Camp Utilization Committee Resolution

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. That the Great Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, sell its property known as Camp Thunderbird near Cairo, Mo.

 

2. The President of the Board of the Great Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, be authorized to appoint an ad hoc committee which will be empowered to formulate and implement a strategy to market and sell Camp Thunderbird on the most favorable terms.

 

3. The use of the proceeds from the sale of Camp Thunderbird will be determined by the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee of the Great Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America and approved by the Executive Board.

 

4. In accordance with the charter and by-laws of the Great Rivers Council, Boy Scouts of America, the Scout Executive and/or Council Treasurer are authorized to execute and deliver any and all documents necessary to consummate the transaction as recommended by the ad hoc committee established in item #2 of this resolution.

 

Utilization Committee Rationale Synopsis:

1. Thinking in terms of tomorrow's needs, opportunities, and competition, we want to make resources available to make tomorrow's Scouting and camping programs better. Our goal is to have a premier camping facility - one of the best in the Midwest - that best serves our membership.

 

2. Trying to maintain two separate facilities makes achieving our goal very difficult. Based on attendance figures and maintenance costs, maintaining two facilities puts our camping operations in the red every year and a strain on our council budget. We want more resources to go into program, not overhead or duplication.

 

3. Hohn's location has more program (climbing tower, COPE course, water skiing, and sailing program) and marketing opportunities so we can achieve our goal. The Lake of the Ozarks is already the number one tourist destination in the Midwest, the ideal place to have the number one Boy Scout camp, which will help keep our current scouts involved and help bring in new scouts. Our Boy Scout troops have shown a clear preference for Hohn Scout Reservation as a summer camp destination.

 

4. Our overall camping numbers are in line with national averages. Our Boy and Cub Scout summer camping programs run 7 weeks of combined program. This could be done at a single camp facility. Even if the troops that camp elsewhere (1/3 of the Scouts that attend summer camp) came back, it would only add two weeks to the season, which could still be accommodated by (and would better utilize) a single camp facility. Our Cub Scout resident camp program is not large enough to fully utilize Thunderbird, and we have several other options for our Cub Scout programs closer to our population centers.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Is the decision to sell Thunderbird because the Council is in some sort of financial trouble?

No, while maintaining and operating two camping facilities creates an annual loss in the camping budget and is a drain on the overall Council budget, we have been able to operate with a balanced budget most years and still maintain positive net assets. The challenge lies in the fact that we are spreading our resources (both time and money) over two facilities and are rarely able to add to facilities or programs. This is a proactive move to avoid protracted camping budget losses (which could eventually become a problem) and to allow us to move our camping facilities and program forward by focusing our efforts on a single property.

2. Can't we just rent out Thunderbird to outside groups for camping, hunting or other uses?

We already do this. We have several outside groups that use Thunderbird each year. We also auction off special hunts each year at our annual Sporting Clays tournament. All of this only slightly cuts into the revenue shortfall. The fact is however, that we are not alone in our problem. The central Missouri area is camp property `rich'. There are several other local organizations that also have underutilized property and regularly approach us to use their properties.

3. Wouldn't we get a lot more money if we sold Hohn?

No. During the course of our analysis, we had an appraisal done on both camp properties. While the per acre land appraisal for Hohn was higher, the Thunderbird property is approximately 100 acres larger than Hohn. As a result, the land-only appraisal for Thunderbird was only slightly lower than for Hohn. With the addition of the buildings, Thunderbird's value was over twice that of Hohn.

4. Why didn't we hear about this before now?

This process has been discussed at length in a variety of forums over the past 18 months. During the fall of 2006, a series of Fireside-Chat meetings were held in each of our districts. Members of the Council Executive Board and our Council management staff were present at each of these meetings and the Camp Utilization Committee work was discussed at length at these meetings. There was also discussion of this process at leader's meetings at camp this past summer.

