From the November 2002 Octoraro Loop.

This was the third Annual convention of alumni/ae from Camp Horseshoe and Camp John H Ware 3rd. Bill "Biff" Davis was in charge of the daylong event and the great program. A fine catered dinner capped the event and kept all in a fine mood for the camp songs and reminiscences led by Ernie Heegard and Clarke Green.

Attendees were greeted by streamers and banners at Goodman Pavillion and by HSRAA greeters. Alumni representing most of the decades were there to join in the fun and fellowship of the day. Many activities were arranged for the Alumni this year. Events enjoyed were the open rifle shoots and hikes to the swimming pool to watch the Aquatics meet. The camp staff erected a giant swing that captured the fascination of many stalwarts including Council Commissioner Russ Neubauer and many more youthful attendees.

A nostalgic slide show of Camp Horseshoe days from 1927 to present day were viewed along with those of early Camp Ware (then Jubilee) days and the present.

Leonard McCabe of the 1940's showed up with some memorabilia which he presented to JB Rettew. It was the envelope and message from the "Message to Garcia" game played on Flagpole Hill on August 10the in 1942. Len asked - "Is Garcia still waiting for the message?" (see editor's note on last page.) Then, he also produced the "the mine claim" that he and his patrol had staked out in the Octoraro Creek at the Camp Horseshoe 'Gold Rush' in 1945.

Ron Walter came to the Reunion representing the 1950's. Before the event, his father, T. Edgar Walter, Jr. had sent him a letter about his 1927 and later years' experiences at Camp Horseshoe. He wrote of the day he joined "Chief" Heistand, his Scoutmaster Harold Schramm, his father, and others to visit the "new property" that was to become our Camp Horseshoe. What a great time that must have been for this twelve year old and now age 87 to relive some of those days through his son, Ron. Ron also produced the well known camp post card photo showing him in Indian costume being paddled in a canoe to the "Bend in the Octoraro."

There were patches and old uniforms, copies of old "Camp Echo" newspapers, slides and movies and other ancient and honorable relics of an earlier day. But, the best part of the Reunion was the opportunity to reunite with campers and Staff members of the past from Horseshoe and Ware and to reflect on those halcyon days of our youth.

The Reunion included a sumptuous barbecue feast following the evening Camp Retreat ceremony. This was probably one of the largest summer camp Retreat ceremony held at camp. The Parade Field was bulging at the seams with Scouts, Leaders, Staff, Parents and Alumni! We can take great pride in the fact that all of those and us assembled had a lot to do with keeping our Council's summer camping program among the best in the Nation.