Growing up as a scout has a definite impact on the rest of a persons life. Whether they make it to the rank of Eagle or not there are character traits imbedded in the individual that makes the scout different from the rest.

My scouting days started with Cub Scouts and ended with Explorer Scouts. I remember having to get on a Rochester N.Y. city bus and going to Cub Scout meetings with my mom. My mom didn't drive and my father worked nights. The cub scouts continued until I got my Webelow rank. I joined Boy Scouts at a nearby church and rode my bike to the meetings until we later moved to Scottsville, N.Y. But before moving to Scottsville I earned my way to my first trip to Massawepie Boy Scout Camp by selling bags of apples. This was done by buying 40lb boxes of apples and bagging them in 5 lb bags and selling them door to door. The profit was put towards one half the cost of going to camp, the church paid the other half. The scout masters name was Turpy. I quickly progressed from Tenderfoot and Second Class to First Class Scout. I had two cousins in in this troop as well, they were Bob and David Schlosser, sons of my fathers brother David. Bob and David went to Massawepie Scout Camp with me also. I'd been to church camp several times but going to Massawepie was going to be a much greater adventure. The camp had only been open in the Adirondack Mountains for three or four years and offered the type adventure that a scout dreamed of and read about in "Boys Life" the scouting magazine. The Massawepie Scout Camps are located on New York State Route 3 between Cranberry Lake and Tupper Lake.

Scouts were transported to Camp Massawepie by Grey Hound Bus. It was quite a site to see 10-20 buses all lined up and scouts loading their packs and gear. The trip was about 250 miles from Rochester and the trip took about 6 hours. Each troop rode on different buses as well had their own camping area at the camp. Much competition resulted between troops for cleanest campsite, canoeing, archery, knot tying, pioneering, compass reading, swimming and many other events. As the scouts reached the ranks of First Class more opportunities opened up for back pack and canoe trips, some several weeks long. Many memories of events still find space in old grizzz's mind. Some were loads of fun and some were very funny.

I remember one year cousin Bob was in the next tent. The tents were wall tents on wood floors with two bunks with springs. When you arrived at camp you were issued a "tick", a canvas bag you put straw in for a mattress. The tick rested on the springs. One morning shortly after reveille I heard a yowl of pain from Bobs tent. Bob had swung out of bed and was sitting on the edge. The tick had pushed back from the edge exposing the springs. Bob slept nude. When he went to get up he had snagged his male parts in the springs. We all rushed to his tent has his howl grew louder. Bob was holding his crotch and there was blood on his hand. Turpy arrived at the same time and seeing the blood told Bob he had to go to the clinic. The clinic was staffed by a female nurse. No way was Bob going to the clinic. It took two scout masters and four scouts to carry the screaming Bob to the clinic, to see the nurse. Bob required a little mercurochrome and a band aide, and it took the rest of the day to undo his red face. Bob was known to the entire camp the rest of his stay as "ballso bob".

Campfires were always a special part of camp. There were always special events like Indian guest and of course the songs. The camp song was a follows.

Cheer, Cheer and let them know we're here

We're Scouts from Camp Pioneer

And we will sing and sing

And let the praises ring

As we go marching onward forward

Here's to our fires burning bright

On Massawepie lake at night

And may we ever strive to keep our honor bright

As Scouts of Pioneer

The scout leaders are a key player in the outcome of the scouting experience. My scout master in Scottsville N.Y. was Hermie Yahn, and he was a public works supervisor for the town of Scottsville. He was a short, muscular guy with thick black hair and very sun tanned from working outdoors. Also most of the scouts new each other and went to school together as Scottsville was a small town. As my scouting career continued I made Star Scout and finally Life Scout. I was two merit badges away from Eagle Scout before realizing that there were girls in the world. She forever changed my life as I didn't finish scouting as a Eagle, nor did the world seem the same anymore. Hard to explain. I did become an assistant Scout Master and went to Camp several more times.