As Troop 2 Passed Through in the Nineteen Fifties
Camp Herrick Boy Scout Camp
Comments, Stories & Information From Campers
Comments, Stories & Information
From Campers
This page contains information sent in from some of those
who spent time at Camp Herrick. It might be slightly edited. Some ex-campers have their
own page on this Website when they shared enough photos to justify that. In that case their
comments appear there. This site will slowly become more refined, and some features, such
as these comments may be presented differently.
Suggestions welcome.
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Roland Robertson, '61, 03/02/06
Thanks for the photos! Two questions: 1. Do you know what the cabin number is for that cabin? 2. Are those people in the kayak with the little sail Camp Herrick scouts? When I was going up there we couldn't even use the rowboat. I can't imagine any CH scouts sailing around like that.[Bill Nisbet]
That was Cabin 4. After I got the photos back I placed that one under a magnifying glass and the number is just barely visible on a small plaque underneath the eaves over the steps. The Senior leaders were allowed to use the Kayak during swim periods.
Roland Robertson, '61, 03/04/06
I have now had more time to look. I do not believe it's an awards ceremony.
The first picture I believe is after the flag has been lowered and given to Mr. Carr because he has the flag in his left hand, and needed the right hand to salute the presenter.
The second picture, I believe, is after the flag has been lowered, caught before touching the ground, folded toward Scott in a tight small triangle, and I am saluting as the flag is being given by Scott Woodman (rope puller) and (presenter) (not Dave Woodman as Scott was more filled out than Dave) to Mr. Carr. I suppose we must have had the ceremony nightly but I am not sure that we wore full uniforms nightly? I wonder how the flag detail was picked? I thus believe they are flag lowering pictures. I am quite sure that Eddie Rand is rowing the boat behind the kayak. It also shows the raft which had large barrels to keep it floating. I don't remember the kayak.
All great photos, Rollie.
Bill Shay, '59, 03/08/06
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I do not have as many photos of Camp Herrick as believed. However, I may have some others elsewhere.
Have one of the Sophie C, mess hall and cook shack [see Home page], two or three cabins in profile, and
one of Herb Hammond, Dave Richardson and an older fellow, whose name may have been Perkins [blurry]. All,
except the Sophie C, were taken in July 1951. The picture of Winnipesaukee was taken from top of Mount
Major. One year, I remember John Myer and me racing each other to the top. John's brother, Fred, also
was at Camp Herrick. He was Class of 1956 and our camp bugler. I was also, later, one year, a poor
substitute for Fred. Dave Richardson should be added to Cape Herrick list. Dave was in Troop 2. Earlier,
his mother was den leader in Cub Scouts. A very nice person.
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Ron Tagney, '58, 11/09/05
I love that picture of the "Sophie C," or as I thought it was in those days, "The Soapy Sea." That light leak or whatever it is, along with the dark background, gives it a surreal look. [Bill Nisbet]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I have photos of most of the cabins taken around 1996 time frame. It shows the Cook Shack after the fire, both inside and outside. The ladies cabin is located in back of Officers' #1, there was a path that went up the hill from between the Cook Shack and Officers' #1. I stayed there with my Mom when I was 5, 6 and 7, I think. The Brindle ladies stayed in the Ladies Cabin for most of the years after we stayed there. Since I was there since I was 5 years old (see the Pete and bugle picture), I have great memories of the whole camp. When Paul and others were playing scout, I was fishing the brooks, exploring the paths around camp, etc.
The original car bridge was thick wooden planks, with no railings. The Milk cans were from Weeks Dairy, usually 2 or 3 cans located upstream from the bridge. The wooden was replaced with the current cement bridge as a gift from the Parents Assoc. (late 50's). Some of the best brook trout ("brookies") I caught downstream from that bridge. My responsibility was to rush those "brookies" to Al where they were fried up in a cast iron pan (I can still smell the smoke and fish odor to this day). For that I was given some cookies and sent back to the stream, I spent most of my days up and down those streams, I can still remember and find the deep best spots some 55 years later. You could hear the cars go over the wooden bridge, which some of the seniors got caught coming in late in their cars.
