“And into the forest I go to lose my mind and find my soul.” –John Muir
Exhibit Details
The Nature and Conservation department has been dedicated to teaching about the environment and the importance of preserving it. From the early days in the ‘Bug House’ to its current location in and around Roberts Lodge, the summer camp staff has continued to provide this education to generations of young Scouts through merit badge classes, quality displays and live demonstrations.
Snapshots from the merit badges taught by the Nature and Conservation staff are shown here!
Environmental Science Merit Badge
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Neil Gutherman instructs the Environmental Science merit badge class in one of the outdoor teaching areas.
Space Exploration Rocket Launch
2012 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The highlight of Space Exploration merit badge each week is the rocket launch in the Athletic Field.
Nature CIT
1975 – Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Nature CIT Dave Woodward (sitting on table) helping campers with a Nature merit badge.
Teaching Oceanography
2016 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Staff member Patrick Griffith teaches Oceanography Merit Badge.
Mining in Society MB
2023 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Mining in Society MB instructor shows some practical examples of the various rocks found at Camp Horseshoe.
Mining in Society MB
2023 – Contributed by Anonymous
The Mining in Society instructor in the Nature Department gives the participants a lesson on rock types.
Pictures from 2008
Display Details
Some photographs taking a snapshot in time of the “Ecology and Conservation” area in 2008 are shown in this display.
Ecology and Conservation Area
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Welcome to the 2008 Ecology and Conservation Area.
Roberts Lodge / Nature Lodge
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Roberts Lodge doubles as the Nature Lodge during the summer months.
Staff Introduction
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A talking box turtle is assisted by the Ecology and Conservation director Jeff Johnson as he introduces the staff.
Nature Lodge Info Center
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Entrance (or exit if you are leaving) and Information area.
Nature Lodge Jurassic Pit
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
In the foreground is the Turtle Training Pit where campers bring their turtles for training prior to the Saturday evening Turtle Derby.
Nature Lodge Reference Area
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The reference book shelf is flanked by snake cages housing native Garter and Black Rat Snakes.
Nature Lodge Geology
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The Geology area as well turtle aquariums and great assortment of posters.
Nature Lodge Forestry and Weather
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The Forestry and Weather areas.
Nature Lodge Astronomy
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Astronomy Merit Badge is one of the popular badge taught at the Nature Lodge.
Pictures from the Early 1980s
Display Details
Snapshots from the Nature and Conservation are from the Early 1980s are shown in this display.
Nature Lodge – Roberts Lodge
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The Nature Lodge in 1982 with the weather station in front and mammals cages on the porch.
Wildlife Area
1980 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The first part of the Nature Lodge’s Wildlife Area housed the living exhibits. Campers and staff continuously caught and released various snakes, turtles, frogs, toads, small mammals, fish and insects. Feeding of the snakes was always a highlight.
Wildlife Area 2
1980 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The second half of the Wildlife Area contained plaster casts, pelts, bird nests, insect collections and other non-living exhibits.
Lodge Wildlife Area
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The traditional Wildlife Corner of the Nature Lodge in 1982 featured snakes, mice, fish and an amphibian pit as well as posters and snake and mammal skins.
Nature Lodge Aquariums and Cages
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
A highlight of the Nature Lodge has always been the snakes. This picture shows the snake cages in the background with the snake catching equipment mounted on the wall.
Mammals Area
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The mammals and birds side of the Wildlife Area in the Nature Lodge.
Forestry Area
1980 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The Forestry Area aided Scouts with all aspects of Forestry merit badge including tree identification and resource management.
Nature Lodge Forestry Corner
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The Forestry Corner in 1982. In the foreground is the Turtle Pit where the camp Box Turtles would train for Saturday’s big event.
Conservation Area
1980 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The Conservation Area of the Nature Lodge consisted of posters and displays relating to Soil and Water Conservation merit badge.
Geology Section
1980 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The small Geology Section consisted of rock and soil sample displays from around the camp.
Nature Lodge Test Day
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Campers at the Nature Lodge working on a merit badge. Their excitement can hardly be contained as they are most likely taking a test or writing a report.
History
Display Details
Historical photos of the Nature and Conservation program area will be listed here.
Bug House
Contributed by Anonymous
The old spring house (aka Bug House) behind the White House was an early Nature Lodge at Camp Horseshoe.
Bug House
2008 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The Bug House located in the side yard of the White House was once the Nature Lodge.
Horseshoe Early Nature Study
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Horseshoe early nature study outdoors.
Specimens
Display Details
The Nature and Conservation area has hosted a variety of wild critters over the years, some donated, some found on the reservation property.
