Fwd: [BlassBSA] Summer Camp 2012 Update

[David Elmore]

To all Ouachita Area Council Scouts, Parents and Scouters,

Please see the below email from Quapaw Camping Director, Braden Harman.

From: Braden Harman braden...@yahoo.com 
Date: December 15, 2011 12:14:55 AM CST
To: Gus Blass blas...@yahoogroups.com 
Subject: [BlassBSA] Summer Camp 2012 Update
Reply To: Blas...@yahoogroups.com 

Summer Camp 2012 at Camp Rockefeller

 

Summer Camp 2012 at Camp Rockefeller is filling up…fast! The latest reservation listing shows just a handful of available campsites and two of the five weeks of camp have reached capacity. The addition of new facilities, innovative programs, and an effective promotional campaign by the Order of the Arrow and Camping Committee have helped Camp Rockefeller fill up much more quickly compared to years past.

 

All three components of camp-- facilities, program, and attendance--have received a major boost as of late with the new trap and skeet range and climbing tower; a comprehensive marketing plan; and original camp courses and offerings. It appears as if the word is finally out on “the best kept secret” in the BSA Southern Region.

 

Despite a 50% increase in summer camp attendance since 2009 and a record attendance in 2011, all signs are pointing to a sellout at Camp Rockefeller in 2012. Summer camp weeks 1 and 2 are full and the amount of available campsites in weeks 3-5 are dwindling. At last count just 35 campsites were available at Camp Rockefeller with 6 months to go before camp begins—an unheard of feat for this council.

 

Although Rockefeller has some of the most loyal in-council units one can imagine, out-of-council units from across the region have begun to make multi-year commitments to attend Camp Rockefeller too. In 2012, for example, the Quapaw Area Council will host Troops from Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Indiana.
Unit leaders and parents regularly commend the Rockefeller staff for their total commitment to serving the Scouts. The staff’s high-quality customer service and instruction are touted as some of the best around. Camp Rockefeller staffers are, without a doubt, Camp Rockefeller’s best resource and #1 reason for success.

 

The program for 2012 will provide the most highly anticipated offerings yet. Scouts can look forward to canoe trips with the White River Canoe Crew, tours of C-130 aircraft via Special Ops, sailing trips on Greers Ferry Lake with The Great Lake Escape program, and a new scientific/engineering program that will qualify for the BSA’s new STEM/Nova Award.

 

On top of all of that, campers can expect to see new and revamped facilities and program features next year. Jon Steuri and Family helped finance the brand new Steuri Family Trap and Skeet Range at Camp Rockefeller. This range will provide countless hours of shotgun shooting opportunities for camp participants.

 

And those with a daredevil streak in them will love the new 65-foot climbing tower at camp. This feature—which is the first element you see upon entering camp—is awe-inspiring not to mention vertigo-inducing.

 

Other updates include a state-of-the-art emergency warning system for bad weather and a newly refurbished Bowen Training Lodge.

 

Summer Camp at Camp Rockefeller on Gus Blas Scout Reservation is always an event. With the new facilities, tremendous turnout, and excellent staff, 2012 summer camp just might be the best summer camp experience ever offered.

Braden Harman
Boy Scouts of America

 

Braden gave us a great camp programs at our last roundtable.  He is our 'go to' guy for camping questions in Quapaw.  Please direct your questions to the email addresses listed above for Braden.  This is a major opportunity for our boys and great fun for our leaders too.  Please also, check out www.camprockefeller.org.  

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,

David Elmore

District Vice Chair

Nischa Sipo District