Winter Camps at Camp Fawcett

The first of many three-day Winter Camps was held at Camp Fawcett in January 1974, with close to 200 campers.  The weather was warm that first year and troops went swimming in the Nueces River.  The water in camp had been turned off  for the winter and everyone had to bring their own water.  On Saturday night a campwide campfire was held for all the troops in camp and a simple religious service was held in the campfire ring on Sunday morning.  A special Polar Bear patch was made available to all Scouts who attended the camp. 

OA Camping DemonstrationBy 1979, Winter Camp had 202 youth and 41 adults in the Fifth Winter Camp.  The Amistad Chapter of the Order of the Arrow presented a high-adventure equipment demonstration and Mark Smith led the traditional campfire program on Saturday night.  The weather was cold enough for a change to freeze water left outside overnight.  One year, a couple of Scouts, playing with matches, set the woods on fire behind Smylie campsite and the local volunteer fire department had to be called out to help put out the fire.  Fortunately, no structures were burned. 

The annual encampment proved popular with Scouts, and by 1989 the attendance had grown to  320 Scouts and Scouters from 22 Scout troops.  Troops came from Uvalde, Brackettville, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Rocksprings, Ozona, Brady, San Angelo and Grape Creek.  Activities at the camp included a high adventure backpacking demonstration, campfire, religious service, hiking and canoeing.  Troop 227 of Rocksprings kept up a tradition they started at the first winter camp by going swimming in the Nueces River even though the temperature never got above 60 degrees and the low (for a high) was sometimes 40 degrees. 

The coldest Winter Camp was held in January of 1984 when the temperature dipped down into the 20’s.   That did not prevent some of the 452 Scouts and adults from 32 troops from going swimming and canoeing.  That year they added volleyball and horseshoe pitching to the program.  Tris Darby, Chris Johnson and Joe Will Ross, Wahinkto Lodge officers, were in charge of the activities. 

The winter camp was discontinued in 1990.

Winter Camp at Camp Sol Mayer

For the first time in many years, the Concho Valley Council will offerred a Winter Camp on December 27-3, 2003.  This winter camp was designed to help Scouts work toward Eagle required merit badges. Most of the merit badges that were offered were not offered at summer camp.  Since the Scouts were out of school this time of year, the winter camp was designed to give him something fun and exciting to do over Christmas break. The Winter Camp was held at Camp Sol Mayer, located by Ft. McKavett.  About 60 Scouts attended the camp.  No aquatic merit badges were offered!


Last Updated February 6, 2004