Enthusiastic Scouts handle a few of the Nature Lodge’s reptile specimens. The Nature Lodge at the time was in the Vestibule of Kindness Center.
Nature Instructor
1950 – Contributed by Anonymous
Nature Director Forrest Lenker with a friendly Black Rat Snake. This photo is believed to be have been taken around 1950.
Forrest Lenker and Snake
Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Forrest Lenker, a Snake, and a Scout.
Scouts and Raccoon
1950 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Scouts from Unionville Troop 22 visit with a raccoon on display at the nature lodge.
Nature Racoons
1950 – Contributed by Anonymous
A couple of young raccoons are tended to by a Scout.
Milk Snake
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Milk Snake, take two.
Copperhead
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
A prized specimen at the Nature Lodge each year was the camp’s only resident poisonous snake, the Copperhead. Today, the Nature Staff is no longer permitted to house this reptile.
Raccoon
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The top specimen of 1982.
Milk Snake
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Another snake that is native to Camp Horseshoe and would take up residence at the Nature Lodge during Summer Camp is the Milk Snake.
Copperhead
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Each summer the Nature Staff would hope to capture and house a Copperhead to display for visitors to the Nature Lodge. This snake is a particularly nice specimen.
Raccoon
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
This young raccoon was a guest at the Nature Lodge for a day or two in 1982. I believe it was caught by the Camp Ranger, Roy Cole.
Rabbits
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Staffer Pete Lesley brought domestic rabbits to Camp for the summer.
Raccoons
Contributed by Anonymous
Raccoons hanging out at Camp Horseshoe
Copperhead
1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
For many years, the Nature staff would host a Copperhead (the only poisonous snake found in the area) that was caught in Camp for Scouts to see up close.
Nature Creature
2009 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
A nature creature residing at the Nature Department in 2009.
Reptile Specimen
2025 – Contributed by Anonymous
A Bearded Dragon is on display at the 2025 Cub Spook-O-Ree.
Videos
Monty vs. Rat Monty the albino ball python eats a rat during evening program at the nature lodge in 2025. 2025 – Contributed by Nathan Greway
Turtle Derby
Display Details
The turtle derby traditionally takes place after the last dinner at summer camp (Friday or Saturday) on the parade field. Scouts who find a box turtle during the week can enter it into the race to get across the chalk or sisal rope outline!
See Also
Click HERE to see more about the Parade field where the Turtle Derby takes place!
The turtle race begins! The turtles race across the parade field towards the radial finish line.
Turtle Derby 'Green Room'
2003 – Contributed by Anonymous
Just moments before the big race, the runners get pumped up by slamming themselves against the side of their waiting room.
Box Turtles
2025 – Contributed by Nathan Greway
Turtles in the Nature Lodge just before a turtle derby in 2025.
Derby Training
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Scouts would often train their turtles back at the Campsite in preparation for the famed Turtle Derby in the ’70s. The derby had many more competitors in the ’70s as the Box Turtle was a more common inhabitant of Camp at that time.
Turtle Derby Preparation
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Trainers give final instructions before the big race in the early ’70s.
And They're Off!
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Turtles dart for the finish line during the weekly Turtle Derby.
Finally
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Some turtles prefer to take their time finishing the Turtle Derby.
Turtle Derby
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
The Turtle Derby was held on the Parade Field in the ’70s as it is today.
Turtle Derby Winner
1972 – Contributed by Wayne Woodward
Flash, the Week 2 Turtle Derby winner poses with his Troop 74 trainer, Dave Woodward, after edging out the competition at the finish line.
Turtle Derby
1972 – Contributed by Wayne Woodward
Competitors and trainers gather at the lime circle on the Parade Field before the weekly Turtle Derby.
Indoor Turtle Derby
1944 – Contributed by John B. Rettew III
Al Weeks picks up the winning contestant of a 1944 Turtle Derby in Kindness Center.
Shelled Competitor
2008 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
This turtle is getting his protein before the big race.
Turtle Pit
1962 – Contributed by W. Stuart Watson III
Here is the Turtle Pit where the box turtles were kept for the Turtle Derby back in the 1960s.
Videos
Turtle Derby 1995 Nature counselor Mike Beadner leads the Turtle Derby on the parade field. 1995 – Contributed by John B. Rettew IIITurtle Derby 2001 Scouts enjoy watching the box turtles race for the white finish line on the parade field. 2001 – Contributed by Alexander MustoTurtle Derby 2023 – Week 2 Scouts from week 2 of the 2023 Horseshoe summer camp season cheer on their favorite turtle. 2023 – Contributed by Andrew CoeTurtle Derby 2023 – Week 6 Here Scouts from 2023 Week 6 cheer on their favorite turtle during turtle derby. 2023 – Contributed by Andrew Coe
Miscellaneous
Display Details
Some miscellaneous pictures and videos of the Nature and Conservation staff, program, and area for you to view!
