70th Anniversay Pelican Feathers

This edition of Pelican Feathers is special because our Troop, Devon 50 celebrates its 70th anniversary. In the issue you can read articles from Mr. Rettew, Mr. Plambeck and Mr. Chippendale who tell their experiences with Boy Scouts and more specifically with Devon 50. We want to think them for their contributions. Today we all congratulate four of our scouts that will be getting their Eagle Rank tonight; Colin Ferriman, Tim Murphy, Gary Alloway, and Jonathan Makela.

Thanks to Mrs. Marlow and Ben for making the front cover.

July 7th, 1997 ~ Contents:
50 Years Ago with 50 - Reflections by John 'JB' Rettew
Scouting Biography: Neil Chippendale
A Challenge from the Trustees - by Mr. Plambeck
Summer Camp at Horseshoe - A Long Tradition - by Sean McConnell
The Troop Hike - by Thomas Jonak
Today's Field Day - By Kevin Coffey
Jonny Scout - Cartoon by Thomas Jonak

1947 was a special year for Devon 50 and for me personally. I was Patrol Leader of the Wolf Patrol - the best in the Troop, or so I thought at the time. At the 20th Troop Birthday I became the Senior Patrol Leader and later that year I was awarded my Eagle Scout Badge by Ike Whyte, who was my Scoutmaster and Devon 50's first Eagle Scout.

Since joining Devon 50 three years earlier, I was having a great time in the troop! The Strafford Elementary School (since torn down) was where we met when I first joined. Not having our own meeting place like Camp Jarvis, we used the old school for earlier meetings in those years. Most of the country around the school was not built up as it is today. There were open fields and woodlands which served for our Scout skills, games, camping and hiking. Then came the chance of our lifetime! We were given the use of a location in Strafford where we could build a camp. It was not long afterwards we started building our own Adirondack cabin under the direction of Troop Committeeman Jesse B. Chesnutt and the Scoutmasters using timber from trees we felled and dragged to the site using manpower and the good old timber hitch. Our cabin took shape and we camped there on weekends by patrols. The camp was named Camp Jay-Bee in honor of Mr. Chesnutt.

Camp Jay-Bee was located on an old foot trail about a quarter of a mile north of Weadley Road. It was situated in a topographically bowl-shaped area. The camp was protected on both sides by outcroppings of rocks and a circular ridge of rocks on all sides. The perimeter of camp was surrounded by woods with rhododendrons and scrub bushes. Each Patrol had their own campsite on the ridge above the cabin. There was a fire alter built in the center of camp. Benches we built out of logs were arranged in a semi-circle before the alter.

Our 20th Troop Birthday was spectacular! The trail, along a stream, that led into camp was lined with candles. The rock outcroppings serving as the entrance to camp were decorated with hundreds of candles. Families brought picnic suppers and grilled their meals on the special fireplace we had built. Following the family picnic supper, the ceremonial log cabin fire on the alter was lighted in the center of camp. Then the traditional awards ceremony like we enjoy today took place. The awards were presented to the patrols for their work during the year. Then came the top awards to individual Scouts for their excellence. Each of us joined in cheering the top awards! After the advancement awards to the Scouts, there was an Eagle Scout presentation to Johnny Cable who had been my Senior Patrol Leader. The evening was capped off with the sounding of taps from the distant ridge as we all stood in silence reflecting on the year's events and the ceremonies of that evening. As our parents traveled the trail back to their cars, the way was illuminated by the hundreds of shimmering candles along the trail and ridge. The flickering lights gave a special effect among the tree shadows. We stayed in camp.

That evening, after our parents had departed, each patrol found its way back to their own tent campsites, high on the ridge. Here we had our own campfire with songs and stories and enjoyed the fellowship of our Wolf Patrol on our last campout before summer and the approach of Camp Horseshoe.

I fondly recall those days in Devon 50 as they marked the strong feelings I have today for Devon 50 and the Boy Scouts. Scouting, the experiences I had in the Wolf Patrol of Devon 50 and later on in my youth, made a difference in my life! In so doing, I hope that somehow my days here with Devon 50 may make a difference in the lives of Devon 50 scouts of today as we celebrate our 70th Birthday!

Mr. Chippendale's scouting career started in England and continued in Canada and the United States. He was reintroduced to scouting when his son Brian joined Pack 47. He was Den Leader, Webeios Leader, and Assistant Cubmaster. All eight of his Webelos graduated to Troop 50 in 1984. After serving as an assistant Scoutmaster Mr. Chippendale accepted the position of scoutmaster in 1987 and served until 1992.

Mr. Chippendale's experiences with the troop include an International Jamboree in Norwich, England In 1987. Philmont trips in 1988, 1990, 1993, and 1996 and the Adirondack Scout Reservation summer camp from 1984 to 1995. He has also served as a volunteer staff member at camp Horseshoe and was Camp horseshoe Man of the Year in 1995. Other experiences include Delaware River triathlons, Ski trips to Elk Mountain and Killington, white water rafting trips on the Lehigh, in West Virginia, and Colorado; winter camps, Klondike Derbies, caving trips, biking trips, hiking trips, backpacking trips, council and district camporees, council and district first aid meets, mystery trips, sailing trips, canoe trips, bowling, skating, Troop 50's Camp Jarvs work days, and many, many meetings. During his five year tenure as Scoutmaster of Devon Troop 50, 25 boys advanced to Eagle Scout. Mr. Chippendale is currently serving Troop 50 as Committee Chairman.

Mr. Chippendale completed Basic Leader Training in 1984, the Woodbadge training course in 1986, and attended the Philmont training center in 1990. He has been active on the district and council training committees since 1986, serving on the staff of Scoutmastership Fundamentals many times and as course director in 1987. He has also been an active member of the Woodbadge courses serving on staff in 1990, 1992, 1994. and 1996.

