Boy-Scout-Coin-1-1259977438.gif' alt='Old Time Scouting Games' title='Old Time Scouting Games' />Stumbling On The Abandoned Ruins Of King Zogs Long Island Estate. Ive recently been scouting around the Syosset area of Long Island, and have frequently found myself driving north on 1. And, every time I do, Ive noticed these gates clearly the entrance to an estate of some kind But why was there a chain across the front Curiosity finally got the best of me and I pulled over to have a closer look. Looking through the gate, it was pretty clear no one had used the entrance in quite a while, as the road beyond was cracked and overgrown, disappearing into the forest. Also, you could see the outline of two torches that used to adorn the pillars So what was the story Not wanting to trespass, I did some research later on and discovered that the dilapidated road through those gates would have once brought visitors here This is Knollwood Estate, a Gold Coast era mansion built for steel tycoon Charles Hudson between 1. Boys-Life-Norman-Rockwell-cover-Santa-and-Scouts-in-Snow-400.jpg' alt='Old Time Scouting Games' title='Old Time Scouting Games' />The mansion had 6. These pictures were taken in 1. Architecture magazine. However, people more commonly refer to the property as King Zogs estate. Volunteers expect fun and fellowship at a Wood Badge course, but much more awaits. Read on about how this training session helps newtoScouting adults lead more. Confidence and Team Building Games. We are seeking documentsfiles that we can add to this page. If you have anything that we could add please send us your ideas. BACK IN THE MID1990S while doing some office cleaning, Pat Hanlon, the New York Giants current senior vice president of communications, found crates of old college. Old Time Scouting Games' title='Old Time Scouting Games' />Who was King Zog Ahmet Muhtar Bej Zogolli, or Zog I, was the ruler of Albania from 1. After being ousted by Mussolini, Zog and his family fled to England. Plans were made to relocate to the United States, and in 1. Knollwood was purchased for their new home, at a cost of 1. Though Zog originally planned to use the estate as a satellite of Albania, complete with Albanian subjects at his disposal, he never moved in, and Knollwood fell into disrepair. Vandals soon descended on the property in search of treasure supposedly hidden by Zog in its walls, and the conditioned worsened. It was sold in 1. Well, mostly torn down today, the ruins of the Knollwood Estate lie in the Muttonwood Preserve. I decided to hike out to find them. Ive recently been scouting around the Syosset area of Long Island, and have frequently found myself driving north on 106. And, every time I do, Ive noticed. Er, it took a little longer than expected, as the trails are really poorly marked, and I kept getting lost in the woods. But after a bit of backtracking and bushwacking, I managed to find the path leading to the estate. This is Knollwood in 1. This is Knollwood today The most substantial remaining structure is the grand double staircasewhich the mansion once sat atop Vines now grow down the sides, which actually feels appropriate for its former splendor Two alcoves are positioned on either side, visible in the above historical pictures The stairs meet at what I think was once a fountainVandals have not been kind I love how angry the face is almost like shes infuriated at the state of the property The lower half almost looks like candle wax oh, how I wish I had stumbled upon a bunch of Long Island Satanists worshipping around a candlelit altar here The stairs are completely covered over by dirt. N.99902735.jpg' alt='Old Time Scouting Games' title='Old Time Scouting Games' />I tried digging down to see if any steps remain, but couldnt get very far without a shovel The opposite staircase, littered with chunks of the estate I headed upstairs to where the mansion would have beenbut found only overgrowth Theres a clearing a little ways in, but they did a pretty good job of removing all traces of its existence Still, I love the curious remnants that persist, like this stone line running around the property. The more I kept digging around it, the more it continued Originally, the patio was made of brick Photo from the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities click for many more via Old. Long. Island. com. Brickwork can still be found below the dirt One of the few remaining balustrades A pillar, open at the side where a balustrade would have connected. LOW ROPES CHALLENGE GAMES Back to Back Players stand back to back with a partner with their elbows interlocked. Using each others back for support, the. Every year we help over 450,000 young people in the UK enjoy new adventures. Start your adventure today and find out about Scouting near youToday, the view off the balcony is not particularly impressive But had you been standing here a hundred years ago, you would have seen three tiers of lush gardens stretching out, as pictured in this 1. Photo from the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities click for many more via Old. Long. Island. com. Tunga