5. How will the money be spent?

The Great Rivers Council, like all BSA councils, is required to develop and publish a long-range plan every five years. Our current plan has expired and the Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee has been on hold awaiting a recommendation and decision from the Utilization Committee and Executive Board. As stated in the resolution, the use of the proceeds from the sale will be addressed by the Long-Range Strategic Planning Committee. Generally speaking, it is the wish of the Utilization Committee that the proceeds be split between capital improvements at Hohn Scout Reservation and endowment funds to be used for ongoing upkeep of the camp and camping program.

6. Where would we run Cub Camp?

It is our expectation that a sale would not occur quickly and we intend to conduct Cub Resident Camp at Camp Thunderbird during the summer of 2008. As mentioned above, there are several local organizations with camp properties that would like us to use their camps. These properties are nearer our population centers. As Cub Camp programs are shorter in duration than Boy Scout camp, location is a significant convenience issue for our Cub Scout families.

7. What about all the history at Camp Thunderbird?

Camp Thunderbird is a special place to many of us. In fact several members of our committee have long histories with and ties to Thunderbird as campers, camp staff members and financial donors. While we recognize that there are strong emotional ties to Camp Thunderbird, the business reality is that we are spreading our resources too thin. We believe our Scouts and their camping program will benefit from an ability to focus our efforts and resources.

8. Did the number of Troops camping out of Council cause this problem?

No. It is well known that there are a number of Troops with longstanding histories of camping at other Council's camps. While this exacerbates the problem, it is not the cause. Summer camps throughout the country are facing similar attendance challenges and many Councils are facing the same difficult choices that we now face. The Boy Scout summer camps that are the most successful at attracting large numbers of Troops (in council and out of council) to camp are conducted by councils that have the financial resources to continually develop facilities and programs. Splitting our resources between two camps makes it increasingly difficult to compete. By concentrating our resources and efforts on a single property we believe we can reach our goal of having the premier summer camp facility in the Midwest.

9. But Hohn is all the way at one end of the Council boundaries.

While many troops offer annual high adventure programs for their older Scouts, Boy Scout summer camp is the capstone activity for the Scouting year and includes activities that appeal to all ages of Scouts. As such, we see summer camp as a `destination event'. This is evidenced by the number of our own troops that travel great distances to camp elsewhere and the increasing number of Troops that come to Hohn Scout Reservation from other Councils.

10. Our Troop/Pack is planning a campout at Thunderbird. Can we still camp there?

Absolutely! Nothing will change about the way Camp is utilized until a sale is reached. On season and off season camping will continue as before.

11. Where will units camp once Thunderbird is sold?

Many units already camp in a variety of places other than at our camps (i.e. State Parks, Conservation Areas, family farms.). Since January 2006, we have only had 28 different Great Rivers Council units (out of approximately 300 units in the Council) use Camp Thunderbird for weekend outings. Depending upon who an eventual buyer might be, it is possible that we could negotiate some continued use of Thunderbird into the sale. We could also arrange for use of other area camps for our units.

12. What about the fixtures and all the memorabilia at camp?

While the disposition of many of the building and kitchen fixtures will be a function of the terms of sale, it is anticipated that many of the fixtures and all of the memorabilia will be retained by the council for future use and/or display at Hohn Scout Reservation or another suitable location.

13. What about the money that has been raised for building a new Ranger residence?

It is our hope that these monies would be available to further the Scouting program and their use would be decided with the guidance of the strategic planning committee and the donors. We will consult with the original donors and return their money if requested.

14. What about the Rockhouse 40 funds?

The Rockhouse 40 funds were donated to the Nampa-Tsi Lodge following Gene Owens death and the original intent was to develop the back area of Camp Thunderbird (known as Rockhouse). The disposition of those funds will be at the discretion of the Lodge with input from the original donors.

15. Who do I contact if I have additional questions?

16. How can I have my opinions heard at the Executive Board meeting in November?

While the Board Meeting is only open to Board members, each of our eight Districts has representation on the Board. Your District Chairman is a voting member. Additionally, we have board members at large who reside in all districts. Feel free to contact any of them. If you are not sure who they are, contact the Scout office for that information.

ATTACHMENTS

Camp Financial Information

Summer Camp Attendance Summary

Camp Report 2007