With Diamond Rock District Mr. Chippendale has served on the staff of the Diamond Rock District cub day camp, as chairman of the Diamond Rock Webelos Woods from 1987-1992, and the Valley Forge Expo chairman in 1991. In addition he also served on the District committee as Webelos Coordinator, Training Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and a three year term as Chairman of Diamond Rock District. He is also Post Advisor for Post 500 at the at the Main Line Unitarian Church.

Mr. Chippendale is a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow and a regular at service weekends. He holds the following scouting awards: Den Leader Award, the Training Award for cubbing and scouting, the Scouters Key, the Scoutmaster Award of Merit, the District Award of Merit and the Silver Beaver. He is also certified as a BSA Lifeguard Counselor. He served as a Scoutmaster for a tri-state (PA,MD,NJ) troop to the 1995 World Jamboree in the Netherlands. Mr. Chippendale is planning to attend the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill in 1997 as an Assistant Commissioner for Subcamp 4.

For several of you, tonight will mark the beginning of your association with Troop Devon 50. On behalf of the Trustees of Devon 50 Inc., and the Group of Interested Citizens which sponsors the troop, welcome to our family! Troop Devon 50 has a 70 year tradition of pride in its scouting facilities k:known as Camp Jarvis. It is no wonder that visiting scout troops call us months in advance to reserve our facilities for their enjoyment when we are not using it.

The challenge of any organization, and Boy Scout is no exception, is to provide an interesting and exciting program for its members. The Trustees, the Troop Committee, the Scoutmaster and his staff are all committed to making your Devon 50 experience as meaningful as it can be. But, for troop events to be "fun" and "successful" requires planning and participation, not only yours, but your parents as well. Get involved! I think you'll find it hard to stay away.

Four members of the troop, Tim Murphy, Colin Ferriman, Jonathan Makela, and Gary Alloway are recognized tonight because they have attained the rank of Eagle Scout. We salute them! They are not first, nor the last boys to be awarded an Eagle by your Troop. While the requirements for Eagle are many and the standards high, it is a goal that can be met with perseverance and dedication. May each of them be an example to the rest of us of what it takes to get to the top, and what it means to live by Scout Law.

At the end of this month the boys of Devon 50 will once again be seen hauling their trunks and footlockers out of attics and basements, and rummaging through closets and dresser drawers. Laundry will be hoarded and snack food will vanish from the kitchen shelves. I. Goldberg and the Scout Shop will become frequent destinations as each scout realizes that he has out-grown his hiking boots and green shorts. Suddenly, one Sunday morning after a frenzy of last-minute packing, the boys of Devon 50 will disappear for at least a week, maybe more.

What is this strange annual phenomenon which has been happening without fail since 1928? Is it somehow in correlation with the gravitational forces of the moon, the friction of shifting tectonic plates or the side effects of a secret government project?

Actually, it is the yearly mass-migration to Camp Horseshoe for a week or two of summer camp. Those fortunate scouts who attend camp participate in one of the finest summer camp programs in the country. Camping in the loop of the Octoraro bend provides for an experience rich in tradition, such as marching at the daily retreat ceremony and participating in camp-wide games, as well as exciting new program additions such as Cope, and archeology merit badge.

This summer looks to be spectacular so start getting ready for earning merit badges, relaxing with your friends, learning scout skills and having a blast.

On the 17th of May, many of the fun loving and brave scouts packed their bags and headed for the trails. Even thought there were many hard obstacles standing in our way (including rain)! We managed to arrive at camp Jarvis early in the morning. Whi1e there were only a few "seasoned" scouts attempting the trail, we had several new scouts and all were high in spirit. We all jumped into the vans and left for the trails. You might be asking where we were headed, well, it was none other than the well known Hickory Run State Park. When we started on the trail, we were faced with many troubles like crossing a raging river, and losing the way. But out of it all we arrived on the summit of the trail. Did we stop to admire nature? No, not much, but to eat our lunches fast because we all were really hungry. After we arrived back at the vans, we took a trip along an unpaved trail to a great sea of boulders. It is hard to describe but as far as our little tired explorer eyes could see, there were mountarris and piles of boulders. We were told that all the rocks were brought there by glaciers several thousands ofycars ago. We stayed there a little while climing and falling from the boulders and then headed home.

If you did not attend this trip you really missed out on some great things to see and do. So I hope that next time there is a Troop hike you will all attend. We want to thank Mr. Waxler for organizinng the trip and Mr. Chippendale and Mr. Tankel for driving the unruly bunch of Scouts.

Todav' s field dav was undoubtedly a success. We had five different stations: Firebuilding, Knot Tying, Flint and Steel, Scout Pace, and Archery. All were designed to show Scout skills and cooperation in the highest performance. We got started before hand at 7:30. with the band practicing for the Anniversary Picnic. The pieces that are going to be played are The battle Hymn of the Republic. Grand Old Flag. The Star Spangled Banner, and for those of you baby boomers, the l957 hit by the Kingsmen, Louie, Louie.

Anyway, back to the field day. The Flint and Steel competition was a toughie, but everybody was up to the challenge. (Hey, we are Boy Scouts!!) Archery was a fun one, The Scout Pace certainly got some of us in shape, and the Knot Tying and Fire Building sharpened up our Scout skills. However, not only fun happened at this day. All of the setup that was needed for tonight's Court of Honor was done, and the Field Day ended at 12:30. Thinks to all of the adults who helped to make the dav such a success and also to all of the Scouts who participated in the Field Day. Congratuilations to all who came in first. second, and third place.




	Situation: Jonny has burns all over his body and is unconscious. What do you do? Please write to help Jonny. As in First Aid. The patrol with the answer will get a reward.