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FAQ

Have a general question?  Maybe the answer you are looking for is here, but if not, don't hesitate to leave a comment or question in the form below.

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Who is going to do the work?
 

We all will!  All work is, and will be, accomplished by individuals who volunteer their time, effort and passion for the betterment of the Scouts, Camp, and Council alike.  If you've ever had expriences at the Northwoods Camps that have provided you with lifelong memories and facilitated the person you are today, please consider volunteering along side us.  See our Get Involved section for more details.  

04

What happens if you aren't successful?

If we are unable to turn around the camp and its finances within the first two-year plan window, then we would support the Council's decision to close the camp.  We intend to give it our best effort, but if we are unsuccessful at stirring the neccessary volunteers to action, then this great treasure will be lost forever.  We cannot expect the Council to support a camp we will not support ourselves. 

What is the $1 Million and $12 Million in expenses that are cited in the closing recommendation?

If you have searched for information regarding the camp closure, you may have come across this statement:
“In addition to $1 million in deferred maintenance that would be required for accredited camp programs at the northern camps, another $12 million would need be to be invested to achieve a “Blue Ribbon” status based on new national standards for Scout camps."

 

The $1 Million in deferred maintenance is a figure developed by the council that encompasses all four of the camps. The breakdown for the number is as follows:

LNC     $ 271,000
RSL      $   39,750
ODKT  $ 215,000
IMR      $ 415,000
Total     $ 940,750

 

Attached is the presentation that unveiled these numbers, however, there are no footnotes to substantiate these figures. Both LNC & RSL are classified as wilderness camps. The benefit of a wilderness camp (aside from the adherence to Baden-Powell principles) is that the limited capital improvements lend to smaller deferred maintenance numbers. For LNC, the most significant cost needed is the repair of the nature lodge, which has damaged structural footings. IMR being the largest deferred maintenance number makes sense as it the most developed of the properties. We can’t be sure what the true deferred maintenance deficit is, but the numbers appear to be inflated.

 

The $12 Million dollar figure is again a total for all four camps in order to bring them up to what the council is referring to as the “Blue Ribbon” status. It is our understanding, as explained by a member of the camping task force, that “Blue Ribbon" would be the equivalent of brining all program areas in line with a top 5 camp experience. The estimate for LNC alone is $3.8 Million would include a spacious dining hall, motorboat facilities and numerous upgrades that would never be considered for a Baden-Powell type wilderness camp.

 

I think the take away here is that, yes, there exists deferred maintenance which needs to be performed, but the $1 Million and $12 Million dollar numbers do not apply to LNC alone and most likely represent generous estimates for work that may never even be seriously considered.

05

What is the goal?

 

The plan is comprised of two time horizons; the imediate involves a two-year repreave of camp closure, the second involves a complete five-year plan that shall be implemented assuming the successful turn-around of camp finances during the initial two-year repreave.

Why LNC over RSL?
 

LNC is the larger of the two properties.  This lends it greater flexility for expansion and the potential for a large diversity of programs.  Additionally, the sheer size of the property gives the flexibility for non-traditional, but stable, income generation.

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