Letter from Camp Pomperaug
This letter was sent by a 14-year-old Boy Scout to his family in Bridgeport, CT; it was postmarked Aug 9, 1934, and the postage cost three cents.
“Dear Dad and Mother:
This is the first and the longest letter I am going to write. Pomperaug is quite a long way from home and it took us nearly two hours to get here. When I came David met me and showed me around.
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Historic Camp Pomperaug |
Camp is a pretty big place and there are four units, the Pirates, Pioneers, Mohawks, and Diamond 8. I got into the Pioneers, where David is. There are six tents in the Pioneer camp, one for the leaders and the others for the boys. Each tent sleeps eight kids in four double bunks. I have a lower as I told you. The food isn’t bad but I’ve seen better cooks. The boys all say that the one they had last year was much better. Tell Eric I saw Dan Ryan doing a very undignified job for a president or the Junior Post. He was cleaning potatoes. I also saw Cliff Gruber and he looked swell. They sure have a nice staff up here. I like “Stubby” Isham best. In the water activities we have four classes, Splashers, the ones who can’t swim well, Turtles, good swimmers, Water Dogs, good swimmers and divers, and Life Guards who are the best swimmers and also take first aid work. I passed my Turtle test the first day.
I have good tent mates and we are already friends.
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At Camp Pomperaug |
I took several pictures today and in a “treasure hunt” I won a bar of chocolate. I had to wash dishes for our table for three meals and Saturday and Sunday I have to wait on our table.
And Dad, my flash burnt out, so would you send me two batteries and a bulb? If it’s not too much, would you get me a cheap hunting knife? Everybody wears them here, from Tenderfoot to Camp Director.
I intend to become a second class scout this Sunday. It won’t be necessary to send me the bankbook, as I banked the two dollars, so that counts for thrift. I’ve only spent fifty cents so far, 45 cents for a jersey and a nickel for candy. I only bought one sweater because the kids tell me you go around half bare most of the time.
I got a big chunk of red cedar and I’m going to make a neckerchief slide! I’m also going to make a copper Indian bracelet and a braided whistle cord.
This is a kind of mixed letter, but I didn’t expect to write so much, so please excuse it.
How is everybody? What are you doing? How about writing quick? I’ve been here a day and a half and not a single letter!
Tell Eric to give my regards to Eddie and Yugs, and Freddie, and the rest.
I still love you all and want you to write.
Well, that’s all. So long.
Carl"
The scout in question became an Eagle Scout, and eventually a scientist and engineer. He remained an accomplished woodsman, however, and swimmer and certified scuba diver, eventually amassing a collection of shells he harvested himself. Oh, and he did get that hunting knife!
His best friend, David, also a future Eagle Scout, who met him on his arrival, became a distinguished Professor of Mathematics at Swarthmore College.
The scout's mother saved this letter for more than thirty years.
Camp Pomperaug is still owned and operated by the Boy Scouts of America Connecticut Yankee Council.
Camp Pomperaug today
nice
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