Babcock-Hovey Alumni Association

As reported in the Finger Lakes Times August 6, 1987

Scouters from throughout Ontario, Wayne, Seneca and Yates Counties have been named to a special committee to plan and administer a giant Boy Scout Camporee to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Camp Babcock-Hovey.

The camporee will be Oct. 2, 3 and 4 at the Finger Lakes Council’s camp on the east shore of Seneca Lake.

Ken Martin of Ontario has been named to head the committee. He will be assisted by Peter Heiderich and Jim Van Aiken, Naples; Mike Reese, Waterloo; Jim Stenzel, Phelps; Bob Purvis, Farmington and Hank Roenke and Jan Boyle, Geneva.

Martin says program details are still being finalized, but that all of Scouting’s program areas — Cub debuts, Boy Scouts and Explorers are planning activities during the weekend. He says the highlight of the weekend will be Saturday afternoon when the camp is rededicated.

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As reported in the Finger Lakes Times October 13, 1987

William Hill court “Green Bar Bill“, the foremost Boy Scout historian and author, was the featured speaker at the ceremonies to rededicate Camp Babcock-Hovey Oct. 3. Hillcourt, 87, who came out of retirement to write the current edition of the Boy Scout Handbook, reminded the audience that camping by choice was unheard of when Lord Robert Baden-Powell founded the Boy Scouting movement, because of the widespread belief 75 years ago that night air was harmful. Hillcourt said Scouting would always be based in the outof- doors, noting that the movement’s most successful years have been when that part of the program was stressed.

Hillcourt also challenged the adult volunteer leaders present to organize and direct meaningful weekly meetings, and urged Scouts to demand them. Other speakers at the ceremonies included Ann Peck of Newark, the Finger Lakes Council’s vice president for program; Ovid Supervisor Larry Wilkins, Assemblyman Frank Talomie, R-129 of Geneva; Mark Shah of Seneca Falls, who presented a Scout’s view of the camp; William Whitwell of Geneva, grandson of Harry Hovey, one of the camp’s benefactors; and Rep. Frank Horton, R-29 of Brighton, who presented the council with a United States flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington, D C . on Sept. 17, the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

The invocation was by the Rev. Benjamin Disbrow of Dundee; closing remarks were by Robert Docteur Sr. of Victor, council president. Todd Miller of Seneca Falls, adviser to Ganeodiyo Lodge 417, The Order of the Arrow, described the contents of a time capsule buried to commemorate the event; Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Explorer posts paraded to the ceremonies with their unit and United States flags.

In addition to the ceremonies, the council’s fall camporee included demonstrations of Scouting skills including pioneer construction, rope making and cooking turkeys over an open fire.

Admiral D. Lord of Macedon and Steven B. Wheeler of Dundee were co-chairmen of the jubilee committee.

Newspapers in PDF form-

1986.12.30 – 50th celebration planned

1987.08.06 – 50 years at camp

1987.08.13 – Green Bar Bill at camp for 50th

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A new Health Lodge facility began taking shape in 1986. On June 28, 1987, the Morrow-Blondell Health Lodge was dedicated at the north end of the jamboree field.

The following article was published in the Finger Lakes Time July 7, 1987-

“The Finger Lakes Boy Scout Council dedicated the new $ 20 ,000 Morrow-Blondell Memorial Health Lodge at Camp Babcock-Hovey on June 28. The facility was built over the last two years from private contributions and will be open Sunday when the Boy Scout summer camping season begins.

The lodge is named in honor of Dr. J. Robert Morrow of Geneva, as was the previous health lodge, and in memory of Douglas M. Blondell, a member of Boy Scout Troop 69 of Clifton Springs, who was killed in an automobile accident.

Dr. Gary Morrow of Pittsfbrd, son of Dr. J. Robert Morrow, and Harold Blondell, now of Union Springs, father of Douglas Blondell, participated in the dedication ceremonies with Robert Docteur Sr. of Victor, president of the council.

Camp Babcock-Hovey is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year during 1987. The property was acquired in 1937 through the efforts of Birton Babcock and Harry Hovey, and was first used for summer camping during 1938. The camp is also the home of a two week camp for handicapped children, Camp Onseyawa, sponsored by the 24 Rotary clubs of Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties.”

PDF of Newspaper Article – 1987.07.07 – Health Lodge

Other donations for the health lodge were made in memory of the following individuals-

Daniel Blondell

J. Walter Caves

Curtiss M. Cederstrom

Michael J. Clement

Ernest J. Darrow

Marie Edwards

Madeline Erway

Bruno Giovannini

Robert Havert

Marie Hinz

Alice Hunt

Phil King

Samuel Kutz, MD

Henry Massielye

Charles Meyer

Richard Rathburn, Jr.

Fred Reynolds

Henry & Pauline Roenke

Josie Ross

Leonard Sabin

Henry Smith

Jiro Williams

The flag pole at the health lodge was dedicated in 1991 to George Earl MacDonald

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The year 1980 saw the replacement of the main pedestrian bridge that was lost in 1974. The bridge was one that had formally been used as a pedestrian crossway during road construction in Phelps. In 1981 it was named the Memorial Bridge and is dedicated to all the Scouts and Scouters who have used or will use these camping facilities. Earl I. Sundeen was the Project Director.  Here is a PDF of newspaper article showing the bridge in Phelps. – 1977.08.18 – Foot bridge in Phelps

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PDF of all Pictures- Ped Bridge PDF