Shaping leaders is similar to building a cabin, three area Boy Scout volunteers believe.
You start from the ground up.
The three men have taken the lead in helping the Penn’s Wood Council of the Boy Scouts make improvements to its camp, located within the boundaries of Yellow Creek State Park in Indiana County.
The $2.1 million project at Camp Seph Mack includes the construction of five cabins, a pavilion equipped with a hydrant to serve as a water supply, a group cooking and dining area and a modern restroom.
The project is being spearheaded by the Council’s Order of the Arrow Nachamawat Lodge 275.
Outside of professionals who excavated the area and installed the utilities and H.F. Lenz Co., Johnstown, which donated engineering services, the project is being conducted by volunteers from Nachamawat and their supporters.
The Order’s mission includes building leaders and promoting camping. The Order, an honor society for Scouts, is governed by the Scouts themselves with the guidance of adults.
The first phase of the project, which began in late July and includes the construction of three cabins and a pavilion, will be dedicated Friday.
Mark Sanford Sr., Cresson, council property chairman who will become adviser for Nachamawat in January, said the council had asked him to consider the possibility of volunteers conducting the project.
He asked members of Nachamawat what they thought, with the Scouts embracing the idea.
Sanford, a self-employed contractor, was asked by the Scouts to be project manager and Neil Morton and Kevin Knarr, also adults members of Nachamawat, to be assistant managers.
“It’s huge,” Sanford said of the project. “It will house our senior staff during summer camp, and we will be able to rent the cabins out to earn income for Scout programs.”
Many volunteers are working hard on the project, said Sanford, a former assistant scoutmaster for a Gallitzin troop.
“They’re doing a bang-up job,” he said.
Sanford, who became involved with the Scouts when his son, Mark Jr., joined, said it is rewarding to see a young boy go through the program and become an Eagle Scout.
“You watch him mature into a responsible young adult with very high standards and morals,” said Sanford, a cubmaster in Gallitzin.
Sanford’s son is an Eagle Scout and had served as Nachamawat chief before taking his current position as chief of a section that oversees five lodges.
Morton, of Rockwood and a retired electrical engineer, has been involved in the Scouts for five decades.
“What I enjoy most is seeing the new Cub Scouts,” the Eagle Scout said. “It’s like they are in continuous motion and full of energy.
“To see those boys go from that stage and develop into a young man is something to see.”
The current adviser for Nachamawat, Morton said the cabins will be made available for the senior staff so they can bring their families along while they volunteer.
The assistant scoutmaster for a troop in Rockwood said supporters, such as his wife, Marilyn, also are helping with the project.
Morton, whose two sons are Eagle Scouts, said that in addition to H.F. Lenz Co., they also appreciate the help of state Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, who secured a $250,000 state grant for the project.
Knarr, in addition to helping with the construction project, also is leading the effort to construct a new ceremonial gathering place for the Scouts to replace the one being lost to the new development.
The Ebensburg area resident is the council’s sign maker and has crafted signs commemorating the contributions of donors.
For their efforts, Sanford, Morton and Knarr are the Persons of the Week.
Local News
Persons of the Week: Trio perform Scout camp improvements
- Local News
-
-
Richland manufacturer showcases expansion
Business and government leaders gathered Monday at a Richland Township manufacturing company to celebrate the expansion of its export business, made possible through some cooperative government programs.
-
New jury to hear Blair case
The 12 jury members and two alternates chosen nearly a month ago to decide the fate of Nicholas Adam Horner were excused on Monday by Blair County President Judge Jolene Kopriva.
-
Blogging with heart
Launching into the second week of American Heart Month, I'm looking at stories on the leading-edge treatment options and how local heart specialists are helping patients live longer.
-
Marijuana bust: Police seeking runaway seize dozens of pot plants
City police looking for a runaway juvenile stumbled onto a marijuana “grow operation,” seized more than 40 pot plants and arrested two apartment house neighbors.
-
Former speaker convicted
A jury on Monday convicted a senior Democrat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on all but one of six charges in the latest corruption trial stemming from a five-year investigation into the use of taxpayers’ resources for political purposes.
-
‘Dramatic’ Pa. budget cuts expected
Top state senators say they expect Gov. Tom Corbett to propose a budget plan today that relies on cuts in spending for education and social services to balance sluggish tax collections and the rising costs of pensions and debt.
-
ACRP seeks partners for neighborhood gardens
A few years ago, the Alternative Community Resource Program and its partners planted a garden alongside Napoleon Street in a move to fill both hungry stomachs and a need for neighborhood rejuvenation.
-
‘Hope for the future’: Workshops offer confidence boost to cancer patients
Chances are when you look good you feel better about yourself.
-
Police Roundup: Martindale man accused of trying to enter cars at Portage dealership
A Portage-area man has been charged with criminal attempt at theft after state police said he was discovered trying to enter three vehicles in the parking lot of Stager’s Chevrolet.
-
In brief: Fire destroys windmill turbine
Fire destroyed a windmill turbine at the Allegheny Ridge Wind Farm on top of the mountain in Blair County between Blue Knob and Lilly on Monday morning.
- More Local News Headlines
-
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
Gingrich Renews Vow to Campaign Until Convention
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
