“We prepare for the worst and we prepare for the best and sometimes we get the unknown.” -NASA
Exhibit Details
The 2020s got off to a very rocky start with the coronavirus pandemic, but Horseshoe Scout Reservation did their best to keep the Scouting spirit alive with continued programs at HSR.
HSR Highlights: The COVID-19 pandemic forces HSR to cancel the traditional summer camp program and replace it with some unique weekend programs.
In This Year: the coronavirus pandemic disrupts much of the world’s economy and events; the Mars 2020 rover mission is launched; water discovered on the Moon.
The 2020 Camp Horseshoe Staff Photo, full of masked-faces of those who carried the flame of volunteer service despite their being no regular camp program in 2020.
Lit Benches
2020 – Contributed by Damon Sinclair
With a generator, the benches are lit up with the new lighting system for the Achgeketum Fire Circle. This is a small part of the overall Achgeketum Rehabilitation Project.
Jackie Palmer
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is <strong>Jackie Palmer</strong> receiving the first-ever Muddy River Gang award.
2020 NYLT Temp Checks
2020 – Contributed by Anonymous
During the pandemic, temperature checks were common at Scouting events, as seen here at the 2020 Fall NYLT course.
Night Time Soldiers
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
The soldier cast of "No Ordinary Soldier" that was shot at HSR in 2020.
Videos
HSR Fall Update 2020 Council President Pete Motel talks about the changes at Horseshoe Scout Reservation in Fall 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. 2020 – Contributed by Anonymous
2021 Pictures
Display Details
HSR Highlights: A new shower house is built at Camp Horseshoe which would later be named after the first HSR ranger C.C. Cole; Hurricane Ida destroyed the Order of the Arrow bridge; the Legacy Trading Post is opened at Camp Horseshoe.
In This Year: For the first year ever Europe generated more renewable energy than energy derived from fossil fuels; wide theatrical releases return to movie theaters; the U.S. capitol was attacked.
Short-Term Admin Training
2021 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is a picture of the 2021 Short-Termp Camp Administrator trainees who were certified at Camp John H. Ware 3rd on January 23rd, 2021. This program took effect on January 1, 2021.
Camp Ware Work
2021 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
In 2021, a series of special work days were scheduled for Horseshoe Scout Reservation to assist with all the extra work needed due to the damage from Winter but also from the coronavirus pandemic causing irregular schedule of camp occupancy where work would often get done.
Here is a picture of those who came out for a Camp Ware work day on March 20th, 2021.
Legacy Trading Post Opens!
2021 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The "Grand Opening" of the Legacy Trading Post occurred at the 2021 April Service Weekend.
The Eagles
2021 – Contributed by Dean Kaiser
Here is a look at the 2019 and 2020 Eagles who attended the 2021 Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner, hosted for the first time in recent memory at Camp Horseshoe.
Hammock Garden
2021 – Contributed by Anonymous
This hammock garden was built in the Conestoga campsite by Parkesburg Troop 135 in 2021.
Ida Flood Damage
2021 – Contributed by Anonymous
Hurricane Ida caused significant damage to Camp Horseshoe on August 31st, 2021, including destroying the OA bridge.
New Shower House
2021 – Contributed by Anonymous
Constructed in 2021, the new shower house building is located between the Rothrock and Roberts cabins at Camp Horseshoe.
2022 Pictures
Display Details
HSR Highlights: HSRAA begins its Historical Sign project with the first 3 signs installed at Camp Horseshoe.
In This Year: Scientists develop a nuclear fission breakthrough where more energy was produced than consumed in a reaction for the first time; the first Africa Cup of Nations was held with Senegal winning; Russia invaded Ukraine; Generative AI program ChatGPT is launched;
Honoring Pierre S. DuPont
2022 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
<strong>Damon Sinclair</strong>, chairman of HSRAA, honors <strong>Pierre Dupont</strong> on June 27th, 2022 at Camp Horseshoe for his contributions to the founding of Camp Horseshoe in 1927. An early mockup of a plaque honoring DuPont is unveiled.
Camp Beginnings
2022 – Contributed by Damon Sinclair
This sign was installed near the White House at Camp Horseshoe in June 2022.
Stacking Wood
2022 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
OA members stack firewood during the March 19th, 2022 work day.
Work Crew
2022 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
OA members work on the Yellow Trail during the March 19th, 2022 work day.
Trail Work
2022 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
OA members work on the Yellow Trail during the March 19th, 2022 work day.
Troop 682 Sharkbait Patrol
2022 – Contributed by Anonymous
Poway Troop 682 all the way from Southern California came to Camp Horseshoe's summer camp in 2022.
2023 Pictures
Display Details
HSR Highlights: Staff cabins are installed at Camp Horseshoe.
In This Year: The first human whole eye transplant was performed; Charles Windsor is crowned King Charles III of England; Hamas launches an incursion into Israel.
Camp John H. Ware 3rd History
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This sign was installed at the fence line in the Camp John H. Ware 3rd parking lot.