The wooden bridge to the ball field was rebuilt with logs, rope and nails. We did this a work project before lunch (took about 4 days).
The metal pipe that came out of the well was a combination iron which turned into PVC and ran down hill (thru the swamp) to the wash stand located on the lower end of the Mess Hall on the path to the Lat. There was a spigot there to fill up the wash bowls, to wash our faces, etc.
Most of the wood, i.e., the ladies lat. was from the United Shoe, Beverly. If you look inside you can see the Shoe markings.
I heard that after the camp was sold it was going to be turned into a community recreation center for the neighborhood. It was at that time that the mess hall was torn down for the lumber. The cook shack was burned down (I have pictures of the burned structure) about 5 years later. I heard some lady from Danvers, then bought CH and was going to put up a summer home. This is when the new road was built that goes up pass Grove hall. It is interesting to notice the new power lines that now service the new homes located back of the chapel. Originally, there was only one electric pole with a fuse box that went to the Mess Hall.
One interesting side, there is a large old pine that is located between Cabins 4 and 5 (now collapsed) that my Dad planted when he was a kid ( now 87). I have pictures of the area with Cabin 5 standing and not standing, and with Charlie leaning against the big old tree.
I could go on and on, but it's getting late. I think that I'll go look for the "Wassy" now, got some good ideas where it might be. The best thing is , they can never take the great memories away from you.
Keep up the good work.
Peter Kitchener, BHS '61 (Charlie's Son), 07/21/05
Email Peter Kitchener
I was married to [Steve Lunn BHS '59] for 34 years. I know that he [...] spent many happy days at Camp Herrick.
[RE Hood's Pond] He frequently referred to biking up to Hoods Pond, and going there when he was young. We lived
in Topsfield for over 30 years. He is buried in Topsfield.
I will look for some [...] pictures and get them to you after Easter.
The website is wonderful....I really enjoyed it!!! Keep up the good work.
Joan (Morgan) Lunn, BHS '59 (Steve's Widow), 03/12/05
When we catch up with Andy (which is infrequent) I'll be sure to share ... this [website] with him. He has a great memory of dates and names. Mom ... still remembers quite a bit of this era. She wanted to make sure that you were aware that my dad [Dick Steele] was the first Eagle scout in Essex County. He was always quite proud of that. He also helped to build cabins at the Camp. She told me of a story that dad related: They were awakened really early (4 or 5am) to assist in a search for a woman that was lost overnight while blueberry picking. And the scouts found her. Their claim to fame! We love these trips down Memory Lane [and] will certainly welcome any correspondence. Again, thanks for all your work on a great compilation.
Sandy (Steele) DeFord, 11/11/04
Be sure to check out all the photos Sandy sent: HERE (Bill Nisbet, Webmaster)
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What a hoot to see these pictures and names from long ago. My Mom and I actually spent a week for
several summers in the big tent at the bottom of the hill while my Dad was an assistant Scout Master.
My Mom tried to keep me out of trouble and my big brother Don (Searles) tried to pretend he didn't
know me!
My Dad (Earle Searles) is still very much alive. I'm going to print off some of the letters on the
site to read to him. He will really enjoy knowing how many of the Camp Herrick scouts remember the
old days.
Janet (Searles) Mies, 07/15/03
My apologies - I just now noticed that I somehow managed to overlook your message for over a year. Now I'm really embarrassed. Part of the problem is that my regular email address is wfnisbet@compuserve.com, and obviously the rest of the problem is I've become an idiot. I don't check my Yahoo address all that often, and I have experienced problems forwarding messages from Yahoo to CompuServe. Interestingly, no forwarding problems in any other combinations from my various other email providers. Again, sorry 'bout this. (Bill Nisbet, Webmaster/Idiot)
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Recently, I was at the 1958 BHS Class Reunion in Middleton, Mass.
and visited with Paul Weinberg. He was kind enough to forward, via
email, your Camp Herrick website. I would like to be added to the list
for future reference if possible.
