McCutcheon family honors wishes of lost loved one with donation to Camp Bucoco
A local Boy Scouts of America camp in Slippery Rock Township received a significant boost for future Scouting adventures.
After Chad McCutcheon died unexpectedly from a heart attack at 36 years old in 2018, his family honored his will by directing money from his estate to help complete the restoration of the main lodge at Camp Bucoco.
Scouts and adult leaders from Butler, Armstrong, Lawrence and Westmoreland counties gathered for a dedication ceremony on Oct. 5 when the structure was renamed as the Chad A. McCutcheon Leadership Lodge.
“I know his (Chad’s) help and support helped the Moraine Trail board and the executive director to move in that direction and honor Chad’s memory with dedicating it,” said Chad’s father, Calvin. “There was a nice crowd of Boy Scouts that heard Chad’s story that was presented by his brother, Nathan. I think it was very good for the young people that were there to hear that story and how Chad gave back.”
Chad earned the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 552 in his youth, and according to his parents, he remained active in Boy Scouts into adulthood by becoming a member of the Moraine Trail Council.
A portrait of him along with his uniform and sash with all of the merit badges he earned were hung on the walls of the lodge.
“We were completely honored and blessed for them to have made that decision and dedicate that building to Chad,” said Chad’s mother, Julie.
The council committee began the lodge restoration in 2019, but the cost more than doubled following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Officials from the council secured a grant to help fund part of the increase but were still facing a shortfall. That’s when the McCutcheon family stepped in and made sure the camp had enough funding to finish the project.
The building will be utilized for large events, and local packs, troops and crews will use it on weekends. A portion of the bequest was placed in the endowment fund, so future investment income can be used to maintain the structure.
“Chad was always giving of his time and money to ensure future generations of Scouts would enjoy the benefits of Scouting and the life skills youth learn,” Raymond Tennent, Scout executive/CEO for the council, said. “When Chad’s parents reached out to me with Chad’s bequest, I wanted the funds to be used for something memorable, and at the same time, beneficial for future Scouts. After some discussion, Calvin and Julie decided using the funds to rebuild an old lodge at Camp Bucoco would be what Chad wanted.”
