Bankruptcy Losses

[InquisitiveScouter]

PTC plans to appeal to the State Supreme Court.

Grrrrrr

[RememberSchiff]

Seemingly, it takes a Judge to keep a Council trust worthy.

[RememberSchiff]

Hawkeye Area Council (Iowa) is selling Camp Waubeek to pay $446,000 settlement obligation.

Camp Waubeek is the portion being sold to cover the debt obligation due to sex crimes from the past. It’s a 97-acre piece of land just south of Camp Wakonda, the main camp.

https://www.kcrg.com/2022/10/28/hawkeye-area-council-selling-one-its-camps-pay-446000-obligation/

Edited October 29, 2022 by RememberSchiff

[RememberSchiff]

On 3/19/2022 at 7:34 AM, RememberSchiff said:

Minsi Trails Council is selling 900 acre Trexler Scout Reservation property in Monroe County, PA (Poconos) to help cover its $2.6 million conribution to the Trust.

"The council said it will take out a $4.5 million loan to help cover the debt and operations."

Starting in 2024, all Minsi Trails camping will occur at Camp Minsi on the 400-acre Stillwater Lake in Coolbaugh and Tobyhanna townships.

“Respectfully, this is quite possibly the most horrible decision that council leadership could have made,” Matthew Miles of Palmerton posted in a Facebook response to Minsi Trails Council’s post. “Thanks to the donation of the land by General Harry C. Trexler a century ago, scouting was given a chance to grow and flourish in Eastern Pennsylvania. Now, because no one wants to explore all options, or think outside of the box, this land will be gone. There is zero chance of getting this land back.”

“We were told nothing was going to change with the camps,” Peter Felton said. “To consolidate into one camp is ridiculous. It will require infrastructure. [Trexler] has two dining halls, a pool and an area built for the Cub Scouts, which Minsi would need to put in. This camp has been here since I was a child and it’s a legacy going away.”

In the last ten years, Council Boy Scout membership has declined from over 10,000 youth to 4,500.

Minsi Trails Council will also sell/relocate its Service Center and Scout Store. 

https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-trexler-scout-reservation-closing-20220317-724t6mcsnnf5xf5qasshfjby6y-story.html

https://www.minsitrails.org/document/mtcstatement/208688

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2022/03/local-boy-scouts-council-to-sell-poconos-camp-to-pay-for-sexual-abuse-settlements.html

 

 

Update 12/21/2022: Camp Trexler, Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT)

PHLT plans to put in a bid as soon as the property gets listed for sale in the first quarter of 2023, but one complication in the matter is that the land trust is only allowed to pay the appraised value of a property.

So, a win for PHLT might look like someone else buying the property — a hunting club or church group, for example — and partnering with the PHLT to preserve it.

“If we can’t buy the property, we want to work with whoever does buy the property to make sure that it’s not developed,” PHLT Executive Director Louise Troutman said. Ideally, that solution would involve public access, but at the very least, PHLT wants it protected by a conservation easement even if it does not become a nature preserve that is open to the public.

...

Supporters can sign a petition at phlt.org and pledge money if they are interested in helping fund the purchase.

Troutman noted that previous generations of some of the farming families in the Jonas area sold farmland to the Scouts.

“They didn’t sell it for development. They sold it for the benefit of the boys,” she said.

More at source:

https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/environment/2022/12/21/boy-scout-camp-sale-in-poconos-would-go-towards-victims-of-sex-abuse/69734886007/

 

Edited December 21, 2022 by RememberSchiff

[Eagle94-A1]

Saw this on a district's webpage today. While the post and  at fireside chat meeting, the council said it was to focus on the main camp, one Exec Board member, told me that is not what they were told. It was to cover the cost of the settlement. Either way a great primitive camp is lost.

 

To: East Carolina Council Membership Youth and Volunteers

Subject: Sale of Camp Charles, Bailey, N.C.

 

The Board of East Carolina Council would like to notify our membership that we have finalized the sale of Camp Charles in Bailey N.C. This was a difficult and complex decision as this property has been in use by our council for over ninety years to serve youth.

