Voice of the Pines Snuffy Article
Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to help volunteer at Snuffy Hollow Camporee. I guess you could say I have the “Snuffy Spirit.” Every day, I look forward to the next Snuffy, and I always end up having the time of my life at the event. It’s a great opportunity for your troop to attend, it happens every first weekend of May. But before you tell your troop, you should hear the legend.
One day during a particular strong thunderstorm back in 1963, Dan Kerwin noticed a small man clinging tightly to the tree in his front yard. The wind was so strong. It threatened to blow the small man away. In one hand, the man was clutching a ragged black hat and wore a patched pair of blue jeans over a red-checkered shirt. A large shaggy moustache sprouted under this man’s rather large nose. Hurrying outside, Dan helped the man by leading him indoors. The two men started talking… As the legend has it, Dan had rescued Snuffy Smith himself, the toon had been blown from the pages of the Sunday comics and so Snuffy was very grateful. Snuffy noted that Dan Kerwin was a Boy Scout Leader and suggested that Dan create a Camporee where young men could come, learn skills, and compete in healthy fashion. Dan was so impressed with the idea that he decided to try it out. In honor of where the idea came from, Dan named it the Snuffy Hollow Camporee. Snuffy had to leave, and although the wind had stopped, the rain was still falling. Snuffy left to return to his home in the funny pages, and Dan was never the same since. It is Snuffy Hollow tradition to present the first place troop with Snuffy’s most treasured possession THE RIFLE. The last place troop also receives an award THE BOOT which signifies a boot in the (well you know where) to get the troop to practice and learn the scouting skills needed for the next Snuffy Hollow Camporee. The winners get to take home and display these awards throughout the year and get an automatic invitation back next year.
I’ve been going to Snuffy ever since I was a Cub Scout, and later as a Boy Scout, starting back in 2018. Now, I volunteer, and there’s a reason I keep coming back. Snuffy has that special Scout magic you just don’t feel anywhere else. I really hope your troop decides to join us next year, you won’t regret it.
Great balls of fire (as Snuffy Smith says),
Thomas O