Fonts. Fragments of these gardens can still be found. For example, a marble basin was positioned about midway down the center lawn Photo from the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities click for many more via Old. Long. Island. com. The platform for the basin is still in place the actual basin was moved to the Nassau House mansion Continuing on, you come to a staircase flanked by two columned structures These can be seen in the aerial shot, dividing the two gardens The staircase is still largely intact The eastern structure Sadly, much of it is crumbling It looks as though something was originally positioned in the center The western structure is in far worse shape, with chunks of cement literally dangling But one neat surprise remains the original tilework, now mostly covered by dirt Another one of those I wonder what this once was bitsA marble cornerbut to what An old plant potter, hidden in the brush I found one last structure at the farthest end of the property The top consists of an unidentified something resting on a circle of bricks The structure is sunk in the groundand actually is pretty large inside perhaps a storehouse of some kindJust beside it, I found this row of bricks. I started digging in the dirt, and the bricks kept going, and going, and goingAnd as it turns out, Knollwood has a lot more hidden than just ruins. In 2. 00. 1, some men were out orienteering when they noticed something shiny sticking out of the ground. It turned out to be a human bone, and the full skeleton of a 53 woman was soon unearthed, curled into a fetal position. Visiting the ruins of the Knollwood Estate is a great way to spend your Sunday. If you want to take the long route, grab a map at the Nature Center off of Muttontown Lane. If its cold and you want to take the quick route, park at the equestrian area off of 1. At the back of the parking lot, youll find a trail beside an information kiosk. Head down the trail, and youll quickly come to a second trail heading off to the left. Follow this for a little ways, eventually crossing a broken paved road, and youll come to Knollwoodin theory. Chances are, youll get a little lost, but with enough persistence youll stumble on the almost residence of King Zog I. For more infopictures on Knollwood, or other Long Island Estates, be sure to check out Old. Long. Island. com SCOUTIf you enjoyed reading this post, would you consider making a donation to help me make my first movie The goal is 5. Scouting NY readers have donated 3. Just 5 or 1. 0 can make a difference AND you get this snazzy Scouting NY stickermagnet as a Thank You giftClick here to donate today And hey, if youve made it this far, why not follow us via RSS, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or TumblrWhy Wood Badge Scouting magazine. Volunteers expect fun and fellowship at a Wood Badge course, but much more awaits. Read on about how this training session helps new to Scouting adults lead more successful packs, troops and crews. NO UMBRELLA TOPPED drinks served poolside. No quality time with your Kindle. No seaweed body wraps, no room service, no hot stone massages. Is Wood Badge a stress free vacation No. With a pull of the string, Kim Medill launches the Eagle Patrols rocket into flight above. The flight trajectory looks good to the Wood Badge participants standing behind her, but downrange, Senior Patrol Leader Bill Hemenway on left and Scoutmaster John Stone seem almost giddy when the rocket fails to hit its target. Cant really blame them, though. Theyre the target. But for a vacation that tests your limits, gives meaning to your time spent in Scouting and makes your job as a leader easier, just say yes to Scoutings pre eminent training course for adults. Your deluxe six day, all inclusive Wood Badge experience comes with decades of Scouting knowledge, a skilled and helpful staff and a guided tour through the entire Scouting program from Tiger Cubs to Venturing. And the price Less than a single night costs at that fancy resort with the pool. Wood Badge is expertly designed to stress you out, tie you in knots and take you on the same emotional roller coaster we put our Scouts on as they advance in the program. In other words, you might not leave Wood Badge feeling relaxed, but youre guaranteed to be recharged and ready to tackle any problem your Scouts throw your way. And it just might be the most fun youll ever have as a Scout leader. JOHN STONE STOPS himself just in time. A split second before shouting something to the entire troop, the Wood Badge Scoutmaster has a better idea. He walks over to Senior Patrol Leader Bill Hemenway, whispers in his ear and takes two large steps backward. Stone smiles as Hemenway clears his throat. Wed try to explain in detail whats happening in the pictures here, but we dont want to spoil the fun for when you take Wood Badge. Suffice it to say youre in for a treat, whether singing, cheering, hiking or participating in team development games. Staffers Bill Hemenway and Grace Davidson lead the Fox Patrol in song. Troop 1, lets make this a shortened break and meet back here in 1. Then