 

In 2021, the Board evaluated the complexities and financial burden of maintaining numerous properties across our council. In short, we were unable to adequately maintain all properties to meet the needs of our membership and sustain East Carolina Council’s scouting mission. The board came to this difficult decision after evaluating three key dynamics in maintaining properties:

 

·Costs - costs for maintenance and repair at multiple camp properties across our twenty

(20) county council territory

 

·NCAP Standards – the prudent and increasing camp standards (NCAP – BSA’s National

Camp Accreditation Program)

 

·Focus - our ability to provide world class offerings at our primary camp operations the

442-acre Camp Boddie Scout Reservation and Pamlico Sea Base High Adventure Camp

 

For the sale of this property the board sought two key initiatives from a buyer: 1) to secure appropriate funding from the sale of Camp Charles to sustain the mission of scouting in Eastern North Carolina and support future enhancements at Camp Boddie Scout Reservation and Pamlico Sea Base and 2) a buyer that would maintain the property for recreational use by many. We are pleased to share that we have accomplished both goals and have sold the property to the AJ Fletcher Foundation. The AJ Fletcher Foundation has a focus to improve the lives and well-being of all North Carolinians and has communicated initial plans to utilize the property for use by youth serving organizations for retreat and outdoor camping space.

 

Additionally, we have entered an initial three year “Use Agreement” with the AJ Fletcher Foundation to utilize Camp Charles for East Carolina Scout unit camping and events across the next three years as detailed below:

 

·2023 – minimum of four (4) weekends consisting of two weekends in the Spring and two

weekends in the Fall

 

·2024 – four (4) weekends consisting of two weekends in the Spring and two weekends in

the Fall

 

·2025 – up to four (4) weekends (subject to A J Fletcher's approval in 2025) consisting of

two weekends in the Spring and two weekends in the Fall

 

Through this transaction both boards (East Carolina Council and AJ Fletcher Foundation) are committed to work together to enhance the lives and leadership development of youth across eastern North Carolina and beyond.

 

 

 

[RememberSchiff]

On 7/24/2021 at 9:34 PM, 1980Scouter said:

Simon Kenton Council in Ohio announced at a scouting forum that they will most likely sell Chief Logan Reservation and Camp Madison Lake. CLR is a main summer camp where this is the last summer for camping. Madison Lake is a very small camp, basically a single campsite on a state park lake. They also said they have to contribute 2.7 million to the settlement in cash and property.  They said they were surprised that it was not more.  This council has been very upfront with the bankruptcy for the past year.

Update May 9, 2023:

The Logan County Commission purchased the 804-acre Camp Chief Logan boy scout camp at Garrett Fork for $915,000 using money from the Coal Reallocation Fund, which is earmarked for economic development purposes.

While there are no immediate plans, Logan County Commission President Diana Barnette said the commission hopes to utilize the massive tract of land for a variety of purposes including boy scouts, girl scouts, 4-H camps, WECAN camps, church camps and trainings for county and local city law enforcement officers.

More at source link:

https://www.loganbanner.com/news/county-commission-purchases-boy-scout-camp-property-at-garrett-fork/article_d46d47ff-1a34-55c4-a293-ed2656385847.html

[RememberSchiff]

On 12/21/2022 at 9:11 AM, RememberSchiff said:

 

Update 12/21/2022: Camp Trexler, Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT)

PHLT plans to put in a bid as soon as the property gets listed for sale in the first quarter of 2023, but one complication in the matter is that the land trust is only allowed to pay the appraised value of a property.

So, a win for PHLT might look like someone else buying the property — a hunting club or church group, for example — and partnering with the PHLT to preserve it.

“If we can’t buy the property, we want to work with whoever does buy the property to make sure that it’s not developed,” PHLT Executive Director Louise Troutman said. Ideally, that solution would involve public access, but at the very least, PHLT wants it protected by a conservation easement even if it does not become a nature preserve that is open to the public.

...

Supporters can sign a petition at phlt.org and pledge money if they are interested in helping fund the purchase.

Troutman noted that previous generations of some of the farming families in the Jonas area sold farmland to the Scouts.

“They didn’t sell it for development. They sold it for the benefit of the boys,” she said.

More at source:

https://www.poconorecord.com/story/news/environment/2022/12/21/boy-scout-camp-sale-in-poconos-would-go-towards-victims-of-sex-abuse/69734886007/

 

Update 5/25/2023: Camp Trexler sold to the Trexler Veterans Initiative (TVI) for $7.8 million.

