“There is but one way to learn to do a thing and that is to do it.” –Dan Beard
Exhibit Details
Horseshoe consists of a number of Tent Sites. These sites consist of two person wall tents on wooden platforms. They are not named after any particular pattern as is common in some camps – some campsites at Horseshoe refer to historical figures of Chester County (especially, Scouting in Chester County), or refer to culturally or geographically significant things within the region.
This campsite is named for the Conestoga Trail which runs from the Susquehannah river north through Lancaster County.
Conestoga Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Conestoga campsite.
Conestoga Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Conestoga campsite.
Conestoga Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The pavilion at the Conestoga campsite.
Conestoga Sign
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
HSRAA sign for the Conestoga Campsite.
Hammock Garden
2021 – Contributed by Anonymous
This hammock garden was built in the Conestoga campsite by Parkesburg Troop 135 in 2021.
Dan Beard Campsite
Display Details
This campsite is named for Daniel “Dan” Carter Beard who was an American illustrator and author. He founded the Sons of Daniel Boone in 1905 which later merged with the Boy Scouts of America, and he became one of the first National Commissioners of the BSA.
Moving-In Day
Contributed by Anonymous
Scouts from Willistown 78 work together to carry a foot locker to their home for the next week or two. This photo is probably from around the early 70’s.
Dan Beard Sign
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
HSRAA sign for the Dan Beard Campsite.
Open-air Tent
Contributed by Anonymous
The flaps on the tent are neatly rolled to allow a breeze to flow through the tent on a clear night. We are not absolutely sure what troop or campsite this is but since the picture was found with another from Troop 78, we are guessing that this Dan Beard.
Roofing the Adirondack
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
One of the adirondack cabins in Dan Beard campsite gets a new roof.
Roofing the Adirondack
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
One of the adirondacks in Dan Beard campsite gets a new roof.
Dan Beard Pavilion
2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Dan Beard Pavilion is a great place to hang out… or hang tents when they’re a little wet.
Ernie at the Latrine
2000 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
Ernie Heegard hangs from one of the cross pieces at a newly-constructed latrine in the Dan Beard campsite.
Dan Beard Sign
2022 – Contributed by Steven D'Antonio
Here is the Dan Beard sign in 2022, looking festive for the 4th of July.
Berwyn 11 at Dan Beard
1957 – Contributed by Joseph N DiStefano
Berwyn Troop 11 pose for a Troop photo at Dan Beard Campsite in 1957.
Back Row – Dick Schulze (SM), Gene Hillman, _____, Lee Rimel, Bill Jackson, Eliel Thornbury, Jim Sawyer, Bill Bird, Roger Schellhammer, Bob Busey, Jim Christie, _____, _____
Front Left – Skip Kolze
Right of Flag – Perry Teillon, Bill Bailey, Jack Ansley, Bruce Brunckhurst.
From Troop 11’s 60th Anniversary Scrapbook; written by Joseph N. DiStefano. Joe is now a columnist at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He would be glad to hear from fellow Troop 11 veterans at JoeD@phillynews.com.
Alan Fegley in Dan Beard
1966 – Contributed by Alan Fegley
T78 Scout Alan Fegley stands at the Dan Beard entrance while his troop is in camp.
Dan Beard Panoramic
Contributed by Andrew Smith
A panoramic of Troop 78 in Dan Beard campsite.
Lenni-Lenape Campsite
Display Details
This campsite is named after the local tribe of the Native-Americans who inhabited the Horseshoe property well before Western colonizers appeared.
Lenni-Lenape Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Lenni-Lenape campsite.
Troop Dinner
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Chadds Ford Troop 31 is enjoying their own Saturday evening dinner in the Lenni-Lenape campsite.
Lenni-Lenape Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The picnic area of the Lenni-Lenape campsite.
Lenni-Lenape Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Lenni-Lenape campsite.
Lenni-Lenape Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The latrine area of the Lenni-Lenape campsite.
Green Pavilion Dedication
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Camp Horseshoe staff and Troop 24 members stand in line for the traditional Troop 24 Bar-B-Q, made extra special in 2014 with the dedication of the Green Pavilion.
Green Pavilion Dedication
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The patron of honor, Clarke Green, addresses the crowd after having been celebrated for 30 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 24.
The Green Pavilion
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The newest addition to the Lenni-Lenape campsite, the Green Pavilion, named for Clarke Green of Troop 24, and adorned with a green roof.
Dedication Cake
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Green Cake with Clarke Green on it, in celebration of his 30 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 24.
Over-Dedication
2014 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Wade Bastian defaces the pavilion merely minutes after its dedication.
Troop 24 Feast
2003 – Contributed by Andrew Smith
Camp Staff and Troop 24 members enjoy the annual feast prepared by the adults and Scouts of Kennett Square Troop 24.
Lenni Lenape Sign
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
HSRAA sign for the Lenni-Lenape Campsite.
