Congressman Langevin to Tour the Nation’s Second Oldest Scout Camp August 6
RISBJ Staff | Aug 05, 2015
PROVIDENCE, RI – Camp Yawgoog has welcomed Boy Scouts from across the northeast for its 100th consecutive season this summer. The 1,800-acre reservation, located in Rockville, RI, serves over 6,400 Scouts during the eight-week summer season. Known as a “Scout Adventureland, Forever,” Yawgoog is the country’s second oldest continuously run Boy Scout camp and is owned and operated by the Narragansett Council and Boy Scouts of America.
The camp serves Scouts not only from Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts, but also hosts Scouts and Leaders from nearly every state on the East Coast and across the country. It hosts international Scouts, as well. Generations of Rhode Islanders have camped at Yawgoog, including many of the state’s leaders such as Governor J. Joseph Garrahy, Senator John Chafee, and Governor Bruce Sundlun.
“Yawgoog has inspired hundreds of thousands of young men over the years and we are thrilled to be celebrating its 100th season,” said John Mosby, the Narragansett Council’s Scout Executive/CEO. “The camp has really passed the test of time, and it’s thrilling to see our alumni return to Yawgoog and see that it remains unchanged to them, with the same spirit and enthusiasm they remember from their days as campers.”
Congressman Jim R. Langevin (D-RI) will be visiting the camp on August 6th to meet with Troop 66 Garden City and applaud them for their hard work and community service. As a Boy Scout himself, Langevin attributes much of his success to the skills he learned in Scouting as a young man.
“Not many institutions last 100 years,” said Langevin. “It’s great to know that Scouting still has such a positive impact on young people and teaches them to be responsible, independent, and involved members of the community.”
Scouts from Troop 66 will host the Congressman on a tour of their campsite, Netop, located at Medicine Bow. He will also visit the Bucklin Memorial Building and the Yawgoog Alumni Heritage Center, among other sites.
“Yawgoog has a long and important history in Rhode Island,” added Langevin. “I’m looking forward to learning more about the camp’s traditions and different activities the Scouts participate in during the summer.”
Each year, over 200 counselors are available to offer several dozen merit badges including camping, small boat sailing, fishing, lifesaving and first aid. Courses are also offered to adult leaders who would like to improve their basic leadership and CPR skills. But Camp Yawgoog has changed with the times too – today’s campers can also earn merit badges involving robotics, drones, and more. In all, over 40 merit badges are offered to Scouts during their stay at the camp.
“Our goal is that every Scout learns a new or improved skill set and leaves the camp devoted to Scouting’s values,” said Mosby.
Scouts of all ages from Webelos Outdoor Adventure Camp to the New Frontier Program can attend any of Yawgoog’s three separate camps; Camp Three Point, Camp Medicine Bow, and Camp Sandy Beach. Each Camp has its own traditions – a color, songs and cheers – but share reservation program facilities.
The camps allow Scouts the opportunity to participate in activities such as sailing, kayaking, archery, climbing and rappelling. Scouts are also given the chance to work in outdoor classrooms to improve their nature, astronomy and geology skills.
“More than 200 Scouts learn how to swim at Camp Yawgoog each summer and over 250 boys will earn the Mile Swim Award,” said Mosby. “In addition, our Scouts are learning important life skills during their stay here at Yawgoog, such as how to work with adults, how to organize their peers into groups that accomplish daily tasks in the dining hall and campsite, and how to communicate with others by understanding body language and intonation.”
“The skills Scouts learn at camp stay with them forever,” Mosby added.
To learn more, visit Camp Yawgoog online at http://www.yawgoog.org/
About the Narragansett Council:The Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America’s mission is to serve others by helping to instill values in young people and, in other ways, prepare them to make ethical choices over their lifetime in achieving their full potential. The Narragansett Council offers a program for boys and young men ages 6 to 21 and young women ages 14 to 21, serving nearly 12,000 youth in Rhode Island, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Pawcatuck, Connecticut. For more information, please log on towww.narragansettbsa.org.
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