"Following the sale, TVI will offer a leaseback agreement to the Valor Clinic Foundation...Among the foundation's main objectives is to help address and reduce the number of military veteran suicides.

The TVI and the Valor Clinic Foundation have agreed to permit the use of the property by Scout units for cabin rentals and and campsite use "into the foreseeable future," according to the news release. "

"Selling the property will help Minsi Trails Council cover its $2.6 million portion of a multi-billion-dollar national settlement with survivors of sexual abuse in the scouting programs.

To select a buyer, the council’s real estate committee looked for an organization that intends to maintain the camp in a natural state, allow future access to Scouting programs, and close on the sale quickly."

Sources:

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/poconos-coal/camp-trexler-sold-to-trexler-veterans-initiative-for-7-8-million/article_b74cb2a6-fb2b-11ed-b014-63ebb7197d51.html

https://www.lehighvalleynews.com/local-news/trexler-veterans-initiative-agrees-to-buy-camp-trexler

https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/news/2023/05/trexler-scout-reservation-is-sold-to-new-owner-vowing-its-preservation-and-conservation.html

 

Edited May 26, 2023 by RememberSchiff

[1980Scouter]

On 5/9/2023 at 8:02 PM, RememberSchiff said:

Update May 9, 2023:

The Logan County Commission purchased the 804-acre Camp Chief Logan boy scout camp at Garrett Fork for $915,000 using money from the Coal Reallocation Fund, which is earmarked for economic development purposes.

While there are no immediate plans, Logan County Commission President Diana Barnette said the commission hopes to utilize the massive tract of land for a variety of purposes including boy scouts, girl scouts, 4-H camps, WECAN camps, church camps and trainings for county and local city law enforcement officers.

More at source link:

https://www.loganbanner.com/news/county-commission-purchases-boy-scout-camp-property-at-garrett-fork/article_d46d47ff-1a34-55c4-a293-ed2656385847.html

These are two different Chief Logan camps. The Ohio one is close to being sold though. 

[Eagle1993]

Indian Mounds Reservation was sold to a NA Tribe.... Probably the best buyer of the land.

 

 

Dear Scout Leaders:

 

Earlier today, the Trustees of the Milwaukee Boy Scout Fund completed the sale of Indian Mound Scout Reservation (IMR) to the Forest County Potawatomi Community. The camp sale follows Three Harbors Council’s decision to end camp operations at IMR last fall. This difficult decision was reached following a comprehensive review of our two camps while taking into consideration the significant contribution of $3.685 million requested from our council to support the Settlement Trust, a compensation fund for survivors of abuse in Scouting, established through the BSA’s financial restructuring process. Selling the camp was a necessary and important step as we support survivors of abuse and ensure that we are in the best position to serve youth and families in southeastern Wisconsin for many years to come. 

 

Following the board’s decision, the Trustees of the Milwaukee Boy Scout Fund, who owned the camp, entertained multiple offers to purchase IMR. The property went under contract at the asking price in the fall, and following a due diligence period, the sale closed on June 1st. The buyers are still determining the future usage of the property. The property is zoned as “Institutional” and therefore the current permitted usage is restricted to camps, parks, schools, hospitals, or similar uses. 

 

The proceeds from the camp sale will be invested in the Milwaukee Boy Scout Fund, a separate Trust that serves as the council’s endowment fund, providing annual support for Scouting operations. The sale proceeds will allow the Trust to recoup the $3,075,000 it provided to Three Harbors Council as a special grant to assist in the council’s contribution to the Settlement Fund. At the discretion of the Trustees and pending the completion of a new camp master plan, funds from the sale of IMR may be made available for future investment in Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta.

 

While we are pleased to have the sale completed, today is also a time to reflect on Indian Mound Scout Reservation’s legacy. The camp was founded in 1917 on the shores of Silver Lake near Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. IMR served thousands of Scouts throughout its 105-year history. We are truly grateful to the Scouting volunteers, donors, and community leaders who donated their time, talent, and treasure to support the program at IMR. The camp had an incredibly positive, lifelong impact on Scouts, leaders, and families across our council. 

