The Adventures Of Northwood Lake
“You will never run out of lake”
It is an ancient
activity. Humans have
a relationship with the
water that dates back
to our ?shy biological
origins. Recreational
swimming is not
logical. Why would
someone who is dry,
clothed and warm, standing safely on terra ?rma, suddenly
decide to jump in the water and immerse himself or herself in
a non-supportive media? Why would one paddle, row or sail
to travel short distances when more ef?cient and dry means
are readily available? The reason could simply be just, “it
feels good”.
Since 1937 Scouts have jumped into Northwood Lake with
that expectation and seldom were they disappointed. Time in
and on Northwood Lake can be taken for granted but each
time it is an adventure. It’s pure, simple and natural.
Northwood Lake is a
distinguishing feature of
Wah-Tut-Ca Scout
Reservation. Only a
handful of camps in the
United States have such
a magni?cent resource.
Our lake has 2,543
million gallons of water.
Many Scout camps
today don’t have natural
water to swim in.
Increasingly they rely on swimming pools with controlled
optimal water quality. Jumping into these pools still feels
good, but can’t compare or provide the adventure that
comes from a large natural lake.
A former aquatics director was recently asked, “What makes
Wah-Tut-Ca’s lake so special?” He replied, “the water is not
green, you can see the bottom and you can swim till you are
tired and still not run out of lake”.
At three miles long Northwood Lake is one of Scouting’s
biggest. If you stand anywhere on Wah-Tut-Ca’s mile and a
half of shoreline and look out you’ll never see the end of the
lake. This gives our lake an air of mystery and begs the
question, “what is over there?”
The best way to answer
that question is by boat.
The Wah-Tut-Ca ?eet
gives you access and
opportunities to boat “out
of bounds”. The
east/west orientation of
the lake makes for good
winds for ?ne sailing.
Head out on Northwood
Lake and pass Blodget’s
Island the wind provides
speed and ability to move
your boat in any direction. In a kayak you can
paddle into the cove and
see great blue heron,
loons, hawks and eagles.
You can row to the sandbar and enjoy an outdoor classroom
standing in and surrounded by water.
For Wah-Tut-Ca Scouts, Northwood Lake is a social place.
Troops can reserve the solitude of So-Kee-Tay Bay for a quiet
sunset swim to share a group activity. For a more gregarious
occasion, free swimming at the main waterfront affords an
opportunity for camp wide interaction. In both areas the
swimming rafts become centers of activity. The rafts quickly
?ll with people and their voices echo for miles. Scouts and
leaders are
constantly
climbing on
then jumping
off. Splashes
and laughter
are only brie?y
interrupted by
the command
of the
lifeguard who
blows the
whistle and cries, “buddddddy up”.
Every summer on Northwood Lake children and young adults
connect without electronic media. You’ll never ?nd someone
on the raft texting on a smart phone with his thumbs. It
always feels better to surf Northwood Lake on waterskies
powered by Wah-Tut-Ca’s motorboat than to web surf and
hack on the keyboard of a laptop. No video game can
compare to any of the aquatic adventures that happen in
summer camp. No software program can cover the options
and possibilities.
The experiences of Northwood Lake are timeless. It feels
good and you will get wet!