Scouting's Friends on Capitol Hill

Requirement 8 of the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge asks boys to write a letter about an important issue to their U.S. congressperson.

Just think of it - thousands of Boy Scouts each year send these letters to elected officials (in fact, over a dozen letters were sent to congress by Scouts at Camp Minsi last week). You may think these individuals could care less about a letter written by a boy working on an Eagle-required merit badge, right? Think again. Scouting's status in Washington, D.C., has always been strong, and that continues in 2009.

Some new research by the BSA reveals that nearly 41 percent of the members of the U.S. Congress have some type of Scouting involvement. That means that we Scouters have friends in some pretty high places.

In all, 47 different states are represented on this new list, available here. Check it out and see if your local Senator or Representative is there.

You'll find both Republicans and Democrats on the list, and you'll see that some were involved as youth, some as volunteer leaders, and some as both. You'll even see a special column indicating if the congressman is an Eagle Scout. A grand total of 219 of the 535 Senators and Representatives of the 111th Congress are on that list —pretty impressive indeed.

Tree of the Week: The American Beech

American Beech

(Fagus grandifolia)

Leaves: Alternate, simple, 3"-4" long, stiff leathery texture, with a tapered tip and sharply toothed margins, light green and glossy above, yellow green below.

Twigs: Slender, dark yellow to gray, at first hairy, later smooth, zigzag. Buds very long slender sharp-pointed, covered by 10-20 reddish-brown scales.

Fruit: A stalked, prickly 4-valved bur containing triangular, pale brown, shining nuts.

Bark: Smooth, light gray mottled with dark spots.

General: Found on moist rich soils throughout the Commonwealth but more abundant in the north. An important timber species typically reaching 50'-60' high but can be higher. The beechnuts are very important food for wildlife including bears, squirrels, turkeys, and grouse. Beech is a handsome shade tree for large open areas in parks and golf courses.

Yeti Watch!

The Camp Minsi Ranger is advising all campers to be on the alert for yetis and take extra precautions to avoid an encounter with these rare and noble beasts of the Camp Minsi wilderness.

He advises all campers wear little bells on their clothes so they make noise when hiking. The bell noise allows the yetis to hear them coming from a distance and not be startled by a hiker accidentally sneaking up on them.

Campers should also carry a pepper spray can just in case a yeti is encountered. Spraying the pepper into the air will irritate the yeti's sensitive nose and it will run away.

It is also a good idea to keep an eye out for fresh yeti scat so you have an idea if yetis are in the area. People should be able to recognize the difference between the Northern Canadian Yeti and Minsi Yeti scat.

Northern Canadian Yeti droppings are smaller and often contain berries, leaves, and possibly bits of fur. Minsi Yeti droppings tend to contain small bells and smell of pepper.

Camp Minsi on Google Earth

If you use Google Earth, and you know where to look, you can easily check out an impressive aerial view of Camp Minsi. Located just northwest of the intersection of Route 380 and Route 940, Camp Minsi is situated on the shores of Stillwater Lake (41.06880°N, 075.25334°W).

Camp Minsi encompasses over 1,200 acres of relatively flat Pennsylvanian woodlands; along with the 314-acre Stillwater Lake. Although the trees block the view of many camp locations; you can still easily pick out many key Camp Minsi features - such as the Waterfront, the parade field, the shooting ranges, Dotter's Run and Duck Puddle, the parking lot, the ice house ruins, the activities field, the parking lot, and many of the camp roads, sites, buildings, and geographic features. So go check out Camp Minsi and this part of the Poconos on Google Earth. You'll be amazed.

Camp Minsi Kicks-Off 60th Summer Camp Season

The long awaited start of the 2009 summer camp season at Camp Minsi is finally here! This year Camp Minsi celebrates its 60th anniversary season, as the camp has been operating in the same location since 1949. The camp encompasses more than 1,200 acres of pristine Pennsylvanian woodlands along the shores of the 314 acre Stillwater Lake. This summer Camp Minsi continues its tradition of providing unique and exciting programs for Scouts of all ages.

This summer Camp Minsi will host 6 exciting weeks of summer camp – welcoming over 65 Troops and serving more than 960 Scouts, 250 Scouters, and countless families, volunteers and friends.

We look forward to sharing the fun of camp with you online – check back for updates throughout the summer.

The Camp Minsi Alma Mater

The singing of the Camp Minsi Alma Mater has been a long-standing tradition at Camp Minsi. This anthem is sung at campfires, ceremonies and at other occasions throughout the summer. The Alma Mater holds a special meaning to many campers, leaders, and staff as it captures the spirit of Camp Minsi. While many long-time campers hold the song dear and have commited the words to memory, there are many that are not as familiar with the lyrics to this song. We've received some requests for the lyrics; and so, without further ado, here they are. Enjoy!

The Camp Minsi Alma Mater

By the shores of old Stillwater,
With it's azure blue,
Lies a camp of friendly Boy Scouts,
Cheerful, brave, and true.

Sing her glories, live her ideals,
Hold her memories dear.
Give a cheer that all may hear it;
Hail all hail Minsi.

Far away from care and turmoil
Of the busy town,
In a Brotherhood of Scouting;
We will there be found.

Sing her glories, live her ideals,
Hold her memories dear.
Give a cheer that all may hear it;
Hail all hail Minsi!