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It turned out she and Angie Copes were looking for pumpkins for chucking, which sounded interesting to the science teacher in me. She directed me to Camp Birch, the 440-acre Boy Scout Camp in Greene County.
Now I had seen the sign to Camp Birch a few times on the road between Yellow Springs and Clifton, but had never actually gone there. Scouts from Clark, Champaign Logan, Greene, and Clinton counties, Tecumseh Council, call this beautiful place home.
The camp was located in the woods on a dead-end road. The parking lot was full and the headquarters was easy to find.
Ranger Bryan Spink and Activity Director Angel Ashbeck arrived accompanied by, no lie, a giant stuffed skunk. For some reason I knew this was going to be an interview to remember. Luckily after awhile volunteer Kyle Knepp removed his mask to join in the conversation.
First thing I learned was that there would be no pumpkin chucking. Boo-hoo.
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That activity hadn’t been approved by the powers that be, but the donated pumpkins had all found good uses in a variety of other entertaining activities involving bows and arrows, tomahawks and BB guns. This was taking place at their range, which had recently been improved by Fairborn Cement.
All over the camp’s 440 acres there were 254 scouts involved in activities that ranged from Webelos learning how to fix cars to an awards ceremony for National Youth Leadership Skills. Many had camped out overnight in the beautiful fall weather before those storms Sunday afternoon.
The camp runs year-round and hosts a variety of different camps and activities for ages 6 through 18. Looking at the calendar, it seems to always be a hub of activity.
Ashbeck had started out as a troop leader for her own scouts.
“When they all grew up, I wasn’t done playing,” she said. She looks forward to incorporating young ladies into the programs in the future.
The week before there had been 1,250 scouts on hand for the annual Spookaree, which is one of the most popular events.
Spink said one of their favorite weeks is the Challenge Camp, which they coordinate with Clark County Job and Family Services and the United Way. Last August, 150 Clark County kids got to spend time out in the great outdoors at Camp Birch.
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According to Spink, many of the camp activities contribute to the scouts’ goals of always being helpful and passing information on to others. Getting folks to work together to solve issues is a good goal.
I found myself getting really excited for our grandson who just recently began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub Scout. My Dad, a 90 year old Eagle Scout, was thrilled when he joined.
There were so many activities that our grandson can look forward to at camps like Camp Birch. I think he wanted to join scouts after talking to two of his older cousins who are Eagle Scouts. When they told him about hiking for 12 days along the rugged mountain ridges of Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and driving dogsleds in the deep Minnesota snow, he was sold. What a great way for young folks to learn to make their own way in the world.
For our local scouts, Camp Birch is where the adventure begins.
I cannot help but think that if more youngsters were able to take part in scouting or other similar programs, the world might be a happier place.
Oh and one more thing to remember — if you have surplus pumpkins next year, check to see if the scouts can use them.
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