Museum to host talk on Camp Madron by local boy scout historian

The North Berrien Historical Museum welcomes the public to attend a free presentation called “The Life and Times of Scouting’s Camp Madron” on Saturday, May 11 at 11:00am. Camp Madron, north of Buchanan, served as the heart and soul of boy scouting in southwestern Michigan for over 50 years. This program by local scout historian Jim Ellis will trace the camp’s history from its founding in 1926 through its eventual sale in 1984. A broad selection of Camp Madron memorabilia will also be displayed to help former Madron campers and staff in a walk down memory lane.

The North Berrien Historical Museum is located on Red Arrow Highway across from Coloma High School, at 300 Coloma Avenue. The museum is open Summer hours starting on May 4, Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free. For more information, please contact the museum at (269) 468-3330.

This photo shows Watervliet Boy Scouts at Camp Madron circa 1935, courtesy of Jim Woodruff. From left to right: Jack Porter, Jim Woodruff, Ken Shimer, Ken Kinyon and Bob Peirce. Behind is Gene Smith. The guy with his face missing is Junior (Aage) Larsen doing his Tarzan imitation. 

Lifelong Coloma resident and former scout Fred Munchow (“Jr.”) is pictured by Lake Madron at Camp Madron in the mid 1930s.