Pipsico: Boy Scout Reservation Celebrates 50 Years!!! WHOOO HOOOO!!!

[LadyDigger]

Well, all I can say is: "WHAT A TOTALLY AWESOME WEEKEND!!!" We had so much fun.

Now, let me say this, for those of you who come to Pipsico to the hunts...I DID NOT bring my metal detector. First off, we really had NO ROOM for it as we only brought two vehicles, that stored our personal gear, Scout gear and our Scouts! And it was better I didn't anyways, even though Saturday night I was walking around saying, "Dang, should have brought my detector!" We were there for our Scouts and to have fun...it was an anniversary afterall!

I will be adding some photos below of our weekend. It was hard to choose which pics to decide to give you an overall idea of how our wonderful weekend went. I hope you enjoy viewing these.

They will be in order from when we arrived Friday night and setting up camp, to waking up Saturday morning and getting breakfast, to the Archie site (my first time back there!), to the Pipsico Tree, to the James, back to camp for lunch, then for those who have been to Pipsico, you know the roads. We walked from camp site area 7 to the barn, then to the museum, then walked all the way down to Camp Kiwanis (where we set up camp for our hunts.)... but we cheated and took the bus back from Camp Kiwanis to Camp Lions. It let us off at the Trading Post and then we walked to our campsite from there. So we did some walking and my body this morning, it is letting me know what muscles I did not know I had! LOL...but I had such a blast! The weather was absolutely marvelous and sleeping, you could not have asked for better sleeping conditions!!! OMG...it was PERFECT!!!

And let me point out...when you see the close up of the flag....let me state to you...that Thelma Drake (http://drake.house.gov/) had this flag flown over the White House a week before this event just for the 50th Anniversary of Pipsico!!! Thank You Ms. Drake, for thinking of our Scouts and the Scouting Community and of this special celebration! This flag flew over Camp Lions infront of the Chow Hall, where we met for assembly.

Oh, on Saturday night, they had a stage set up and they had a band there that played Big Band Music...what a night! Some Scouts did skits, some Scout Leaders tried their hand at comedy (LOL, they were pretty good!), Joe Manascatti, a musician, (I don't know if I am spelling his name correct)...but he is an Eagle Scout, many years back. His son, the third, is a Scout as well. He performed for us and he played two trumpets at the same time!!! It was awesome! One of the band members for the big band played with Count Basey (not sure I spelled that correct either)...anyways, it was a totally awesome weekend.

And yes, I regretted not bringing my detector, but only on Saturday night when I had some down time! LOL...but we will be there again in two weeks for our big hunt and I know where all the cars were parked and where everyone camped - LOL!!! (Actually, we wound up having over 1,500 Scouts at this event!!! WOW!!!)

Those who were involved in putting this together, did a FANTASTIC JOB!!! And even though Si Simons was not able to attend, as he is still in the hospital , we did speak with him by phone on Saturday night and he is in good spirits! We missed having you with us Si! Get better soon so you can join us for future events!!!

So, without further ado....here's some pics (lots of them!) LOL (it will be several posts for me here)
YIS & YIMD,
Annmarie, Ron and TROOP 65, Tidewater Council, Cape Henry District

THIS POST IS DAY ONE, Friday, 10 October 2008

 

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[LadyDigger]

This is DAY TWO, from awaking to sleeping.... Saturday, 11 October 2008

 

[LadyDigger]

More of DAY TWO...

 

[LadyDigger]

Still more of DAY TWO...

 

[LadyDigger]

Still MORE of DAY TWO!!!

 

[LadyDigger]

Last of DAY TWO...

 

[LadyDigger]

DAY THREE...day of checkout...cleaning up camp, attending the final assembly ..........

 

[LadyDigger]

My last post.....What a weekend!!! Thank you for viewing our awesome SCOUT Weekend and joining us in our Celebration of Pipsico's 50th Anniversary. God Willing...I hope to be here for it's 75th!!!

 

[Kiros32]

What/Where is the foundation photo of? I don't remember seeing any brick foundations anywhere.

 

[LadyDigger]

What/Where is the foundation photo of? I don't remember seeing any brick foundations anywhere.

