Pre-Camp Fellowship 2023

Clan of the Black Bear, Greetings!

We hope this finds all of you well and gearing up for a great summer!

One week from today, we will gather for our annual Pre-Camp Fellowship at Rainey Mountain. This event is one of our most important as we prepare Rainey Mountain to receive and welcome our fellow Scouts and Scouters from around the nation as they choose our home to enjoy their summer camp experience.

Thousands of participants are planning to come to our home to grow and live the life of Scouting for a week in the setting of the beautiful southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Why? For most, the reputation of the summer camp program at Rainey Mountain continues to spread as an amazing Scouting experience. That reputation has been hard earned and is well deserved. The Camp administration and staff continue to be some of the best representatives and examples of servant leadership as they focus on customer service to all of our in-council Scouts and Scouters as well as many that visit here from around the region and country.

(This troop was from the state of Louisana)

The reputation of our summer camp is due in large part to the programming and customer focus of those working there. It is also due in large part to the service and leadership you provide as we prepare Rainey Mountain for our guests’ arrival. Our events and programming have traditionally occurred outside of the summer camp program. That service is recognized well beyond our council borders by other Order of the Arrow Lodges and camp leaders as Mowogo Lodge continues to set a very high standard in cheerful service to our council properties. This is a central theme of the Order and part of how we promote Scout camping.

Over the past few years Mowogo Lodge has been working with the camp administration to develop the “Summer Chief” program as a part of the overall summer camp programming. Included in this has been the traditional service of opening our museum and trading post for all summer camp participants to enjoy and be inspired by. Last summer, members of the Camp Staff also began to perform Ordeal elections and Call-out ceremonies for both in and out of council units that wish to participate on the day the Order of the Arrow is celebrated during each week of camp. Our own Vice Chief of Administration, Caroline D., has taken on the task of preparing and refurbishing a display for summer camp that will be found in the dining hall that will highlight programming, achievements, and service Mowogo is so well known for.

These are reasons why our Pre-Camp Fellowship is so important. The service and work we will perform next weekend set the stage for a great summer camp. No task is too menial. Each service project and task have a purpose for making Rainey Mountain, our home, the best it can possibly be so that all of our guests will be able to see by the shape of our camp how we love our camp and maintain this amazing place that continues to inspire all who enjoy camping there.

As a personal request from your Lodge Adviser, I would ask you to help us complete one major task. It is something that all of us can do and it does not require any organization or specialized tools. The 11th point of the Scout Law is a “A Scout is Clean.” There are many ways a Scout should try to achieve this point. But at Pre-Camp, I would like to ask that all of us focus throughout the weekend on keeping our camp clean. I have been able to visit Rainey Mountain over the past few weeks. There seems to be an accumulation of litter and trash around camp and in some of our creeks. There will be a crew assignment that will be focused on this guided by our Service Chair, Patrick M., and Dr. Ed Brown, our Lodge Service Adviser and Council Vice President for Properties. However, it doesn’t take much effort to pick up a piece of trash and dispose of it properly rather than walking by and thinking someone else will get that.

Mowogo Lodge has always been known for our service to our camps. It is an expression of love to care and maintain our properties. It is in part how we express the Scout Law of being clean and our concern for others. Thank you for doing your part to help us communicate our love for our camps. The many guests and visitors to Rainey Mountain may not see you performing your service, but, if you think about it, isn’t that a simple yet pure form of servant leadership? To give of yourself without seeking recognition is a keystone of our Order and of Scouting. And we demonstrate that as a part of how live daily based in the principles and values we share.

Thank you for all you have done, continue to do, and what you will do to serve others! Rest assured; it is noticed and appreciated!

We look forward to seeing you next weekend at Rainey Mountain!


Yours in Brotherhood, Cheerfulness, and Service,

Rusty Royston
Lodge Adviser, Mowogo Lodge
Northeast Georgia Council, BSA