A man, a plan

I remember several years ago when Tim Bugg, the Scout Executive for the Southeast Louisiana Council, began to actively court volunteers and prospective donors for his preposterous idea that a swimming pool was just what was needed at the Salmen Scout Reservation, the site of our local council's Boy Scout camp. And just where was he proposing that the pool be constructed? Why right smack in the middle of the parking lot across from the dining hall! With a beautiful lake located just a few hundred feet down from the main complex, I thought it was unnecessary and downright inconvenient. After all, every Scout who had regularly attended Boy Scout camp through the past 75 years or so had learned to swim in the lukewarm waters of a lake. It has been like that ever since I can remember at the new Salmen Scout Reservation. Well, Tim Bugg left for the Heart of America Council just before Katrina and I thought that all of this pool nonsense would go away. I was wrong. The new Scout Executive, John Cabeza, picked up the torch just where Bugg had dropped it and the discussions became even more fevered pitch. Last year, after all the damage was fixed from the camp facilities, a major donor came forward with the final funds needed to put in that pool. Over the course of the last year, the work commenced until today where an Olympic size pool is in place at Salmen Scout Reservation for the first time. I must admit that I wish the parking lot was still there, but now with a brand new state-of-the-art climbing tower adjacent to it, the swimming pool is looking mighty good. Congratulations to John Cabeza and his crack team including John Olynick, Director of Field Services. This pool can only improve the numbers of Scouts that will attempt to get their aquatics merit badges. It is a wonderful addition to an already impressive set of facilities.