We are saddened to announce the passing of our cherished friend, Bill Brucker.
See how Bill has been remembered by Dick Trier, Tom Dietz, and Jim Smith.
The Annual Staff Holiday Party at Durland will be on January 3rd. Register by 12/30!
CAMP READ ASSOCIATION
10th Camp Read Reunion
&
105th Anniversary of the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation
&
75th Anniversary at Brant Lake, Adirondacks, NY
September 20 - 22, 2024
Friday September 20:
It’s a sparkling autumn afternoon. The picturesque Adirondack scenery with leaves starting to turn and the fresh pine air warmed by the sun reminded us that a bit of summer was still hanging on. Perfect weather for our reunion.
The attendees arrived a few at a time and checked in at Newton Hall. As old friends met with heartfelt greetings, the memories and comradery commenced. The reunions always provide the opportunity to rekindle friendships, and make new friends and memories. That is exactly what we were here for.
In addition to the benefits above, we set out to achieve a few more objectives.
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Bring new blood into the Camp Read Association and get them involved starting with the Reunion process. Somehow we recruited each other and Bailey Pitonza, James Morgan and Mike “Tripod” Tripodi joined Bill Daley, Tim Haag and Tom Dietz to form the ’24 Reunion committee. Bailey and James are Staff of the Year awardees sponsored by the CRA and Tripod would have been but he worked on full time staff before the award was created. Tripod took on the souvenir shirt & patch design and production and did a great job.
L. to R.: Bailey Pitonza, Tom Dietz, Tripod Tripodi, President Bill Daley, and Tim Haag.
Missing from picture is James Morgan who had to return to his studies at college.
2. Gather up some singers (Simon Riker, Peter Oberdorf, Dick Trier, Rich Lutomski, and Bob Gwinn just to name a few) to record some of the traditional Camp Read songs. The purpose is to provide the current and future staffs with the words, music and recordings to pass the tradition on. This is only the start. We welcome others to add to our list of songs and encourage staff members of all ages to contribute. Simon Riker is our Music Program Leader and he would be happy to hear from you.
3. Orient the attendees on the STEM Ranch that has become one of the featured attractions at the Curtis S. Read Scout Reservation. It was suggested that we do a presentation to inform our membership in what STEM means and does. Greg Pitonza is the STEM Ranch Director, and although he flew off to do a project in Australia, he was able to put together a video and narrative for us (below). His son Bailey took over in his absence and did an outstanding presentation on Saturday morning to start off the day’s activities.
4. Showcase Camp Waubeeka which is a Patrol/Troop cooking camp (no dining hall meals) and offers a “self-sufficient” experience at the Read Reservation. James Morgan, who served as a Commissioner at Waubeeka this past summer, did an outstanding job leading a historical hike through the Camp. Many in the group had worked in Waubeeka and added to the dialog on the history and “interesting” tales and “adventures” in Camp Waubeeka. Just ask Tim Haag about the placement of canoes, and unlikely things floating on the lake.
This reunion brought about many challenges, changes and adjustments, the first being the food truck turning into a BBQ with many volunteers pitching in. Ron Green did the flipping (hamburgers, hot dogs, & kielbasa), Kathy Green and Charlie Strohman doing the running from the grill to the serving table. Barb Haag and others helping to set the table with salads, condiments, drinks, etc.
Check in was handled by Jon and Katherine Hall, with others chipping in at dinner time and as the evening progressed. We had 87 sign-ups including 16 ’24 Staff Members and the 4 young Leslie boys.
Our reunion program started with Tie Dye Tee Shirt making at the handicraft Lodge conducted by James Morgan. There were colorful results! We started this event on Friday night since it takes a day or so for the Tee shirts to dry. Thus they would be ready by Sunday.
Our traditional Cracker Barrel commenced about 8:30. In addition to the usual fare, a practice session for the Song Program entertained those enjoying the snacks and the new arrivals. The singing improved as the night progressed and our program was off and “singing”.