What a great idea! Congratulations on your efforts. The photos
are great and bring back many memories for me. Just a look at the
Adirondack style open cabins we stayed in was great! Actually, I can
remember receiving the famous "wasagegimo" (not sure of the spelling)
one summer and sleeping with it all the next winter as ordered by
Headmaster, Hanniford Carr! I must say seeing the names of Al Brindel,
Charlie Kitchener, etc. really brought back instant and wonderful
memories!! I never really had the opportunity to express my
appreciation to Hank Carr for his efforts on my behalf. What a good man
he was! Imagine giving up your vacation from the United Shoe and
spending a week or two weeks with your family and a bunch of noisy,
immature boys! He deserves tons of credit! How about or yearly
baseball game against the nearby camp (their name escapes me) and the
annual climb of Mt. Belnap (I believe)? What great memories!!
Would you have Russ Burns email address (if he has one)? I would
love to reach him.
Thanks again for the warm and good memories!!
Herb Hammond, '58, 09/26/03
Sorry 'bout the posting delay, Herb. See my weasel excuse to Janet, above. (Bill Nisbet)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Just took a look at Scott Woodman's update on Camp Herrick as of November 2003. Those two weeks each summer at Camp Herrick have been a great memory for many of us. Thanks for the reminder! Ed Rand --Stag Patrol
Ed Rand '57, 02/26/04
Sorry 'bout the posting delay, Ed. See poor excuse above. (Bill Nisbet)
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Thanks for alerting me to the updated Camp Herrick web site. It's always good to take a trip down memory
lane and realize we really were, once upon a time, just kids. The picture of my old friend Stevie Lunn
tugs a bit at the heartstrings. He was not only energetic, he was also one of the most decent and honest
guys I ever knew. Planet Earth could sure use a few more like him.
As to the mysterious "Jacques" listed in those two pictures, that looks like Bob Jacques. Not me, not Rob.
You see, there are two of us who attended Dane Street Congregational Church, and I think Bob was a Boy Scout.
I think that he must have graduated either in 1960 or 1962 from BHS, because he wasn't in my class of 1961
(thank God!) We were always getting everyone confused because we looked alike, were the same age and had
the same name. It's kind of nice to know that's STILL happening even though we're 3,000 miles (and over
four decades) apart! He still lives with his wife in the Beverly area and I'll bet he'd really enjoy your
web sites if you can find him.
Thanks for keeping me in mind!
Robert A. Jacques '61, 03/28/04
No, I wasn't an actual member of Boy Scout Troop 2, but I visited Camp Herrick on several occasions with the troop because Jay Hinkley, Paul Weinberg, and Steve Lunn were friends or acquaintances of mine when I was at Briscoe Junior High School. Actually I was a year behind you guys in school (two years behind in age), but I also knew Bruce Smithson, Steve Lunn and Paul Weinberg through DeMolay's Fidelity Chapter. Anyway, thank you very much for sending along the great web page! It was a treat to take a trip down memory lane. God, were we ever THAT young? And seeing that great shot of Steve Lunn hamming it up for the camera particularly tugged at my heart strings. We can't have too many Stevie Lunns on Planet Earth, and to lose one at any age is tragic. Thank you again for the memories, and I'll keep watching that web site!
Robert A. Jacques '61, 06/04/03
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This is just wonderful. Reading Scott Woodman's piece on CH revisited 2003 brought a lump to my throat, big time.
Thank you so much for your work on this.