That, my dear, is in the Archie Dig Site Area!!! One of the locations the boys had to go to to receive a card, was the Archie site. I noticed, as you can tell by the photos...that a dig has not occurred in some time. There were two young VENTURE SCOUTS there who have helped on the dig in previous years. From what I am understanding, it is a REGISTERED Federeal Archeological Site. And he said something that they can only do it for so long, then they have to stop for a time frame before they can continue to dig. I am not familiar with this...I'll have to call Dr. Ewen (ECU) and have him explain to me what this means. I was sorta' paying atten and sorta' not, LOL, hey, I was taking pics and looking out for snakes LOL!!!!

There are some areas that caved in .. sorta' .. when Hurricane Isabel hit that area and some trees came down on the site.

Now, what I did not understand was apparently this dig has been going on for some time... I will have to talk to Ranger Dan about it, as I was under the understanding, that when clearing up the land from the trees that fell, a worker fell into the cellar hole and that is how the site was discovered, but that is NOT what was said when telling our young Scouts about this site! I asked that question, about someone falling into the cellar hole and that is how the site was discovered...and I did not get a clear answer...I am more apt to believe Ranger Dan, as he has lived on that property since the camp opened!!!

I am however, trying to see if we could go in there and detect ONLY! NO DIGGING! Mark spots of interest with flags or something that would stand out. I do however, want WITNESSES in there with us while we are detecting, so we don't get blamed for destroying something we did not do!!! It can be Ranger Dan, someone from the Cape Henry District, the Tidewater Council, Camp Directors, or all of the above....I just want witnesses to us detecting. After this hunt, when I turn in the monies and let BSA Office know how this hunt went, I will see about speaking to someone on this. I plan to attend the next Council Meeting after the hunt and bring up this proposal. With us going in and pinpointing spots of interest will be beneficial in locating more spots. There are some pics I have where they were small holes. I asked why was that done? And I was told it was spot digging and nothing was found.

Then after we do the SPOT DETECTING....I will wait as patiencely as possible for the results of those locations!

See you in a couple of weeks!!! WHOO HOO!
Annmarie

 

[aa battery]

fun times

 

[Kiros32]

Ann, just a word of caution...our permission to detect at Pipsico is contingent on us keeping our machines out of the dig site. I can certainly see the value in pinpointing some spots for the archies, however, with as much red tape as they tried to throw at us during the last hunt (remember the hunt almost didn't happen), I wouldn't give the archies an excuse to get rid of us. Just my opinion though...

 

[LadyDigger]

Ann, just a word of caution...our permission to detect at Pipsico is contingent on us keeping our machines out of the dig site. I can certainly see the value in pinpointing some spots for the archies, however, with as much red tape as they tried to throw at us during the last hunt (remember the hunt almost didn't happen), I wouldn't give the archies an excuse to get rid of us. Just my opinion though...

Kiros, I was asked this weekend by several in the BSA (those in charge) if we have detected in that area. (We are pretty well known around the Boy Scout community ). I told them no, that we are not authorized. They are the ones that recommended I go to Council and request to detect (NOT DIG), just detect and pin point and have witnesses to our detecting. I told them we could go into the dig area, but we are NOT allowed to enter with our detectors. Also, when the boys went into the area to view the site, they had a pile of dirt they were authorized to go through to find artifacts (i.e., pottery, etc)...we did not do it though...we actually forgot about it LOL. Dang! Infact, I didn't know this one guy very well, but have seen him at some of our functions, he is one of them who said we should try, but I was told he was a council member...hmm? I'll have to ask at our Troop meeting on Wednesday....

And the Archies DO NOT own that land, they however, can pitch a fit in the dig area, but BSA owns the land and they are the ones we have to go to for permission when it comes to Pipsico. Even though our third hunt was on the line and we were denied, BSA has the final say.

We have built a great reputation with BSA and Ranger Dan and those who know we detect. As long as we mind our P's and Q's and dot our I's and cross our T's....and abide by all the rules and regulations (which we have ), we are ok.

OH....one thing I found out....what was said at the dig site area, after I asked about headstones....they will not dig in the grave site area because if they did, the BSA would lose the land. I don't know how much of that is true, the BSA would lose their land (917+ acres) if human bones are dug in the grave yard on what is already designated a REGISTERED DIG AREA? I don't know about this one....another question I need to ask Dr. Ewen. By the way, Dr. Ewen is the Archeologist in charge of the Archeology Dept at ECU (East Carolina University). He has my husbands artifacts in their dept. He took over when Dr. Phelps (for whom the dept is named after) retired. Dr. Phelps did the digs on my husbands property. Dr. Ewen is a super nice guy...even for an Archeologist!