Saturday September 21:
The traditional Flag Raising Ceremony was led by Tom Chlupsa and some of the ’24 Staff.
Due to COVID, other illnesses and commitments, a few of our activities, including meals, required volunteers to fill in and take over for those who could not attend. In some cases, we had to call in the “third team” to help. Saturday breakfast and lunch, and Sunday breakfast were prepared and served by the “back-up volunteers”. Ranger Kris O’Connor stepped up with Tom Chlupsa, Mark Costanza, and Mark Sikora to prepare and cook the meals. They were assisted by James Morgan, Joseph Sinnott and others who helped with serving. Many, many thanks to Kris and all the volunteers for “saving the day”.
After Grace and breakfast, the STEM Ranch presentation by Bailey and the historical hike thru Camp Waubeeka by James, we were led to a beautiful spot by the Waubeeka Lake Spillway. It was here that the ground breaking for the Terribile Pavilion, dedicated to David Terribile, long time Scoutmaster and Camp Waubeeka alumnus took place. The ceremony, complete with a Gold shovel, was conducted by Matt Terribile, Dave’s son and Ron Green, Chairman of CRA’s Contribution Committee.
Read Ron Green's Recap of the Pavilion Dedication Here
At the conclusion of the ground breaking, you could see Tom Liberati, Fishing Committee Chairman, casting his line and fishing off the Waubeeka dock in the background. Tom never misses an opportunity to fish.
After lunch, Dick Trier took the group photo in front of Newton Hall. By looking at Dick in the front row, you’d never know that he had just sprinted 20 yards to his “seat” after setting the 10 second timer on the camera!
The Saturday Afternoon program was scheduled to start with the Kids Parade and Carnival. However, this time slot became nap time for the four Leslie brothers (8, 5, 3, & 4 months). I’m sure that Mom (Courtney) and Dad (“Wires”) needed the nap just as much as the boys.
So as to not disappoint the crowd, Rich Lutomski and Tom Dietz strapped on the drums (imported from Virginia Beach by Richie), handed out Kazoos, and marched across the Buckskin retreat field to the Colonel Bogey March (aka Bridge over the river Kwai) to the amusement of all (especially Ranger Kris O’Connor).
Charlie Strohman, Rich Lutomski, and Tom Dietz erected the Heaving Bar in the Buckskin retreat field on Friday morning. Charlie, Bob Gwinn, Bill Daley and a few others did a few practice throws. But this tired them out so there was no real contest this year. Thus the trophy remains with Nick Greenfield, 2019 winner, until the next reunion. Nick must return with the trophy and defend his title.
To quote Richie: “Working at Camp was fun! In fact too much fun to be considered work.”
Peter Scott Oberdorf, being one of the pioneers of Camp Read from the early fifties, led the historical hike of Buckskin and Summit (formerly Tomahawk). Peter has been at Camp Read every year since 1951 and helped build the first four troop sites in the original Camp Tomahawk. One of his Senior Patrol Leaders, Reid Reynolds, was there also to contribute his memories of camp from the fifties. Rusty Borner was very happy to find (with Peter’s guidance) the Old Chapel behind the Butler shower house.
Read Peter's Recap of the Tour Here
At 5:15, retreat was held in Buckskin with “Call to Colors” played with Kazoos as the flag was lowered.
Grace and dinner followed in Newton Hall provided by Ginny Rae’s Catering from Glens Falls that was plentiful and very delicious cuisine. We would highly recommend Ginny Rae’s! Although our volunteer kitchen crew had this meal off, volunteer set-up, servers and clean-up help was recruited and did a fantastic job! All left over food was donated to Camp.
After dinner, the auction of Camp Read and scouting memorabilia was held by Rusty Borner with the help of donors. The results were quite successful. Many thanks to the donors who contributed the proceeds to the Camp Read Association.