Legend of the Lodge Patch – Ernie Heegard
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This patch was issued at the 2023 April Service weekend to participants of the LLT on Sunday morning. It features <strong>G. Ernest Heegard</strong> who was a Scoutmaster of Troop 78, Camp Director at Horseshoe for 29 years, and Octoraro Lodge 22 Adviser for 28 years. Ernie has been referred to as "the living embodiment of Scouting in Chester County", and has been the role model for the Scout Oath and Law for generations of Scouts for nearly 75 years.
Staff Cabins
2023 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Three new staff cabins at Camp Horseshoe were installed prior to summer camp 2023.
McIlvaine QR Code
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
QR codes were laser-cut into wood pieces for select buildings at HSR, and the QR codes when scanned lead to exhibits in the HSRAA Virtual Museum.
2024 Pictures
Display Details
HSR Highlights: The Allen Memorial Dining Hall roof was replaced; a renovated Camp Ware flagpole layout was completed by HSRAA; a celebration of life was held at Camp Horseshoe for G. Ernest Heegard.
In This Year: Notre Dame Cathedral is reopened after a fire damaged it years earlier; the Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed after being struck by a container ship;
Flagpoles and Wall
2024 – Contributed by Steve T Miller
The Camp Ware Flagpoles and Wall project was conducted by HSRAA in the first half of 2024.
The Charles M. Heistand Swimming Pool
2024 – Contributed by Steve T Miller
The sign was installed in June 2024 at the bottom of the trail to the Charles M. Heistand Pool at Camp Horseshoe.
Dust and Seeds
2024 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Rev. <strong>Jim Goudie</strong> gives a sermon about Dust and Seeds at the G. Ernest Heegard Celebration of Life service on June 22, 2024.
Finished Roof
2024 – Contributed by Ryan Teat
The metal roof is installed on the Allen Memorial Dining Hall in April 2024 as part of the "Raise the Roof" Campaign.
2025 Pictures
Display Details
HSR Highlights: Water damage destroys the Camp Horseshoe kitchen; Octoraro Lodge #22 hosts their 9th Conclave at Camp Horseshoe;
In This Year: Robert Provost was elected Pope Leo XIV; the Philadelphia Eagles win their second Super Bowl title; a measles outbreak in the south is worst in a generation.
Kitchen Damage
2025 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Camp Horseshoe Dining Hall's kitchen damage sustained significant water damage in January 2025.
Mason-Dixon Historical Sign
2025 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The 6th HSRAA Historical Sign, this one dedicated to the Mason-Dixon Line Marker found at Camp Horseshoe.
Dining Hall Work
2025 – Contributed by Matt Stephens
During the 2025 June OA Service Weekend, Camping VP <strong>Pete Motel</strong> works on finalizing the renovation work for the rear wall of the Dining Hall.
Conclave Show
2025 – Contributed by James Sweed
Here is a shot of Achgeketum circle just before the start of one of the 2025 Section E11 conclave shows. This was the 9th conclave Octoraro 22 has ever hosted.
2026 Pictures
Display Details
HSR Highlights: TBD
In This Year: TBD
Troop 73 at 2026 Klondike Derby
2026 – Contributed by Anonymous
Valley Forge Troop 73 and their sled at the 2026 Klondike Derby held at Camp Horseshoe. The Derby had to be cut short a day by a huge winter storm coming in Saturday night.
New Picnic Tables
2026 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Troop 78 constructed forty new picnic tables in 2026 for Camp Horseshoe.
Ware Pool Roof
2026 – Contributed by Pete Motel
The Camp Ware pool gets a face lift with a new metal roof installed in 2026.
The 7th HSRAA Historical Sign
2026 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Octoraro 22 Historical Sign created by HSRAA was installed during the 2026 April Service Weekend.
Pool Trail Work
2026 – Contributed by Sammy Roworth
Amongst others, <strong>Billy Blankmeyer</strong> came down for a day in late May 2026 to work on the Camp Horseshoe Pool trail, which was in dire need of repair.
Ready Robot
2026 – Contributed by Gary M. Schroeder
At the first annual Robotics Week at Camp Horseshoe, this youth has assembled quite a nice looking robot that appears ready for testing in the pool.
Ray Coe and Pavilion
2026 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Former Troop 31 Scoutmaster <strong>Ray Coe</strong> at the dedication ceremony for the new pavilion in Sherwood Forest that was dedicated in his honor on July 30, 2026.
Filled Display Cases
2026 – Contributed by Anthony J. DiAntonio
The new OA display cases, installed in early August 2026, are now full with Octoraro lodge memorabilia transferred into the cases.
FIre Circle Work Crew
2026 – Contributed by Matt Ostrowski
Here is some of the work crew that worked on rehabilitating the OA fire circle for its first use in 5 years at the September Fellowship weekend.
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From left: <strong>Matt Ostrowski, Stuart Watson, Tom Murphy, Bob Wheeler, Collin Wheeler, Max Weiser, Chuck Persch, James Sweed</strong>
