Norris Hall
Norris Hall was built in 1935, just one year after this upper area (Frink's Farm) was purchased, significantly increasing the size of Camp Boyhaven. It was originally used as a recreation hall named in honor of Mr. Burton Norris of Schenectady Boy Scout Troop 29.
In 1935, the first National
Scout Jamboree was scheduled to be held in Washington, DC but an outbreak of
polio canceled the event at the very last minute. This decision left two
bus-loads of Schenectady Scouts quite literally "all dressed up with no
place to go". But Mr. Norris offered these stranded boys the opportunity to
spend a few weeks at a farm in Vermont. They took him up on the offer and
salvaged the summers of a lot of anxious Scouts. The Jamboree was rescheduled
and, as a result, both it and the name of Burt Norris were given a place in
Scouting history.
In 1945, the Main Mess Hall was moved from the lower level up to this location. The old buildings were hauled up the hill and attached to the rear of Norris Hall to serve as a kitchen storage area. In 1964, when Carter Hall was built with more modern kitchen facilities and seating for over 200 Scouts and staff, Norris Hall was returned to its original use as a recreation hall and summer camp activities center. In January of each year, Norris Hall becomes "Tyonek" and serves as the registration booth, starting line, and finish line for the Annual Klondike Derby which has run continuously at Camp Boyhaven (a.k.a. "Klondikaven") since the early 1960’s.