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April 2011
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Vol. 22, Number 1
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Dover Dam Weekend to
offer Archaeology Merit Badge
“Archaeologists are detectives who study how people lived in
the past. They figure out what happened, when, how, and why. Using
the clues that people left behind, they try to understand how and
why human culture has changed through time”
Scouts can earn Archaeology Merit
Badge at our annual Dover Dam Weekend on
April 29 to May 1. Lots of exciting events are planned. You will
see how these history detectives figure out the when’s, how’s and
why’s of the past. With guidance and instruction provided by both
professional and dedicated and experienced amateur archaeologists,
you will learn about the techniques and tools used to transport
oneself back in time, ultimately trying to see what you would have
seen had you been there in person. You will learn about real
archaeological sites around the world, and you will get to hold
real artifacts discovered at real “digs”. You will also meet a
gentleman from the Revolutionary War period and travel back in
time with him to the early days of our country.
You will work with skilled crafters who will give hands-on
instruction in the art of taking rough stone and delicately
knapping away at it until it reveals the tools and weaponry
critical to survival. And, divided into small groups, you will
participate in a dig, where you and your friends, with the
assistance of members of the Sugarcreek Valley Chapter of the
Archeological Society of Ohio, will be given a plot to excavate.
You’ll work a screen, carefully looking for any artifacts that may
be discovered among the dirt and rocks.
And since this is Dover Dam Weekend, you will also have the chance
to tour a real dam! Throw in a commemorative patch, a great dinner
and an old-fashioned campfire and it makes for one great weekend.
The cost is $12 per participant, which covers all activities, the
patch and dinner Saturday night. Camping costs are extra. To
register or learn more, contact the camp at 330-859-2288 or via
email at info@tuscazoar.org.
Archaeology…can you dig it!
Board considers fee increase
With the new year’s arrival, the camp’s
Board of Directors has been reviewing our financial situation. No
one wants to see price increases, but operating costs for the camp
continue to rise. Most of our expenses have increased, including
utilities, propane, insurance and maintenance costs. Even snow
plowing hit us hard this winter. We’ve analyzed the costs related
to each building and found that in most cases they are being
rented at a loss. As you can imagine, we cannot continue to
operate a camp that cannot pay its bills.
Therefore we are considering an increase in camping fees in the
fall of 2011. Existing reservations will be honored at the booked
price but new reservations will reflect the newer prices. We hope
you will understand that we have done our best to maintain our low
prices by supplementing our income with fundraisers and syrup
sales, but we find this a necessary increase. Please feel free to
discuss this with our Ranger or any Director during your visits.
We are happy to listen to any comments or suggestions you may have
on this matter. We always welcome your feedback.
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Maple syrup at markets We had a great turnout for
our annual Maple Days Breakfast in early April despite
unseasonably cool temperatures. In fact, attendance was so good
that we ran out of maple syrup and will have to bottle more.
If you were not able to purchase syrup at the Maple Days Breakfast,
you can place an order via the camp website. Visit
www.tuscazoar.org/
maplesyrup.htm
for more details. Also, the camp will once again offer syrup at
area farmers markets. Beginning in late June, we will staff a
booth at the Massillon Farmers Market on Saturday mornings in
downtown Massillon. We will also participate in both the
Tuscarawas Valley Family Farm Market at the Dover Fairgrounds and
the Jackson Township farmers market. These markets are great
opportunities meet former campers and establish contacts for
future camp events. If you would have a few hours to assist,
please call Nancy Schoenbaum at 330-493-1386 to discuss the
possibilities. |
Tuscazoar events, programs and activities
For reservations or additional information,
contact Camp Tuscazoar at 330-859-2288 |
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Icky's Point of Interest
Railroad Bed
The first railroad to operate in Tuscarawas County was the Bayard
(Columbiana County) branch of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh line, which
ran its first trains to Dover and New Philadelphia in 1854. This
original railroad bed lies at a lower elevation along the river and
is now a trail of road cinders. The closest station to camp was in
Zoarville. Scouts would disembark there and then hike to camp. The
railroad bed was elevated in the 1930's because of plans to
construct Dover Dam on the Tuscarawas River immediately below camp
for flood control. Construction of the elevated railroad bed forced
the relocation of many of Tuscazoar's buildings, which created the
present central camp area. The upper railroad bed, which was
abandoned in the late 1970’s, now serves as a trail to Dover Dam and
Buzzard’s Roost. |
Photo of completed decks, stairs, railings and ramp
at the recently-completed Richard W. Belcher Memorial Lodge.
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Finishing touches complete new lodge
The Richard W. Belcher Memorial Lodge, the newest addition to the
camp’s facilities, is now complete.
Construction began in 2005 with funds provided by family and
friends of Dr. Belcher, a Canton native who served as a
dermatologist in the area for many years. The lodge is designed to
serve the needs of physically disabled campers.
Belcher Lodge has been open to camping for several years while work
continued on interior plumbing, electrical wiring and other
furnishings. The lodge was built on the site of the former camp tool
shed, which was destroyed by fire in 2005.
Several Eagle projects helped to complete the lodge. Most recently,
Janson Taylor of Troop 108 in Alliance constructed upper and lower
decks, connected staircases and railings and built an access ramp.
He also installed a parking barrier by the well head, finished off
the top ramp’s railing and added steps to the area under the second
floor balcony.
The cabin now offers sinks, flush toilets, and cooking facilities
on both levels and is heated during the winter months.
