On March 19th, 2005, 26 Arrowmen participated in a Lodge sponsored service project to the community of St. David, AZ.  Projects included repairing the drainage to the irrigation box and installing a new entry sign.  Many of the Ramadas and all of the Gym equipment were painted.  The front gate was repaired and the fire ring was completely redone.  Several trees were removed, the  long grass was cut, and the fence was repaired. Thanks to the following Arrowmen for all of their efforts, and in addition, all earned the Community Service portion of the 2005 National Service Award.

Memorial Trail at Double V Scout Ranch

Papago Lodge members started work on a nature trail at the base of Cat Mountain at the Double V Scout Ranch at the 2003 December Ordeal. The trail leads hikers past plants and animals that you don’t see at the campsites. The Saguaros become more prominent as the terrain slopes upwards. Ocotillo plants grow close together in clumps. Nurse trees are very evident too. Loops will be added to the main trail in time.

Two families have given permission to name these side trails after fallen brothers. Bill Westholm was our Lodge Adviser in the mid-1990’s. He passed away after a brave struggle against leukemia. Dustin Frank was a popular leader, camp staff director, and Polaris course Senior Patrol Leader. He passed away early in 2003.

Camp Lawton Fire Damage

Due to the fabulous efforts of hundreds of fire fighters, 99% of Camp Lawton was spared from the Aspen Fire of 2003.  The Chapel and Firebowl as well as the Ordeal ceremony sites were damaged to varying degrees.  Mr. George is busy repairing and replacing the trail lights to both the Chapel and Firebowl and this project should be ready for installation at the spring Lawton workday.  Mr. Babis is repairing and replacing the frames to the Religious Emblem and Dedication signs and Mrs. Starcher is repainting the Religious Emblems which were destroyed.  The Ordeal site will need to be completely redone since the fire swept through the site destroying everything but the rock structures. 

Fire Damage View from the Chapel

The completion and rededication of the shower building was done at the Lawton work day.  The Lodge owes Mr. Taylor and Mr. George a debt of gratitude for their hundreds of hours of labor and donations of building materials for this project.