[Southsider2k12]

http://thenewsdispatch.com/articles/2012/0...21461644749.txt

Boy Scouts, other volunteers spend Saturday planting trees

By Deborah Sederberg
Staff Writer
Published: Sunday, April 15, 2012 5:05 PM CDT
La PORTE COUNTY — About 1,200 trees were planted by volunteers Saturday at Boy Scout Camp Topenebee.

About 60 older trees, described as “beyond the optimal harvest age,” were harvested from the camp, just south of Michigan City this winter, making room for the new trees, all hardwoods, native to the region.

Some 200 volunteers – Scouts, their leaders plus family members and friends – worked at planting Saturday morning and afternoon, according to campmaster Mary Musick, Elkhart, who served as Camp Master of Topenebee, which is owned by the La Salle Boy Scout Council.

“The old trees, mostly pines, would fall down and knock out electrical service during a storm,” said Jason Carpenter, a volunteer and the son of Dan Carpenter, district exective with the La Salle Council.

*
Dan confirmed that assessment.

Planted Saturday were Chinese chestnuts, sycamores, riger birch, dogwoods and others.

The plan for planting the new trees had been directed by Bruce Cummings, a naturalist and retired entomologist for the state of Indiana, Jason Carpenter said.

Despite the chilly weather, and occasional spurts of water from the sky, volunteers worked enthusiastically at the camp.

“I planted this one,” said Cub Scout Joseph Goveia, a member of Pack 929 in Chesterton. He was indicating a small Chinese chestnut. Joseph was hard at work with his father, Rob Goveia, a scout leader and his brother Danny, near the entrance to the camp.

Other families worked nearby, including Michael Martin, a pack leader of Troop 990 and his children MaKayla, Jessica and Joshua, a Cub Scout.

Asked whether she was getting cold, MaKayla vigorously shook her head “no,” her dark hair circling her head with the enthusiastic motion.

According to Musick, about 100 scouts and adults spent Saturday night at the camp.

“And it’s my understanding that some groups camped nearby,” Dan Carpenter noted.

Boy Scouts, after all, are prepared for anything.