The following article by Ernie Heegard was originally published in the ‘Ernie Says’ column of the July 2004 issue of the Octoraro Loop.

This article by Ernie Heegard first appeared in Volume 1 – Issue 3 of the HSRAA newsletter, The Octoraro Loop.

2000 – Contributed by G. Ernest Heegard

Have you ever been somewhere and one of your senses triggers a sudden flash of a pleasant recollection of summer camp? It may be a sound, a smell, or a picture. This frequently happens to me when I see sunlight streaming through the trees and woods early in the morning when the moisture-laden air produces those glistening spears of sunlight. It is then I am instantly reminded of those Sunday morning strolls up the Chapel trail through the tall pines for the Sunday Church Service. But most often, it is a sound that triggers this type of response. One of my favorite songs or tunes sounding over the PA system prior to mealtime gets me thinking about summer at Horseshoe.

I am not alone in having a particular sense stimulating a flashback. Last summer I mentioned this feeling of flashbacks to Steve D’Antonio, Scoutmaster of Troop 78. Steve explained that he, too, often gets flashes. However, he has carried this theme a step further. As he drives to Camp for an OA weekend or to summer camp, he plays tapes of John Philip Sousa’s marches, the type that are played prior to the Retreat ceremony at camp each evening. Steve added that his son Bret and another Scout, Jeff Hart, also appreciate the musical reflection.

As I reflect on some of the memorable sounds of camp, I can’t help but think of some that passed from the present camp scene…those, which spur their own special images in my memory. Oldtimers may recall, as I do, the snapping sound of a game of checkers when passing the second floor porch of the old Allen Memorial Dining Hall. It was here where Charley and Percy Henry (longtime cooks at Horseshoe) would while away their evenings playing their favorite and fast game dressed in their pajamas. Or, for others who may have experienced it, who could forget the sounds of chimes echoing through the woods from the chimes tower – a small elevated wooden gazebo – which was just off the Boonesboro trail (now the Campcraft area). It was here that “Dusty” Rhodes would climb the ladder each evening and hammer out tunes by lantern light for fifteen minutes before Taps was sounded.

When the new Camp Headquarters was completed in the 1947 season, Louis Lester, then Scout Executive, saw to it that the new belfry was outfitted with speakers and, within the building, an amplification system and record turntable. 78- speed records, then state of the art, replaced the chimes. Campers were then treated to Jan Pearce’s singing of “The Lost Chord,” “Bluebird of Happiness” or “the Lord’s Prayer” and to other vocalists of the day as one drifted off to sleep in his bunk at night. The PA system also replaced the large metal megaphone that hung on a frame at the head of the Parade Field. The Camp Bugler had used this megaphone to direct his bugle call in different directions, requiring him to repeat the calls several times. Howard Hutton, Camp Bugler in the mid ’40’s really appreciated the new PA system.

Along with the speakers in the headquarters’ belfry, a large brass bell replaced the old fire gong that hung near the rear of the Dining Hall. Here, a cedar frame with a section of a railroad wheel suspended by chain and struck with a hammer produced the fire alarm. The most coveted assignment was the fire wagon crew. The fire wagon was parked at the head of the Parade Field. It was a small red trek cart with large metal wheels and was pulled by four staff members. The cart was filled with Indian fire pumps, canvas buckets, fire rakes and shovels – complete and ready at the alarm!

The sounds of camp are around you each time you return and new ones are being created each year: sounds of “Green Grow the Rushes – Ho!”, “The Cat Came Back” or #95 “Al-le-lu-ia” in the Scouts’ Worship book; a roar from the crowd at a Water Carnival or a Paul Bunyan Meet; the echo of Taps at a campfire in the bend of the Octoraro; and so on.

Wonderful things in the Camp program have and continue to open our senses. These now evoke our best memories of some of the best summers in our lives. We all should remember that most of our favorite memories were not by chance. We have many, many talented and dedicated Board members, professionals, leaders, staff members and OA members to thank for creating a camp worth remembering.

A special thanks to the year 2000 Camp Horseshoe and Camp John H. Ware 3rd staffs for carrying on the traditions of creating more and more great sights and sounds for the Scouts this year.

The sounds and reflections of camp are so simply and aptly put in the chorus of our Camp song:

“They built a camp upon the Mason- Dixon Line.
Historic land where values shine Old Horseshoe your memories will ‘er be mine
In the loop of the Octoraro bend.”

1988 – Contributed by Pete Motel

This pageant was first performed for the dedication of the Saturday Night Campfire Circle, June 25, 1988 and last performed on June 22, 2024 for the Celebration of Life service for G. Ernest Heegard.

There was a distant time when the world was younger; when the men of the world struggled for survival. Many great tribes lived and worked and died. Tribes struggled lonely and isolated. This bleak divided existence continued uninterrupted many life-times over.

There was one such tribe, living in this very region and Lenni Lenape was their name. Their chief was a great man among men and had led them to this fertile land where they now made their lodges. He had brought them through many harsh seasons, but the struggle was always with them.

We visit them now during a meeting of the Chief’s Council in the season of Spring; usually a time of renewal, rebirth and joy, but not this year, for a blight was upon the Lenni. Many had died; many more were ill and could not eat or drink for they were racked with fever. The chief addressed his remaining council at this grievous time. “We have fought the long struggle, always with the Great Spirit on our side. Now we may be lost. This plague is strong and we are weak. With the help of our medicine man, we will prepare ourselves to meet the Great Spirit, Manitou.”

