Allentown Explorer Scout Canoe Trip

About the year 1949, a group of Explorer Scouts from Allentown, NY, took a canoe trip.  The Wellsville Daily Reporter gave them publicity, which this clip shows, and tells about preparations.

In a small town like Allentown, all of these young men knew each other well, but, learned during the six-day trip how to depend on each other and nourished many friendships that have lasted the rest of their lives.

The photos below have a special story.  The pictures may have been taken by several of the members, but, they were then developed in a small room "darkroom" back at the Allentown Union Free School, with rumor that Don Pye ran the darkroom.

Thanks to Ward Guild, the 17 photos have survived and are now released to the public to help share some of their memories from 60 years ago.

1

Some Explorer Scouts in front of Palmer's store: (L->R) Jim Moreland, Jim Walsh, Frank Cady, Bill McQueen, Dave Walsh, Donald Pye, and John Walsh.

 

Posing prior to departure.

 

2

(L->R): Jim Walsh, Bill McQueen and Frank Cady chatting on Palmer's store porch prior to departure.

3

Loading the trailer prior to departure.

Known young men facing camera: (L->R):  Jim Moreland (w/white hat) , Frank Cady, Larry Wightman (closest to camera), Donald Pye, and man in right (looking on) is Paul McQueen.

4

(L->R) Bill McQueen & Ward Guild after buying Indian headdress at Niagara Falls just prior to crossover into Canada.

5

At camp. (L->R): Bill McQueen, (?), Gene Swarthout

6

Taking a break: (L->R) Ward Guild, Bill McQueen, (?)

7

Unloading canoes.

 

Nearest camera:(L->R)  Jim Moreland, and Jim (?) Walsh; in background: (?) and Gene Swarthout

8

Allentown Explorer Scouts cruising in formation at dusk.

9

Somebody found a place to rest in the woods.

 

(L->R)  Bill McQueen, Donald Pye and Gene Swarthout.

10

(L->R) Donald Pye and Ward Guild at lakeside.

11

Chow time!

 

(L->R) Foreground only: Frank Cady, Donald Pye, Bill McQueen, and Jim Walsh.

12

Cleaning up after chow.

 

Excepting for Jim Walsh on the left, I am unsure of the identity of the other Scouts in this photo.

13

Canoe Race Time -- "on your mark, get ready, ........."

14

Canoe Launching 101

15

Ward Guild (standing) and Dick Ryan taking a swim break

16

Gene Swarthout putting on boots at his "bedroom" in the woods.

17

Ward Guild (rear) and Gene Swarthout  -- "Poster Scouts for the Canadian Canoe Trip!"

 

(I suspect this photo was taken by Don Adams.)

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