1994 Summer Camp Department of Fine Arts and Technology
Ed Henderson - Camp Chaplain and Director of the Fine Arts & Technology Center
Jason Johnston , John Wright, Chris Shipe, and Andrew Smith - Instructors
Badge Synopsis
Never before have so many badges been taught in what has been called "Handicrafts" at Camp Thunder. 1994 Summer Camp will change that. To reflect our expanded offerings and energized programs we have renamed our Program Area the Department of Fine Arts &Technology.
Art - Get ready to draw! Using a variety of mediums including oil, watercolor, pen & ink, pencil, markers, tempras. and crayons we will be creating works of art. Look for original cartoons in the Camp Thunder newspaper. With outside guests from the Upson County Arts Council and other visiting artists we will be offering displays throughout the summer. Our camp artists will also be producing promotional signs for the trading post and other program areas of camp. The badge can be completed at camp and materials costs should be under $3.00.
Basketry - One of the top ten most popular all time badges in scouting. We anticipate many scouts completing this badge which lends itself well to first year campers and an open programing environment. We will be experimenting with natural fiber materials found on camp property and will also explore the history and kinds of baskets. Of special interest is a video the Department will be showing on Cherokee Indian Basketmaking. Also look for guests including a demonstration of geechie basketry at camp at least once during the summer. When not weaving baskets we will be hard at work with read craft learning how Georgia's famous Brumby rockers are made with hand woven chair seats. Several basket sizes will be available with a low end Basket costing no more than $4.00. This year some of our staff members treked to West Georgia College for a seminar on making Baskets from vines.
Fingerprinting - Used not only by law enforcement officers but as a means to protect young children and identify accident victims and to register gun owners scouts may want to attempt this unusual offering at camp. Special guests some weeks at camp will include GBI agents and the Upson County Sheriff's Department.
Indian Lore - Rediscover Native American Heritage and become aware of a basic tenant of scouting and the Order of the Arrow with Indian Lore Merit Badge. We will be setting up an Indian Camp site, trying out Indian games, learning songs and retelling stories. Trek back in time and discover the tribes which once covered North America. Make native clothing articles and participant in an Indian pageant as part of the parents night campfire. Badge costs will vary widely as an impressive selection of Indian crafts will be available in the trading posts to meet all budgets.
Leatherwork - No other badge in our department has been revamped more than Leatherwork.. Before camp the Fine Arts camp staff will have completed a special two day course at the Tandy Leather Company store where they will comprehensively cover every aspect of Leatherwork Merit Badge under the skilled direction of Dave Adams, a certified counselor for more than 20 years, The staff will also tour the Plott Hide & Fur Company in Griffin where they will experience first hand the curing and tanning of leather from the carcass to the finished product. Games and interactive exhibits will compliment the wide selection of craft items available from the trading post. Also look for the new and expanded tools to further enhance the quality and look of hundreds of items we will be producing this summer.
Metalwork - Annie Bacon, an accomplished Handicraft Director at BSA Camp Ben Hawlkins in the Central Georgia Council will bring the staff up to speed on this badge which we will be offering on an appointment basis.
Space Exploration - Blastoff! The badge that Ed started teaching here 12 years ago is back! Build rockets, learn about NASA and our space program, explore the cosmos. This has always been one of the most popular badges in camp. There are a wide selection of rockets in the Trading Post.
Woodcarving - With new tools and impressive "how to" displays scouts will be able to make neat low cost craft. After a totten chit review and learning about different wood properties we will start carving away to turn out those incredible works of art.
Cinematography, Journalism, and Photography Merit Badges - Completions are not possible in any of these badges and regular classes are not anticipated, however we will be encouraging senior scouts in troops to undertake certain journalism projects which will have the effect of completing some of these badge requirements. Listen to WBSA, read the camp newspaper, and look out for those awesome camp shots with this independent study based group of badges,
Technology Badges - Depending on time, and resources we are going to attempt special exploratory programs in General Science, Astronomy, and Chemistry Merit Badges.
Fore more information on our offerings and programs Ed can be contacted before camp at (404)-412-0316 or long distance, scoutleaders and camp staff members can reach Ed at 1-800-484-1079 ext.1185 before camp. Remember the classes listed above represent only one small part of the action packed program our department will be putting on. Look out for a ton of evening activities and special programs! We will also be hosting the office of Camp Chaplain and serving in a support capacity for other program areas. Our department will also work with the Camp Commissioner and Program Director in bringing in an impressive lineup of guests and demonstrations to augment our camp program.
