'Futuristic approach' coming to historic Michigan Boy Scout camp - Jackson, MI - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

News article text:
JACKSON, MI - A pair of groups vied for the rights to Camp Teetonkah, the second-oldest Boy Scout camp in the nation.

But neither Jackson County nor the Friends of Camp Teetonkah was awarded the camp, as the Michigan Crossroads Council decided to keep it and use it instead.

The camp at 3710 Burkhart Road won't remain a traditional Boy Scout camp, though. It's becoming an initiatives-based space for leadership, healthy living and STEM - science, technology, engineering, math - programming, its leaders say.

The camp was idle for 2017 but is still in "reasonably good shape," MCC CEO Donald Shepard Jr. said. It will cost roughly $185,000 to $300,000 to update the facilities.

Shepard is unsure when the camp will be ready to use.

"It's not going to be a traditional camping atmosphere where you have aquatics and shooting sports," Shepard said. "If there are those activities, they'll be built into the STEM functions. So if you did archery, you'd be talking about trajectory and how do fletchings work."

While the MCC has programming at other camps dedicated to STEM subjects, this is the first camp dedicated to the field. The camp will be used on weekends and evenings throughout the year and have some weeklong programs during the summer, Shepard said.

The curriculum is approved by education leaders and is open to scouts in kindergarten through 12th grade. Some Boy Scout groups have a STEM focus and earn STEM-related badges, so they'll be part of the focus for the camp.

Groups will work in areas like circuitry, robotics, drones, computer hardware and more.

Programming to curb obesity and promote leadership will also be emphasized, taking a "futuristic approach," according to an MCC press release.

The camp opened around 1912-13 and is located between Grass Lake and Leoni townships.

Debating the future of the camp

The MCC was not allowed to sell the 240-acre camp, but it had planned to give it to the county or the Friends of Camp Teetonkah group.

Attempts to shut down the camp began in 1997, but camp supporters raised an endowment of nearly $1 million to keep the camp open. Under those stipulations, the MCC could not sell the property for more than $1.

While the Friends of Camp Teetonkah said they helped raise the endowment, the MCC said last summer they'd keep it - even after giving away the camp. With accrued interest, it's now worth roughly $1.5 million.

The MCC also said they'd hold onto mineral rights for the property, which is a potential money-maker to sell the oil. While the MCC said it would choose between the groups by the end of 2016, it did not make a decision until this spring.

Phone calls from the county, the Friends of Camp Teetonkah and the Jackson Citizen Patriot/MLive went unanswered through the spring.

"We didn't come seeking Camp Teetonkah. One of their executives contacted us in early 2016 and asked us if we would be interested," County Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hovarter said. "To not even be willing to communicate and give a basic explanation, to me, is disrespectful and unprofessional."

While the Friends of Camp Teetonkah eventually received an explanation why they were denied, the county is still waiting. The MCC said it didn't believe the friends group could sustain the camp long term with the continual decline of camper numbers and rising deficits.

The county's 120-page proposal planned to make Camp Teetonkah Jackson County's 18th park, opening it up to the community for various outdoor activities.

Type of publication: Internet Only When was the article reported?: 10/17/2017 Publication: Mlive Article Url: [Web Link] Is Registration Required?: no How widespread was the article reported?: local News Category: Kids/Youth

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