Then the old medicine man rose, the Death Rattle in his hand and slowly he began the Great Last Dance. It was a dance of remembrance and cleansing. He moved with solemn gesture and step, twisting and turning and stirring among the embers of the fire. He encircled the fire asking the All-Knowing Spirit to welcome them. The braves of the council sat with heads hung low, many, including the chief, with the sweat of fever on their brows and the touch of death in their hearts. The village which had existed for countless generations would be no more. When the old man finished, he returned to his place in the council. At that time, a young brave, known as Mawat stood and begged permission to address the council and chief. The chief gestured for him to step forward. Mawat began, “We struggle among ourselves to be rid of this plague. Perhaps there is a tribe in some distant land which has seen this plague and yet lives on. We should travel in search of help.” The chief responded, “We know not of other tribes and we are unknown to them. Why would these distant tribes help us? Even if they could, the help will come too late for us.”

The Lenni’s only knowledge of others had come from distant sightings by far ranging Lenni hunting parties. The chief dismissed the council to ready the tribe for the hand of death; resolved that the plague could not be conquered.

The young brave, however, thought otherwise and went to a place of solitude to consult the Spirits. As was the tradition of the old way, a fire was made and fragrant boughs were added. Soon thick smoke and haze filled the air. Young Mawat’s thoughts and hopes were carried skyward on the smoke to the Great Spirit’s ear. After much time and thirst and hunger and deep reflection he looked up; the smoky haze mingled with the meadow and behind it he saw a great vista dotted with many villages separated from each other by vast distances. Then from the mist appeared the form of the Great Spirit and he bid Mawat rise and come forward to view the scene more closely. The All-Wise Spirit pointed to a village where the people suffered greatly from the cold and ate raw meat. This young Mawat could not understand because in his tribe, people used fires for warmth and cooking. Next, the Great Spirit pointed in grim silence to a village where people suffered from hunger yet the land teamed with nature’s bounty and Mawat saw they had no bow, no arrow, no snare, yet these were common in his village. Then the All-Powerful Spirit spoke, “For many many generations into the great distance of time men have gained knowledge, but through ignorance have kept their teachings to themselves and many have suffered. You, Mawat, will go forth, seek knowledge, and share it with all men.” With that, the Great Spirit vanished, and Mawat was left alone, dazed in the meadow. Resolved to carry out the command of the Great Spirit, he gathered a small bundle of supplies and set out to find help to combat the plague, with the knowledge that the Manitou traveled by his side.

He traveled for many days and many nights until he came upon a small village located on the shore of a lake. There the people were surprised and frightened to see him because they knew not of the existence of other villages or other men. His forward but gentle manner eased their fears. He spoke to them and though their languages were not identical, he was able to relate through speech and gesture, the problem in his home village. An old man came forward. He had wisdom etched on his face. He called himself Kikitappa, man of medicine, and in his own way, he related that his village had suffered such a problem many years ago. He began to walk away and gestured for Mawat to follow. Mawat was led to the water’s edge where the old man went to an ancient gnarled tree with branches

that drooped to the water and he removed a large piece of the great tree’s bark. Back at his medicine lodge, Kikitappa ground the bark to a watery pulp and in ceremonial garb, asked the Great Spirit to bless the medicine and grant it healing powers. Then he told Mawat to give a sip to each person in his village. The young brave thanked him saying they would meet again someday and he returned with great speed to his village.

When he arrived, the village was grim and he immediately began to share the bark medicine with his people. After much time, when the work was done, he went to his lodge, exhausted. When he next awoke, it was dawn and there was a great commotion in the village. He came from his lodge to find many who had been sick to the point of death, now up and about and quite well. Soon the news spread; the plague had been defeated.

The mighty chief called a council and there the source of the cure was discovered. Mawat explained he had asked the Great Spirit to aid in the defeat of the fever. The Great Spirit directed Mawat to his fellow man for help. Mawat made it clear that to obey the wishes of the Great Spirit, they must share their knowledge among all men. Mawat then suggested that men from all villages far and near gather to share their knowledge with one another. “Our tribe has much to offer”, Mawat said. The chief agreed and runners were sent in all directions to gather representatives from all tribes to a great council.

The first Great Council met on this ground in this place, and many fantastic things were learned and shared among men during that time. Men from all lands were taught the miracle of fire and cooking, caring for the sick and injured, handiwork with animal skins and sinew, and much more. Mawat taught men to share abundance and knowledge and good will; to live in peace and teach the secrets of the land to one another and to the next generation for all man’s benefit.

Mawat did see his old friend, Kikitappa again at a meeting of the Great Council. Mawat returned the favor of the bark medicine by teaching the old man the Lenni technique of snare making; a small repayment for a large debt.

They met often in this place and for many years Mawat could be found among the tribes teaching, learning, sharing and helping. His lifelong devotion to this service won him honor and praise among all peoples of the land and earned him the most respected title of Achgeketum: which translates to: Teacher.

The Great Council became known as a place of learning for men of all ages and to be sure the world was forever better because of its making and because of the vision of the young brave Achgeketum. Though he was not called chief or even son-of-chief, he was the greatest man among men.