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Monday, July 20, 2009
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Parker Scout Reservation: A castle fit for Scouts
By SARA GARDNER Staff Intern MERRIFIELD - A castle might seem a foreign landmark in a place where pine trees and Paul Bunyan prevail, however you don't need to look any farther than the Parker Scout Reservation tucked away in Merrifield to find one of these medieval masterpieces.
The $1.7 million Jim W. and Marion Miller Castle has been in the works for a little more than a year, as groundbreaking on the project occurred in June 2008.
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Webelos and Cub Scouts raised their swords in appreciation as guests entered into the dining hall at the Jim W. and Marion Miller Castle at the Parker Scout Reservation. Brainerd Dispatch/Sara Gardner
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The Reservation serves as a camp for elementary-age Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts, and now instead of simply archery and rifle-shooting, the boys can get a taste of the Middle Ages in this state-of-the-art castle.
According to Bob Pederson, camp director at the Parker Scout Reservation, the castle aims to "retain campers longer" and add to the camp's various themes, with medieval times being one such theme.
"This is the largest accomplishment this camp has had," expressed Royce Nies, president of the Central Minnesota Council. "It's great to have something like this is your backyard."
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Visitors mulled around the courtyard in the newly built Jim W. and Marion Miller Castle. The castle provides elementary-age Cub and Webelos Scouts a place to learn about medieval times in an actual castle on the Parker Scout Reservation near Merrifield. Brainerd Dispatch/Sara Gardner
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The spacious castle, dedicated to Jim and Marion Miller who helped to finance the ambitious project, boasts true medieval fashion with a dining hall adorned with flags and armor, as well as some things you wouldn't expect to find in an authentic castle like air conditioning and heated floors.
"The reaction has been very enthusiastic," said Dave Trehey, senior executive of the council. "It's occupied almost every weekend."
Both Trehey and Pederson stressed that the camp and castle are not exclusively for the Cub Scouts. "We've had youth groups and church groups come through here," Pederson said.
The 12,000 square foot concrete castle nestled among the pines in the woods of the Parker Scout Reservation is not simply for knowledge and entertainment. The council believes that the presence of the castle could help bring up participation in Cub and Webelos Scouts, which is already growing.
"Participation has been up 16 to 17 percent from last year, and the year before it was up as well," Trehey remarked. "We're also going to be able to have winter programs, which we couldn't do before."
The Central Minnesota Council's goal for enrollment is a lofty, but not unattainable one, with hope of 1,500 Scouts attending the camp. In comparison, they have about 600 boys enrolled now.
"Keeping the Cub Scouts interested," said Nies, "that's what we want to do."
At the dedication and luncheon Saturday afternoon, Jim and Marion Miller were presented with keys to the castle, which is also named after them.
"The experiences I had at camp were some of the most memorable times - I just wanted to give back," remarked Jim.
The impact that the Parker Scout Reservation, or "Camp Clyde" as it used to be called, has made on many generations of young boys and men will be sure to continue with the addition of the Jim W. and Marion Castle to the camp.
For more information on the Parker Scout Reservation, or the Scout programs in general, visit www.bsacmc.org.
SARA GARDNER may be reached at sara.gardner@brainerddispatch.com.
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