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Scouts continue work on camp at Log Landing
0104 boy scouts
Pictured in the presentation from left to right are Richard Lancaster, Frank Patterson, Mark Mettler, Clayton Dasher, Ruth Mettler and Mike Gresham. Two others who participated in the gathering but are not pictured are Ramsey Mannon, leader of the Effingham Explorer Post, and Porter Morgan of Troop 165. - photo by Photo provided

The leaders from the Boy Scouts of Effingham Log Landing Scout Camp met recently near the camp’s entrance on the Ebenezer Creek to accept a check from the Friends of Georgia Power, represented by Mike Gresham.


In August 2012, the Friends of Georgia Power met at the camp to help install a second gate, donated by Wendle Lovett of Lovett’s Hardware & Supplies and install the farm fencing donated by Frank Patterson of Troop 295, a troop sponsored by the Springfield United Methodist Church.


During the first Wood Badge course held at the Coastal Empire Council’s new Black Creek Reservation Scout Camp in Screven County, some Scout leaders chose to target projects close to home. Mark Mettler was one such participant who chose to provide service and leadership in the restoration of the 68-year-old camp.


In 1944, the camp grounds were purchased from DeCaney Bazill, a member of Masonic Lodge 440 in Springfield, with the condition that the Masonic Lodge would be the property trustee to assure boys would always have a place to camp in Effingham County.


The recent work at Log Landing Camp will continue to allow Boy Scouts from within Effingham County and those from neighboring districts to have a camp that is close enough for boys to reach and set up before darkness falls. Scouting participants spend a great deal of time traveling to and from campsites as metropolitan progress has overtaken many suitable camping locations. This progress has not allowed boys to reach suitable locations to setup camp in daylight hours during the school year.


The group who met welcomed Clayton Dasher, who as a boy more than 60 years ago camped at the Log Landing Scout Camp. Dasher also served as scoutmaster of Troop 691 in Marlow and camped the boys of that troop at the Log Landing Camp. Dasher is just one of the native Effingham residents with the honor of serving as both a boy and a man at Effingham County’s oldest Scouting troop.


Since mid-year, much work has progressed in restoration of the camp. Earlier this year a gate gifted to the camp by Porter Morgan of Rincon Troop 165 was installed on the west side of Log Landing Road, with the help of Mark and Ruth Mettler of Troop 665 and fellow troop leader Stephen Hill. Effingham Scouts own the land on both sides of Log Landing Road at the Ebenezer Creek.


In November Richard Lancaster donated his time to pull the well head at the camp, allowing the Mettlers to install a hand pump and build a stone pedestal for it. Frank Patterson, Troop 296 scoutmaster, donated fencing securing the property from trespass and illegal dumping.