Our thanks to all those who devoted time, effort and resources to
complete this project. The Richard W. Belcher Memorial Lodge will
serve campers at Tuscazoar for many years to come.
Pig Gig to offer outdoor games on Saturday, Sept.
10
Boy Scout Troop 44 from Louisville will be coordinating a day of
activities for campers at the annual Pig Gig on Saturday Sept. 10. A
variety of outdoor games and activities are being planned (with
indoor options in case of bad weather). The theme will be: Try your
LUCK at our games of SKILL. Watch for upcoming announcements. For
information, contact Kraig Ossler, Scoutmaster of Troop 44 at
330-875-5932.
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Scouts return for Gold Rush event
More than 100 Scouts pushed
their Klondike sleds from Buzzard’s Roost to Mingo
campsite in search of six cities and valuable gold nuggets
during Camp Tuscazoar’s Gold Rush competition in January.
This was the first Gold Rush held at Camp Tuscazoar since
2003.
The Scouts followed the Tuscazoar Gold Rush trail as laid out by
Brian Quinn and staffed by Tuscazoar volunteers. At each
city, the Scouts completed a task using a Scout skill. The
teams experienced six hours of cold weather fun using
skill, endurance, strategy and luck. Several inches of
snow added to the fun.
Camp Tuscazoar Foundation President Bob Spencer led the volunteers
who provided a Friday evening cracker barrel and three
square meals to the participants. The patrols fixed their
warm lunch meal on the trail at a city of their choice.
The nuggets they earned in the competition were thriftily
spent at the auction held after the evening supper and
awards announcements.
All the leaders were enthused by the winter event, so much so that
they began planning for next year’s fun. Watch for
upcoming announcements!
Scouts from Troop 217 from New London pull their
Klondike sled toward Buzzard’s Roost during the 2011 Gold
Rush competition at Camp Tuscazoar. |
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Last call for
final patch in 90th anniversary patch set
The final patch in our 90th Anniversary patch set can
be earned by doing a “good turn” for Camp Tuscazoar.
This patch will be awarded to individuals and/or
groups who participate in an approved work project for
the camp from now until the end of Dover Dam Weekend
in 2011.
To make arrangements for your personal or group project, just give
the Ranger a call and he will offer alternatives for
you or your group based on work that needs to be
completed.
Currently our focus is on taking down and storing the materials for
our syrup operation and preparing the camp for the
Dover Dam Weekend activities. Anyone with a few hours
to spare is welcome to join us and since our Ranger is
on site daily, we can even use help during the week.
Just give the camp a call at 330-859-2288.
The four-patch set, when stacked together, forms a totem pole. If
you were not able to attend one or more of our events
in 2010 and did not complete your patch set, please
watch for upcoming details on how your missing patches
can be obtained.
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Renew memberships
If you haven’t renewed your membership in
the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation (CTF) for 2011, now is the time.
Returning your membership form will save us the time and expense of
contacting you by mail, and your annual dues will once again help keep
the camp open and operating. Every dollar counts! Those who are
members in good standing can also camp at Tuscazoar. The CTF is an
Ohio nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving Camp Tuscazoar for
future generations of youth. Please consider becoming a member or
renewing your membership with the Foundation. Camp Tuscazoar needs
your help!
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Coming Events: |
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| April 29-May 1 |
Dover Dam Weekend |
| May 1 |
CTF Board Meeting |
| June 5 |
CTF Board Meeting |
| July 10 |
CTF Board Meeting |
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Aug 7 |
CTF Board Meeting |
Sept 9-11 |
Pig
Gig/Pig Roast |
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Oct 1-2 |
Fall Flapjack Flip |
| Oct 1-2 |
Orienteering Event |
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Camp Tuscazoar "Breeze"
is published by the
Camp Tuscazoar Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 308
Zoarville, OH 44656-0308
http://www.tuscazoar.org
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Endowment
fund transferred to Stark Community Foundation
The CTF Board of Directors has voted
unanimously to transfer the camp’s Endowment Fund to the
permanent control of the Stark Community Foundation (SCF). The
agreement reached with the SCF allows use of the money for the
purposes that the Endowment Fund was established: a) Purchase of
real property used by or adjacent to Camp Tuscazoar, not already
owned by the foundation, when such purchase is recommended by
CTF Property Committee, and approved by the Board of Directors;
b) Construction or reconstruction of Camp Tuscazoar buildings
and/or structures, as recommended by CTF Property Committee, and
approved by the Board of Directors; or c) Purchases or renewals
of liability insurance.
Donations can still be made to the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation
through Foundation representatives, but donations will now also
be accepted directly by the Stark Community Foundation on behalf
of the camp. The funds may not be accessed unless called for by
a 75% majority of the CTF Board of Directors, and this
supermajority has been the requirement since the Endowment Fund
was first established. Placing the Fund in trust with the SCF
allows it to be managed by professional money managers for
maximum rate of return, and makes it collection-proof in the
event that the Camp Tuscazoar Foundation would have a judgment
taken against it in court. Placing these funds with the SCF will
also allow CTF to better apply for grants under their programs.
The CTF was impressed with the reputation and professionalism of
the SCF and the board is confident that this transfer will serve
the camp well. Former Buckeye Council staff member and CTF
Director Howard Rubin, Jr. once served as president of this
organization. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial
relationship with this outstanding community service agency. For
more info, visit
http://www.starkcf.org. |
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