Wood Lake Words
by
George

Notice

The Wood Lake Conservation Committee is working with the Department of Agriculture in an effort to stop the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer. We are no longer allowing firewood to be brought into the reservation. All firewood brought on the reservation will be burnt immediately. Thank you for helping us keep a healthy forest.

Friends!

     We are well on the way to the 52nd summer camp at Camp Tamarack. Last years staff was an award winning staff and those of you who attended know exactly what I am talking about. I know this years staff will have Scouting values, tradition and costumer service priority one. We pride ourselves on a staff that will exemplify true Scouting Spirit. I hope to see each and every one of you here for Summer Camp 2008.

     Thank you to Danny Purser, the Wood Lake Engineers, Koontz-Wagner Electric, Wood Lake Assistant Rangers, La Salle Council Properties Committee, and the La Salle Council Executive Board for all of the support with the new shop/warehouse. 

 Thank you to the Wood Lake Engineers, FOWLSA and the Northern Hoop for attending the first Mix & Fix. Your help is greatly appreciated. 

 Here we are at the end of another winter and eagerly looking forward to spring. Looking back at the last summer, fall and winter season I must say it had been a good year.

Last spring we had the donation of a 25’x 48’ steel building. The Council Properties committee and the Executive Board approved the hauling from Fort Wayne and rebuilding here at Wood Lake, along with a 24’x48’ pole building. The steel building is the new shop and the attached pole structure is warehouse and office. The old warehouse behind the Q.M. will become storage for program equipment. We will no longer have to move boxes in and out of that little entrance door at the old handcrafted building. The construction of the new building has been a little slow, but we are about 75% complete. You can see pictures of the new shop by clicking the photo gallery link. A big thank you to all who helped make this happen. Without the hundreds of donated hours and dollars this would not have been realized. The value of the structure is $46,500.00 and our actual cost has been $9,959.28 that is awesome!

Summer camp was fantastic, and mainly due to the fantastic staff we had. Units had a great time, and I still receive complements to the staff. Personally I can’t say enough about the staff of the past few years. They have far exceeded my expectations and have given this camp a great reputation. I truly look forward to seeing everyone again this next summer. We know some won’t be able to make it this summer. To you I give my thanks and appreciation for all of the hard work and sacrifices you have made. You have made a difference.

 Late summer we had the first FOWLSA work day / campout, and we got a lot done and had fun doing it let alone personally gaining 10 pounds from all the food. This work day assured that camp was put away in a proper manner along with doing some much needed maintenance. I am eagerly anticipating our next August work day.

 In fall we had a great Pow-Wow thanks to the Northern Hoop and the Wood Lake Campmaster Corps. Thanks so much for the many years of running this fine program for our Scouts. We also had the first meeting of the Wood Lake Engineers. This was a success with a large attendance. Much got done, and the final project was completed using vehicle lights to light the project.

 This winter was a lot of snow. That isn’t bad if you were one of the many units who camped here to go skiing or for the Klondike. The cold winter was also good for those who ice fished Wood Lake. And I do appreciate all four seasons, but I must admit I’m glad spring is just around the corner.

 Future plans for Camp Tamarack include the remodel of Rotary and O.A. Lodge. Currently a committee is meeting and we do have a few drawings to work on. The project should start this fall and include separate sleeping for adults, toilet and shower, cooking area, new doors. They are also looking into a laundry area at the O.A. lodge. Keep your eyes open for new details as we get closer.

 Please take a look at the needs list on the Wood Lake website. Currently insulation board to cover 1500’ is high on our list.

 It has been a good year, and we have a lot to look forward to and be thankful for. Our camp exists only by the good deeds of each of us who holds it precious in our hearts. Let us never take this blessing for granted.

                                                   “May the great Master of all Scouts be with us until we meet again”.

Yours in Scouting!!!

    Ranger George

Camp Address

Wood Lake Scout Reservation

10891 Withers St.

Jones, MI. 49061

(269)435-7533