To begin the celebration, Scouting representatives are hosting a camp reunion Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., a $5 per person barbecue at 4 p.m. and scout style campfire to follow at 6 p.m.

"Anyone who has ever been to camp as a Scout or a counselor or was the parent of a camper is especially invited to attend," said Don Olson, the Scout executive in charge of Camp Gorsuch. "But the event is open to the general public to come see how much has changed at camp over the past years."

Camp Gorsuch began in 1955 with no buildings and a few short weeks of camping in military surplus tents near the shores of Mirror Lake. Since then, the camp and its popularity have steadily grown to accommodate up to 200 campers per week for most of the summer months. The camp has several permanent structures, including a large dining hall that is used often by other community groups during the off-camp season. There's a large indoor fire pit called Dan's Palace, a firing range, trading post, first aid office and plenty of cabins for counselors.

For Saturday's camp reunion, the staff is setting up "decade" booths for visitors to sign in at and share any photos, memorabilia or scout patches they may have from that era.

Scout representatives still items from the past years as well as volunteer workers to help run "Scout skills" booths representing the six decades that have transpired.

"We will see how folks do up against each other," Olson said.

For instance, back in the 1950s, Scouts learned Morse Code and Signal Flags.

Fire building, knot tying and rescue rope throwing are three other planned skill challenges.

Other 50th anniversary events planned include a time capsule; officials are still accepting items for it. T-shirts and Scout patches also will be available on a first come, first served basis Saturday.

For more information, go to www.bsawac.org.

This article published in The Alaska Star on Thursday, July 14, 2005.