–Camp Counselors singing “Scout Vespers” during final campfire at Seph Mack Summer Residence Camp. Audio courtesy of Friends of Camp Seph Mack Facebook Page.
Last night was the closing ceremonies from the final boy scout resident camp campfire at the camp. After campers leave today, resident summer camp will no longer be held at Camp Seph Mack.
The announcement of Camp Seph Mack’s retirement from summer resident camp came last year, and was part of the Camp Master Plan for the Boy Scouts of America Laurel Highlands Council. The plan was put together to increase and enhance programs and services, and is part of the continuing evaluation of the council’s camp properties requirements based on national criteria.
According to Bernie Lockard of the Laurel Highlands Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the scouts are in negotiations with the state for a five-year lease of Camp Seph Mack, which is situated at Yellow Creek State Park. If the lease is signed, then the camp will be used for day camp, weekend camporees by the BSA and family camping. One of the main reasons why the camp will not be utilized for week-long summer residence camps is because of its small size relative to other campsites in the council, and the sheer number of campsites available for summer residence camps. Some examples include campsites in DuBois, Butler and Nemacolin.
