Fall Camporee Slated for the Landis Arboretum on October 16, 17, 18;

SCHOHARIE REGION (09/28/2009)(readMedia)-- In the mere century since Chicago publisher William Boyce founded The Boy Scouts of America (BSA), the organization has evolved to become one of the nation's largest youth organizations.

Its more than four million youth members find common ground in the pursuit of responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, and nature-focused programs. Scouting values such as honesty, good citizenship, and outdoors skills, in fact, have come to be coveted attributes of the American character.

Those attributes will be in evidence this Fall -- October 16, 17, 18 -- when Esperance, NY-based Boy Scout Troop 501 hosts its first regional Camporee on the grounds of the Capital Region's Arboretum.

Scouts will camp in the wooded areas that comprise the 548-acre Landis Arboretum, and on grassy fields that surround the rustic Meeting House, which stands sentinel over the spectacular Schoharie Valley.

The 3-day event is expected to provide participating scouts with the opportunity to choose from two achievement tracks: one leading to the Forestry Merit Badge, and another focused on a First Aid Merit Badge.

Volunteers from SUNY Cobleskill's Paramedic program will be working with the scouts and their leaders to provide expert first-responder training for the woods or for at home.

"Our students were quick to volunteer," says Director of the Paramedic program, Mr. Richard Beebe (Guilderland). "Many, like me, are former scouts; we welcomed the opportunity to give back to an organization that inspired us in more formative years to make the positive choices that made us who we are today. Scouting also showed us the importance of team work, cooperation, and giving back to the communities and organizations that nurtured us."

Weather permitting, the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers will be on site to offer key elements of an Astronomy Merit Badge. (The Albany Area Amateur Astronomers (AAAA) meet regularly at the Landis Arboretum under the leadership of Alan French. Alan French and his wife, Susan, have been sharing the night sky with people at star parties in the Capital District for close to 40 years. French is a telescope maker, but also enjoys naked-eye astronomy. He is Vice President of Dudley Observatory's Board of Trustees and the Albany Area Amateur Astronomers.

Teaming for Excellence

Landis Arboretum-sponsored Troop 501 is part The Deerslayer District Otschodela Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which serves a wide area north of I-88 in Otsego and Schoharie Counties in New York. It offers year round scouting programs and events for the communities it serves.

Boy Scout Troop 501, originally chartered in November 2004, serves the youth in the area from the ages of 10-18, reaching out to Mariaville, Schoharie, Cobleskill, Esperance, Duanesburg, Carlisle and other communities surrounding the George Landis Arboretum.

The Fall Camporee, organized by the members of Boy Scout Troop 501, reflects the oversight of Scoutmaster Chuck Stephens (Delanson). Committee Chair Scott Cramer (Duanesburg) and John Kilmer (Richfield Springs) - District Executive of the Otschodela Council.

"Although we were honored to provide guidance," says Scoutmaster Chuck Stephens, "as encouraged by the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 501 is a boy run troop. This means that the boys themselves decide what and when activities will take place. Adult leaders are here to serve in a support role -- and to be sure that all activities are healthy, safe, and appropriate to Scouting.

"During the summer months," says Stephens, "we are fortunate to be able to hold our meetings at the Arboretum. During the normal school year, we meet at the Duanesburg Elementary School. Each month, we try to participate -- either on a local or on a district level --in an outdoor weekend. Day trips are also popular."

Barbara Brabetz (Amsterdam) serves as Troop 501's liaison to the Arboretum's all-volunteer Board of Directors:

"The Arboretum is pleased to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 501 under the very capable leadership of Scout Master Chuck Stephens," she says. "Troop 501 has been invaluable to the Arboretum, especially through volunteer efforts at our Spring/Fall Plant Sales.

"The educational curriculum is a major component of the Arboretum's program, she adds. " Events and workshops focus on the flora and fauna of the Arboretum as a dynamic, 548-acres outdoor classroom. This is a natural fit and setting for instilling the core values inherent in scouting – including a love and respect for nature."

Troop 501, says Ms. Brabetz, offers its members guided and responsible fun and adventure; trains them in citizenship, service, and leadership; engenders self-reliance; and promotes the maturization of youth prepared to participate in society. These attributes complement the Arboretum's own educational endeavors, and the scouts make quality use of the Arboretum's grounds.

Scouting Excellence – and Generosity

Those who frequent events at Landis are aware of the helpful presence of the 15-member Troop 501. In 2008, the Arboretum agreed to contribute toward materials for a Troop 501 Eagle Scout Project (construction of an attractive, protective split rail fence around our Great Oak and Big Red Oak trees). Eagle Scout Marc Whitman returned the money. In doing so, members, leaders, committee, and parents of Troop 501 upped the ante and contributed $500 from their own fundraising efforts (sales of popcorn) – no small accomplishment or sum for the Troop – to the maintenance of the grounds at Landis.

