As quaint, historic, and interesting as Treasure Island is (the oldest continuously operating Scout camp in the USA and the birthplace of the Order of the Arrow), there are, as we found out, certain disadvantages that go with a camp that's situated on an island. As we began our annual trek to summer camp, a large front settled along the east coast bringing with it torrential rains that lasted for days. Here in the DC area there was flooding everywhere -- creeks overflowed, the Beltway was shut down due to a mudslide, and many of the federal buildings and museums were closed because of the flooding. And, at Treasure Island, the Delaware River began a very rapid rise in its level necessitating the evacuation of everyone on the island on Tuesday evening.
The trip started as expected with everyone arriving at the island, getting set up and starting their activities. By Monday, all activities on neighboring Marshall Island (COPE and shooting sports) had to be cancelled -- Marshall is lower lying than Treasure Island and the bridge was inundated. But, the rest of the activities went on and it appeared that, while the river would run high, flood levels were not expected. Merit badge classes began, the dining hall was serving up great food, and the 1018 built a great gateway for its campsite. On Monday afternoon the troop took a bike trip to Frenchtown and canoed back. The canoe trip along the rising river was a story unto itself, but everyone made it back safe and sound. At last report, though, a couple of the canoes were still on their way to Philadelphia. On Tuesday the river began to rise rapidly, but the predictions still called for high water -- certainly not a flood. By late Tuesday, however, the predictions of the pending crest of the water were rising as fast as the water itself and shortly after dinner the decision was made to evacuate the island. Everyone was given ten minutes to gather a sleeping bag and a few personal items and meet to take the barge trip back to the mainland. Minutes before, Enrique had been elected mayor of Treasure Island in what will probably go down in history as the shortest tenure in office -- ever. The evacuation went smoothly and professionally and the troop was taken to a local firehouse and from there loaded up and headed home.
Picture taken on Tuesday, the rising Delaware River The fire marshal in action
The start of a basketry merit badge
The great horseshoe match Working on the gateway
The river is rising The main dock . . . but with the sun out there was hope that the worst was over
Ready to evacuate On the boat heading to the mainland
The mayor goes over his roster Back on the other side
At the firehouse
Picture from the local newspaper -- only days before, we'd driven through this intersection