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The first goal in the HSRAA mission is “to preserve and promote the spirit and heritage of Horseshoe Scout Reservation and its camps…” To fulfill this goal, the HSRAA created and maintains a Virtual Museum as an extension of this website.

The HSRAA Virtual Museum (VM) “opened its doors” in 2008 and has grown steadily since that initial unveiling. Today the VM holds 13,000+ artifacts in close to 300 exhibits. Artifacts include pictures, documents, letters, movies and anything else that can be digitally saved and displayed. The history of Camps Horseshoe and Ware as well as previous Council Camps Lafayette and Rothrock are forever preserved here. The VM is divided into 6 floors, each geared toward a specific category of history; ‘History and Geography’, ‘Reservation Facilities’, ‘Summer Program’, ‘Camp Staff’, ‘Special Programs and Events’ and ‘The HSR Collections’.

The artifacts have been contributed by over 150 HSR Alumni. While the history contained within the VM “walls” can keep you busy for days, there is still a ton of material sitting on your shelves, in your closets, attics, basements and Scout Houses! All members are encouraged to contribute. Another advantage of a Virtual Museum is that you can still hold the original artifact in your own personal collection!

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The second goal of the HSRAA mission statement is “…to be a benefactor to the Reservation…“. To fulfull this goal, the Alumni Association has overseen a series of projects since it’s inception.

Each year, we’ve performed an improvement project at the Reservation. Over the years, we have expended approximately $350,000 in these capital improvements, and the feedback has been uniformly positive. We are particularly proud of the Camp Horseshoe Parade Field improvements, which included re-grading and seeding, construction of numerous stone walls and stairways, new troop flag poles and a new main flagpole. This project helps the camp put its best face on for visitors (especially during the Friday night retreats), and helps to lend the appropriate level of seriousness to the daily retreat ceremony.

We have completed many other projects, including signage for the reservation, history markers, and the Camp Ware flagpole project. For a complete description of all of the past and present HSRAA sponsored projects, go to the Projects page of the website.

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The third goal of the Horseshoe Scout Reservation Alumni Association, “… to promote the spirit of the brotherhood of Scouting among the Reservation’s alumni.” To fulfill this goal, the HSRAA sponsors an annual Alumni Reunion at the Reservation.

These Reunions are an opportunity to see old friends, make new ones and meet the camp directors and staff who have created the Horseshoe Scout Reservation legacy. They begin early Friday afternoon and run until early evening. Tours are often available of both camps, as well as an outdoor cookout for dinner. A guest speaker is usually featured along with other program items including sing-alongs and awards for camp staff members. If they wish, alumni may remain for the memorable Friday evening campfire at Camp Horseshoe and stay overnight at either camp.

Check out our Reunions page for more information.

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Membership Eligibility

Membership in the HSRAA is open to anyone who has ever spent one night of camping at the Horseshoe Scout Reservation.

Membership Benefits

Members at all levels are listed on our rolls, receive our mailings, are eligible to vote for officers, and are eligible to serve on committees and/or our Board of Directors.

Your contribution is tax deductible.

Membership dues are spent overwhelmingly on projects (90+%), membership and reunion mailers, website hosting and registration… and that’s about it! Our overhead is very low so your contribution goes a long way towards our mission.

Membership Levels

SERPENTINE – $1,000 – Named after the waxy green-grey rock found at the reservation, our highest membership level was created for alumni who wish to demonstrate their ongoing commitment at a leadership level.

PLATINUM – $300 – Platinum membership is highly appreciated and allows HSRAA to grow our projects. Remember, one of our 3 goals in our mission is to be a benefactor to camp and you can certainly make a deep impact with membership at this level.

GOLD – $125 – Contributions at this level often take up a noticeable percentage of our project budgets, for which over 90% of membership dues at every level are used.

SILVER – $45 – Our base contributor level. As with all levels, you receive all of our mailings and the ability to contribute to the HSRAA Virtual Museum. Members often start contributing at this level and eventually contribute at higher membership levels.

BRONZE (Student & Senior) – $25 – We recognize that students and seniors want to give but might not be able to give at the other membership levels, so this level was created to give them that opportunity.

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Thank you for your support of Horseshoe Scout Reservation through membership to the Horseshoe Scout Reservation Alumni Association. 

Whether you are renewing your membership or joining for the first time, you can do it online now or via mail with a check.

Join / Renew Online Now

Click here to join or renew your HSRAA registration. We are now using the Chester County Council event registration system to manage the HSRAA memberships. You will receive a receipt via email upon the completion of registration process.

Join / Renew By Mail

Click here to view and print the membership form and follow the directions on the form for mailing in your registration.

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The Octoraro Loop is the official newsletter of the HSRAA. Published 3 or 4 times yearly, the ‘Loop’ keeps members informed of the activities of the Alumni Association and HSR. Each issue may contain…

• details of the upcoming reunion or a recap of the past one.
• updates on the past, present and future HSRAA sponsered projects at Horseshoe Scout Reservation.
• reflections on the traditions of Horseshoe.
• a column written by a former camp staff member or someone with a historical perspective on HSR.
• pictures from camp, past and present.
• and much, much more…

Past editions can be found in the HSRAA Virtual Museum in the Publications and Productions room, Octoraro Loop exhibit.

Readers are encouraged to contribute material and ideas to the Loop editors at loop@hsraa.org.

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HSRAA elects a slate of board members annually at our summer reunion. The board meets roughly 6 times each year. Board meetings are typically in the vicinity of West Chester, PA but conference calling technology allows for participation by phone if necessary.

The current board members are:

• Mike Arles (’91)
• Richard T. Bensing (’57)
• Michael Berkeihiser
• Andrew Coe (’89)
• Jon DeVirgilio (’89)
• Mark Herman
• John Kemmerer (’73)
• Eric R. Lorgus
• Samuel Mantegna III (’87)
• L. Chris McConnell (’95)
• Steve T Miller (’71)
• Mark Siegle (’69)
• Damon Sinclair (’64)
• Andrew Smith (’87)
• David B. Woodward (’71)

The current board advisers are:

• Ryan Teat

The HSRAA Board is always in need of new members to help us plan and implement new initiatives that fulfill our mission. If you are interested yourself, or if you would like to recommend someone else for our board, please contact Andy Smith at chairman@hsraa.org.

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Webmaster: webmaster@hsraa.org

Virtual Museum Curator: curator@hsraa.org

HSRAA Chairman: chairman@hsraa.org

Octoraro Loop Editor: loop@hsraa.org

Membership: membership@hsraa.org

Annual Reunion: reunion@hsraa.org