Draft:Boxwell Reservation

Boxwell scout Reservation
Boxwell Reservation logo (2023)
Owner	Middle Tennessee Council
Location	Lebanon, Tennessee 36°18'53"N 86°27'42"W
Country	United States
Coordinates	36°18′53″N 86°27′42″W
Founded	1921 (original camp)
Founder	Leslie G. Boxwell
Reservation Director	Jason Flannery (2018 - present)
Website http://www.virtualboxwell.org

Boxwell scout Reservation is a Boy Scouts of America camp currently located in Lebanon, Tennessee. It is owned by the Middle Tennessee Council (MTC) and covers more than 1,100 acres off of Old Hickory Lake. Its size houses nine camps: Stahlman, Gaylord Cubworld, Parnell, Craig, Percy Dempsey, Fehrmann, Beany Elam, Akers Lake, and camp Light (oldest to newest): all of which still operate in some manner today. Boxwell hosts the Boy Scouts as well as The National Guard Youth Camp and Order of the Arrow (OA) events.

History

Boxwell Reservation on Old Hickory Lake is the fourth camp Boxwell that has existed. Starting in at Linton and ending where the camp is now in Lebanon, TN, Boxwell has been through many changes through the over 100 year history.

Boxwell at Linton (1921-1929)

Leslie G. Boxwell founded camp Boxwell in South Harpeth (Linton), Nashville, TN and camp started July 5, 1921 after narrowly passing a water test less than a week before camp started. The Nashville Area Council, now MTC, honored Leslie G. Boxwell's efforts by naming the camp after him. The camp was only 4 acres big.

Boxwell at Linton lasted for 8 years until 1929 when multiple factors led to the camp being moved to the Narrows of the Harpeth.

Boxwell at the Narrows of Harpeth (1930-1948)

Justin "Jet" Potter gave the 104 acre land to L.G. Boxwell in 1930 as a one year deal that later was sold to the MTC in 1944. This made the first camp the Middle Tennessee Council actually owed.

Boxwell at Rock Island (1949-1959)

Boxwell at Rock Island, also known as the temporary camp, was used while the MTC found a camp that would last them for a long time.

Due to its huge significance and difference from the other camps, Boxwell at Old Hickory has its own main section.

Boxwell at Old Hickory Lake (1960- Present)

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Reservation Locations

Boxwell Reservation Map Courtesy of Virtual Boxwell

Boxwell Reservation is made of many camps with the main four being Stahlman, Craig, Gaylord Cubworld, and Parnell: and the minor camps being camp Beany Elam, Camp Light, Akers lake campground, Fehrmann and Percy Dempsey. The camps Stahlman, Craig, and Cubworld host summer camps that attract scouts all over the east coast.

Boxwell Proper

Boxwell Proper is what the reservation as a whole and any locations outside a camp are referred to. This includes the Crippled crab, Health Lodge, Compound, Rangers Residences, OA Lodge, Amphitheater, Gateways, and Pfeffer Boat Harbor.

Front of the Crippled crab

Crippled Crab

Created in 1961, The Crippled crab is called this due to its tilted shape resembling an tilted crab. Every campers experience starts here when you pass this large building. The Crippled Crab is the administrative hub and where everyone checks in and out.

Health Lodge

The Health lodge is where the camps ill scouts go to get treated. The staff can apply basic first aid and give treatment for ailments and minor injuries.

The Compound

The Compound is where the camps supplies are stored. When not in use tents, decorative supplies, staff uniforms, and camp vehicles are stored here. Behind the Compound is where the camps dumpster and burn pile is located.

Ranger Residences

Rangers typically live on reservation all year around where they work on what is needed like fixing AC, working on vehicles, and fixing signage.

Howard B. Olson OA Lodge seen from behind

Howard B. Olson OA Lodge

Finished in 1968, the OA lodge houses the MTC Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge 111. Dedicated in 1993 to Howard B. Olson, the OA Lodge hosts Crackerbarrels and the brotherhood ceremony.

Boxwell Amphitheater

The Boxwell Amphitheater is located just behind the Crippled Crab and is the face for the logo Boxwell uses (seen above). The Amphitheater is used by the Order of the Arrow mainly during winter camp and hosts winter camp campfires. When firework shows happen at Boxwell it is typically located here.

Veterans Gateway

Completed in June 2022, is the new gated entrance to Boxwell Reservation.

