41.7 F
Oxford

What Lafayette Co. Boy Scout Camp Could Do For Your Kid

Oxford Scouts are working hard for their merit badges, as Camp Yocona is open for its 66th year of summer sessions.

"On My Honor..." is the first three words of the Boy Scout  Oath. The words are seen here on the over pass when entering Camp Yocona / Photo by William Fowler
“On My Honor…” is the first three words of the Boy Scout Oath. The words are seen here on the over pass when entering Camp Yocona / Photo by William Fowler

Last week I drove about 30 minutes outside of town, past Shiloh and Lafayette High School to visit the Boy Scouts of America campground at Camp Yocona. Attending camp last week were 15 different troops. That’s roughly 190 Scouts total, all from the surrounding counties in north Mississippi and a few from Alabama, Tennessee and southern Mississippi. By the end of summer, the camp will have hosted around 500 participating Scouts.

Rick Chapman (left), Scout Executive for the Yocona Area Council, helps Ian Davis, a member of Troop 146 in Oxford and a Camp Yocona staff member, repair a fishing reel in the Outdoor Skills area of camp. / Photo by Mitchell Diggs
Rick Chapman (left), Scout Executive for the Yocona Area Council, helps Ian Davis, a member of Troop 146 in Oxford and a Camp Yocona staff member, repair a fishing reel in the Outdoor Skills area of camp. / Photo by Mitchell Diggs

Summer Camp Program Director Julie Chambers, of Oxford, is an energetic and fun-loving leader amongst the young men. She says the BSA is here to “develop the next generation of leaders”, adding that “you learn how to lead by getting out there and doing it yourself.”

As she implies, Chambers allows the 14- to 17-year-old staff members to basically run the whole show themselves. These young men (and a few ladies) must take control, getting to decide what to do, and how to do it, while Chambers and the other adults on location make sure everyone is being safe.

 

Dan Cerveny (left) of Oxford, shooting sports director at Camp Yocona, watches as Isuru Hewmanna, a member of Troop 45 in Oxford, fires a .22-caliber rifle as part Rifle Shooting merit badge class, at Camp Yocona / Photo by Mitchell Diggs
Dan Cerveny (left) of Oxford, shooting sports director at Camp Yocona, watches as Isuru Hewmanna, a member of Troop 45 in Oxford, fires a .22-caliber rifle as part Rifle Shooting merit badge class, at Camp Yocona / Photo by Mitchell Diggs

At the weeklong camp sessions, Scouts get the chance to work on all kinds of merit badges and activities, including wilderness survival, lifesaving, rifle shooting, swimming, canoeing and more. Chambers likes to keep a balance in activities for all the campers. At Camp Yocona, everyone can find something they’re interested in, even those who don’t like sports.

Phil Chambers, a Scout with Troop 146 in Oxford, takes a ride on the zip-line at Camp Yocona's C.O.P.E. course / Photo by Mitchell Diggs
Phil Chambers, a Scout with Troop 146 in Oxford, takes a ride on the zip-line at Camp Yocona’s C.O.P.E. course / Photo by Mitchell Diggs

One of the most exciting activities is the C.O.P.E. climbing and ropes course. C.O.P.E. stands for Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience. Below the climbing tower, boys start out on the ground playing games, learning important teamwork and communication skills before they can get up in the trees. By the end of the week, many of the young men will have faced their instinctual fear of heights, swinging down the zip-line or walking across a trapeze high above the ground, emerging from the course with a heightened sense of self-esteem.

Contrary to the old green Army tents of typical BSA campsites, the campers stay in new cabins built during a renovation in 2005. Now they even have warm showers. Yocona Area Council officials take pride in their better-than-average camp food. In fact, the first person they hire each summer is Willie, head cook at Camp Yocona.

I had a chance to sit down at dinner with a couple of young men from Oxford’s own Troop 45, sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Oxford. Future community leaders Jon Edge, Dontavious Webb and Russell Betterton, all headed into the sixth grade, could not have been more polite and respectful as my hosts for the evening. I got to talking with the boys, finding out that Webb’s “favorite thing about camp is the Polaris program, and my team leader is really nice.”

