by Mike Matzinger
As Camp Horseshoe approaches its 100th anniversary, a race against time is underway to preserve nearly a century of Scouting history.
Sixty-seven down, 30 to go.
Scouting America historians Andrew Coe and Steve Miller are working to collect every staff list from the 97 seasons of Camp Horseshoe in Rising Sun, Maryland, ahead of its centennial in 2027. So far, they have recovered 67.
Their work builds on the Horseshoe Scout Reservation Alumni Association virtual museum, which opened in 2008 and now holds more than 13,500 items. What began with about 2,000 pieces has grown into one of the largest Scouting memorabilia collections on the East Coast, thanks to contributions from more than 150 alumni, leaders, and former staff members.
From attic boxes and shoebox keepsakes to online submissions and social media outreach, the team has tracked down photos, rosters, newsletters, badges, and memorabilia. Items are scanned or photographed and returned when possible, allowing families to keep their history while sharing it with the broader Scouting community.
Now featuring searchable galleries, self-guided tours, video interviews, and exhibits that document traditions such as the camp’s nightly retreat ceremony dating back to the 1940s, the museum has become far more than a digital archive. It is a living record of service, leadership, and legacy.
With 30 staff lists still to find, the mission continues, and so does the invitation for alumni to help write the next chapter of Camp Horseshoe’s history.