When the Boy Scouts of Melrose Area Troop 68 first attended a week of summer camp at Many Point Scout Camp in the late 1980s the staff had to quickly reopen a campsite that had not been used for awhile. The troop had signed up later than they should have and all the usual campsites had been filled. The camp decided to reopen the Tyler campsite in the Buckskin Camp for the troop. Even though it was at the end of the trail of campsites, far from any others, the troop liked it and stayed at the site for several years.

The troop changed campsites in 2006. The walk was getting too long, about a half mile from the campsite to the dining hall, for some of the aging adult leaders so we decided to reserve a camp right smack in the middle of Buckskin Camp. Seton was located at the top of a small hill near the lodge and trading post. It was also near the shower house which was nice. The Seton Campsite was smaller than Tyler but that was alright since the troop had gotten smaller over the years. The site was just the right size for a troop with eight to ten Scouts in attendance.

The troop used the Seton campsite for the next 19 years, except for the two years the troop stayed in the Ten Chiefs Camp. The site served our needs quite well so at the end of our week stay in 2024 we reserved it once again for the following year. We thought we were all set until I received a phone call a few weeks later stating that Troop 68 could not stay in the Seton campsite for 2025. The camp had plans to remake the site into the staff quarters area. We would have to choose a new site.

Needless to say, the adult leadership of Troop 68 was not very happy to hear this. It made us a bit upset that they did not tell us this while we were at camp making our reservation for 2025. We felt that since we already made our reservation and they should plan to move the staff in 2026. We liked Seton. We did not want to move, but we had no choice in the matter.

They told me which sites were still available, which was not many to choose from. We chose the Beard campsite, which was still somewhat centrally located. I did not recall ever having visited that site but we discovered it was one of the campsites in Buckskin that had a screened shelter. Neither Tyler nor Seton had a shelter. We thought that a shelter would be nice to have for those rainy days.

When we arrived at camp on Sunday, July 13, 2025, we noticed there was more parking area than Seton had to park our trailer. We also discovered the latrine was at the bottom of the hill where the campsite was located. It was going to be a long steep climb to get from the main road to the campsite. Not a problem for the Scouts, but not as much fun for this scoutmaster who is getting up there in years.

The Beard campsite itself was pretty nice. It was much bigger than the Seton site which allowed the Scouts to camp away from the adult leadership. The shelter was very nice and we spent most of our evenings in there trying to stay away from the mosquitoes. We also discovered there was a back trail that lead to the trading post and shower house. We liked that. Once again though, it was a steep trail.

The troop did a little work on the steep trail to the campsite during the week, trying to make the steps more even and equal in size. It did help. We have plans to improve it more next year. We are also thinking it might be nice to have a bench near the campsite’s fire ring. We had done the same in the Seton Campsite. Of course, we will have to ask permission before making these campsite improvements.

I have a feeling that the Beard campsite may become our new tradition while at Many Point Scout Camp. The Scouts enjoyed the site and it will give us more room as the troop tries to expand its membership. I also enjoyed the site but was not a fan of the long hillside trail to get to it. I may have to work out and exercise more before next year’s week at camp.

A Scoutmaster's Blog

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