Scout Camps In This Area

When camps first started, prior to the organization of councils, they would have them anywhere someone would let them use their property. Often they would change locations every year or so. Most of the early camps were held for ten days and were ran more like army camps than we know of Scout camps today. Later, there were a group of volunteers and professionals that would go from camp to camp to help run them during the summer.

Camp Power - 1912

Twelve Scouts left on the morning of June 10, 1912 and hiked to their one week camp on the M. A. McLean's place on Clear Creek, about one mile below Dublin bridge from Brownwood, Texas. The Scouts, dressed in regulation khaki uniforms carrying knapsacks and canteens arrived in camp about 4:30 pm that afternoon. They were under the supervision of Scoutmaster John Power and Assistant Scoutmaster Walter Ford according to a story in the Daily Bulletin. They named the camp "Camp Power" after their Scoutmaster who took the long hike with them.

According to Rev. Power, "The party started out at 7:50 o'clock and walked steadily for an hour, after which they took a fifteen minutes' rest. At 10:30 they stopped for lunch and a long rest, which put in them condition to travel farther. Setting off again they came very near completing their journey by 4:30, but some of the number were too tired to walk the last mile and gladly availed themselves of the opportunity offered by Mr. Henley to ride. Seven, however, spurned all offers to ride and walked steadily along beside the Scout Master to the very end of the journey.

"The first work by the boys was the putting up of tents, then there was a break for the water. Swimming time is limited to fifteen minutes and at the expiration of that time each and every lad had to leave the water and spend like time on the banks before they could return to the water.

"This morning the youngsters were put through a primary military drill and then allowed to go swimming. Quite a bit of work has been mapped out for the youngsters while they are having their fun and when they return to the city they should be eligible for the tenderfeet class of Scouts."

One of the greatest treats, according to the Scouts, was the visit of the Girl Scouts on their last full day in camp. Miss Agnes Power took a party of girls to Brookesmith, where they were met with vehicles and taken to the camp to spend the day. "Uncle Tom" Ragan provided fish for lunch. They had fruit and things sent down from town to make the day a regular picnic for all in attendance.

On the last day, Saturday, June 15, some of the Scouts left Camp Power at 6:30 in the morning and hiked back to town, arriving about one-o'clock. Not all the Scouts could hike that far and came home on the train the night before. The Scouts spent the week "playing at games, in drilling and swimming, and they had a good time." Most of the Scouts hiked back to town at the end of the week's camp but a few road the train into town.

Second Known Scout Camp

The second known Scout Camp held in West Texas was held August 28 through August 31, 1917, at the then Baptist Encampment grounds in Christoval, Texas on the southern branch of the Concho River. Troop 1, under the leadership of O. W. Caldwell, Scoutmaster, spent four days there. They were the host to every boy in San Angelo, TX, that could arrange to take an outing at that time and who would subject themselves to the main Scout rule at camp - "Do right." Nothing is known about the camp itself except that we know from the location and from future camps that they did Scoutcraft and of course went swimming in the Concho River, probably several times a day.

Present Scout Camps

There are presently six Scout Camps and one Aquatic Base in operation for summer camps within the four Councils of West Texas. We have here a brief history of each of those camps and well as many other active camps held prior to that time. Two of those past camps, Camp Louis Farr and Camp Fawcett, were operated for many years. Camp Louis Farr reverted back to the original landowners and several of the buildings are still on the grounds such as the dining hall and caretaker's home. Camp Fawcett is no longer used for summer camp but is still used for weekend activities and camping. They were both in the Concho Valley Council. Another camp, Camp Martin was operated for five years as a part of the old Oil Belt Council. Camp Lake Sweetwater is still available for weekend primitive camping. At one time, from 1933 - 1954, it was the flagship summer camp of the Buffalo Trail Council. But, after the camp and county became a part of the Chisholm Trail Council, and now the Texas Trails Council, its use as a camp has declined.

Last updated: March 3, 2009
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