A Ghost at Camp Attakapas

Was it my imagination, some supernatural phenomenon, or a ghost? I’ll let you read the story and decide.

On Thursday, November 22, 2012 I was at Boy Scout Camp Attakpas near Jena, LA. It was my second year as Winter Camp Program Director but my first year without the past Program Director assisting me on camp.

I had six adult volunteers on camp property with me. The camp is about 350 acres and has several buildings clustered in a small area. I know of no ghost stories from Camp Attakpas and previously have never seen anything unusual.

My group of volunteers had been working most of the day and had all retired to their campsites except myself and Brenda. I had driven Brenda down to her site and we were talking about the day’s events and what needed to be done the next day in preparation of the arrival of scouts.

It was around 9 PM and we were near the staff showers. There was a street light on, so the area was well lit up. Suddenly it went very dark which startled me. I asked Brenda, “What happened?” She replied, “The streetlight went out!” 

Photo of the lake at Camp Attakapas from Campsite Goodman

No sooner had she finished her explanation, I noticed the lights in the nearby Health Lodge went out. I asked her if she had noticed the lights in the Health Lodge go out, to which she replied that she had seen the same thing.

Now for disclosure purposes there were 5 other people on camp but to the best of my knowledge they were all back at their campsite preparing for bed.

Brenda commented, “I hope we don’t have an electrical problem.” I asked her to grab a flashlight so we could check the breaker box in the Health Lodge. 

On our way to the Health Lodge Brenda said she thought the lights in the Dining Hall had gone out as well. I was unsure as to whether the lights had been on in the Dining Hall.

When we arrived at the Health Lodge the street light came back on and once again illuminated the area. I entered the Health Lodge and noted all of the light switches were in the off position and none of the breakers were tripped. 

Next, we next went to the Dining Hall and were unable to enter as the Dining Hall was completely locked up.

I later spoke with the other volunteers and one of them stated there had been a light on in the Dining Hall Kitchen. All of them denied playing any practical jokes or being in the area.

That’s my ghost story from Camp Attakapas. Not really scary I supposed but definitely unusual.

Alexandria Zoo Recomended

Lucrecia and I took the kids on a trip to the Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana earlier this week. The Alexandria Zoo is one of my favorite zoo’s to visit.

There are a lot of animals to see but the best part is the shade. The zoo is full of trees and bamboo which provide shade from the heat of the sun. So often,  I have been to zoos that are concrete jungles but this is not the case of the Alexandria Zoo.

Photo by: Lucrecia Mouser

Currently the zoo is undergoing some renovations which should make it even better. A few areas are closed.

While at the zoo the kid’s favorite part is riding the train around the zoo and stopping at the playground. I enjoy observing the White Bengal Tigers and Lucrecia enjoys watching the monkey’s cut up. We all like feeding the fish!

I would recommend the Alexandria Zoo to anyone in the area. It is a good way to pass some leisure time with family, friends, and the kids.

Photo by: Vinson Mouser

Driving Blind

Before I write about the documentary "Driving Blind" I am going to write a little background history concerning Tod, one of two brothers in "Driving Blind."

In the early 1990's I was working on Summer Camp Staff out at Camp Edgewood Boy Scout Camp. Camp is where I first met Tod.

I was walking into the staff area when I noticed a staff member with red hair standing on a metal spring cot in the middle of the staff area. There were two or three similar cots nearby. The red headed staff member appeared to be surfing on the cots. It is important to note that there was no one else around.

I quickly joined this guy and we were soon both surfing on the metal cots, singing "Let's Go Surfing Now" as loud as we could. We surfed the cots, bouncing back and forth, and occasionally wiping out for the next 10 plus minutes. A friendship was born. That is how I met Tod who would later be known to me as Tod with one d from Leesville.

At camp we use to have a staff night out. One half of the staff got Wednesday night off and the other had Thursday night off. On one of these nights Tod, Chris, Abe, and myself all went out to the bowling alley in Lake Charles.

On this particular night as we were bowling we were pleased to note some attractive young women bowling in the lane next to ours. Abe had wandered off so it was just Tod, Chris and I. Tod quickly struck up a conversation with these women and we were making good progress.

Tod explained that we worked on Summer Camp staff at Alligator Lake and that we were all lifeguards. The story spiraled out of control from there with Chris and I adding to the story. Then Abe showed up and decided to throw a wrench in our plans when he said at the top of his voice, "I thought you guys worked at Boy Scout Camp!" (Busted.) Of course we tried to pass Abe off as a Counselor in Training who was always trying to cause us trouble. Needless to say we did not get any phone numbers that night.

Back in those days Tod was always a character who was ready with a good story or a one liner for comic relief.

In later life Tod moved out of state. We stayed in touch off and on by phone and facebook.

As I settled down to watch "Driving Blind" my mind wandered to these memories of Tod and I wondered what I was in for in this documentary. Tod had told me that he and his brother both had a genetic disease called Choroideremia.which caused blindness. It should be noted that I had never met Tod's brother.

I wondered, would this documentary be full of humor? I could see Tod making fun of his plight. Would it be wrought with sadness? Well, it could be real sad, after all, my friend has learned he is going blind. Would it be worth watching? I have to admit I was surprised.

"Driving Blind" is a visual extravaganza. It made me really think about the things I see every day and take for granted like the look of a city skyline, the beauty of a waterfall, and the wonder of something as simple as pine needles.

It also made me think about some things I never want to see again like Tod's naked butt. (Sorry, nothing personal.)

While enjoying the visual beauty of the film it touched a deep nerve, a realization that we are all just one step away from calamity. At the same time how Tod and Justin handled this calamity that fell on them so unexpected was an inspiration to me as it should be to all of us.

I could see how easy it would be to curl up and give up but Tod and Justin attacked the disease head on and in doing so turned a negative into a positive. "Driving Blind" is not just about two brothers driving around the country seeing things they want to see before they go blind. It's about two brothers growing closer together, their friends supporting them, and a drive to turn their calamity into something good. It's about raising awareness of a disease that so few know about, it's about helping others, it's about "Driving Blind" so others won't have to.

The documentary asked repeatedly,  "If you were going blind what would be the last thing you would want to see?" I thought of all the things that I would want to see last and I decided. I would want to see people just like Tod and Justin doing exactly what they did in "Driving Blind," never giving up, showing courage in the face of adversity, and showing a deep love and respect for others.

Everyone should watch "Driving Blind." Open your eyes up and you just might find you have been "Driving Blind."

For more information on "Driving Blind" click here.

Oogie, Oogie, Oogie, Oy, Oy, Oy

I was thinking about Camp Edgewood Boy Scout Camp in Calcasieu Parish. I spent so many days out there camping when I was in Boy Scouts. One of my favorite parts of camp, and a part I still love today, was the campfire.

I remembered a cheer we used to do called Oogie, Oy. It was a lot of fun and I decided I wanted to share it. I got my wife, daughter, and video camera and went out back and video recorded Oogie, Oy.

The video is good for Boy Scout Camps, Girl Scout Camps, American Heritage Girl Camps, Campfire Camps, church camp, pep rally's, and anywhere you want to pump up a crowd.

I hope you enjoy the cheer. Feel free to use it and share it, that's the point!