8932 – Mark Hammond and Damon Sinclair
1991 – Contributed by Mark C. Hammond
Mark Hammond (left) and Damon Sinclair in the Lenni-Lenape campsite in 1991.
Natureheart Campsite
Display Details
Natureheart Campsite was a tent site located behind Dan Beard. In the early days it was the site of a specialty Nature Camp. During the ’70s it was still occasionally used as a temporary overflow campsite.
Natureheart Campsite
1966 – Contributed by Anonymous
While the editors are not sure, this photo has been tentatively identified as an early picture of Natureheart Campsite.
Lenkers and Rettew
1948 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Bob Lenker, Bill Lenker, and John Rettew at Natureheart Campsite in the late 1940s.
Octoraro Campsite
Display Details
This campsite is named for the creek that surrounds the Horseshoe Scout Reservation. Octoraro is the Lenni-Lenape word for “muddy river”.
Octoraro Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Octoraro Campsite.
Octoraro Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Octoraro Campsite.
Octoraro Sign
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
HSRAA sign for the Octoraro Campsite.
Schramm Campsite
Display Details
This campsite is named after Harold Schramm, one of the earliest leaders at Camp Horseshoe.
Schramm Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Schramm Campsite.
Schramm Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Schramm Campsite.
Schramm Campsite
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tent camping at Schramm Campsite.
Timberline Campsite
Display Details
This campsite was formed in the 1950s and was used for Senior Patrol Leader Training early on.
Timberline Flag Raising
1963 – Contributed by Richard T. Bensing
Raising the Flag 1963 Horseshoe, Dick Bensing and Crew. This picture was scanned from the Paoli 1 75th Anniversary Yearbook.
Paoli 1 in Timberline
1963 – Contributed by Richard T. Bensing
Timberline campsite. This picture was scanned from the Paoli 1 75th Anniversary Yearbook.
Timberline Sign
2010 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
HSRAA sign for the Timberline Campsite.
Timberline Fire Guard Station
2012 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Gotta be safe! Here are lots of fire buckets on standby in case of a fire in the campsite.
Oldland Plaque
2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
The Timberline campsite pavilion at Camp Horseshoe was dedicated to Kevin Oldland from Troop 95 Georgetown, DE.
Shawana Campsite
Display Details
In 1957, after another fully occupied camping season, Dr. Anton Hess, Chairman of the Camping Committee, proposed the addition of 6 sites to be developed for the 1958 camping season. The new sites became Roberts, Rothrock, Octoraro, Lenni Lenape, Conestoga and Shawana. It is believed that this hills of Horseshoe were home to the Shawnee town known as “Old Shawana” and the site was named after the legendary place. The campsite was home to the infamous Royal Order of Siam, an unofficial club that offered membership by invitation, complete with its own degrees and rituals but mainly revolved around the food served after the ceremonies. The site was eventually decommissioned due to its tendency to become flooded during storms.
Royal Order of Siam
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Ken Yeager is in his ceremonial place with the black snake around his neck. The lawn chair is not present, so that was likely a later innovation. The gold plastic helmet features the figure of a dragon on top. It is yet another example of the fundamental incongruity of all of this, since the dragons don’t have anything to do with Hinduism, Buddhism, Thailand or anything else at least theoretically relevant to the ROS. Yeager probably just thought it looked cool. The fire isn’t burning in this picture either. Given the arrangement of the people, this could be the very beginning of the ceremony before it would have been lit (that is, you would have pictures two and three reversed in chronological order). On the other hand, since the fire isn’t lit in the first picture either, this could also reflect the not-unheard-of occurrence that the magic fire-starting method (whether electrical or chemical) didn’t work and the show simply went on without it. The tall guy with glasses on the right side of the picture is probably Rick Walsh, possible dating this picture as pre-1967.
Videos
Display Details
Here are a few videos of life in the Camp Horseshoe tent sites.
Green Pavilion Dedication The Green Pavilion was dedicated July 24th, 2014 in Lenni Lenape campsite, in honor of Clarke Green’s 30 years as Scoutmaster of Troop 24. In this video, Linda Bastian introduces Clarke who has some fond memories to share.Campsite Setup Ordeal candidates and OA members work on setting up the Schramm campsite at the June 2017 OA Service weekend. 2017 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Unidentified
Display Details
Here are some photos in unidentified tent camp sites at Camp Horseshoe.
Tent Site
Contributed by Anonymous
An unidentified tent site at Horseshoe.
Tent Platforms
Contributed by Anonymous
Tent platforms without tents on it. This might be during take down of camp or possibly before camp opens and tent sites are being built up for the summer.
Teacher
Contributed by Anonymous
An unidentified adult leader helping a Scout.
Wall Tents and Platforms
Contributed by Anonymous
A typical line of Horseshoe Wall Tents.
Documents
Display Details
Here is a drawing of the butterfly materials used for putting up tent sites.
This document describes the materials for creating a butterfly for the Camp Horseshoe tent sites. Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard
