Camp Constitution’s Report for First Quarter 2021 by Hal Shurtleff, Director Camp Constitution
Camp Constitution’s Report for First Quarter 2021 by Hal Shurtleff, Director Camp Constitution
Our move from Boston, MA to Alton, NH took some time from our Camp Constitution activities, but since moving here, we have made many inroads with local Patriots resulting in speaking engagements, the use of several venues for Camp Constitution, and new attendees for our 2021 camp. When I lived in Boston, occasionally someone would come up to me while I was in the Camp Constitution Van and inquire about us, but up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, I get several a week. They always leave with a few camp pamphlets, and a pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution. Recently, a lady asked to take a picture of the van, and a clerk in the Alton post office saw our mailing label and said that after seeing the van, he checked out the website. The editor of a local paper “The Weirs Times” https://weirs.com/ published an article that I wrote, and ran our family camp ad free of charge, and said that he would gladly run future articles.
YouTube and Rumble Channels: We are averaging 5,000 views per month on YouTube. Our most popular video is “The Battle of Lexington Reenactment.” Our views have been down over last year. This may be due to YouTube’s “shadow banning” of our videos. YouTube has deactivated many of the channels of Patriotic organizations and we expect that YouTube will eventually ban us. As a result, we created a page on Rumble: https://rumble.com/account/content?type=all and encourage readers to subscribe. And while we are on YouTube, we encourage readers to also subscribe: Camp Constitution – YouTube
The Sam Blumenfeld Archive: 300,000 views this quarter with 7,000 PDFs of Sam’s Alpha-Phonics downloaded, over 3,000 copies of the Alpha-Phonics instructions, and 800 downloads of other books. https://campconstitution.net/sam-blumenfeld-archive/
Recently, Cathy Duffy, a friend of the late Sam Blumenfeld, and author, wrote a review of the Archives: Blumenfeld’s Alpha-Phonics (cathyduffyreviews.com)
Camp Constitution Radio on Podomatic: We have been in the top five for the conservative category with 3,800 visits, 1825 downloads of shows and 700 plays. We interviewed author James Perloff, Kevin McGary, co-founder of Every Black Life Matters, and in addition to our radio shows, we are posting audio presentations by Sam Blumenfeld https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal
Facebook Page: While we maintain a Facebook page for Camp Constitution, and other pages and groups, Facebook had deleted my account for a month. Like YouTube, we expect Facebook to eventually delete our account. As a result, we created pages on MeWe https://mewe.com/group/5e0cca3101162c26682b7278.
Speaker’s Bureau: We had eight speaking engagements in the first quarter.
Camp Constitution’s Website: We had 11,000 views for the first quarter, and posted 40 blogs: https://www.campconstitution.net
Camp Constitution Press: We are experiencing a steady demand for Color, Communist and Common Sense, and And Not a Shot is Fired. We have been promoting our publishing arm to several national conservative leaders.
Camp Constitution Book Sales:
We have raised close to $2,000 from donated books from our Amazon, Facebook page, and on-line bookstore. https://campconstitution.net/shop/
Camp Constitution Media: While the unconstitutional lockdown has forced many organizations to cancel their events, we have resumed our Greater Boston Friends of Camp Constitution monthly luncheons and videotaped and uploaded several of the programs. We videotaped the annual celebration of Evacuation Day at Boston’s Dorchester Heights.
Article V Convention: We took a role in the resounding defeat of two pro-Article V resolutions in New Hampshire, and hosted a radio debate with Robert Brown (against an Article V Convention) and New Hampshire State Rep Max Abramson https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-02-20T17_19_51-08_00
Camp Constitution in the News: Our Christian flag lawsuit was, as we expected, rejected by the U.S. 1st Circuit Court of Appeals and will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. https://lc.org/newsroom/details/012221-next-step-for-christian-flag-us-supreme-court-1
Radio and Cable TV: We were guests on several radio shows including Wisconsin Christian News Network, and an appearance on the Inform New Hampshire Show in Manchester, NH
The Lane House and Learning Center: We resumed out monthly meeting and potluck and, as mentioned above, our monthly luncheons. We are in the process of organizing the library of over 3,000 books and cataloging the 10 filing cabinets of the works of Sam Blumenfeld. A Mr. Rouvain Bension of Brookline, MA reached out to us and offered to help organize an inner-city literacy program. We are in the process of staring such a program using Sam’s Alpha-Phonics
Camp Constitution Ladies Group: The Ladies have planned a “Spring Fling” Retreat later this month and have held meetings at the Lane House over the past few months.
