January 30, 2004
Dear Friends,
The selling of Camp Cuyuna...
Unfortunately, this is one of the options currently on the table in front of the Twin Valley Council Executive Board. We, the Camp Cuyuna Alumni Association (CCAA), feel that all Camp Cuyuna Alumni should be informed as to what is happening. In this letter you will find the history behind the current situation facing the Twin Valley Council, the current status of the Asset Assessment Committee presentation to the Council Executive Board, and a call to action. Attached is a list of people you can contact with questions and ideas, or to voice your concerns and views.
History
The Twin Valley Council has been without long-range development, management, or financial plans for its camps for many years. This, we believe, is the root of the Council's current financial problem. It has left the Council without the means to improve its financial standing, maintain or improve its camps, or to improve the quality of programs being provided to the boys.
The Council's last capital campaign was scheduled to raise three million dollars. That money was supposed to be used to build a new Center for Scouting in Mankato and to improve the three camps: Cuyuna, Norseland, and Cedar Point. During the course of the capital campaign, some improvements were made to the camps, but the main focus was the purchase of land for, and the building of, the new Center for Scouting. Basically, the money was spent before it was in the Council's account. Even though a portion of it had been pledged, after the bottom dropped out of the market, many people did not follow through with their pledges. The Council was left with a very large debt. All told, it was almost $1,000,000. We do now have one of the nicest Scouting Centers in the entire BSA, but unfortunately the Council has no means of supporting its current level of programming or its camps, much less improve them.
The Current Situation
The Council's new Scout Executive, Paul Wilkinson, will not allow the Council to continue down this self-destructive leadership path. He is doing everything in his power to bring the Council out of this situation and provide not only a quality program for the Scouts of Southern Minnesota, but also a program that will continually improve. He and the Council Executive Board have cut many costs out of the annual budget, and they continue to look for ways to improve the Council's financial situation without allowing it to affect the children whom we all serve.
Another step toward resolving this issue was the establishment of an Asset Assessment Committee, which was composed of Council Executive Board members and volunteers from all over the Twin Valley Council. These volunteers came from all aspects of Scouting and private business, and they included CCAA Executive Board members Doug Raney and Keith Fitzpatrick. Their task was to look at the Council's assets and make recommendations to the Council Executive Board as to what they should do both to solve the problem of the Council's debt and to improve the Council's camps and programs. On December 9, 2003 the Asset Assessment Committee made its presentation to the Council Executive Board. There are many options that the Council Executive Board must now weigh, including the following:
A Call to Action
We have been told that the Council Executive Board will now formulate a plan to solve the Council's financial problems. Once the initial plan is developed, it will be taken to the volunteers throughout the Council for their input before the final decision is made. While we have been told that this decision will not happen overnight, we feel that something must be done now! Many of us strongly believe that the Council Executive Board is going to propose the sale of Camp Cuyuna's entire 684 acres in Northern Minnesota as one of the options. In order to preserve this special place so that all Scouts can continue to experience it, we need your help!
Obviously, the easiest solution would be to raise a lot of money. While we know that some of you can afford large donations, many of you cannot. But your comments, suggestions, and new ideas are just as important. One of the reasons that the sale of Camp Cuyuna is being considered is the fact that beyond the six weeks during the summer when camp is in session, it is not used very much. People have talked about building more cabins and making them accessible year-round. The idea of creating a center that could be rented by corporations for training has been discussed. Perhaps someone knows of available grants that could be sought or other sources of funding that no one has yet identified. Any other ideas you have would be appreciated. Attached you will find a list of people you can contact to give your constructive comments, opinions, and ideas. These people will listen to complaints, but please keep in mind that they do not have time for dozens of calls with no positive ideas. We must put aside hard feelings, not deal with misinformation, and not dwell in the past-we need to move forward, not back!
Conclusion
Camp Cuyuna means a lot to many people. For many of the Scouts and their leaders from our Council, it is larger than life. How can you smell pine needles or hear the mysterious call of a loon without remembering Camp Cuyuna with a nostalgic smile? It has been a positive influence on the lives of thousands, and through our quick action it may be around to influence thousands more. Many other summer camp staff alumni associations have been a major force in their camps' success. That is why we felt so strongly about having a reunion two summers ago, and that is why we wanted to build the CCAA. Who knew that we would need the help of its members so soon, for such an important endeavor?
Please, if you ever wanted to speak your mind on this issue, act now! If we choose to not voice our opinion and offer solutions, we have no right to criticize the actions of the Council Executive Board at a later time. We will do our best keep you informed as to the decisions and activities of the Council Executive Board.
Thank you in advance for all of your assistance concerning this very important issue. Here is to our next reunion at Camp Cuyuna...
The CCAA Executive Board
Twin Valley Council Contacts
| Executive Board | |
| President | Tom Rekstein E-mail: trekstein@bbmankato.com |
| Vice-Presidents | Doug DeMarce (Operations/Administration) Pam DeMarce (Fundraising) E-mail: djdemarce@aol.com Greg Hasse (Program) E-mail: webmaster@twinvalleybsa.org |
| Scout Executive | Paul A. Wilkinson Center for Scouting 810 Madison Avenue Mankato, MN 56001 E-mail: paul@twinvalleybsa.org |
| Camp Cuyuna Contacts | |
| Camp Cuyuna Alumni Association (CCAA) President | Doug Raney 311 Harrison Avenue S. Edina, MN 55343 (952) 939-0864 E-mail: draney@smm.org |
| Ranger | Chuck McMahon Cuyuna Scout Camp 38594 County Road 3, PO Box 250 Crosslake, MN 56442 (218) 692-3612 E-mail: campcuyuna@crosslake.net |
| Director | Jim Menton 709 Cedar Avenue Albert Lea, MN 56007 (507) 377-8719 E-mail: jmenton1@charter.net |
Last Updated: February 16, 2004