www.flintlocksbsa.org

Serving since 1988

 

  

 

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Check out our Powder Horn Newsletter:   page 1   page 2

What is a Flintlock?

Not a difficult question to answer, but also not an easy one either for....  He is a composite molded from many of life's experiences, and comes from all walks of life:

A Business Manager, an Electrician, a Plumber, a Carpenter, Cabinet Maker, Chemical Researcher, College Professor, Economist, Engineer, Financial Analyst, Graphic Designer, Sales Executive, School Principal, and School Teacher to name a few.

He is likely one who has devoted untold years to the Scouting program as  Scout, Troop Leader or Council Member.

He is a dedicated man, supported by family and loved ones.  One who believes in the principles set by the Scout Law & Oath.

He is a team player who turns an "I" into a "We"... always working toward a common goal...to help others by constructing or repairing the camp facilities and giving today's leaders the necessary tools to run strong programs for the Scouts of the Patriots' Path Council.

He gives freely of his time and talents, not for reward, but because in the end he reaps so much more in return. The dividends from his efforts, that resound in the form of youthful joy, laughter and accomplishment, are immeasurable.

But, we cannot describe him unless we add: He is a good soul with a sense of humor, who can no longer run very far or jump very high, see quite as clearly or hear as well as he once did.  However, his dedication to duty has not waned and his spirit remains strong.

An ancient device in use during the early days of the growth of our nation that still works and can still be quite effective. It is also the name of a group of about forty retired scouters that organized in March of 1988 under the banner of the Watchung Area Council. These "ancient devices" volunteered their time and labor to wage war against the damage at Camp Winnebago caused by hard use, neglect, disrepair and the ravages of time.

Early tentative projects such as a handicap ramp at the Trading Post and new tent platforms eventually grew over the past 20 years into an impressive array of projects including a new 800 square foot all purpose building, added 2 new additions, over 140 tent platforms, 26 latrines, several shower houses, 65+ picnic tables, a sparkling new waterfront and more than 2,000 birdhouse and birdfeeder kits, 8 campsite shelters, a boat dock, refurbished cabins, canoe rack plus many, many more improvements.

We also run wood classes for Cub Scouts and set up the Flintlocks Raceway for the Watchung Day Camp.

THE FLINTLOCK LODGE

The Flintlocks can be found on any Thursday from September to May working at Camp Winnebago rain or shine. There are only about 30 of them but they make a lot of noise, have a lot of fun and get a lot done. Their ages range from 60 to 85+, and their abilities are all over the lot. Several are retired skillsman but most are your average home handyman that, with a little bit of guidance from the pros, turn out an amazing amount of really professional work. Some guys contribute by just digging holes or painting or driving nails or hauling material around and generally helping out. A few are on limited duty and they can be found cutting, assembling and packaging birdhouse and bird feeder kits at the Flintlock building.

Most of the layout, cutting and fabrication is done at their shop in Camp Winnebago and is equipped with all sorts of the latest woodworking tools and equipment. If you want to use one of the many power tools there is always someone there to offer assistance. All of the tools were either donated or paid for from contributions by the Flintlocks themselves or from money they earned working at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Recycling Center.

In addition to the work at Camp Winnebago on Thursdays one can occasionally hear the sounds of hammering and sawing at the Patriots Path Council Headquarters where the Flintlocks have built storage lockers, converted warehouse space into offices, built shelves and closets, painted and did all sorts of miscellaneous repairs and improvements.

    

A couple of times each year a small group of Flintlocks drive up to Sabattis (Long Lake, NY) and do all sorts of work. They recently renovated a building into a new Staff Dining Hall. Parts of projects are fabricated in the shop at Winnebago. Sabattis is usually shut down when they go there so they have to camp out under the most primitive of conditions but always come back with great stories and always return the next year.  We stay in the Trek Center (do not campout) and we eat very very well!

Sounds like a lot of heavy stuff. But, there are literally dozens of small, relatively easy and fun projects going on. Buddy Boards for the waterfront, camp signs, bulletin boards at each campsite, roadside signs, Advancement Signs, small shelters plus a never ending supply of minor repair and maintenance jobs throughout the camp.

And the cost to be a Flintlock? There is no cost other than your time.  Coffee and cake which is always available hot and fresh at the first Thursday of the month meeting at Headquarters, at Saturday morning re-cycling (usually four times a year), at Camp on the first Tuesday of the month and any other time the Flintlocks get together. Tools? You may bring your own hand tools or borrow from the shop or from guys working with you. That is it. No dues, no uniforms. Oh yes, the Flintlocks have a neat cap that you probably would want to buy.  Our ages are from 60 - 85+ and we are at Winnebago all year round.

The pay, the rewards, are obvious to even the casual observer. Personal satisfaction in doing a job as part of a group that tries their darndest to do the best they can, having a bag lunch at the shop with the nicest bunch of guys you will ever meet and that good feeling driving home at the end of a day of hard work in the beautiful outdoors knowing that your aching muscles helped in making summer camp a nicer place to be for a young Boy Scout you probably will never meet.

Help support the Flintlocks:  The Flintlocks produce the Flintlock Craft Kits that are for sale at the Scout Shops.  All the revenue from the sale of the kits is used to purchase materials to maintain the Camps.

Join Us today!

Want to join?  We need more members!  Help us make camp better.  No experience necessary - Can you hold a board?  Come on out and have a great time!  Join us now!  Join us, but do it for yourself.  For a good feeling at the end of the day and the camaraderie of men with the interest of helping others, and having a good time doing it!  We meet the first Thursday of every month.

 For more info and to join, please call Ted Marquardt at (908) 322-8049 or at jtmarquardt@verizon.net

 

Would you like to donate to the Flintlocks?  To make a donation, please mail it to (make out checks to: Flintlocks, BSA):

 

Flintlocks, BSA

c/o Winnebago Scout Reservation

102 Timerbrook Road

Rockaway, NJ 07866-4614

 

              ** All donations are tax deductible

 

Or you call Flintlock Ted Marquardt at (908) 322-8049 or by email jtmarquardt@verizon.net

 

The Flintlocks, BSA are a non-profit 501c(3) corporation.