A local "hidden gem" of DeWitt County is being polished and reclaimed through the hard work of local students and volunteers.

 

For decades, the Black Locust Group Camp at Weldon Springs State Recreation Area has laid hidden, unused, and unkempt on the southern edge of the park.  However, a group of local Boy Scouts, and their leaders, have been working hard to bring the camp back to its former glory.  

 

Ed Cicenas, Assistant Scout Master to local Troop 142, explains there have already been countless hours of labor devoted to re-claiming Black Locust Group Camp.

 

 

 

According to Cicenas, the hard work is already starting to pay off.  He notes the local troop has been able to us Black Locust for its own events, as well as hosting other troops from around the area.  In fact, he says earlier this month Black Locust hosted the first Scouting Camporee to be held at the campground in more than 20 years.

 

 

 

Despite the tremendous progress, Cicenas notes there is still more work to do at Black Locust.  He says one major need is to raise thousands of dollars to upgrade the existing, non-operational water and sanitary systems.

 

 

 

The local Boy Scout Troop 142 is continuing its work at Black Locust this summer.  If you'd like to be involved in the project, or perhaps donate to the cause, contact Scoutmaster Donald Husted at 847-345-3818.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos courtesy of Ed Cicenas