“I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn’t show.” –Andrew Wyeth
Exhibit Details
Whether it’s chopping wood or hiking the trails, the winter camp experience offers something different for everyone. Cold weather camping, rifle shooting and orienteering courses are but a few of the other activities that round out Winter Camping at HSR.
Ernie Heegard (right) shares his knowledge of regalia and Native-American dancing/drumming with Scouts Josh Hughes (center) and Brett D’Antonio (distracted) in the Kindness Center during Troop 78’s Annual Father and Son Weekend in January 1997.
Wood Chopping
Troop 78 Scouts (from left) Jim Bob Pine, Tim Gottgetreu and Chris Flipse chop wood in front of Browning Lodge.
Preparing for Orienteering Hike
2007 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Scouts from Devon Troop 50 prepare their maps before embarking on an orienteering hike.
Scout as Table
2007 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
And before taking off for orienteering, they need one last look, so let’s use someone’s back!
Splitting Wood
2007 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
This Scout uses a homemade wood splitter that operates – much like an axe – as a wedge, but one balances it on the top of a log and drives down with a cylinder that forces the wedge into the log.
Boonesboro Winter Stockades
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
An early snow and cold snap require some adjustments for stockade camping.
Rifle Shooting in the Cold
2008 – Contributed by Anonymous
Scouts from Troop 31 take aim during a cold December weekend to earn Rifle Shooting Merit Badge.
Ammo Blocks
2008 – Contributed by Anonymous
Scouts from Troop 31 file towards the range house to get their ammo blocks.
Ware Rifle Range in Winter
2009 – Contributed by James Buczala
Scouts make use of the Ware Rifle Range during Winter Camp under the supervision of a certified Range Master.
Rifle Range Photo
1978 – Contributed by Andrew Fish
Spring City Troop 4 receives outdoor instruction from Scoutmaster Dick Weazel and SPL Brian Donahue. Scouts seated include Jeff Smythe, Curt Diener, brothers Jim and Dave Lewis plus others. Photo taken during a winter camp weekend.
Sunday Service
2011 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 31 conducts a Sunday Service in Rothrock campsite as part of their winter camping trip.
Rifle Shooting
2011 – Contributed by Anonymous
As part of their Rifle Shooting MB, Scouts from Troop 31 try to qualify on targets at the Camp Horseshoe Rifle Range.
Winter Camping Long Ago
Contributed by C. William Waxbom
Here a Scout braves the cold and snow near McIlvaine Lodge in a winter camping season from long ago.
Game Night
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 31 plays some games during the cold winter night of Winter Camping in Rothrock Cabin.
Making Pancakes
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
This Troop 31 Scout is trying his best to make pancakes in the morning despite the sunrise glare.
Cooking Eggs
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
Here is a novel way to cook an egg – inside an orange peel! Troop 31 shows the way.
Staying Clean
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
The two basin method for washing dishes on a camping trip is shown here as Mark Dulik prepares another cooking method.
Mark Dulik
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
Mark Dulik shows a novel way of cooking food during a winter camping outing with Troop 31.
Making Brownies
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
Chadds Ford Troop 31 is making an effort to try all manner of camping cooking methods, including making brownies over a fire.
Achgeketum Gathering
2016 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 31 gathers at Achgeketum circle during a winter camping outing in 2016.
Wood Cutters
2017 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 78 spends time cutting wood at Camp Horseshoe during a Winter Camping weekend.
Wood Cutters
2017 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 78 spends time cutting wood at Camp Horseshoe during a Winter Camping weekend.
Wood Cutters
2017 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 78 spends time cutting wood at Camp Horseshoe during a Winter Camping weekend.
Bacon and Pancakes
2017 – Contributed by A. Ray Coe
Troop 31 enjoys bacon and pancakes during their winter camping weekend at Camp Horseshoe.
Heistand Pool
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
This is the view of the Heistand Pool in February 1957 as seen by Paoli 81. Notice that at this time there was no fence.
