Welcome to Camp Herms Traditional Cache
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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In 1929 the Berkeley Council, Boy Scouts of America, was casting about for a permanent weekend camp. George Friend, who had purchased a home directly across Arlington Boulevard from the Bates and Bourland Quarry, made the suggestion to Ansel Hall that the quarry might be a desirable site for an overnight camp. Council President, William B. Herms, appointed a special committee in September of 1929. The committee looked over the quarry area as well as several other possible sites.
The committee interviewed Charley Bates relative to the availability of the quarry site plus land contiguous to the quarry. Mr. Bates offered to sell 15 acres, including part of the Old Glory Hole for $10,000. On November 26, 1929, actual negotiations for aquistion of the property wwas authorized. President Herms appointed a special committee to secure a 90 day option on the site plus another 10 acres.
The council was unable to raise the necessary funds to take up the option on the 25 acres within the 90 days. Mr. Bates sold some of the property, however early in 1930 the campsite consisting of 18 acres was aquired for a price of $8,500. The council made a down payment of $1,000, and took out a mortgage for the balance, with a payment of $750 per year.
On February 25, 1931 Camp Berkeley was dedicated. The Berkeley Elks had a part in the ceremony. The Berkeley Elks offered to take over the annual payment on the camp. But the depression cancelled out this gracious offer. The camp was officially opened on Saturday June 7, 1930. On January 8, 1934 $5,000 from the Wall estate paid off the mortgage on the camp. In 1938 groundbreaking began for the construction of a pool in the quarry, In 1939 Camp Berkeley was renamed to Camp Herms in honor of William B. Herms who had served many years as Council President.
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(Decrypt)
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