Preparing the Circle
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A staff member mows the area where the OA pageant participants will perform.
Campfire Building
2005 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Saturday evening campfires are built with extreme care for the best burning possible. Logs are cut using patterns that specify the exact thickness and length so that the campfire can look professional and provide “natural pyrotechnics” with limited help from other substances.
OA Pageant Preparations
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Members of the Order of the Arrow practice for the pageant they will perform for 500 people later in the evening.
OA Pageant Preparations
2013 – Contributed by Richard Gardner
The OA pageant team is hard at work learning the physical parts prior to the actual pageant scheduled for later in the evening.
Chief's Stand
1997 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
Camp Horseshoe staff members practice for the OA pageant, which includes (L to R): _____, Matt Lovejoy, Brad Dunlap, Brian Williams, Neville Austin, and A.J. DiAntonio.
Waiting in Line
2024 – Contributed by Marc Circus
Here is a line waiting to enter Achgeketum Fire Circle at the Friday night campfire in 2024.
Lining the Trail
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Participants in the Saturday Evening OA Pageant line the trail to Achgeketum Circle prior to the parents’ arrival.
'Greeting' the Audience
2004 – Contributed by Mike Arles
Staff members and campers, some in costume and others in uniform, await the arrival of parents and guests of the Saturday night campfire.
Vigil Ceremony
2004 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Here, Camp Horseshoe Staffer Anthony Cascone is preparing to “hoist his pack” for participation in the Order of the Arrow Vigil Ceremony. The ceremony is held once per summer (and on 1 or 2 two other OA weekends per year) during the Saturday Evening Campfire.
Vigil Candidates
2010 – Contributed by Anonymous
Vigil Honor Candidates stand before the chief of the fire during the Saturday Night campfire.
Watching Over the Fire
2015 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
As the Saturday evening campfire roars, the chief and his assistant watch over their council fire.
Saturday Campfire
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
The center fire, ablaze during the beginning of the OA pageant.
Lighting the Center Fire
2010 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
A staff member lights the center fire so that the Saturday Campfire may begin.
Lighting the Center Fire
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Center Fire of the Achgeketum Fire Circle is lit at the Saturday campfire.
Lighting the Outer Fires
2007 – Contributed by Kevin Grewell
A Scout stands poised to light his torch so that he may carry forth the flame to the outer fires.
Pageant Scout Law
2002 – Contributed by Anonymous
Pageant participants state the Scout Law and portions of the Oath at the beginning of the OA pageant.
Saturday Pageant
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The campfire and pageant on Saturday night from the gate vantage point.
Salute, Dismissed
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
First Year Campers salute the Camp Director Mike Berkeihiser after receiving their round patch.
Campfire Lighting
1973 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
“In lighting this fire I will be ever mindful of the Scout Oath…”
Ceremonial Campfire
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Scouts and parents gather for the traditional Saturday night pageant and campfire at Totem Pole Circle.
Indoor Ceremony
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Occasionally the elements take a toll and the ceremony has to be moved to the Dining Hall.
Achgeketum Campfire
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
Here we see the Saturday evening campfire in peak blaze.
First Fire
2021 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is a look at the first summer camp closing campfire since the renovation of the Achgeketum Fire Circle and the reopening of camp following the coronavirus pandemic.
Note: Unlike previous years, this campfire took place on a Friday due to the shortened camper sessions of the 2021 season. Subsequent seasons continued the Friday campfire.
The Bright Fire
2021 – Contributed by Anonymous
Here is Achgeketum lit up for the week 3 ending campfire in 2021 (taking place on a Friday instead of the usual Saturday).
Log Dimensions
Contributed by Andrew Coe
For those with pyrotechnical inclinations, here are the dimensions of the logs used during the Saturday Night campfire.