Lifeguard Lookout
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
Despite not using the pool, this lifeguard station is getting some use during the winter anyway,
Buzzards Rock
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
Paoli 81 Scouts in February 1957 climb Buzzards Rock.
Beautiful Vista
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
Here is a breathtaking look at Camp Horseshoe during the winter of 1957.
Lounging About
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
Scouts take a moment to rest during winter camp.
Campfire Circle
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
Scouts enjoy the outdoors at the Campfire Circle during Winter Camp.
Skull Gate
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
This is the skull gate of the Totem Pole Circle, captured in the winter of 1957.
Totem Pole Circle Gate
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
The totem pole circle gate, captured in winter of 1957.
OA Bridge
1957 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
This is the very old OA bridge that had cables for support.
B.B. Gun Fun
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Scouts having fun at the B.B. range at Camp John H. Ware 3rd.
T56 Camping – Feb 2023
2023 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 56 cooking up a storm in Browning Lodge during their February 2023 winter camp outing.
T56 Camping – Feb 2023
2023 – Contributed by Anonymous
Troop 56 hangs out in Browning Lodge during their February 2023 winter camp trip to Camp Horseshoe.
Turkey Ovens
2021 – Contributed by C. Brett Montich
T551 from King of Prussia built turkey ovens to cook the holiday fowl the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Snowed In!
Display Details
This article appeared in the Winter 2007 issue of the HSRAA’s The Octoraro Loop. Thanks to Clarke Palmer for his account of this 1966 Troop 43 winter camp experience.
1966 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
A WINTER’S TALE FROM TROOP 43!
As we look forward to our long winter we Scouts and Scouters are undeterred by weather. After all we learn to take care of ourselves, to Be Prepared, in the out-of-doors regardless of rain or snow we are Prepared! In this case, it REALLY SNOWED!
We thank Palmer Clarke of Troop 43 of West Chester for this experience at Camp Horseshoe winter camp many years ago with the article appearing in the Daily Local News in 1966.
Snow Rescuers Use Copters, Tank
They were bogged down, snowed-in and otherwise in trouble through this area Monday, and rescuers went after them with everything from helicopters to Army tanks. Among those in need of rescuing were campers, motorists, bus passengers and expectant mothers.
The Vertol Division of Boeing Co. in Morton sent a military helicopter to airlift 68 Boy Scouts from their snowed-in camp back to West Chester.
ANNUAL TRIP
Following the Scout motto of “Be Prepared”, Troop 43, of West Chester, left Friday night for their annual winter camping trip at Horseshoe Camp, Rising Sun, Md., just over the Mason- Dixon Line, equipped with food, fuel and warm clothing.
Heavy (snow) drifts blocked the camp roads in the storm but the scouts didn’t mind too much. However, parents began to worry and someone contacted the Morton plant.
Vertol officials first got military clearance then sent a CH-47 Chinook copter of the type used by the U.S. Army to the camp.
ALL FLOWN OUT
Twenty-four scouts and six of the eight parents on the camping trip made the first lift from the Horseshoe camp to the Henderson High School football field in West Chester, arriving at 1:30 P.M. The copter flew back immediately for the remaining scouts and adults, including Scoutmaster Harvey Rettew. (The article relates other rescues by helicopter and a tank of marooned people and an expectant mother.)
Winter Camping Videos
Display Details
Here is a cross-section of videos that show the different activities during winter camping at HSR.
Flag Raising Cub Scouts raise the American flag in Roberts campsite during Winter Camp. 2015 – Contributed by AnonymousRocket Fun Real chemical rockets are set off on the Athletic Field during Troop 73’s winter camp outing at Camp Horseshoe. 2013 – Contributed by Thomas SavoyWinter Camp Time-Lapse Here is a time-lapse of the first snow of 2011, perfect for… winter camping! 2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe Tomahawk Throwing This Scout tries his luck at Tomahawk throwing during Winter Camp at Camp Horseshoe. 2015 – Contributed by Anonymous
Snowshoe Making
Display Details
Tom Murphy lead a bunch of pioneers in creating real usable snowshoes at the Camp Ranger Office in December 2011.
