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opened in 1929 with no running water, no electricity, and no
permanent structures. It was as pure a camping experience as
one could get.
Through the years, a dining hall, cabins, bathrooms, and pavilions
have been added. In 1947, Florida Power and Light ran electricity
to the camp for the very first time, enabling food to be stored
on the property and a proper light in the bathroom for those
late-night trips.
An outdoor lover’s dream, Camp Flying Eagle boasts many
species of plant and animal life, including several marked
burrows for Florida’s protected Gopher Tortoise. Fishing is a must
at Hidden Lake or along the banks of the Manatee River where
both fresh and salt-water species may be caught. This is partly
why this location was perfect for a Boy Scout camp.
Interestingly, Native American Legend has it that the Manatee
River, once the dividing line between the Calusa and Timucuan
peoples, was known as the “Singing River” because of the
most beautiful “music” it mysteriously made at particular times
of the year.
The Indians believed that during certain phases of the moon, the
manatees in the river sang to one another. “Red Dog” Maynard
writes about this in his book and references another great book
appropriately called The Singing River by Rev. E.F. Gates. (You
can check out this book at the Manatee County Library and learn
more about local history.) The Manatee River became a vibrant
part of our community and a beautiful setting for Camp Flying
Eagle. You can almost imagine the Indian ghost stories being
told by the campfire.
Campers of all ages continue to utilize the lush, wooded
campsite. For 90 years, boys (and their siblings and parents)
have enjoyed events and camping at the now 195-acre Camp
Flying Eagle under the tall pine trees where overnight campers
get a rare glimpse of the stars in a sky free from streetlights.
One event Cub Scouts look forward to each year is Cub Scout
Day Camp, a week-long outdoor event where scouts learn scout
skills, traditions, play games, swim, and form bonds… and most
of all, have a great deal of fun. Each year the theme changes.
This past June, the theme was a Star Wars-based Scout Wars and
next year, the scouts are super excited to enjoy The Wizarding
World of Scouting with a well-planned, creative, Harry Potterthemed
program that will, for the first time, include girls.
Either while visiting Camp Flying Eagle with a Cub Scout Pack,
Scouts BSA Troop, or perhaps during Cub Scout Day Camp,
scouts learn ever-useful skills ranging from archery, shooting
BB guns, tying knots, first aid, canoeing, swimming, campfire
cooking (along with those quintessential campfire songs), nature
conservation, outdoor survival skills, and more.
Along the way, they also learn leadership skills, conflict resolution,
teamwork, and self-confidence. All of this has made Camp Flying
Eagle a place for fond memories for scouters in Manatee County
for five generations. It is also home to campers from Foundation
for Dreams which leases 10 acres of, and uses the facilities
at, Camp Flying Eagle. The collaboration allows children with
special needs to enjoy a true camp experience at this facility
where campers have made memories for 90 wonderful years.
The good news is, it looks like Boy Scouts of America is poised to
keep Camp Flying Eagle busy for many more future generations
of Manatee County families!