The Agenda 21 Challenge: Debbie Bacigalupi created Camp Constitution’s Agenda 21 Challenge. One of the outcomes is a Podcast entitled “Truth from the Youth” with veteran campers Gus Kalis and Stephen Mauder. We have posted the Podcasts on our Podomatic Page: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-02-12T17_11_49-08_00
Camp Constitution’s 2021 Family Camp:
We are taking applications for our 2021 family camp, and like last year, are offering an “Early Bird” discount of $50. per fee if we receive the registration by June 1. Applications can be downloaded from our site: https://campconstitution.net/camp-registration/
How you can help Camp Constitution grow:
* Keep Camp Constitution and our nation in your prayers.
* Become a donor. Monthly and/or one-time donations can be made via our PayPal account accessed from our website https://www.campconstitution.net
* Host one of our speakers.
* Attend our annual family camp or help a worthy young person or family attend.
* Introduce Camp Constitution to family and friends.
*Write an article for our camp blog.
I have been the full-time director since February of 2017 and it wouldn’t have been possible without the Blessing of God, and people like you that have made my position possible, I want to express my gratitude to each and everyone of you. May God bless you and yours in these troubling and challenging times.
Hal Shurtleff, Director
Camp Constitution
The Weekly Sam: Riots, Revolution, and the Creation of a Permanent Black Underclass
In the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Sam Blumenfeld did a brief interview explaining that the Elites who run our government schools share a part of the blame for the riots. He said that their policies have led directly to the creation of a black underclass that is illiterate, angry and useful to the Elite. While these words were spoken almost 30 years ago, he could have been commenting about today’s situation.
In June of 198, Sam dedicated a newsletter entitled “Eugenics in American Education and the Making of a Black Underclass: http://blumenfeld.campconstitution.net/1987/BEL%2002-06%20198706.pdf
Sam dedicated his life exposing the Elites and worked to make America literate again. . He volunteered his time to an inner-city organization in Boston’s Roxbury section called the WAAITT-We Are All In This Together-House where he taught phonics to adults.
Here is a link to an MP3 version of the interview posted on our Podomatic page:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-03-30T18_03_25-07_00
Riots, Revolution and the Creation of a Permanent Black Underclass – YouTube
The Weekly Sam: Is Public Education Necessary: A Lecture by Sam Blumenfeld
Sam Blumenfeld, a pioneer in the modern homeschool movement, gives a presentation about his book “Is Public Education Necessary?” This presentation was conducted in 1980 at a meeting of a chapter of Americans for Constitutional Action in Newton, Massachusetts.
Here is a link to an MP3 version of the presentation on our podomatic page: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-03-25T15_36_50-07_00
Most of Sam’s works have been archived on the Blumenfeld Archives: https://campconstitution.net/sam-blumenfeld-archive/
Covid 19 and the New Agendas Red Pilled: An Interview with author James Perloff
We recently caught up with our friend James Perloff to discuss his recent book Covid 19 and the New Agendas” on Camp Constitution Radio. Here is a link to the interview: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-03-26T13_55_04-07_00
To get a free PDF version or order the paperback version, please visit Mr. Perloff’s website http://www.jamesperloff.com
And a synopsis of the book:
Drawing on statements of numerous scholars from around the world-virologists, epidemiologists, immunologists, pathologists, microbiologists, infectious disease specialists, including Nobel Prize winners, as well as front-line ER physicians and family practice MDs-veteran journalist James Perloff asks hard questions about the global response to COVID-19. Are the virus’s health risks greater than those posed by the lockdowns?, What does the science say about masks and social distancing?, Why were no lockdowns imposed for previous pandemics of comparable magnitude?, How accurate are the death numbers attributed to COVID-19?, Is the virus completely natural, or could bio-engineering have played a role?, Should the world’s population take a Covid vaccine developed at ‘warp speed’?, Why is Bill Gates formulating health policy, even though he has no medical credentials?, How might a ‘second wave’ be different?, Is the Covid crisis being exploited to push us into an Orwellian future of mass surveillance, digital IDs and cashless transactions?, Perloff draws from mainstream publications and official government sources such as the CDC, as well as independent researchers whose work is increasingly hard to find online due to censorship by tech giants like FaceBook, Google and YouTube