Scouts Jon Edge (left), Dontavious Webb and Russell Betterton, all members of Troop 45 in Oxford, help prepare dinner for their troop in a campsite at Camp Yocona. Although most meals are served in the dining hall, Scouts get to cook their own dinner one night during the weeklong summer camp. / Photo by Mitchell Diggs
Scouts Jon Edge (left), Dontavious Webb and Russell Betterton, all members of Troop 45 in Oxford, help prepare dinner for their troop in a campsite at Camp Yocona. Although most meals are served in the dining hall, Scouts get to cook their own dinner one night during the weeklong summer camp. / Photo by Mitchell Diggs

Polaris, named for the North Star, is an interesting program for first-year Scouts. It’s a jump-start program allowing young, dedicated Scouts to knock out the basics for advancement from Tenderfoot rank to First Class in just a week’s time. These committed young men will be well on their way to Eagle Scout once the week is over.

Jon’s father, Jeff Edge, is the D.A.R.E police officer at Oxford Middle School, and the new Scoutmaster for Troop 45. He says his job as Scoutmaster is to “encourage the boys to stick with scouts all the way through the ranks to Eagle Scout.”

Jon Edge and Betterton, who are also in the Polaris program, say their favorite activity is the afternoon free swim. Interestingly, the BSA teaches more Americans to swim than any other organization in the country. I shook the boys’ left hands (the Boy Scout way) and wished them on their way.

Water front swimming area at Camp Yocona. Many young men have learned how to sam here. / Photo by William Fowler
Water front swimming area at Camp Yocona. Many young men have learned how to swim here. / Photo by William Fowler

Also at dinner was 13-year-old Chase Freeman, Troop 45’s Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Freeman said his favorite activity is lifesaving. He adds, “It gets my adrenaline pumping thinking you might save lives one day.” Modestly, he doesn’t mention the Heroic Actions medallion hanging from his well-decorated uniform. Freeman saved his own brother’s life by effectively preforming the Heimlich maneuver. When his mother asked him how he knew what to do, his reply was “Duhh– Scouts Mom”.

Zach Snow, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 146 in Oxford and a Camp Yocona staff member, teaches a Geology merit badge class at the Ecology pavilion
Zach Snow, the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 146 in Oxford and a Camp Yocona staff member, teaches a Geology merit badge class at the Ecology pavilion / Photo by Mitchell Diggs

Earlier in the day, I made it over to the Ecology pavilion and met up with Oxford native Zach Snow, 16-year-old Assistant Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 146, which is chartered by North Oxford Baptist Church. Snow, who is on staff at Camp Yocona, is teaching a geology class for a few younger guys, something he is passionate about. Being in Scouts made him really interested in the natural sciences like nature studies, insects, geology and forestry.

Before Scouts, Snow “didn’t realize so many plants native to north Mississippi could be used for medicinal purposes.” He went on to describe the white ash tree, which he used earlier in the week to treat an itchy insect bite. Snow is currently in the ranks as a Life Scout, and has been jumbling a couple ideas for his future Eagle Scout service project.

Another Camp Yocona staff member, Robert Rayburn of Troop 146, is currently working on his Eagle Scout project. Family friend Billy Lamb came to Rayburn with the idea to help retire the 50-plus American flags around Oxford that have seen their day of use. The BSA is one of the few organizations that are actually allowed to retire U.S. flags, and properly honoring the flag is a major part of the ceremonies. Rayburn researched the many different flag retirement ceremonies and decided on a few that he liked best.

A color guard of Camp Yocoma staff members lowers the camp flags at the end of the day during summer camp / Photo by Mitchell Diggs
A color guard of Camp Yocoma staff members lowers the camp flags at the end of the day during summer camp / Photo by Mitchell Diggs

In one of the ceremonies, each stripe is stripped and individually placed into a fire, cremating the field of 50 stars lastly. Much different than “flag burning”, the ceremonies are performed with respect for the flag, and those who have lost their lives in defense of the stars and stripes.

Robert Rayburn of Troop 146 in Oxford is currently working on his Eagle Scout project retiring U.S. flags in the area
Robert Rayburn of Troop 146 in Oxford is currently working on his Eagle Scout project retiring U.S. flags in the area / Photo by William Fowler

Rayburn has retired six flags thus far, and plans to have completed his project by the end of the summer. Anyone with a worn or damaged American flag can contact Rayburn at abidear@hotmail.com, and he will pick it up and give it a proper retirement. –– William Fowler, junior Integrated Marketing Communications Major, Meek School of Journalism and New Media

Email William Fowler at wdfowle1@go.olemiss.edu

William Fowler is a junior Integrated Marketing Communications Major at the University of Mississippi. Originally from Hattiesburg, MS, William grew up in Destin, FL and has been visiting Oxford ever since he can remember. He has fourteen family members total who have attended school at Ole Miss over the years including his parents, grandparents, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is involved in student government and Greek life on campus.

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com