Fishing Merit Badge
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Scouts try their luck at fishing in the Octoraro during a Fishing merit badge class.
Octoraro Creek at OA Bridge
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A view of the Octoraro Creek downstream from the OA bridge. This is the site of the old boat docks before they were moved in the late 70’s.
Octoraro Creek at the Bend
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A view of the Bend of the Octoraro as seen from upstream.
Octoraro Roaring
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The mighty (muddy) Octoraro as seen from the Chapel after a night of heavy rain.
Octoraro in Spring
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A shot of the Octoraro from the Horseshoe chapel during a brisk Spring morning.
Octoraro Loop
1930 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
View of the Octoraro Loop in 1930
Horseshoe Octoraro bend
1935 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Hanging out by the Bend of the Octoraro in the ’30s.
Octoraro Bend Boating
1935 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Boating at the Bend in the Octoraro in the ’30s.
Horseshoe – Ware Bridge
2006 – Contributed by James Buczala
Picture of the Octoraro Creek and the bridge connecting Camps Ware and Horseshoe taken on a clear early Autumn day.
Octoraro Flooding
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
In September 2010, several days of hard rain turned the Octoraro Creek into a bloated swell that jumped the banks and flooded out some of the low-lying areas of HSR.
Octoraro Creek in Winter
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
After a large snowstorm in January 2011, the creek becomes quite picturesque and ready for a real polar bear swim!
Octoraro Hike
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
G. Ernest Heegard (right) and Neil Chippendale take a stroll along the Octoraro Creek.
'Octoraro' – Muddy Water
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
This really shows you how the Octoraro Creek got its name.
The Muddy Octoraro
Contributed by Rev. Thomas Shanklin
Here is a picture of the muddy Octoraro creek after it jumped its banks.
The Mighty Octoraro
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is an aerial view of the Octoraro Creek taken during the Drone Day of 2020. This was the winning photo of the Drone Day contest, taken by Price Stevenson III.
Early Boating
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
An early picture of boating on the Octoraro. This photo can be found in the Chester County Council Boy Scouts of America 1910-1935 book.
Shallow Water
1979 – Contributed by Anonymous
The exposed sandbar and shoreline were not all that uncommon at the old Boatdocks.
Whoops
1999 – Contributed by Anthony J. DiAntonio
Mark Deese accidentally parked his father’s vehicle on the Octoraro Creek underwater bridge as he tried to forge the river at high tide in Winter. The incident caused the Octoraro to be dubbed the “Deese Underwater Highway” (DUH) for a short period.
Ice Floe
Contributed by David B. Woodward
Onlookers check out the large ice floes in the Octoraro Creek.
Ice Floe
Contributed by David B. Woodward
Onlookers check out the large ice floes in the Octoraro Creek.
Fishing Fun
2025 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Cubs and their parents try their luck at angling in the Octoraro Creek during the 2025 C5 Event.
Octoraro High Water
Contributed by Anonymous
Here is a scene of the Octoraro Creek having a huge rush of water after a storm.
Rowing Merit Badge
Contributed by Anonymous
A Scout practices his rowing strokes while his passenger enjoys the ride.
The Octoraro
1928 – Contributed by Anonymous
Early view of the Octoraro Creek.
Octoraro Creek
1928 – Contributed by Anonymous
An early view of the Octoraro Bend.
Old Boat Docks
Contributed by Anonymous
The Old Boat Docks went through a number of different looks during its time of service. At this time there was a ramp for launching canoes and moorings for the row boats. Rising flood waters would wreak havoc on improvements such as these.