Bill, outstanding job....boy, does the Mt. Dotlee photo bring back some memories....see all those swimming trunks
and towels? I fell for the legend just like the rest of the first year scouts. There is a scene in the wonderful
movie Man Without a Face where Mel Gibson's character hikes the young hero up a mountain in ME to a summit that
is probably not Dotlee or Mt. Major, but sure looks just like it, with the magnificent view of the lake. I get
a lump in my throat whenever I see that movie, as I recall the talk that Hank Carr would give us each year, when
we reached the summit, about the meaning of life.
I'm touched by the picture of my cousin Steve Lunn, as I am every time I view the website. He was a class act,
a good, good man.
One staff member not on your list whom I remember well from my years at Herrick, which would have been 58-59
through the early 60's, was Burt Philbrick, who had two sons Don and Bruce (Fizzie) in Troop 2, as I recall.
Burt was a delivery person for one of the local pharmacies in Beverly. He got me involved in high school as
a member of the Red Cross Disaster Team, and we'd make middle of the night ambulance runs to Dartmouth St. in
Boston to get blood or eyeballs (no kidding) for Beverly Hospital. Probably fueled an early career interest
in health care.
At Camp Herrick, many was the morning work duty where I'd be assigned to Burt Philbrick's
detail to go and "fire the lats." We really didn't fire them, though Burt told us hilarious stories about
his having to do that in the Navy in WWII. Our job, as you remember, was to thoroughly lime the main outhouse
as well as the small ground latrines behind each of the cabins. It was actually relatively non-strenuous duty
compared to hauling buckets of sand to repair the path down to the lake.
If you have Don MacQuarrie's address, say high to him for me. We were in the same BHS class....ran a little
track together one year.
Robert O. Lunn '65, 03/27/04
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bill Shay introduced me to the Camp Herrick website last week...to the say the least, it brought back many fond memories. Shared some terrific camp years with the likes of Tom Jack, Bill Carr, Tom Cook, and many more. Was surprised to hear Andy Steele passed away. Do you know when and under what circumstances? Please add me to your contact list.
Dave Connell, '62, 08/11/04
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I was very pleased to see that a website has been established for Camp Herrick. I was speaking with
Don MacQuarrie recently and he suggested that I visit the website. I, along with my brother, Roland,
attended Camp Herrick in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
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1958 or 59 Cabin 4 [Click to Enlarge] Richard Robertson Photo |
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l. to r. Richard Robertson, Mark Dow, Billy Carr with Wassagigamo as Camper of the year, unknown, Tom Cook(?) |
Richard Robertson '64, 08/09/04
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Bill,
Please add Pete Kitchener "61" to the list. I have some neat pics going back to the
50's since I spent every summer at CH since I was in diapers, being Charlie's kid.
I remember so much of the great things, Day falling into the Glory Hole, the time they
stole the starter part to Cantly's car, Ann B and me going to downtown Laconia to
see Bambi, the time when half the Troop got lost coming down Belnap, the guy who used
to clean out the Lats, hauling it out in an open wagon ( I will remember his name),
the time when Paul W. was a traitor going to the scout camp in Maine, etc., etc.
Thanks for the memories.
Keep up the great work.
Regards,
Pete
Peter Kitchener, 07/16/04
Email Peter Kitchener
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Thank You William Shay for sending the info about " Camp Herrick". I will always cherish the special times we were lucky to have back then. I was a camper in 1951 and only spent one week (homesick). The next year and years after I stayed for the duration. My last year was I think ?? 1958. ( I got my license in 1954 and was a councilor for the next four years.) I'll never forget Al Brindle's apple pandowdy.
Jim Connolly, 07/16/04
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~[RE] our latrine. Probably as a result of the troop leadership being recently returned WWII veterans we did indeed use that Army term rather than the more common description of "outhouse" which is what it was. In our everyday parlance it was the "lat". But if you recall, the formal name for the facility was "Gove Hall". I don't recall, however, if it was a two or a three seater. Perhaps someone else remembers. But I think I remember having the work detail of sprinkling lye (I think that's what it was) down below and of mopping the floor with creosote and water.