The Arboretum, in fact, has been the recipient of three Eagle Scout projects to date: Bryan Phillips (Mariaville) constructed and installed trail signs and posts as a member of former Troop 105 sponsored by the Esperance Elks; Chris Whitman (Mariaville) built and donated the Leopold Benches at Landis last year; and Marc Whitman (Mariaville) created the handsome split rail fence around the Great Oak that protects the Arboretum's 500 year old iconic Great Oak.

The Troop's community focus, however, is not limited to the Arboretum: Life Scout Patrick Butler (Carlisle) is working on a project at the Lawyersville Cemetery, and Life Scout RANK Jason Cramer (Duanesburg) is setting up a project with the Quaker Street Volunteer Fire Department.

"No doubt Fred Lape would be proud that his Oak Nose Farm is the site of such high ideals, noble goals, and community-minded action," says Ms. Brabetz. She suggests that visitors to the Arboretum be mindful of these young men and their contributions – and support them even as they support the Capital Region's Arboretum and nurture the communities it serves.

CAMPOREE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday October 16

Check in after 5 pm

Saturday October 17

8:30am – 9:00am Registration

9:00am Opening Ceremony

9:15am Session 1

10:00am Session 2

10:45am Session 3

11:30am – 1:00pm Lunch

1:15pm Session 4

2:00pm Session 5

3:00pm – 4:30pm Camporee events

• Grow-A-Tree

• Spiderweb Maze

• Log Pull

• Ladder Lash

• Tree ID

4:30pm – 6:30pm Supper in site

6:45pm – 8:00 pm Vespers and Campfire

8:00pm - ? Star Party ?

Sunday October 18

Clean up. Pack up. Leave.

Nature's Wonderland

The Arboretum benefits from its proximity to historic Sharon Springs, Old Stone Fort Museums Complex, Howe Caverns, the Iroquois Indian Museum, the refurbished Cave House, SUNY Cobleskill, and the reputed farms and venues to Picture Perfect Schoharie County.

Within under two miles travel distance from scenically designated Route 20 and the route I-88 corridor that links Albany with Cooperstown, Finger Lakes Regions and beyond, the Landis Arboretum is an accessible national treasure within easy reach of New York State's Capital Region.

The Arboretum's abundance of assets continues to find new admirers, supporters, and advocates each year:

• One of only three arboreta in eastern North America with old-growth forests. Landis has TWO!

• NYS's MOST COMPLETE Collection of Native Plants

• A nationally recognized collection of oaks of the Northeast;

• 8+ miles of hiking/walking trails; year-round programs

• Classes, workshops, and special events for the entire family

• The beautiful Van Loveland and refurbished Quarry Gardens;

• Designated destination on NYS Route 20 Bluebird Trail.

• Where leaf-peeping turns to awe and Mother Nature hits her high notes!

Community Outreach

As the Capital Region's Arboretum, Landis serves all residents in the extended Capital Region, which includes Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Montgomery, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, and Ulster Counties. Many regular visitors to Landis hail from Western Massachusetts, the Berkshires, Westchester, and western New York State.

The Landis Arboretum is open to all individuals and conducts all institutional operations in accordance with requirements of Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1963, as amended which bar discrimination on the basis of race, age, color, nationality, handicap, or place of residence. In the spirit of Landis Founder Fred Lape, the Arboretum also includes affectional preference in an attempt to reflect progressive times and ensure a welcoming environment for all. The Arboretum conducts business in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity requirements of Article 15A of the Executive Law.

For more information about the Landis Arboretum and Adventures in Schoharie County:

• Northern Catskills Best Kept Secret:

The Landis Arboretum may well be the northern Catskill Region's best-kept secret. With centuries of history and the riveting beauty inherent in the Arboretum's world-class, global collections, generations of extraordinary plantings continue to impart their secrets to its visitors. http://www.catskillmtn.org/guide-magazine/articles/2006-05-the-george-landis-arboretum.html

• Spectacular Beauty? Sustainable Fun? A Schoharie County Weekend! By "Schoharie Buzz"

• Landis Arboretum Featured on http://www.didyouweekend.com/weekend/

See where Mother Nature hits her high notes!

• How Does [Y]OUR Garden Grow: http://www.landisarboretum.org/catskill_guide.html

The Landis Arboretum is located 1.5 miles off scenic-designated Route 20 in Esperance, NY, a beautiful and easy drive from throughout the Capital Region. www.landisarboretum.org; info@landisarboretum.org

Like the iconic and venerable 500-year-old Great Oak that captures the sight and imagination of every visitor to the Lape Estate, the Arboretum itself is a mighty oak evolved from an acorn of inspiration and nurtured by passionate people united in their love and respect for nature.

CONTACTS:

For more information on the 2009 Fall Camporee at the Landis Arboretum:

• Chuck Stephens, Scoutmaster, 518-895-2507; Chuck.Stephens@cs.state.ny.us.

• Arboretum-sponsored Boy Scout Troop 501:http://troops.scouter.com/ny/bsatroop501/

• For Landis Arboretum: B. Brabetz, 518-875-6935, arboretumbarb@gmail.com

Posted Monday September 28, 2009 at 08:01 pm by Landis Arboretum