Garret was a service dog who for many summers provided guidance to his master from Troop 216, and this outdoor classroom at the Ecology and Conservation program area is dedicated to the dog who was loved by all.
Classroom Area
2017 – Contributed by Tom Williams
These Scouts are learning one of the many Ecology & Conservation merit badges at Camp Horseshoe.
Weather Rock
2010 – Contributed by Mike Arles
The Weather Rock sign, declaring all manner of weather conditions based on a single rock. Fascinating!
Videos
Team Building Game A member of the Nature staff gets his Scouts going with some introductions and team building exercises. 2005 – Contributed by AnonymousEnvi Sci Oh My Instructor Tom Hillhouse discusses the finer points of pollution and classroom management in this gem of an Environmental Science class. 1992 – Contributed by Andrew SmithNature Snippets From a nature hike, to the Nature Cabin, and a look inside the reptile tanks, this video (despite not being the best quality) gives you a feel for the activities of the Nature Department during the Camp Horseshoe summer season. 2002 – Contributed by Alexander Musto
Program Materials
Display Details
The Nature staff kept a lot of records from the 1970s and 1980s, and they are listed below. Peruse how a complex program area was managed.
After years of wrestling with disappearing signs and markers, the Nature Staff created a brochure based Nature Trail which included many of the plants around the Nature Lodge. 1982 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The schedule for each of the Nature and Conservation merit badges in 1979. 1979 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Environmental Science Merit Badge in the 1970s and 1980s required Scouts to go into an observation area each day and record what they saw. Here is a copy of one of those dreaded Observation Sheets. The requirements of the merit badge have since changed. Contributed by David B. Woodward
Reptile Study Merit Badge handout. 1979 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Records were kept of the various animals brought to the Nature Lodge. Those that the Nature Lodge was equipped to house were keep for a while before being returned to where they had been captured or in a more secluded area of camp if that were more appropriate. The Timber Rattlesnack entry is not correct. Actually there were 2 Timber Rattlers on loan from Bobby Greenleaf of Hibernia PA. 1979 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Each summer, the Nature and Conservation staff compiled a list of potential projects that were undertaken primarily by the merit badges requiring a conservation project. 1979 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
This small brochure identifies some of the edible plants found at Camp Horseshoe. Many of these plants were included in the Edible Plants Demonstration held at the Nature Lodge each week. 1980 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
This Trees and Shrubs handout was in the 1970s and 1980s (maybe longer). Contributed by David B. Woodward
This Wildlife Questions handout was used in the 1970s and 1980s. It was used in the Patrol Activity Period and Special Interest Program. Contributed by David B. Woodward
Each year the Nature Staff would make a record of that year’s layout so that the following year’s Staff Week setup would not need to rely on memory. 1979 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
Memorabilia
Display Details
Nature and Conservation related memorabilia will be displayed here.
See Also
Click HERE to see the museum’s main Memorabilia room.
1973 Nature Staff Neckerchief
1973 – Contributed by Bill (William) K Mayer
Created by Nature Director Joe Eagan for his staff in 1973, not many of these neckerchiefs were ever created.
Turtle Derby Segment
2008 – Contributed by Anonymous
One of the least-awarded segments, a Scout can earn this award by having his turtle come in first place during the Saturday evening Turtle Derby.
Turtle Derby Slide
Contributed by Rev. James Goudie
Turtle Derby fans rejoice! In years past, there was a neckerchief slide for the winners of the derby.
Turtle Derby Plaque
1980 – Contributed by David B. Woodward
The 1980 turtle derby winners will be forever remembered by this fine plaque that can be found hanging in the Dining Hall.
Nature Plaque
1972 – Contributed by Bill (William) K Mayer
This plaque was bestowed to select individuals on staff by Nature and Conservation director Joe Eagan.
Current Horseshoe Weather
Display Details
As a tribue to the Weather merit badge taught in this program area, and for those who always want to keep tabs on Camp Horseshoe, here is the latest weather TODAY!
Nature Area Directors
Display Details
Here is the listing of known Nature and Conservation area directors for Camp Horseshoe. Note: This department’s name has changed over the years, being known as Nature and Conservation, Ecology and Conservation, and sometimes just Nature. For simplicity’s sake, we are using Nature for this display.