Paul Weinberg, 08/17/02
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Bill, I am really enthused with your Camp Herrick images etc. I have warm recollections of my visits to the Camp. It would be neat if you are able to label some of the players in the various photos. I usually stayed in cabin #5 as I recall. Keep up the great work in uncovering archives of our early years as scouts etc. Thanks.
Rich Smithson, 08/12/02
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What a great page!! There are a lot of people, including the current
members of Troop 2, who will love to visit this site. I am the second son of
"Hank" Carr, Scoutmaster from the 50's through the 60's (16 years in all) before
moving on to positions in the district and council. He loved scouting, and lived
to see his grandson (my son) obtain the Eagle award. Dad passed away a couple
of years ago, but his spirit lives on through the North Shore District's annual
"Hank" Carr Outstanding Scoutmaster Award. I am still involved with the troop
as an assistant scoutmaster and the Unit Commissioner.
Bill, the current boys in the troop look at Camp Herrick as a mystical place,
birth place of the Wassi, which is still held in high regard. Only those boys
who have been tapped out into the Order of the Arrow (national camping society
and essentially outstanding camping award of old) are allowed to handle her
(somehow the sex changed during the years from a "he" to a "her"). As recently
as a year ago, I have looked in at the former camp. Some of the cabins remain
but are only hanging on by nails. The cook shack burned many years ago, as well
as the mess hall. The council fire ring and the chapel are still recognizable.
The troop has some old pictures as well as film of years at Herrick and Dad
also had a vast collection of slides. It sounds like we should be getting together
to share pictures, comments, etc (do you remember Joe Dow's Brig?, the Sophie
C, hiking to Belknap Rec Area and riding the single chair, etc)
My younger brother Tom, who was also a scoutmaster of the Troop, was home for
awhile and last weekend we were remembering a lot about the camp as his place
is in Wolfeboro, N.H. So keep up the good work and let me be a resource of info
for you.
Dick Carr, 08/12/02
Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the kind words.Fred Carr, 08/12/02
It was nice to hear from you. I think the Camp Herrick page will be interesting to quite a few people, once its existence is learned. If you check the page you'll see that your brother Dick has given us some information, that I subsequently posted.Scott Woodman, 08/10/02
(*1) Last name courtesy of Bill Shay, 05/05/04
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dave Woodman, 08/08/02
Thanks for the list of leaders. Some I simply don't remember and others are coming back to me. Do I understand this correctly - Allamen (Al) Brindel? Odd name, huh? His wife's was Ann? (Bill Nisbet)Dave Woodman, 08/08/02
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Betsy (Black) Benham, 08/08/02
Yes, names are coming for the pictures, at least the ones I can name. I just wanted to get some images out on the page, and the page publishes ASAP. I forgot about the Chapel in the Woods - I'll add it to the list. We Boy Scouts always thought of Camp Herrick as our camp even though we knew better. It is interesting to hear a little bit about the other users. (Bill Nisbet)Paul Weinberg, 08/08/02
No, I don't know the exact location. Checking it out on MS "Streets," it could very well Laconia, according to that CD-ROM. The housing development streets that surround the (now) landlocked camp are coming back as Laconia. I really would not trust the "Streets" CD-ROM, actually. Perhaps only the PO Box was in West Alton? That would probably be a lot closer then the other post offices. (Bill Nisbet)Al Nagel, 08/07/02
Sorry about the delay getting back to you. According to Fred Carr, one of Hank's sons, "I believe Dad stayed involved with Camp Herrick at least until 1965 (when I graduated from high school) but it ended soon after." Another son, Dick, tells me, "Dad passed away a couple of years ago, but his spirit lives on through the North Shore District's annual "Hank" Carr Outstanding Scoutmaster Award." (Bill Nisbet, 08/12/02)| Comments on Website to:
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