The Council Room

[Jim Graves]

I just received an email from the local Boy Scout Council beginning to look for staff for Camp Geronimo this summer. This raised the question, in my mind, how did Mr. Bentley recruit councilors (other than hiring from within) and also how did he decide what people got paid. I think my first summer as a councilor I was paid between $400-$500.
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Jim Graves
67 J-2 Jerry Hoyt
68 J-5 Todd Whittimore
69 J-9 Charlie Thomas
70 S-1 Bob Arnot
71 S-5 Russ Vaughn
72 J-2 Dan Mannis
74 J-? (The small cabin across road from J-2) Councilor
75 J-5 Councilor

[David Bentley]

Good question, Jim, and I think the answer is that overwhelmingly, staff came from within, or from recommendations from staff. Dad used to interview new staff before the season, so he had an idea whether or not a new-to-camp person would be a good choice. Fortunately, very fortunately, current staff making a recommendation to him about another individual considered the 'big picture' and wouldn't compromise their own standing be suggesting someone who wouldn't work out and thus taint themselves, too.

As far as amount of pay, I think I like your opening salary better than mine!! Seriously, that was a matter between BMB and the individual councilor. My personal feeling is that in most cases the men at Camp were there for reasons other than making money ($$$). I know from personal experience that some of my 'final' trips to the Office left me pretty close to empty handed.
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C-1 49 J-7 52 S-3 55 J-10 58
C-7 50 J-7 53 S-2 56 J-8 59
C-8 51 J-4 54 S-7 57 (JA) J-8 60 - 64
1965 - 1968 Military service
Pine Cone 68 - 75 (with wife,Sherry,
and daughter Tracey)
Wolfeboro - full-time since 1997

[Jim Culleton]

Hi Jim and Dave

I went back to take a look at my SSA Annual Statement to see what my earnings were in 1963 and 1964. I was a 2nd year JC in '63 and a Councilor in '64 and my only source of income was from Wyanoke for those years as I had just graduated high school and then 1st year in college. I made a whopping $221 in '63 and $306 in '64! I guess that wasn't much of a raise between JC and Councilor was it ! I don't remember ever negotiating salary with Brad, so it was more like "this is what it is" type of thing. Maybe I should have negotiated !

Dave is right when he said that we didn't do it for the money. We could have made more working elsewhere but it was the comraderie, desire to teach kids and all around fun it was to attend Wyanoke. I was one that came "up through the ranks" so to speak so JC and Councilor would have been a logical progression for me. It may have been the same for you. I'm sure that Brad had a great deal of contacts from whom he could get reliable referrals if he could not fill a position internally.

By the way it was at Wyanoke that I first applied for a Social Security Card with the help of Bea Stone in the office. I'm thinking, since I had no income for 1962, that 1st year JC's attended Camp at no charge and without a salary? Not sure about that. I am also thinking that JA's paid a reduced tuition as compared to full time campers?
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'56 - J-9 J. Moulton
'57 - J-11 J. Moulton
'58 - J-4 E. Web Dann, S. Hood
'59 - S-6 P. Leavitt
'60 - S-2 F. Avantaggio
'61 - JA-1 RK Irons
'62 - C-9 JC with P. Freeland
'63 - C-1 JC with S. Borger
'64 - C-6 Councilor