition, we poured the concrete floor for what will become our new "pig roast" pavilion, which should be finished in plenty of time for our 1998 Pig Roast event!

None of the above projects would have been possible without the support of our members and generous donors.

If you would like to work on a project or make a donation to the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation, please contact Don Selby at 330-477-5085.

Bill Brothers of Troop 301 removed the old Pioneer Point trail bridge and built this new bridge over the Netawatwes Brook, as part of the re-routed trail to the Point.

That's a very fine bridge! Thanks Bill!

 
Visitors must stay on camp property

Recently the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation has received reports from nearby property owners that groups have strayed on to their property. Visitors are reminded that they must remain within the camp's boundaries during their stay. Groups violating this policy will be asked to leave camp with no refund of camping fees. The Foundation will be clearly marking the camp boundaries along access roads and trails, and maps will be posted in several areas in camp. This policy protects the rights of our neighbors, and also protects our visitors from hazards they might encounter off of camp property. If your group enters a neighbor's property, you must return immediately the way you came. Please respect the property of our surrounding neighbors.

 
Plan ahead for Zoar Valley Trail hikes

Several youth groups are now making plans to hike the Zoar Valley Trail this spring. The Camp Tuscazoar Foundation assumed operations of this 20 mile trail in 1996. The trail is anchored at the southern end by the village of Schoenbrunn and on the north by Fort Laurens in Bolivar, with an overnight stop at Tuscazoar.

The Zoar Valley Trail (ZVT) links several key sites in Ohio's past. Fort Laurens is Ohio's only Revolutionary War fort. Zoar Village remains a popular tourist destination. Schoenbrunn Village was the first Moravian mission in the Tuscarawas River valley. The ZVT also passes Dover Dam, constructed in the 1930s as part of Roosevelt's New Deal W.P.A. The trail also skirts alongside the Fink Truss Bridge, the only known bridge of its kind.

ZVT medals are available to those who complete the trail for $4.50. Those who hike the Fort Laurens to Zoar segment can purchase a ZVT patch for $3.50. For a brochure, information packets and maps, contact Don Selby at 330-477-5085. Arrangements for overnight camping at Tuscazoar should be made at least two weeks in advance by contacting the camp Ranger.

 
Foundation elects new trustees, officers for 1998

The Foundation elected four trustees at its annual meeting in October. Those elected to four-year terms were Jim Kardos, Neil Rupe, Dick Matheny and Bob Spencer. Jim returns to the board after a one-year absence. Neil, Dick and Bob are first-time trustees.

In November, the board elected its officers for the 1998 year. They are:

President - Ted Novak
Vice President - Don Selby
Secretary - Eric Schoenbaum
Treasurer - Dana Powers

Congratulations to those elected! Our year is already off to a great start!

  
Coming Events:

Feb. 1 CTF Board Meeting
Feb. 7 Camp Workday
Feb. 13-15 Gold Rush Competition
March 1 CTF Board Meeting
March 7 Camp Workday
April 5 CTF Board Meeting
April 11 Camp Workday
May 1-3 Dover Dam Weekend

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