By Mark Mangels

People who know me very well noticed that I have been serving as part time volunteer staff at H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation the last couple of years. I just got back from 2nd session this week. They often are curious about what it is like and why do I do it. They see it as a place that is dusty, rocky, windy, rainy, sweaty, insect and animal infested and hot. I see it as a place of scouting history, shade everywhere, full of learning, a place to teach, make new friends, rekindle old friendships, reflect and meditate with 3 square meals and canvass over my head. I love my reservation. It really is a place of strong medicine and especially a chance for me to help scouts and scouters. Nights are like going to an art museum where you see the Sun set and stand in awe at the night sky blanketed with stars. I can go to sleep listening to a choir of critters. I can wake up to the Sun rising in the East. Yes, I am very busy working all day, but if you enjoy it, it’s not really work. Most of all, I can think. And think. And think. Time spent with the Great Spirit goes a long way in our busy lives back in the big city. Time goes by quickly. Each year Troop 282 sends several scouts to Bartle as full time staff and volunteer part time staff. If one session of camping is not enough each summer? Consider applying for CAMP STAFF.

By Dillon England

This year, I am down working at the H. Roe Bartle Scout Reservation. I work in the camp I’ve camped in since I was a Tenderfoot, and I couldn’t imagine it any differently. Go Lone Star! There are many things I enjoy about being on staff, whether it be the experience, the interactions, or just the involvement.
The fun that I am having down here is simply that of a camper ten-fold. I get to sing songs every day, do what I love, and promote the scouting program. It’s a fantastic option to take if you’re serious about scouting. I teach First Aid at the Scoutcraft Lodge, where the basic skills of being a Boy Scout are taught – and no, it isn’t where Pottery is.(Haha.)
My personal favorite part about being down here, you might ask? Interacting with all of the campers. Down here, I realize that there are just so many great people out there. My job specifically allows me to interact with those that are of the most crucial age group in the Boy Scouts of America; the first year campers. Along with teaching the First Aid merit badge, I also teach in a program called Trail to First Class. In said program I go over a specific set of requirements each day and the scouts can return to their troop with more knowledge than they had yesterday. Just doing that, piquing their interests, and making everything fun for them is enough to keep me going all summer long.
My involvement in the staff is significant, and ever growing. It is the same for each and every staff member. All of the program wouldn’t be what it is without everyone here. For me, on top of teaching an Eagle required merit badge and working with first year campers, I may also become a Runner in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say third session. I’ll have the opportunity to be involved in one of the most thrilling parts of scout camp — Call Night. Believe me, seeing things behind the scenes is amazing. It takes great coordination and determination to uphold the program that I love, and the one I know we all love too.

The (basic) requirements for joining camp staff are as follows:
-Must be at least 15 years of age
-Follow all principles of the Boy Scouts of America

If you are interested in going down on staff for the 2016 camping season, come see me. I’ll be able to tell you all about it. And if you want to see me at camp, I’ll be down the hill at Scoutcraft; the lodge will always be open to you.