well be back on schedule. To the uninitiated, Stones audible looks like a wasteful extra step. Why couldnt he just say it himself But Scouters know. The youth leaders run the program while Scoutmasters like Stone provide backup. Wood Badge, though, necessitates a temporary and essential exception to that rule. This is an adults only affair, so grown ups play all the parts. Thats why Hemenway, whose gray flecked hair signals hes no longer a teenager, takes on the role of the troops top youth leader. At various times during Wood Badge, grown men and women impersonate Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Venturers, den chiefs, troop guides, assistant patrol leaders, patrol leaders, scribes, chaplains aides, quartermasters, assistant senior patrol leaders, assistant Scoutmasters and a very hard working senior patrol leader and Scoutmaster. The role playing means that rather than click click clicking through an online training course or paging through a two dimensional handbook, adults who attend Wood Badge experience Scouting fundamentals by living them. Thats just what a group of 5. August 2. 01. 2 when they gave up a weeks vacation and several hundred dollars to meet at Philmont Scout Ranch for the Circle Ten Councils Wood Badge course. To help keep the course accessible to as many Scouters as possible, many councils Wood Badge courses take place at local camps. Circle Tens annual August course at Philmont distinguished itself as the only Wood Badge offering at the New Mexico paradise that was, until the Fort Worth, Texas based Longhorn Council joined the fun. The Buffalo patrol shows that team building can happen inside or out. Taking Wood Badge at Philmont with the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains as your neighbor is an extra square of chocolate in your smores awesome, but not essential. In reality, where you take Wood Badge matters little. The traditions, games, classes, activities, leadership lessons and course schedule are the same whether you take it in winter in Wichita or summer in Seattle. And the less you know going in, the better. Ken Davis, a historian who has served on 3. Wood Badge staffs, says open minded Scouters learn the most. Even if you dont know much about it, he says, going to Wood Badge gives you probably the best preparation better than any other thing we do for completely understanding Scouting. THE PATROL METHOD, devised by Scouting founder Robert Baden Powell, organizes Scouts into small groups. But whens the last time you actually worked in a patrol like group yourself At your day job, perhaps, or in your own troop all those years agoAt Wood Badge, participants join patrols of complete strangers, and everyone gets a turn as patrol leader. At first, the process feels forced You will spend 2. But by Day Three or Four, you realize the bonds formed with these Scouters wont end when the course does. A lot of that camaraderie stems from the were all in this together mindset. Just like our Scouts, Wood Badge participants get too much to do and not enough instructions or time in which to do it. But at the Philmont course, Beaver Patrol member Blake Atkins says this is only fair. It really helps you appreciate what we put our Scouts through, he says, when were given just a few minutes to accomplish a complex task. Thats intentional, says Dan Zaccara, a Silver Buffalo recipient who was one of the authors of modern Wood Badge. The way the course is frontloaded for the participants, he says, means everything is in their laps in the first two or three days. That puts stress in the system. Stress in the system puts them through all the stages of team development. Those stages include forming a disorganized group coming together, storming clashing as different ideas get shared, norming sharing control and compromising and performing skill and enthusiasm at their highest. The concept isnt a BSA creation. Its not even a this century creation. The stage names debuted in 1. In fact, you can find most of the leadership lessons taught at Wood Badge in the self help section of your local bookstore. But those books lack the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, and they dont include Scouting specific connections that convert abstract leadership lessons into something you can actually use. Oh, and unlike your offices awkward team building outings, everyone at Wood Badge actually wants to be there. Like Nancy Champion, an Owl Patrol member who says shes having the week of her life at Philmont. Ive worked with great groups and dysfunctional groups, she says. I was never able to understand why some worked and some didnt. Wood Badge really helps me connect the dots. THE WOOD BADGE formula started with a master plan or is it evil plan sharpened in 2. Zaccara and his colleagues on the Wood Badge task force. They decided to force patrols to that second stage of team development storming by adding pressure points. This usually results in a thunderclap of disagreements and frustration among otherwise friendly and courteous Scouters. The Beaver Patrol uses its mealtime to enjoy Philmonts stunning views.