Alumni and Friends Newsletter |
|
|
In this newsletter: Bangkok!?, Pick a Wednesday, Spring Work Weekend, The New CCC, $70,000 for Canyon Camp, Woodcutter's Ball Save the Date, Sounds of Camp, and Partnership Revisited Each Spring and Fall an annual update is sent to friends and alumni of Canyon Camp. See below for the Spring 2023 Edition. All past editions are available here. |
|
|
The Places We Go: Accidental Meeting in Thailand |
|
|
You'd think there would be simple places to travel to find fellow Canyon Camp Alumni. Perhaps downtown Stockton, or at Canyon Camp itself... Leave it to Jim "Iggy" Thorson and Brian Masshardt to travel the world to find each other. Literally. The photos above are from a purely coincidental meeting in Bangkok, Thailand |
|
|
Pick a Wednesday to Visit Camp |
|
|
Have you visited Camp recently? Check your calendar today and save the date for any of the following Wednesday Night Family Nights. With five weeks to choose from, you can visit one or visit many! 2023 Family and Visitor Nights: June 21 and 28 July 5, 12, and 19 The evening begins with flag lowering at 6PM followed by our traditional BBQ Sandwich dinner. Open Camp runs 7-8P followed by Native American Dancing as we have done for many decades. June 28 will be our friend and donor appreciation night, so we highly encourage this date for a large gathering.
We look forward to seeing you this summer back on the banks of Coon Creek! |
|
|
Spring Work Weekend Set: Thank You Monroe Kiwanians! |
|
|
For more than four decades, the Monroe Kiwanis Club has sponsored spring and fall work days at Canyon Camp. Thousands of hours and dozens of thousands of dollars have been invested into Canyon Camp through their support. This year, the Spring Kiwanis Work Weekend will be held May 6-7 with food, fellowship and service. Be sure to let Lee Binkley know you're planning to attend or sign-up today. |
|
|
All are welcome with free food included sponsored by the Monroe Kiwanians and even if you're unable to provide physical labor- the camaraderie is just as important as the work accomplished. Nearly 100 volunteers have been attending these events in recent years with much being accomplished. Be sure to save the date and sign-up for this important, fun weekend back at our beloved Canyon Camp. |
|
|
The New CCC: Canyon Camp Constructors |
|
|
This May, a "new" group of volunteers will be coming together. You may have heard of the original CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) which provided immense productivity to our country through talented service by individuals. This same concept is being put into motion at Canyon Camp with our own version of the CCC- The Canyon Camp Constructors! Talented individuals from a wide array of generations will be coming together this May to volunteer their services on an array of projects ranging from steel roof installations to updating fire pits in campsites to applying a fresh coat of paint to interior and exterior buildings, and more! |
|
|
To be held May 8-12th, this group will come together just after the Spring Kiwanis Work Weekend for additional, focused skilled work. Currently, nine individuals have already been selected to be a part of this team, and the key word of "new" is used to describe them. They are returning primarily as past Scouts and Staff members to come back to Camp and give back. Individuals such as Scott Simenson, Matt Urban, Tom Howe, Jeff Thompson, Kevin Lamm, Steve Chandler, and others have already shared their interest in helping. Might you have a talent to share as well? The CCC is primarily coordinated by John Wurtzel with assistance from Lee Binkley and Bruce Small. If you're interested in learning more and may be able to volunteer key talents, please fill out the form below. Thank you to the many amazing friends, supporters, and volunteers that make Canyon Camp the special place that it is. We look forward to launching the CCC this May! |
|
|
Friends of Canyon Camp Appropriate Nearly $70,000 for Projects |
|
|
Canyon Camp will be benefiting nearly $70,000 in investment in program and facility needs from the efforts of the nonprofit organization, the Friends of Canyon Camp. Each year, supporters of Canyon Camp come together to support capital and program related projects. Every penny of available funds is appropriated each and every year. Since the onset of these initiatives, more than $100,000 has been given to Camp with direct benefit to Scouts, Leaders, Staff, and Visitors. |
|
|