Measuring
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Frank Keegan does some measuring for his snowshoe in progress.
Price Stevenson IV
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Price Stevenson IV listens and watches how it’s done as he builds his snowshoe.
Tom Murphy
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Tom Murphy instructs his students on the finer points of snowshoe making.
Lacing Up
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
It looks like these two are providing the lattice-work bottom of the snowshoes.
Building the Shoes
2011 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Looks like there is some intense work that goes into making snowshoes.
Young Marines
Display Details
Not just for Scouting groups . . . our camps play host to other organizations. Case in point, the Hamilton Young Marines out of the Baltimore, MD area joined us the weekend of February 20, 2009. Staying at Camp Ware, they took advantage of the facilities at both camps. Here the youth participated in team building activities supported by Chester County Council Crew 23. The Young Marines had an outstanding time!
COPE Initiative Game
2009 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Young Marines do an introductory initiative game to practice communication and teamwork.
COPE Initiative Game
2009 – Contributed by Anonymous
Here the young marines play a fun initiative game at C.O.P.E.!
Low Course Challenge
2009 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Young Marines have fun with gravity balance on this popular C.O.P.E. Low Course challenge.
Stability Is Key
2009 – Contributed by Anonymous
One of the Young Marines here, along with a fellow, tries to stay stable and balance to complete the challenge.
COPE Initiative Game
2009 – Contributed by Anonymous
Here is another picture of the Young Marines working on their communication skills.
Christmas at Camp
Display Details
Brian White and Leigh Sifford decorated the Camp Horseshoe Rossiter Center for Christmas during a winter camping weekend – December 13-15, 2013.
Rossiter Decoration
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Rossiter Center is all decked out for Christmas during Winter Camp at Camp Horseshoe.
Outside Rossiter
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
The West Side of Rossiter is decked out with neon tree lights.
Rossiter Porch
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
Outside lights are strung across the porch of the Rossiter Center.
Program Office Tree
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
A lone tree sits outside the program office of the Headquarters building.
Inside Rossiter
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Rossiter Center is all aglow with interior lighting for the Holidays.
Christmas Wreath
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
A wreath hangs on the East side of the Rossiter Center during a wintery weekend at camp.
Christmas Stockings
2013 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Stockings hang for all to see when they look upon the fireplace in the Rossiter Center.
Fireplace Mantle
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
Lots of colorful items adorn the fireplace mantle in the Rossiter Center during this festive winter camp weekend.
Tree and Train and TV
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
Lots of light, sound and motion going on here as Rossiter Center gets a holiday makeover for a winter camp weekend.
Model Train Set
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
Rossiter Center gets festive as a model train set is constructed and put in motion during a winter camp weekend.
Christmas Tree
2013 – Contributed by Anonymous
A highly-decorated Christmas tree sits in the Rossiter Center during a winter camp weekend.
Drone Day
Display Details
The first ever Drone Day was held on October 3, 2020 at Camp Horseshoe. Participants brought their own drones to capture the beauty and splendor of HSR.
Aerial View of the Athletic Field
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is an aerial view of the Athletic Field taken during Drone Day in 2020.
Aerial View of the OA Bridge
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is an aerial view of the OA Bridge taken during the Drone Day in 2020.
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.
Aerial View of the Parade Field
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is an aerial view of the Parade Field taken during the Drone Day of 2020.
Rothrock Campsite Aerial View
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Here is an aerial view of Rothrock Campsite taken during the Drone Day in 2020.
Horseshoe Flagpole
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
An aerial view of the Camp Horseshoe Parade Field Flagpole captured during Drone Day in 2020.
Athletic Field Aerial
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
Another aerial view of the Athletic Field captured during the Drone Day of 2020.
Trader Bill’s
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
An ever-so-slightly aerial view of Trader Bill’s captured during Drone Day in 2020.
Browning Lodge
2020 – Contributed by Evan Ellwanger
A slightly aerial version of Browning Lodge captured during Drone Day in 2020.
