Camp Cachalot Alumni Form Association

Alumni organization seeks new members

(New Bedford, MA/East Providence, RI) — October 18, 2004 — The Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America today announced that former staff members, campers, and volunteers of Camp Cachalot have formed the Camp Cachalot Alumni Association. The Association is looking for former campers and staff members of Camp Cachalot to join them

"Spending my summers at Camp gave me a greater appreciation for the world we live in," noted Camp Cachalot Alumni Association Vice-Chairman and former Cachalot summer camp staffer Thomas Whelan. "I was able to interact with other kids from all walks of life; rich kids, poor kids, kids from broken homes, kids from stable families."

"We are very happy that the Cachalot Alumni has taken the initiative to establish this new association," said David Anderson, Narragansett Council Scout Executive. "Scouting is built on a tradition of sharing experiences and Camp Cachalot as generated a strong sense of belonging among its alumni."

Plans for the association include a memorabilia show on January 8, 2005 at the Poirer Post in New Bedford, MA and a first annual homecoming to be held in the summer of 2005 to celebrate the history of Cachalot. Funds gathered by the Association are tax deductible and will be used for projects at or related to Camp Cachalot. Proposed projects include camp improvements, a staff scholarship fund and creating a historical archive for the camp.

Camp Cachalot has helped to shape the lives of many Scouts and create a strong sense of camaraderie. "When we were at Camp we were all the same. Our private lives didn't enter into the equation because our home was the forest surrounding us. The friendships forged at Camp are some of the strongest friendships that I have ever had. Even now, 20 years later, I still reminisce with my friends about the good times we had at Camp Cachalot, added Whelan."

The formation of the Camp Cachalot Alumni Association comes after several years of planning. Membership is open to anyone connected to Camp Cachalot, the former Moby Dick Council, or any of their predecessor camps or councils. The Association has the express purpose of providing support for the camping facilities of Narragansett Council, BSA, especially Camp Cachalot. It is a non-profit organization operating under the auspices of the Narragansett Council.

To join the Camp Cachalot Alumni Association, go to the website at http://www.cachalotalumni.org/ and download the membership form. For a hard copy, please contact the Association care of the Narragansett Council, PO Box 14777, East Providence, RI 02914.

About Camp Cachalot

In 1945, the Cachalot Council Executive Board conducted a fund-raiser to purchase and construct Camp Cachalot in Carver, Massachusetts. In 1964, a forest fire devastated much of the camp, requiring it to be rebuilt. In 1999 Camp Cachalot became a land trust in the state of Massachusetts. The Cachalot Council, as well as the Massasoit Council, continued to grow until 1972 when they united to form a greater development known as the Moby Dick Council (#245).On July 1, 2001, the Moby Dick Council in New Bedford, Massachusetts, merged with the Narragansett Council in Providence, Rhode Island.

Camp Cachalot, whose name is taken from the French and Portuguese term for "sperm whale", occupies 880 acres and has a pond/lake (10 or more acres) that offers swimming, boating, canoeing, and possible limited sailing. They offer tent campsites, Adirondack (lean-to) shelters, and winter cabins for overnight groups, family camping, an activity field for athletics and camporees, boats and/or canoes for overnight groups, a Cub Scout Day Camp program, a dining hall and patrol cooking during summer camp, plus High Adventure Programs (extended backpacking and/or canoe trips).

About the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America

Since 1910, the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America, and its predecessor organizations have been serving the youth of Rhode Island and neighboring communities. The Narragansett Council offers a variety of youth programs including Cub Scouting, Boy Scouting, Venturing, Exploring, Learning for Life as well as the ScoutReach initiative in urban neighborhoods. The Council area stretches from Wareham, Massachusetts in Bristol County to Pawcatuck, Connecticut, including all of Rhode Island and several Blackstone Valley communities in Massachusetts. The Council operates two Scout Shops to serve the need of area Scouts. The West Bay Scout Shop is located in the Summit Square in Warwick and the East Bay Scout is located in the Swansea Mall. Additional information is available on the Web at www.narragansettbsa.org.

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CONTACT: Michael Greeley
(401) 453-3100 ext 107

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