Every Black Life Matters-the Biblical Alternative to Black Life Matters: An Interview with Kevin McGary
Rev. Steve Craft and I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Kevin McGary, co-founder of Every Black Life Matters https://everyblm.com on Camp Constitution Radio. Every Black Life Matters supports the lives of all blacks including the unborn as well as the innocent victims of inner-city crime. We uploaded the MP3 on our Podomatic page: https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-03-21T16_43_44-07_00
And on our YouTube Channel:
The Weekly Sam: Humanism vs Christianity: A Lecture by Sam Blumenfeld
The late Sam Blumenfeld, a pioneer in the modern homeschool movement, conducts a presentation on the influence of Humanism in our government schools and its war on Christianity. Sam also explains his conversion from atheism to Christianity:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-03-20T10_46_14-07_00
Know Your Constitution
Jay Leno, former host of the “Tonight Show”, was known for his street interviews where he would ask people basic questions on U.S. History and the Constitution. Most of those he asked failed miserably. While it made for entertaining television, Leno never addressed the reason why most Americans have no knowledge of basic questions like who we fought in World War II or who is the current Vice-President of the United States nor did he offer any solutions. Camp Constitution participates in Constitutional outreach events where we offer folks a 10-question quiz on the U.S. Constitution and offer all- takers a free pocket copy. Our goal is not to make people feel stupid; our goal is to help Americans become Constitutionally literate.
In the Summer of 2018, I was in Lynchburg, VA where I encountered Jennifer Lewis, Democrat candidate for Congress. I asked Ms. Lewis where one would find the job description for a member of Congress. She gave me that “Deer in the Headlight” look so I rephrased the question: “Where would one find out about the duties, and powers of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.” Her reply in an unsure tone of voice “Online?” I told her that you can indeed find the info online, but the source is Article One of the U.S. Constitution. I then handed her a pocket copy of the Constitution and suggested that she learn it. Thankfully, she lost her election. It is not just Democrats who are ignorant about the U.S. Constitution; most Republicans seem to have little knowledge of it as well. A few years ago, at a county fair in New Hampshire, I asked former Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown to take the quiz. He had an allergic reaction to the quiz and refused to take it. His voting record as a U.S. Senator clearly demonstrated that he did not know the Constitution, or he willfully ignored his oath of office. I am happy to report, however, that the 2019 Miss Maine, Carolyn Brady stopped by our info table at the Crown of Maine Balloon Festival in Presque Isle, and received a 90% on our quiz. She would have got a perfect score, but she changed an answer.
Let me challenge the readers to the questions in the quiz. (Answers below)
1, Which amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms?
2, What is the age requirement for the U.S. Senate?
3, Which amendment reads “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs”? (It is not a trick question if you know the Constitution.)
4, Lawmaking abilities are vested in which branch of government?
5, How many amendments does the Constitution have?
6, Which branch of government has the power to regulate education?
7, Where in the Constitution is foreign aid mentioned?
8, How many senators are needed to ratify a treaty?
9, Which branch of Congress initiated the impeachment process?
10, Which branch of government declares war?
Our information tables where we offer this quiz can be found at the regional homeschool conventions, fairs, gun shows, and public venues like Boston Common. The average grade of our quiz is 30%. After seeing it, many people refuse to take it. Homeschoolers tend to score higher than most. Gun show attendees get the first question correct but go downhill after that. Bostonians do abysmal but tourists visiting Boston and foreigners usually score above average.
Since our inception in 2009, we have distributed over 20,000 copies of the Constitution. We have conducted numerous “Know Your Constitution” presentations around the region. If your organization or school would like to host one of speakers, please contact me. We are offering a free pocket copy of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence to the first 100 readers. E-mail me with your mailing address campconstitution1@gmail.com.
Answers:
1, The Second Amendment. The U.S. Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms. Rights do not come from government. Our founders made it clear that rights came from God.
2, 30 years old
3, This is not in the U.S. Constitution. It is a plank in the “Communist Manifesto.”
