Dear LEC Family,
This is the first of two updates this week. You can expect the second one on Wednesday.
This update includes important information on:
SBSA Resident Camp at Beaumont
The Legacy of Camp Stigwandish
SBSA Resident Camp at Beaumont
In my last email dated May 22, I shared that the ONLY “decision” about SBSA resident camp that we could have made at this point is to CANCEL. While it has always been our hope to create a path forward to safely operate camp this summer, we realize that we cannot reasonably expect everyone to hang on indefinitely as we await approval from the state to operate. Therefore, the following has been determined:
Week 1 of Scouts BSA Resident Camp at Beaumont Scout Reservation (June 14-20) will not operate.
Prior to making this decision, our camp leadership reached out to all our Week 1 units and are currently assisting them with choosing another week.
If the Governor/State does NOT lay out plans for resident camp tomorrow, we will no longer pursue our plans to offer SBSA resident camp this summer.
I encourage you to tune-in to his daily COVID-19 update at 2:00 pm so you can hear it for yourself.
If resident camps ARE addressed, then we will determine with our board on Wednesday if we can meet the requirements as laid out AND a formal announcement will come sometime on Wednesday.
As a reminder, we will follow all state and CDC guidelines.
I want to thank you for your patience as we have navigated this journey together. The trail has been arduous, but we are close to the end.
The Legacy of Camp Stigwandish
Ninety years ago, community leaders of Lake, Geauga, and Ashtabula Counties established a camp to provide outdoor adventures for the young men of their communities. Camp Stigwandish served that purpose for 90 years creating a lifetime of memories and countess Scouting stories. As you know, following a comprehensive study of occupancy and needed improvements of all LEC properties, the Board of Director’s made the difficult decision to divest Camp Stigwandish. They chose to auction the property as they felt they could realize the best return for the future of Scouting. This past Saturday, May 30, 2020, Kiko Auctioneers held that auction on behalf of the Lake Erie Council.
The auction resulted in $1,649,700 which was designated by the board to be invested into the remaining council properties or to fund significant programs in the future.
These funds ensure that that the goal of those visionary leaders from ninety years ago will continue to live on. Funding future projects is not the only legacy that Stigwandish will leave. Over the past months, groups of volunteers and staff have been dismantling, packing, and moving program equipment, shelters, and memorabilia from Camp Stigwandish to Beaumont Scout Reservation. Many thanks to Jeff Olree, Terri and Larry Andrews, John and Lisa Shrock, Kim Wheatly, Chris Fortunato, Brian Belfi, Muffy Wheatly, David Metzger, Frank Dworning, Anthony Dworning, Jacob Brown, Bear Roloff and many more for the hard work that made this task happen.
There is an old saying in the outdoors to “leave only footprints and take only memories.” Over the last ninety years, thousands of Scouts have left their footprints on the trails at Camp Stigwandish. Now it is up to those that left the footprints, to take the memories, and to share the spirit of Scouting and Camp Stigwandish with future generations, to ensure that the legacy is remembered.
Thank you for your continued patience as we navigate these unforeseen circumstances. Again, we will send another update on Wednesday with the final decisions.
Yours in service to youth and families,
Scout Executive
Lake Erie Council
