After almost two years of planning, dreaming, scheming, and working the Lincoln Bicentennial Encampment was held on Mother’s Day Weekend, May 9-11.  Without a question, Buffalo Trace Council has never conducted any event with greater width, depth, or meaning.

 A review of “Lincoln Bicentennial Encampment by the Numbers” below reveals our accomplishment.  However, the numbers are just part of the story.  The mission was to interpret for today’s youth, the experiences of Lincoln the boy and how they affected Lincoln the man.  With the help of hundreds of Scout leaders, we can proudly say “Mission Accomplished”! Here’s a thought that event Chairman, Brian Williams offers to ponder:  How many of our future leaders will look back and proudly remember when they saluted the garrison flag on May 10, 2008?  If we have succeeded in passing on some measure of Lincoln’s character as part of Scouting’s character building program, then again we can say “Mission Accomplished”!

By the numbers…

 4695 Total Participants

4154 Scouts & Leaders

105 Re-enactors

36 Program Presenters/Special Guests

400 General Public (approx)

•  53 Program Stations„ 2 Massive Ceremonies„ 3 Worship Services

• 1148 staff meals served

• 15 local newspaper articles with photos

•  3 out of council newspaper articles (at least):

              Indianapolis Star

              Chicago Tribune

              Baltimore Sun-Times

• 1 out of town TV station: WNDU Channel 16 South Bend, IN

• 1 Federal agency - National Park Service

• 3 State agencies

              Indiana Department of Natural Resources

              Indiana National Guard

              Indiana State Police

• 4 County agencies

              Spencer County Sherriff

              Spencer County EMS

              Spencer County Ambulance Service

              North Spencer School Corporation

• 4 Corporate partners

              Martin & Bayley – Huck’s

              Weaver Popcorn

              Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari

              Fox 7 WEVV

• 4415 Event shirts

• 6250 Patches (all kinds)

• 2475 Trail Medals earned

• 300 Unit Leader Goodie Bags – courtesy of Huck’s

• 4500 Participant Guidebooks – courtesy of Trail’s End Popcorn

• 100 Porta-Johns