Summer

The first cadre of cadets arrived to start the Naval School in 1902, under the direction of Major Leigh R. Gignilliat and his brother, Lieutenant Commander T.H. Gignilliat.

Throughout the three-year program, cadets attended a wide range of classes, including trigonometry, knotting, naval customs, and nautical astronomy. The young men who completed the program received a certificate of graduation and a recommendation to the Navy with the rank of officer.

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When Culver’s second summer program, the Cavalry School, opened in the summer of 1907, success was instant. Under the command of officer Major Rossow, the program reached full enrollment before the first summer began.

Troopers had access to academic courses, but the program’s focus was on practical instruction in areas such as boxing, fencing, and rifle practice. The Cavalry School continues to be fundamental today.

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By 1912, Colonel Leigh R. Gignilliat had developed an interest in the Boy Scouts. He enlisted General Baden-Powell, Boy Scouts founder, and Daniel Carter Beard, National Scout Commissioner, to help form the camp program.

In 1977, the Woodcraft Camp became coed. Today, around half of the camp population is female. All Camp attendees enjoy the sports, crafts, canoeing, and Indian lore; core elements of the program from the start.

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