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 to announce plans for the rehabilitation of Fort Rotary at the Boy Scout Camp Trask in the foothills above Monrovia.
Two Arcadia Rotarians, John D. Murphy and George Fasching, gave this newspaper a tour of the reservation two years ago. It really is any kid’s dream: a real Fort nestled in the woods where the scouting possibilities 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 a meandering 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 which flows through camp.
Fort Rotary was built and completed in 2003 with a dedication held Oct. 19 of that year.
Fort Rotary — where Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Webelos work on crafts such as ropes, knots, leatherworks, basketry and wood carving — is still being used but really needs an infusion of cash to get the necessary repairs completed.
Other activities at the full size fort include metal works, first aid training, environmental science, soil conservation, wildlife/mammal/bird studies, astronomy and a lot more.
Unfortunately, despite the money spent on building the Fort, little if any, was put aside for the unique building’s much needed regular maintenance.
Fort Rotary was born thanks to the dedicated community members from Arcadia Rotary, Monrovia Rotary as well as Sierra Madre Rotary Clubs who devoted countless hours, hard work and cash so that area kids could enjoy a taste of history first hand.
Plans for the rehabilitation will be outlined at the 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.
