Waterfront dedicated to Lawrence Gindler

On Saturday, October 16, the Lawrence H. Gindler Waterfront at CubWorld, on the Lost Pines Scout Reservation was dedicated.

Gindler, a native of Gonzales, was active in the Boy Scouts of America his entire life. He died on May 1, 2002 after a lengthy battle with leukemia.

The opening prayer and the blessing of the waterfront were given by Pastor Michael McCaskill, formerly of Gonzales. After the blessing, J.T. Dabbs, the Chief Scout Executive of the Capitol Area Council, unveiled the plaque honoring Gindler for his contributions to Scouting. Dabbs spoke of the values of Scouting and the contributions that adults like Gindler unselfishly make to help young men grow to be adults with strong character and a sense of duty to God and Country.

The plaque read, "In Memory of Lawrence H. Gindler a Dedicated Lifelong Scouter, Whose Efforts in Aquatics Touched Many." Jack Gindler, Larry's brother, spoke of Larry's life in Scouting.

Gindler worked at the Lost Pines Scout camps for over 10 years. He was an adult Scout leader, and an instructor in swimming, lifesaving, rowing, canoeing, sailing and all things on the water. He was on the staff of the National Camping School, teaching leaders how to run aquatics programs from 1978 until the time of his death.

He was a Vigil honor member of the Order of the Arrow, which is a national organization within the Boy Scouts of honor campers whose mission is to serve. Scouts that receive the Vigil Honor are given an Indian name, and Larry's was "Wise Man of the Waters."

The new Gindler Waterfront is on Lake Bastrop and features a dock with a staging area for Scouts to prepare for getting in and out of the swimming and boating area. The waterfront has a nautical theme with a large diameter ship rope outlining the area. Scouts enter the area under a gateway that is capped by an aluminum canoe.

Just outside the roped area there is a covered pavilion that serves as an outdoor learning center for the waterfront and other activities at CubWorld. The pavilion, docks, and staging area are all connected by crushed granite walkways.

Rick Denison, Director of Support Services for the Council, stated that this was "one of the most significant improvements to the camp in several years and is being used year round for scouting activities at the camp."

After the ceremony family and guests enjoyed a barbeque lunch served under the pavilion, with a Scout and waterfront themed cake for dessert. Linda Gindler made centerpieces for each table with wildflowers and native plants that were held together by neckerchiefs collected throughout Larry's Scouting career.

The dedication was attended by guests from Odessa, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Gonzales, and more. The Gindlers were all touched by the showing of support for Larry's life of service to Scouting.