This summer will be the last year that Transatlantic Council will operate Camp Freedom in Dautphe, Germany. The reasons are rather simple and unfortunate. The military is withdrawing from the nearby city of Giessen making support to maintain Camp Freedom due to its location an extremely difficult feat both from a logistical and maintenance prospective for the Council. I have no doubt that removing equipment and other historical scouting items will be a difficult and perhaps emotional challenge. I do not believe a new location has yet been selected for Camp Freedom's replacement.
Camp Freedom is rich with Council history. Camp Freedom is the Transatlantic Council's oldest and largest established camp. Affectionately known as Damp Freezedom due to the frequent rain and cold weather that can occur in July. It was established in 1956. It is located at Dautphe, north of Giessen, in the State of Hessen. The camp is in the foothills of the Westerwald Range. The camp covers one hundred and eighty-two acres.
Camp Freedom has hosted many programs for the Council and Black Eagle Lodge 482. Some of those programs have included: Woodbadge, Golden Falcoln (JLT Program), Summer Camp Program, Black Eagle Lodge Spring, Fall, & Winter Fellowships and has provided much more in adventure and memories for anyone that has visited over the decades.
Camp Freedom is where I completed my brotherhood and where I received my Vigil honor. I participated in various ceremonies teams from Ordeal through Vigil Chief at Camp Freedom. I spent three summers on the Transatlantic Council Summer Camp Staff as a Merit Badge Counselor for Handicraft and Nature related subjects. I also served as an assistant cook on my third year of staff.
I have no doubt that the loss of Camp Freedom will fall heavy on those that choose to remember... Many Scouts and Scouters gave their time and love to the camp and in return Camp Freedom left many with everlasting memories of great people and friends.
2 comments:
Greetings.
I share your angst over the loss of a summer camp...My heart goes back to Camp Tuscany down in Livorno, IT ... Mostly the Med. District Scouts used it and a lot of friendships were forged there.
I do not know what year or why it ceased to exist but we have great memories of there...One that really stands out is why the aquatics merit badges were the favorites...It took me a few days to find out. I went with some of my Scouts over to the beach and discovered that one or two beaches down from the Camp Darby beach was one of the infamous Italian topless beaches. Another great memory was the one year I took the boys to camp over the Fourth of July holiday and the fireworks display put on by a local company, down at the beach...They launched some of the fireworks from under the water, it was neat to see a bright glow from beneath the surface turn into a skyward bound rocket...Scouting overseas is a unique experience
Greg P.
Former Scoutmaster('83-'85)
Troop 415 Naples, IT
I made several trips to "Damp Freezum" during my family's time in Frankfurt (1978-81) with the OA and Gold Falcon Training (1980 and 1981). I went back with my brother's troop from Vicenza, IT, for Summer Camp (the only time I particiapted in Summer Camp in Europe) as one of the adults (I was in college Stateside by then) and it had changed - dinning hall lodge, etc. I'm sad to see it go as I am with all the sites of the American community in Germany but with the drawdown it was only a matter of time for Camp Freedom would join them.
David T
Troops 90 & 444, 1978-'81
OA Black Eagle Lodge, 1979-'82
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