THE MAX KIDS KNEW

From a kids view Max was a hero, a mentor, a father, a teacher, a counselor and a friend. I know because I am fortunate to be one of Max's kids. He had many kids and I think those that knew him as a kid and as an adult got a double blessing of Max. He loved to work with kids and preferred to get them out on the trail where he could have their full attention. Max was all about providing a challenge for kids in his own unique and wonderful way.

I first met Max in 1965 by responding to his bait in the form of an application at the scout office. This was a 2-week trail blazer trip. Kind of a captive audience for one of Max’s special programs that drew kids like a bear to honey. And all this time we just were there for fun. The worst part of the trip was we were ill clothed, ill equipped, inexperienced and of course always under fed. No trail, lots of rain and even a few tears. Ripe fruit for the Outdoor Schoolmaster Max. Yes, a perfectly set trap for Max’s unquenchable thirst for teaching kids some skills and attitudes in life. The best part was we had Max all to ourselves toshow us how a true leader takes care of business when the chips are down in the mountains.

After an arduous slog up through sopping huckleberry, soaking rain, dismal fog and steep timber Max finally led his soggy sheep to Island Lake. Here is where his leadership shifted into hyperdrive. As if rehearsed, he instantly gave directions for wood gathering and tent pitching. We could either succumb to certain hypothermia or follow his instructions. After a few of us managed to cut a tree for a tent center pole we discovered that the Master had actually started a life saving and morale boosting fire. Now we were truly in the grasp of our newly found Superman.

Around that fire and between many others to come his kids would learn of logging camps, fishing, steam loci’s, dynamite, scouts, climbing, CCC’s, ski touring, avalanches, bears, and axe throwing, trail locating, trail building, fire building, bridge building, log construction, fire lookouts, forest fires, safety, first aid plus trip planing, organization, searches, crashed airplanes, B-17 Bombers, Mountain Rescue, navigation, ESAR, Camp Shurman, further more route finding, survival, out door clothing, equipment, trees, tree falling, logging, weather even helping others, judgement, leadership, responsibility and life to name a few. We kids were in awe of this amazing man in special boots and green wool that carried an axe like a swagger stick as he walked a log.

By the end of that trip I had become much more confident in the woods and felt as though I had survived a rite of passage into a part of Max’s world. I also pledged to myself that I would never be that cold and miserable in the woods again. Later Max invited me to be on the first year Camp Sheppard Staff in 1966 that became a mold for many a fine youngster to follow. The rank of Eagle was very important to Max, so much that he made it a staff requirement. He was known to have driven long hours in the night to attend one of his kids Eagle Court of honor and probably with only a cheese sandwich along for dinner.

Max’s positive influence on his staff and other scouts can not be over estimated. The staff was a special mix of clean cut scouting, red-blooded adventure seekers and true team spirit that cared for one another. He instructed, encouraged and inspired us to take on exciting challenges of leadership where others would have held back. He gave us confidence and the freedom to succeed at whatever we dreamed of doing. And we did succeed. What a special program he developed to forge teenagers into responsible adults. However along this path of budding responsibility we did afford Max numerous opportunities to lie/ ah cover for us to those with a lesser sense of humor, staff spirit and youthful creativity. Such as the proper use of a hut porch, walk in freezer, axe throwing, Fireside cookies, bags of hard candy, lawn chairs, evergreen seedlings, Buick motor manuals, Camp Parsons dinner bell, row boats, canoes and totem poles. To this day the staff maintains it’s special fraternity. A group of Max ‘s mountain lovers of mutual respect and unique sense of humor.

Whenever you went to Camp the first order of business was to find Max. He was always happy to see you and let you know it. If you didn’t know how to shake hands Max would teach you. It was understood there was always a hello and goodbye while you looked him in the eye with a smile and a firm grip If we came to camp looking for something to do Max would give you a choice of projects or play, but we’d feel guilty if it were all play and no work. Max showed us how to make the most mundane task fun like stacking wood, freighting material or building trail. He usually had a very tactful way of telling you when you messed up, except the time Chuck burnt the tomato soup.

When we started to build the cable bridge, Max told me the most worthwhile projects are the ones that benefit others. I still believe that’s true. Max could quickly win the respect of his eager followers. One special weekend at Camp was called Mom and Me for 11 year old Webelo Scouts and their Moms. Max was to lead one of his special tree learning nature a hikes around Moss Lake. All but one boy was eager to begin. Max asked him why he didn’t want to go. The boy said he’d rather be playing the piano. His mother told Max he was concert quality and loved to play. With out missing a beat, Max asked the boy if he knew what a piano soundboard was made of. "No" the boy answered. "Sitka Spruce" Max replied and that he knew where to find one. The boy stood up and joined the group for the hike. Max made a point to wait until the very end of the hike to show the boy the Sitka Spruce. This was as much of who Max was as any of his many accomplishments. After the hike the boy’s mother came up to Max and said "We need more like you". Friends we all know there will only be one Max Eckenburg and we’re better to have shared a moment with him.

HAPPY TRAIL LOCATING MY FRIEND, I’LL MEET YOU AT YOUR ETERNAL CAMPFIRE IN HEAVEN