Grizzard Gateway seen as you enter Boxwell Reservation. dedicated July 11, 1976

Grizzard Gateway

Completed in 1976 and dedicated to the Grizzard family.

Pfeffer Boat Harbor

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Camp Stahlman

Located Left of the Crippled Crab, Camp Stahlman is the oldest camp on reservation, founded in 1960. Stahlman hosts summer camp every year and has the camp kitchen in the dining hall. Starting August 1^st the Stahlman Dining Hall is being torn down and being replaced with the Aubry Harwell Leadership Center which is currently estimated to be completed by summer camp 2025.

Locations at camp Stahlman include: Stahlman Dinning hall, Trading post/ Handicraft, Waterfront, Cabins, Staff site, Rifle and Archery range, Green Bar (previously), Program Cabin, Pump House, Gazebo, Activity Yard, Conservation Yard, Chapel, Campsites, Shower houses, and Campfire Area.

Stahlman Dining Hall

Stahlman Dining Hall (1960 - Aug 1, 2024)

The Stahlman Dining Hall is one of the oldest buildings on reservation. Built in 1960, the dining hall hosts many camp events besides meals including: rainy weather campfires, Flag every morning and night, class meeting location, and storm shelter. Lesser known is that the Stahlman Dining Hall cooks all the food on reservation! Camps Craig, Cubworld, and any other event where food is provided on reservation, Stahlman Dining hall is used. The Dining Hall is Scheduled to be demolished August 1^st, 2024 to make way for the Aubrey Harwell Leadership Center.

Temporary Dining hall (Aug 1, 2024 - Present)

Plans for a temporary dining hall are in place for if the A.H. Leadership Center is not completed in time. Some ideas are National Guard dining tents, a pavilion, satellite kitchen and tents, and even To-Go meals for all meals. Nothing is in place currently.

Aubrey Harwell Leadership Center and Dining Hall (Not Completed)

This new dining hall is scheduled to be completed for summer camp 2025 and is planned to be twice as big with a conference room, more storage, kitchen amenities, and more.

Trading Post and Handicraft

The Stahlman Trading Post is located to the left of the dining hall off the road.

Camp Parnell

This section is separated into historic, as a camp, and current.

Historic Locations: Dining Hall, Trading Post, Handicraft, Conservation Yard, Davy Crockett, Waterfront, Rifle and Archery Range, Campsites, and Shower houses

Current Locations: Stem center, Skilled trades, Music Center, Metal-Working, NRA Rifle and Cowboy Action shoot

Camp Craig

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Programs

Summer camp (1921-Present)

The most popular program is the summer camp programs that have occurred every year besides 2020 (Covid-19) since 1921. Summer at Boxwell is the busiest time of year pulling in # (year) of campers. Summer camp for the Boy Scouts was divided between Stahlman and Craig, historically Parnell, for a period of 4-6 weeks where campers worked on merit badges. For Cub Scouts, they camp at Gaylord Cubworld for three day sessions

Tragedies

Boxwell does not have a perfect history and unfortunately has had multiple deaths occur on reservation or due to an injury that occurred on reservation.

July 13^th 1925 (Linton Boxwell)

On the 13th of July two scouts, Thompson Brown and Samuel Lackey (both 15), camping at Boxwell were sheltering from a storm in their tents when a tree limb fell through their tent and severely injured both boys. Thompson and Samuel were transported to St. Thomas Hospital where both ended up dying.

July 22^nd 1999

late to an event, Aaron Rook who was a 15 year old staff member, rode on the trunk of a car with another staff member when they saw the car was full. driving slowly, they noticed an adult counselor when they decided to jump off. Aaron lost his balance and hit his head. Aaron was taken via LifeFlight to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died.

The Veterans' Gateway dedicated in 2022

July 2022

A man drove onto Boxwell Reservation and committed suicide. He was not related to camp in any way, camper or staff. This incident made work on the Veterans' Gateway start sooner.

July 17^th 2024

On July 17th 2024 a camper during National Guard week was riding a jet ski with a staff member piloting when they collided with another jet ski. Both jet skis were piloted by Boxwell Staff. 10 year old Jack Gear was on the jet ski with a staff member who were both taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center where Jack passed away.

Camp Leadership (1960 - Present)

a comprehensive list of all "Key three" for each camp: Program Director, Camp Director, and Camp Commissioners (not recorded until 2024): and Council Executive, Reservation Director, and Head Ranger for the Reservation are available here: Boxwell Reservation Staff.