Residents at The Watermark at East Hill Attend "Senior Patrol Campout" With New Milford Boy Scouts

On Saturday, September 6, eight residents and eight associates from The Watermark at East Hill senior living community in Southbury joined Boy Scout Troop 158 of New Milford for the First Annual “Senior Patrol Campout” at Camp Mattatuck in Plymouth.

Throughout the day, the Boy Scouts and residents worked and played side-by-side and participated in several camping-inspired activities. Troop members gave lessons on fundamental Scouting skills including knot-tying, compass navigation, fire building and campfire cooking. The day ended with a meal prepared by the entire group and campfire songs, before turning in for the evening inside the camp’s Leever Lodge.

The event was organized by Jim Bain, Dining Services Director at The Watermark, and the former Scoutmaster of Troop 158.

“I’ve known Jim for a long time, and am so grateful we’ve been able to develop this relationship with The Watermark and its residents,” said John Norcross, Troop 158 Scoutmaster. “This weekend’s Senior Patrol Campout was a great experience for these young men, and provided them with a valuable intergenerational experience and the opportunity to showcase leadership skills they will carry with them as they get older.”

The event was also attended by Denise Julian, Director of Health Services at The Watermark at East Hill.

“Our residents are accustomed to seeing Troop 158 at The Watermark for different campfire events, and were so excited to attend an authentic campout with them,” said Julian. “This is a wonderful example of how The Watermark strives to provide unique and extraordinary activities for our residents to help keep them active, motivated and fully engaged in life. Many residents were active in Scouts as members, leaders or volunteers, which made this even more nostalgic and special.”

One of the residents who attended the campout was Andre Rahoczy, who participated in the Hungarian version of Boy Scouts while growing up in Hungary.

“I was looking forward to this event for some time, and it was great fun to spend the weekend with the Boy Scouts, and to see how much Scouting has changed since my days as a child,” said Rahoczy.

For more information, or to see a slideshow of pictures from the Senior Patrol Campout, please visit The Watermark at East Hill’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WatermarkAtEastHill.

About The Watermark at East Hill:
The Watermark at East Hill, situated on 55 acres overlooking the Pomperaug River Valley in Southbury, CT, is a distinctive community for seniors, offering exceptional independent living, assisted living, skilled rehabilitation and memory care. In September 2012, The Watermark at East Hill opened The Villa which offers innovative memory care services in a small-house designed residence for just 14 individuals. The Watermark at East Hill is professionally managed by Watermark Retirement Communities, a company committed to creating extraordinary communities where people thrive.

For more information, please visit www.watermarkcommunities.com/EastHill or www.facebook.com/WatermarkAtEastHill.