Organizations Plan to Rehabilitate Fort Rotary – Camp Trask in Monrovia Canyon

By Terry Miller

The Los Angeles Area Boy Scouts Council, the Rotary Club of Arcadia and Arcadia Chinese association will be holding a press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m. at Arcadia Council Chambers, 240 W. Huntington Drive.

The purpose of the conference will be toannounce plans for the rehabilitation of Fort Rotary at the Boy Scout CampTrask in the foothills above Monrovia.

Two Arcadia Rotarians, John D. Murphy and GeorgeFasching, gave this newspaper a tour of the reservation two years ago. Itreally is any kid’s dream: a real Fort nestled in the woods where the scoutingpossibilities are endless for boys and girls of all ages.

Camp Trask is an extraordinary experience,tucked into Monrovia Canyon close to the cities it serves. A brief drive up ameandering road camp and you are suddenly into a calming wilderness setting.The silence in camp is broken only by the sound of the year-round stream whichflows through camp.

Fort Rotary was built and completed in 2003 witha dedication held Oct. 19 of that year.

Fort Rotary — where Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts andWebelos work on crafts such as ropes, knots, leatherworks, basketry and woodcarving — is still being used but really needs an infusion of cash to get thenecessary repairs completed.

Other activities at the full size fort includemetal works, first aid training, environmental science, soil conservation,wildlife/mammal/bird studies, astronomy and a lot more.

Unfortunately, despite the money spent onbuilding the Fort, little if any, was put aside for the unique building’s muchneeded regular maintenance.

Fort Rotary was born thanks to the dedicatedcommunity members from Arcadia Rotary, Monrovia Rotary as wellas Sierra Madre Rotary Clubs who devoted countless hours, hard workand cash so that area kids could enjoy a taste of history first hand.

Plans for the rehabilitation will be outlined atthe press conference and fund-raising plans will be detailed.

Any questions may be addressed to Bob Harbicht,Arcadia Rotarian and Project Chairman, at (626) 484-4214.

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