Activities at Camp Tom Wooten

Camp Tom Wooten

Program in Camp

Evening flag lowering ceremony held in front of the log cabin just before summer. Staff is standing
in front of the log cabin all with the correct salute.

Folding the flag. Troops signed up to raise and lower the flag each day.

Archery Merit Badge was popular back in the early days of Camp Tom Wooten. Note that the range is facing toward the side of the dining hall. In the following photos you will see it changing directions each year.

This photo was probably one of the first shots taken of the Archery Range.
	Here you see then shooting the single archery target. Note that the range was pointed toward S. F. Austin campsite. That was later changed to prevent arrows from flying in to the area.
Here we see the "new and improved" archery range. Note the hay backstop behind the target. They went from a square target to a round target. But, they still only had one target! This time they are shooting toward the Sam Houston campsite but further away. Shown in the background is "Cat Mountain."
	Here you see the cooks looking on as the Scouts receive instruction in making a bow string, one of the requirements for the Archery Merit Badge.
This photo was part of a promotional shot of Archery. Note the Camp Tom Wooten T-shirt the staff instructor is wearing.
	The Rifle Range was another popular place for Scouts during summer camp. Note that the range consisted of old tents strung across a frame and canvas on the dirt completed the place for the shooters. Here you see them using the prone position to shoot the single shot rifles. Note the "buddy system" or coach/pupil method that was also used in aquatic activities.
One of the most popular rifle range instructors and a youth by the name of Kenneth Snipes. He acted like a sergeant and made sure that the range was safe. Here is Scouts are shooting from a sitting position which makes it a lot harder to hit the bull but part of the requirements for the Rifle Merit Badge. Nope, there were no campsites behind the bream, just cedar trees.
	The rifle range shelter was pretty primitive compared to today's standards. But it served the purpose very well.
Here we find a Leo Lee adjusting the sling on his rifle to get it ready for shooting. Note that the rifle is pointing safely toward the target area as it is suppose to be.
	Another program feature in camp was the Handicraft Den that was housed in a tent near the log cabin. And, I might add, a quick walk to the dining hall. Here the Scouts worked on their Basketry, Leatherwork and Wood Carving Merit Badges.
Nature Merit Badge was also taught at camp. Here you see the Scouts on a nature hike learning about all the plants and trees in camp. You ask why they are dressed up on uniform? Well, this photo was part of a summer camp promotional slide show that was made during camp. Otherwise the Scouts would have been in their regular T-shirts and shorts.
	Nature Trail Guide Book developed by Frank Hilton, Camp Director for use at Summer Camp.
The theater was usually in front of the "A" Building, i.e. the log cabin. These Scouts are being led in a song, we think. It might just be the leader explaining the rules for the Capture the Flag event where they used small sacks of flour to hit the members of the other team. To my knowledge only one Scout was every hurt in this game. He dislocated his shoulder when he ran into a barb wire fence in the dark.
	Here the Scouts are still gathered in front of the log cabin. Note that the leaders choose to stand up rather than sit on the hard ground. Here they are getting ready for Stunt Night. At least one night during the week the camp showed a movie from the log cabin shooting the movie on a screen located near the flag pole. They had to show it there as that was where the electricity was! The screen came from Camp Mabry and the projector from the Scout Office. The film came from the local library.

Campfire. Here you see all the Scouts and leaders gathered for a campfire. The location was behind the log cabin.

Every evening the camp held a flag retreat ceremony. You can see everyone lined up in uniform as the prepare to lower the flag. The bugler played "Retreat" as the flag bearers marched up to the flag pole. And then played "To The Colors" as the flag was lowered.

One year the camp had two buglers and two drummers. That was probably the best retreat ceremonies ever held at Camp Tom Wooten. What with all four Scouts playing together, drum roll and all, it made the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Carl Monahon from Mason, who was also in the Longhorn Band at the University of Texas, organized and led the group. It was quite a show for sure and one that will always be remembered as a highlight of camp.

We want to thank Le Starr for the top photo of probably the first Archery Range at Camp Tom Wooten. And we want to thank John Wittliff for the photos of the retreat ceremony at the top and the first Archery photo.