In 2021, $30,000 was given to support 7 projects ranging from new generators at Camp to trail renovations and new PFDs for waterfront. Last year, with an additional boost of resources from the 85th anniversary reunion, the 2022 cycle saw more than $60,000 available for 11 projects. Just last week, the 2023 Leadership Council met to designate nearly $70,000 across 19 projects at Camp. These projects are essential for the annual camp facilities evaluations ongoing within the BSA's National Camp Accreditation Program, enhancing the camp experience for all participants, and/or creating lasting change in behind the scenes needs for maintenance and refurbishment of our beautiful, traditional style camp. This year, the Friends of Canyon Camp have selected these pre-approved projects for funding: Existing campsite enhancements New pool cleaning device Support towards efforts of a new-to-camp tractor Support towards Troop 95's memorial of low COPE challenges New storage space for pioneer Potpourri New cameras for Handicraft area Seed funding for a new campsite "off the hill" Electric to 1-3+ additional campsites Miscellaneous items for priority mini-projects High need program supply enhancements Improved drainage and entry leading to Office/Trading Post and bouldering wall New kitchen and dining hall equipment Phase II off-season storage improvements Fencing/landscaping around dumpsters (etc) Office equipment needs Electric to rifle range Drawings for a potential future footbridge Improved shelving in the rifle range
These projects will be implemented by the Canyon Camp property committee and Canyon Camp Staff within the direction of the Blackhawk Area Council. Key volunteers step up to bring these projects to fruition each year, and we are thrilled to see this progress continue. This annual effort comes alongside needs and support of the Blackhawk Area Council. Additionally, major gifts have been made in recent years creating transformational opportunities. This includes one of Camp's largest gifts in its recent history. Major projects such as a new maintenance facility and, within the next few seasons, upgraded bathroom and shower facilities at Canyon Camp continue to move through planning stages to be implemented in the near future. We have much to be thankful at Canyon Camp. Our history speaks to our ability to provide a top notch program with scant resources, but in recent years, we have been fortunate enough to have resources to invest in program and capital needs. Intentionally, our Camp will remain rustic and traditional in nature, but these friends and alumni who give back are creating opportunity to ensure all Scouts who enter the front gates of Camp have a memorable, life changing experience as they enjoy the Spirit of Canyon Camp.
Thank you for providing for these young people who enjoy Canyon Camp each year!
|
|
|
Save the Date: Kiwanis Woodcutter's Ball 2023 |
|
|
October 7! That's the date that should be saved in your calendar (click here to add to calendar) for a day of service, good eats, and fellowship as we prepare Camp for it's fall and winter slumber. We look forward to seeing you October 7 and will share more information in our fall newsletter! |
|
|
Do you find yourself longing for some Camp spirit but don't know ho to get a taste of it at home? Look no further! Thanks to the efforts of Will Frauchiger and members of the promotions team, you can now listen to some camp song originals! Click the link below to hear some mainstream versions of your favorite songs. Thanks, Will and friends! A special Shoutout to Kevin Lamm for adding nearly a dozen new songs! | | |
|
|
JDCF / BAC Partnership Revisited |
|
|
Last fall, an article was shared with the Staff Alumni and Friends that we wanted to revisit to ensure you received and had a copy. In one of the most transformational moves in Canyon Camp's recent history, a new partnership was created with the Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) and Blackhawk Area Council. Nearly 150 acres of far north and far east property of Camp are now under easement and ownership by JDCF linking us to the large network of preserves and State Parks in the surrounding Apple River Valley Region. We highly encourage you to read the article from last fall and to ask any questions you may have to program.canyon@gmail.com.
Canyon Camp continues to prosper thanks to the many friends, alumni, and community supporters coming together for the thousands of young people served at our Camp. Thank you for your care, support, and trust as we look far into the future. We look forward to seeing you at Camp at a work weekend/day or this summer at a Wednesday night! |
|
|
Visit www.canyoncampbsa.org/alumni for additional updates. If you have questions or recommendations, send us an e-mail at any time: program.canyon@gmail.com |
|
|
|
|