4, Congress.
5, 27
6, None. The U.S. Constitution does not grant any power to the Federal government to regulate education,
7, Foreign aid is not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution which makes it unconstitutional.
8, 2/3rds of those present. A quorum of 51 is needed to do business.
9, The House of Representatives. The House has no power to impeach private citizens which includes former presidents even those they hate.
10, Congress. The last time that United States declared war was in December of 1941. 1n 1945, Congress passed the U.N. Participation Act unconstitutionally giving the United Nations the power to send our troops in so-called police actions. A link to a PDF version of the quiz: https://campconstitution.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Camp-Constitution-U-S-Constitution-Quiz.pdf
Hal Shurtleff is co-founder and director of Camp Constitution. Hal is an Army veteran who spend a tour with the 101st Airborne, and a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. He hosts a weekly radio show which airs on WBCQ in Montecello, Maine. He is married with five children, and one grandchild. A life-long Boston, MA resident, he and his family recently relocated to Alton, NH.
Evacuation Day March 17, 1776
March 17, 2021 marks the 245th anniversary of the British evacuation from Boston and General George Washington’s 1st victory. After the Battle of Bunker Hill which took place on June 1775, Boston was under siege from the newly formed Continental Army. In early March of 1776, cannons captured at Ford Ticonderoga transported to Boston, under the leadership of General Henry Knox. and used to fortify Dorchester Heights in South Boston. This allowed the Continental Army to be able to fire cannons unopposed by the British. After viewing the efforts of the Colonialists, British General William Howe said “The rebels have done more in one night than my whole army would have done in a month.” Howe who didn’t want to see a repeat of the Battle of Bunker Hill which was won by the British but at a high cost of lives, decided to vacate Boston.
Every year, the Henry Knox Color Guard of the Massachusetts Sons of the Revolution, https://www.massar.org/ , celebrate this important day in our history with a ceremony on Dorchester Heights. This year’s ceremony was held a few days ago due to the state’s stringent and unconstitutional Covid 19 restrictions. Camp Constitution was on hand for the ceremony:
The Weekly Sam–How to Tutor
In 1973, Sam Blumenfeld wrote How to Tutor. It was written to help parents start private schools and/or homeschool their children. A PDF version of the book is available here https://campconstitution.net/sam-blumenfeld-archive/
And here is a link to an audio version of his presentation made in the early 1990s:
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/shurtleffhal/episodes/2021-03-12T07_05_42-08_00
Announcing Camp Constitution’s 1st Annual Ladies “Spring Fling” Retreat Friday April 16 to Sunday April 18
CAMP CONSTITUTION LADIES SPRING FLING!
WHEN: Friday, April 16, 5pm – Sunday, April 18, 2pm
WHERE: SINGING HILLS CHRISTIAN CAMP
71 King Drive; Plainfield, NH 03781
OFFERINGS: Friday, April 16 at 5pm: Ladies Potluck!*
Saturday & Sunday: Devotions… Edith Craft
Excellent Menus… Chef Alex
3 Delicious Meals on Saturday; 2 on Sunday
Marksman Skill-Building … Guest(s)
AT THE TABLE: “Useful and Common Plants for Our Everyday Lives” …
Bonnie Manchester and Charmaine Rondon
“A Spring Craft: Doing a Swag!” … Maura Shurtleff
“Planning for Camp Constitution 2021” … Roberta Stewart,
Kathy Mickle, Maura, Edith, Bonnie, Others
“Looking at Events After Shay’s Rebellion” …
COST: $200.00 / Includes Lodging, Meals, and Supplies!
Payments via Camp C.’s PayPal Account, homepage
https://www.campconstitution.net OR
Payments by check payable to: Camp Constitution.
Mail to Maura Shurtleff, 146 Powder Mill Rd., Alton, NH 03809
RSVP: YES! At campconstitution.net or call a Contact below.
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Contacts for Questions/Comments/Suggestions: Roberta Stewart 301-233-8613; Edith Craft
732-501-0087; Maura Shurtleff 857-498-1310
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*For Pot-Luck Friday Meals, Crockpots can be plugged in upon arrival. Cold items can be refrigerated.
**An Agenda will be available with tentative times listed for above activities.