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Encyclopedia WinterCampica - CHR Memorial Site
In its heyday, the Charles Howell Scout Reservation near Brighton was widely regarded as one of the finest Scout camps in America. However, the property was sold by the Detroit Area Council in 1986 for development into the Pine Creek Ridge subdivision of luxury home sites. Several Winter Campers have made visits to CHR since its sale, and a number of artifacts, including 5 campsite markers (Jim Bridger, Davy Crockett, OA Cabin, Plainsman, and Ranger), have made their way to Winter Camp for enshrinement at the CHR Memorial Site, which was constructed at Winter Camp XI in 1987. The collection of artifacts was enhanced at Winter Camp XVI, when soil from CHR was scattered over the site and a tree was transplanted from the former CHR Ordeal site to the Beaver Creek woods.
The memorial is a fenced-in area housing the campsite markers, with a gateway built from two trees and the Lime Lake Field Sports sign. It is located somewhat downhill from the Last Ceremony site in such a location as to make it unlikely that it will be discovered without a deliberate search. Winter Camp's annual, 5-year, and 10-year time capsules are buried there each year. Jeff Rand has written a brief ceremony performed at the site during each year's time capsule placement in commemoration of two former DAC camps in metro Detroit: CHR and Waterford Township's Camp Brady. At Winter Camp XXVI, the ceremony was updated by Gordon Draper to include recognition of Winter Campers who had camped at CHR and the singing of the Charles Howell Reservation song:
The Reservation Song
Background singers chant "Um Pa, Um Pa, Um Pa..."
Killy, Killy, Killy, Killy, Watch, Watch, Watch, Watch,
Kay You Killy Come Cah Wah.
Killy, Killy, Killy, Killy, Watch, Watch, Watch, Watch,
Kay You Killy Come Cah Wah.
Hail Reservation, Reservation, Polly Wah
Hail Reservation, Reservation, Polly Wah
Those singing the words return to chanting "Um Pa", and everyone then fades out.
Other notable events at the site include a campout by Steve Donohue, John Howey, Tim Hunt, and Dave Milon on a December 1997 weekend as part of a weekend-long event where the Venture Scouts from Troop1373 were supposed to conduct a manhunt to find them. The 1997 Fall Fellowship saw a crew from Mahican Chapter converge on the site and build a new wing, increasing the size by 50%, and add a basement. Unfortunately, the basement had collapsed by Winter Camp XXI, and there are no plans to rebuild it.
During 2005, a falling tree near the site broke the Lime Lake Field Sports sign into several pieces. Paul Kupser took on the challenge of restoring the sign during 2006, and in retrieving the campsite signs to preserve them better, he expanded the site again.
Entry Created: 01/14/2008 Last Update: 01/14/2008
Picture courtesy of Winter Camp XI A photo of the crew which did the initial construction and heavy lifing at the CHR Memorial Site. |
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