The Saturday evening Camp Fire was held at the Buckskin site along the shores of Rogers Lake. Paul Knudsvig was charged (he came highly recommended) with building and lighting the Camp Fires. Bob Rice performed his traditional “Froggy” song to start off the program. Dick Trier orchestrated a great program as usual, and thanks to the “performers” who volunteered songs & skits. These included: Dave Miller, “Flivver”; Ron Phillips, “Quartermasters Store”; Nick Greenfield, “Throw it out the Window”; Paul Knudsvig and Charlie “Doctor D” Deierlein, “The Magician”; Bob Gwinn, walk ons “Taking his Case to Court”; Some cheers including “Does he get it, AND HOW”; (still gets the echo’s off the mountains across the lake), Simon and the Song Program Group, “Camp Read Road”; Peter Oberdorf leading the closing medley: “Forever and Ever”, Scout Vespers, and Taps.
Jim Smith gave his Scoutmasters Minute to close the Camp Fire Program:
“Although we come to camp to enjoy all of nature’s beauty that the Adirondack Mountains, lakes, streams and rivers provides; it’s the people that make the camp and those we truly enjoy. And because of all of you, thousands of scouts are better people because of what YOU did and the fine example you set for them.
Each of us has influenced and had a positive impact on many lives. You are the better for this as well. Your character and the way we worked together as a team, allowed us to overcome many obstacles. We did it for pride in ourselves, for each other, and for the kids who were entrusted to us. We never let a camper or another Camp Read Staff Member down. We remain involved and return here to Camp to ensure that this tradition continues.
Because of what we learned, our character, and the comradery we formed at camp, many of us are lifelong friends. Some of us for 30, 40, 50, even 60 years plus. We are fortunate to be able to “live” these friendships, making this good fortune together.
Because of this, the Camp Read Association exists and has been an active contributor to Camp for over 35 years. YOU and all of our membership continue to support Camp in a positive way. We are still affecting many other lives and making the future a better place for all.
As you will my brothers, as you will!”
As a tradition to honor Curtis S. Read, and Robert T. Johnson, all gathered at the Buckskin Flag Pole to conduct the “Bob Johnson Lantern Ceremony”.
Saturday’s activities conclude with the Cracker Barrel in Newton Hall.
Sunday, September 22:
Church Service:
Even a scout being reverent was impacted by Illness and a 3rd string volunteer was called to duty. Unfortunately Bishop Dominick Lagonegro could not say Mass because of a prior commitment and could not attend the Saturday activities due to illness. Second string Pastor Dave Morris, CRA Secretary, also had a commitment but was able to provide a beautiful Boy Scout service for us to use.
So at 7:00AM the church service went on at the Memorial Chapel for a half dozen or so “Reverent Scouters”. The service was offered for Bill Brucker, whom we lost this past year, Dan Rile for whom the Chapel is dedicated to, and to all the members of the Camp Read Association for their help with and contributions to Camp Read.
The service was conducted by a “Chaplains Aid”, (the buck stops at the Co-chairman), and included Prayers: for Scouts, BSA, and “Do Good” from Lord Baden-Powel, Scouting for Boys; Songs: Amazing Grace, and two response readings: one for the Scout Oath and the second for the Scout Law.
Example:
Leader: Character is determined by the things we worship. If we respect ourselves and our peers, and see them as gifts of goodness from God, we live on a high plane.
Scouts: A Scout is reverent.
After the Flag Raising Ceremony and Grace, breakfast was served in Newton Hall.
Closing Ceremonies included thank yous to all attendees; the kitchen crew and many volunteers that helped us provide a near seamless reunion; the CRA Board of Directors for their contributions to CRA, Scouting and Camp Read; and to the new members of our committee for a job well done!
To continue with tradition, Happy Trails to You was sung and all were wished safe travels until we meet again!
We’ve proved once again that Camp Read Staff always persevere no matter the adversity and challenges encountered. Many hands make light work and many volunteers made our event a success!
Thank You All,
Tim & Tom