Frequently Asked Questions About Our Camping Program
Rumors have spread within the Des Plaines Valley Council community about a study now being conducted on camping opportunities offered by our Council, and how it this study might affect our Camp properties, and what actions might be taken. The following information answers many of the basic questions about this study and how you may become involved in this important project.
Questions
- What action is the Council taking regarding our three camps?
- How long will this study last and what will be the outcome?
- What are biggest problems we face in delivering summer camping opportunities to our youth?
- What action will be taken?
- What sorts of choices?
- What have other councils done?
- How will a final decision be reached?
- When will a final decision be made?
- Is the decision of the Board final?
1. What action is the Council taking regarding our three camps?
The Camping Opportunities Committee is conducting a study of how well our Council is fulfilling its Mission of serving youth through Council outdoor programs. Part of this study will be a close look at Council resources available for outdoor program usage, including our own three camp properties – Camp Tomo Chi-Chi Knolls in Illinois and Camps Shin-Go-Beek and Mach-Kin-O-Siew in Wisconsin.
2. How long will this study last and what will be the outcome?
The committee is analyzing every aspect of the outdoor programs currently offered Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers. The study will include our own Council properties as well as the day camps offered by our districts. A key part of this study is determining how can we deliver summer camping opportunities to the largest number of Scouts, far more than we are doing currently. To do this, the committee will seek out the widest range of ideas and opinions from Scouters, parents, and Scouts. The committee will likely conclude its work by the Spring of 2004 and present its report and any recommendations to the Board. Any final action would not affect 2004 Summer Camp programs.
3. What are biggest problems we face in delivering summer camping opportunities to our youth?
We start with the premise that summer camp is a critical element in a successful Scouting program. There is no question that our Council offers a wide range of fine camping experiences – the problem is that we offer them to a disturbingly small number of our Scouts. Over the last seven years, only 17.3 percent of our registered Cub Scouts participate in a summer camp, including our local day camps. This is far less than the minimum of 26.8 percent recommended by the BSA. We do better with Boy Scouts, averaging 48.1 percent of our total registered Scouts participating in a summer camp over the last seven years. This is just under the recommended minimum of 48.2 percent but far less than the national standard of 62.7 percent. This indicates we need to do a much better job in using the resources we have.
The committee has no preconceived conclusions it wants to prove or disprove. Every possible option is on the table. The committee has only one goal – to provide the best possible summer camping experience to the largest practicable number of Cub Scouts, and Boy Scouts, and Venturers. Identifying the ways to make that happen, however, may involve some tough choices.
Realistically, we cannot do nothing. The number of registered Scouts is increasing and we can’t serve all of our Scouts now. The problem is not our properties, per se – it is how we deliver the best possible program to the greatest number of Scouts. For one thing, we need to do a better job with our day camps. For another, we need to be sure we are making the best use of our resources. Ideally, we can keep and improve all three properties, though that will require an enormous capital campaign in a very uncertain economy. We can sell one or more of the properties and use the proceeds to improve the remaining properties or buy another property. We can also sell all three of our properties, and go into partnership with another Council in a shared property. With these options, however, there are no guarantees that we can get a fair price for a property or that we will have enough money to make the acquisitions or improvements we want or need. We also must be sensitive to the “alumni” of all our camps. There is a long and proud history at each of our camps that must be respected. None of these choices will be easy, so we need to make the right choice for both the near-term and distant future.
6. What have other councils done?
Many other councils have faced or are facing similar challenges with serving all of their youth, including Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Venturers, given current conditions and resources, including their camp properties. Because of high maintenance costs, the Chicago Area Council may be forced to close all or part of Camp Owasippe in Michigan unless a grass-roots fund drive raises $15 million by June of this year. It is unusual for one council to maintain three camps, as we do. We have been fortunate so far, although everyone will probably agree that we are spread thin in many areas, including equipment, maintenance and allocation of staff.
7. How will a final decision be reached?
It will be a long process. The first step has been taken with the Camping Opportunities Committee undertaking this study with the mandate that it be a transparent and collaborative process. Everyone in the DPVC community will have a chance to express himself or herself. The committee will accept comments and suggestions by mail, fax, and a new web page on the DPVC website, which will also include updates from the committee. In addition, “town-hall” type meetings will be held later this year to obtain comments and suggestions face-to-face.
8. When will a final decision be made?
We hope that by the Spring of 2004, the committee can conclude its work and present a report to the Board for final action. Any changes would not effect Summer 2004 Council Camping programs.
9. Is the decision of the Board final?
We hope that by the time the report is presented to the Board, a consensus will have been reached on the most fair, realistic course of action. That can be accomplished only if everyone has had an equal opportunity to be heard and every option examined. All of us together make up the Des Plaines Valley Council and we have all an equal stake in making the right decision.
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This page was last modified on Saturday, September 29, 2007 @ 01:45pm