 

As we move forward, the Council’s focus will be on strengthening camp facilities and programs offered at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, located on Dyer Lake near Burlington, Wisconsin. Past Council President, Dr. R. Scott Pierce, is chairing a committee of camp volunteers charged with developing a new master plan for Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta. The council has hired Domokur Architects, a national leader in camp planning, to help guide the master plan process, and opportunities for Scout leader input will be shared in the coming months.

 

Please reach out to Camping@ThreeHarborsScouting.org with any questions about the camp sale. Any inquiries from local news media should be directed to Scout Executive Andrew Hardin.

 

Thank you for your continued support of Scouting in Three Harbors Council.

 

In Scouting,

 

Kimberly Kane

Council President Andrew Hardin

Scout Executive

[RememberSchiff]

58 minutes ago, Eagle1993 said:

As we move forward, the Council’s focus will be on strengthening camp facilities and programs offered at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta, located on Dyer Lake near Burlington, Wisconsin. Past Council President, Dr. R. Scott Pierce, is chairing a committee of camp volunteers charged with developing a new master plan for Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta. The council has hired Domokur Architects, a national leader in camp planning, to help guide the master plan process, and opportunities for Scout leader input will be shared in the coming months.

 

??? Why not get the local Scouter input first and then determine if it is necessary or even affordable to hire an outside national architect firm?

So for an existing camp, we have local scout leaders familiar and concerned about program quality and summer camp costs and Council execs seeing money that immediately needs to be spent to hire an outside architect firm to develop a master camp plan?? 

 

[HashTagScouts]

18 minutes ago, RememberSchiff said:

??? Why not get the local Scouter input first and then determine if it is necessary or even affordable to hire an outside national architect firm?

So for an existing camp, we have local scout leaders familiar and concerned about program quality and summer camp costs and Council execs seeing money that immediately needs to be spent to hire an outside architect firm to develop a master camp plan?? 

 

Would love to be privy to whatever that master plan suggested is. Can't imagine that someone you are paying to come up with that plan is only going to suggest things that are little/no cost or that can be done only with volunteer labor. 

[Eagle1993]

20 minutes ago, HashTagScouts said:

Would love to be privy to whatever that master plan suggested is. Can't imagine that someone you are paying to come up with that plan is only going to suggest things that are little/no cost or that can be done only with volunteer labor. 

Supposedly they received over $6M for the camp sale so have ~$3M to spend on this camp.  The camp has very few cabins, toilets, a small dining hall and is very underdeveloped.  

Definitely hope they listen to local scouters.  When I talked with the council leadership, they emphasized they want to ensure they have good plans before adding anything.  We will see...

[Eagle94-A1]

I am willing to bet there was a local architect with a Scouting background who would have donated their time on creating a plan.

We had one that came up with plans to renovate one camp locally, and the PTB axed it.

Edited June 2, 2023 by Eagle94-A1

[BetterWithCheddar]

For those not familiar with Scouting in Wisconsin, Three Harbors council serves Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha counties (which collectively have a population of about 1.3 million people). Milwaukee County Council merged with the Southeastern Wisconsin Council (Racine and Kenosha counties) in 2011. Following the merger, they had 4 council camps, but soon made plans to divest themselves of two camps in Northern Wisconsin (LeFeber and Robert S. Lyle). These camps were gorgeous, but a 3-4 hour from their core footprint. The two surviving camps (Indian Mound and Oh-Da-Ko-Ta) were much closer to the youth served by the council. I'm pleased to hear that Indian Mound will be under the stewardship of the local Potowatomi, but this has been a hard fall for Scouting around Milwaukee.

[BetterWithCheddar]

Here are some additional articles on the Milwaukee camp closures.  The first link is from 2015 when the council announced they were going from 4 camps to just 2. The second link is for a follow-up story where staff, alumni, and other fans of one camp attempted to form a non-profit to buy the property from the council. It was eventually sold to a logging company who agreed to lease a portion of the camp back to the non-profit entity, but that arrangement only lasted one summer. It was a valiant effort, but it's gone now.

• Northwoods Boy Scout camps head into a poignant sunset (jsonline.com)
• Scout leaders, camp staff make bid to buy Northwoods camp (jsonline.com)

So, there you have it: From 4 camps to 1 in less than 8 years. 😬