Camp Rotex 1924 Felt

Boy Scouting began in 1912 in Florence, Alabama.  The first troop chartered to the area was not a BSA unit, but instead was affiliated with British Scouting.  By 1914 the BSA had over three troops in the area and the movement began to thrive.  Local Civic Groups such as Kiwanis, Rotary and the Exchange Club saw the benefit of Scouting and wanted to secure a Summer Camp facility for the Scouts.  So in 1923, the Florence Rotary and Exchange Clubs decided to go in as partners and sponsor the local camp.  Located on Waterloo & Wildwood Park Roads near Cypress Creek, the camp came alive in 1924.

The Exchange Club did a lot of the infrastructure work to get the Camp ready. So much so they practically ran out of money. The Rotary Club had to step in to finish things and in turn ordered the first Camp Patch in Alabama for the Scouts.  The 1924 Camp Rotex patch picured was made by Standard Pennant of Big Run, PA and was a sewn Golden Yellow and Dark Royal Blue.  The camp took its name from the combination of Rotary and Exchange - thus Ro-Tex.  Since the Florence Rotary Club ordered the patches, they made sure they had their logo - the Rotary Cog along with the word "Rotary" and the City.  This is easily the most difficult to find Scout Camp patch in Alabama and likely the South.  This particular patch belonged to Mr. Alfred McCroskey, Sr. who served for many years as the Eaglemaster in Florence.  I was given this patch after his passing in 2007 some 31 years after he chaired my Eagle Scout Board of Review.  A great keepsake!