Camp Whip O Will in Merrimack was recently renamed Camp Creager in honor of Anita Creager, who has dedicated more than 50 years to scouting. Courtesy photo

MERRIMACK – Anita Creager is a true Merrimack community treasure. She was recently honored for more than 50 years of service and mentorship in scouting by Troop 424 Merrimack. Creager is also known for her civic involvement and leadership in the Merrimack Historical Society.

A banquet was held in her honor on Sept. 16 at Camp Carpenter in Manchester. There were more than 160 people in attendance including approximately 25 Eagle Scouts from Troop 424 and Troop 15. Also in attendance were State Sen. Shannon Chandley, State Reps. Jeanine Notter, William Boyd, Maureen Mooney, Robert Healey as well as Town Council Representatives Nancy Murphy and Barbara Healey.

Creager founded Troop 424 in 1972 with fellow Merrimack resident Bud Hahn.

Prior to that, she served with Troop 15, the only scout troop in Merrimack at the time.

One of Creager’s greatest legacies has been preserving and maintaining Camp Whip O Will. The 23-acre parcel was originally donated by James Gates and has been open to all town scouting groups since the 1970s. A true gem of Merrimack, Camp Whip O Will is one of the few camps in New Hampshire dedicated exclusively for scout use. Creager has been a trustee of the property since 1985 and has supervised the maintenance of the property.

What greater honor, therefore, than to rename the camp in her honor. Creager was shocked and thrilled when the new overhead entrance sign was revealed. For decades to come scouts will be greeted with this beautiful sign welcoming them to Camp Creager. The sign was designed and built by Assistant Scoutmaster David Gailus of Merrimack.

Creager was honored by Joseph Biedrzycki, director of the Scout Museum, who spoke of her time, effort and organization of thousands of donated items to help preserve scouting history.

Many spoke of Creager’s impact on their lives and what a great friend and mentor she has been. She has guided hundreds of youth in scouting as they navigate through scout ranks. Over the years, Creager has watched 68 of her scouts attain the organization’s highest rank of Eagle Scout.