Asking the council will NOT harm our digs, as the Council are aware of us...we get our permission from them. If they say no...then no it is and no further asking, if yes, then we go from there, by their rules.

But with it being a registered dig area, we may be turned down and that is fine, but I can try. And by going in, we are NOT doing any damage, just detecting and placing whatever marker they want us to use. So, we shall see....

I inform BSA Office of everything found, research done, everything....and what we plan to do on our next hunt and when it's recommended to me to have us do a certain area...I'll jump on that (behind the Ranger's house!)

We'll be ok Kiros

Girl Scout Honor!!!

See ya' soon,
Annmarie

 

[Kiros32]

Sounds good, but I can tell you right now, if I get a coin signal while I am "pinpointing" spots in the dig area, it is going to be terribly difficult for me not to plunge my digger into the ground

 

[LadyDigger]

Sounds good, but I can tell you right now, if I get a coin signal while I am "pinpointing" spots in the dig area, it is going to be terribly difficult for me not to plunge my digger into the ground

LOL, I know what you mean, as while we were looking for Ranger Dan's wife's wedding ring...I got some good solid coin signals (6")!!! Ranger Dan said I could dig it, but I refrained and told him no, that we were there to look for his wife's wedding ring!!!

But how much you want to bet, that IF (and that is a BIG IF)...we get permission with witnesses to protect US!!!....the archies WILL NOT dig those areas!!! But, one step at a time!

Oh, I took a pic of a map that was in the museum and it really did not come out great. I am going to sit here and work with it and see what I can come up with...it was printed in the 50th anniversary program and that print is really bad. It is the first known map of Pipsico that shows the entire layout of the property and includes sketches of the Manor House and dated 27 September 1879!

So, I am going to work on this map tonight and hope to get a fairly good pic to post on the Pipsico Fourth Hunt thread!!!

 

[Narthoniel]

Wow, what a great assortment of pictures. I am really looking forward to this hunt, and my wife may actually use a detector! I think I have her talked into it

 

[EX2user]

Looks like you all had a fantastic time. Did you see any snakes or cooler opening racoons around HAhaaHaaaa..
Would like to ask if there any more non participant patches left. I would like to purchase one if possible.

Eric

 

[LadyDigger]

Wow, what a great assortment of pictures. I am really looking forward to this hunt, and my wife may actually use a detector! I think I have her talked into it

Alright, now I can expect her to go out hunting too? LOL....

Hubby and I are so siked for this hunt as well!!!

Looks like you all had a fantastic time. Did you see any snakes or cooler opening racoons around HAhaaHaaaa..
Would like to ask if there any more non participant patches left. I would like to purchase one if possible.

Eric

No SNAKES!!! WHEW!!! , but the Racoon did visit our camp...the boys DID NOT put up their marshmellows from our camp fire the night before and the Racoon got into them...atleast she left two! LOL

I will see if I can get one....we have to wait until they open the Trading Post. I believe there is an OA function the weekend we are there. If so, it is possible the Trading Post may be open...won't know until that weekend.

I really, from my lips to God's ears, wanted to get ya'll (those that come to the hunt) one of those Pipsico Dog Tags, because they are number, as only a limited amount were made...but they do not take Debit/Charge Cards and I did not have my checkbook with me...nor did I have enough cash on hand....I thought that would have been a great surprise for ya'll!! I'm sorry I was not able to do it.

But, if they Trading Post is open, maybe, just maybe, they will have some left to sell as well! If I find out sooner if and when it will be open, I will be sure to let you know.

If I remember, I will call BSA tomorrow and see if they have any on sale there. They are closed on Mondays.

See ya'll in two weeks!!!
Annmarie

 

[warsawdaddy]

Thanks for the pics,ann.Looks like you guys had a full agenda but I know the enjoyment you must have had.It's always great to be in a group you can laugh with and enjoy nature.

 

[Narthoniel]

The dog tags would have been nice, but having the opportunity to hunt such a special place is gift enough. The kind of detecting my wife wants to do is hunting for surface finds int he camping areas. Maybe she can find a dog tag or two there.