Tragedy At Rotary Boy Scout Camp

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the staff, counselors, campers, and their families.

News reports are still vague but it appears that between 3AM and 4AM this morning one of our mentally handicapped campers left camp and wandered down to Lake Jacomo where he tried to get the attention of a fisherman in a boat on the lake. The fisherman told reporters the camper then entered the lake calling "Hey Dude" repeatedly. When the camper began struggling the fisherman called 911. But before help could arrive, regrettably, the camper drowned.

The Jackson County Sheriff's department conveyed that this was a tragic accident and no one on the camp staff, or scout counselors were at fault. In fact, they had just checked on the campers shortly before the accident occurred.

Rotary Boy Scout Camp program offers the Boy Scout camping program to young men who have a disability, which prevents them from attending either the Naish or Bartle Scout Reservations.

This year, Troop 42, as for many years, supplied counselors for Rotary Boy Scout Camp, as it is located in close proximity to our Troop.

Please pray for everyone involved in this tragic accident.