Troop One of East Hartford CT

About Camp Niepsic!

       Camp Neipsic was purchased by Troop one 
on July 18, 1941, using funds raised in newspaper drives and a 
mortgage of $400, Paid off the following year.  It was purchased 
in hopes that the troop would use it for camping and other outdoor 
activities. In 1962, the Route 2 project aquired a portion of the 
property, leaving what you see now for us.
	 It has undergone many changes over the years. The Cabin 
and Lean-tos were either burned down or removed. The Flag Pole 
was donated in 2006 and delivered by Gary Keel form its former 
resting place in Shaw’s Plaza. It was set up in the center of the 
camp in 2006, the same time the Latrine was built. 
	 The Troop 1 Leadership have done many work weekends to 
improve the camp. Some of these are the Latrine, reconstructing 
Fire rings, installing benches and tables in the sites and putting 
in the Stairs to the pond and lower grounds. Signs were installed 
around the camp designating areas, an address post, new gate posts 
and barriers to keep unwanted traffic out. To date, roughly 350 man 
hours have been devoted since August of ’08!
	 A Time Capsule was placed in what is left of the Cabin’s 
fireplace. It is scheduled to be open in 2010. 
  
Campsites!

        There are currently eight campsites on the grounds. Prentiss 
is the Leader Area, names for the First Scoutmaster of Troop 1. Skybox 
overlooks the parade field and is a favorite among the Senior Patrol. 
The bulk of the troop use Paradise, Ghost Town and Hilltop, the 3 sites 
in the main area. Eagle’s nest is the most remote and is reserved for 
more experienced scouts. Pondview overlooks the pond, while Oasis is 
right on the shore. We are looking to expand that with 3-4 new sites 
and a Wilderness Survival area.

 
	 In the days following the Pequot War, Uncas led his Mohegans 
to hunt down any remaining enemies. Miantonomo, of the Narragansett 
tribes, helped to track down many as well. One young brave, Sunukkuhkau, 
was mistakenly accused of being a Pequot. He denied any relation and 
tried to prove his innocence. He went to Jacob Waterhouse, of Wethersfield, 
to plea for his life. The Captain listened to his words, but agreed with 
Uncas that he was a Pequot. Before Waterhouse could arrest him, he dove 
through the window of the home and ran.
	Pursued constantly, he fled across the river into what is now 
Glastonbury. He met squaw named Nittawosew and she hid him in a swamp 
outside her village.  When the Mohegans came and asked about the brave, 
none knew of him. The trail had gone cold.  For several months, Uncas 
and Waterhouse led their search parties in fruitless circles trying to 
find Sunukkuhkau.
	One spring day Chansomps, one of Uncas’ men was hunting dear 
along the edge of a bog. Trails crisscrossed the region and the ground 
rose and fell so sharply, that he had a hard time tracking the buck 
he’d spotted. As he came through a clearing at the top of a rise, he 
saw Nittawosew carrying food to a narrow ravine. As he watched, up from 
the ravine came Sunukkuhkau, the brave they had searched for. Chansomps 
watched as the two talked quietly and ate. 
	As it grew darker, he crept forward and prepared to attack the 
renegade Indian. As Chansomps brought his tomahawk down, Nittawosew 
threw herself in the way and took the blow to her chest. Sunukkuhkau 
quickly threw his knife and wounded Chansomps. Chansomps hurled his 
tomahawk and injured Sunukkuhkau, then fled to tell Uncas he had found 
Sunukkuhkau. 
	Nittawosew clung to life still. With her dying breath, she told 
Sunukkuhkau how much she loved him and that she was with child. He buried 
her at the bottom of the ravine and began searching the surrounding forest 
for Chansomps, revenge his sole purpose.
	To this day, if you listen close on moonless nights, you can still 
hear the hushed voice of Sunukkuhkau crying over his lover’s death as he 
walks from the ravine to the stream and searches for the one who killed her. 
On these nights, it is best to stay out of sight, for if he should see you, 
he may mistake you for Chansomps!