“Once you get the dust of Horseshoe in your moccasins, you can never get it out.”

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The Spirit of the Horseshoe

———— ROOM ————

< History and Geography

“Let a camper thrill to his own campfire. Let him find his wood and tinder at the dusk of day.”
-J.K. “Korister” Wismer

Room Details

J. B. Rettew’s book, Spirit of the Horseshoe, is a thorough history of the first 75 years of Chester County Council from 1919 through 1994. Much of that history involves the council camps. Excerpts from each chapter pertaining to the council camps have been included as exhibits in this room. The Spirit of the Horseshoe can be found in its entirety on the main HSRAA website. 

Exhibits in this Room:
104.1 – Kindling Scouting’s Flame

1919-1923

Adult leaders at Camp Lafayette, the first CCC camp.
104.2 – “Chief” – The Legacy

1923-1928

Scouts having fun at Camp Rothrock, the council camp from 1921 - 1927.
104.3 – The Spirit of the Horseshoe

1928-1929

Scouts and their parents check-in at the White House, the first headquarters building of Camp Horseshoe.
104.4 – “A Real Camp for Real Boys”

1929 – 1940

Scouts doing a buddy check at the Camp Horseshoe pool in 1930.
104.5 – The Bridge Builder

1941 – 1952

<strong>Ernie Heegard</strong> instructing a Scout at Handicraft in the 1950s.
104.6 – We’re on the Upward Trail

1953 – 1957

A scout on a canoe in the Camp Horseshoe pool.
104.7 – Jubilee!

1957 – 1966

The construction of the Camp Jubilee pool in the early 1960s.
104.8 – The Eagle Has Landed

1966 – 1975

The camping expo at the 1974 Section NE-4A Conclave.
104.9 – Highway to Adventure

1976 – 1981

One of the many signs at Camp Horseshoe, this one in the Campcraft area.
104.10 – Achgeketum

1982 – 1988

<strong>Ernie Heegard</strong> and others constructing the new Achgeketum Fire Circle in 1988.
104.11 – “In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend”

1988 – 1993

Scouts participating in archery at the 1991 Section NE-4B Conclave.
104.12 – The Diamond Jubilee

1994

The 1994 Camp Horseshoe staff.

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Last updated June 26, 2026

© Horseshoe Scout Reservation Alumni Association 2025

Submit Artifact

Submit Artifact

The Spirit of the Horseshoe

———— ROOM ————

< History and Geography

“Let a camper thrill to his own campfire. Let him find his wood and tinder at the dusk of day.”
-J.K. “Korister” Wismer

Room Details

J. B. Rettew’s book, Spirit of the Horseshoe, is a thorough history of the first 75 years of Chester County Council from 1919 through 1994. Much of that history involves the council camps. Excerpts from each chapter pertaining to the council camps have been included as exhibits in this room. The Spirit of the Horseshoe can be found in its entirety on the main HSRAA website. 

Exhibits in this Room:
104.1 – Kindling Scouting’s Flame

1919-1923

Adult leaders at Camp Lafayette, the first CCC camp.
104.2 – “Chief” – The Legacy

1923-1928

Scouts having fun at Camp Rothrock, the council camp from 1921 - 1927.
104.3 – The Spirit of the Horseshoe

1928-1929

Scouts and their parents check-in at the White House, the first headquarters building of Camp Horseshoe.
104.4 – “A Real Camp for Real Boys”

1929 – 1940

Scouts doing a buddy check at the Camp Horseshoe pool in 1930.
104.5 – The Bridge Builder

1941 – 1952

<strong>Ernie Heegard</strong> instructing a Scout at Handicraft in the 1950s.
104.6 – We’re on the Upward Trail

1953 – 1957

A scout on a canoe in the Camp Horseshoe pool.
104.7 – Jubilee!

1957 – 1966

The construction of the Camp Jubilee pool in the early 1960s.
104.8 – The Eagle Has Landed

1966 – 1975

The camping expo at the 1974 Section NE-4A Conclave.
104.9 – Highway to Adventure

1976 – 1981

One of the many signs at Camp Horseshoe, this one in the Campcraft area.
104.10 – Achgeketum

1982 – 1988

<strong>Ernie Heegard</strong> and others constructing the new Achgeketum Fire Circle in 1988.
104.11 – “In the Loop of the Octoraro Bend”

1988 – 1993

Scouts participating in archery at the 1991 Section NE-4B Conclave.
104.12 – The Diamond Jubilee

1994

The 1994 Camp Horseshoe staff.

Follow us on social media

Last updated June 26, 2026

© Horseshoe Scout Reservation Alumni Association 2025

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