RE:
http://www.ottumwacourier.com/local/local_story_336235153.html
Wanted concerned Scouts, past Scouters or just individuals interested in saving Camp Wapello. You can contact the Camp Wapello Preservation Group at CWPG PO Box 123 Bloomfield, IA 52537-0123 or call 1-800-684-4184 CWPG is a 501 c3 non-profit organization that does not receive state, government or United Way funding. Your contributes and involvment are needed NOW.

^ good job and I applaud your efforts. I think there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this backing out situation.

So there was a contract?

WOW BOONE!!! so far far away, it just seems that that serves their needs more than Our needs down here.

quote:

Originally posted by Bisquitboy28:
^ good job and I applaud your efforts. I think there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this backing out situation.

So there was a contract?

WOW BOONE!!! so far far away, it just seems that that serves their needs more than Our needs down here.

that is funny! i was a scout leader in ottumwa for a couple of years. one summer whe took the boys to the boundry waters. they thought boone was too close!

truth be told, ive only been to camp wapello camping once, and it was very nice.

For many years my husband and son have been involved in the Scouting program in Southeast Iowa. My husband is a local Scoutmaster and my son is an Eagle Scout. For years, both have participated in the "total camping experience" of Camp Wapello. What Des Moines is doing in regard to Camp Wapello is no surprise. For years, the executives of Des Moines have tried to belittle Camp Wapello and the Scouting efforts of the local troops. Camp Wapello represents a chance to experience "real camping" - no paved roads, lots of trees and natural habitat to explore. Hopefully, Des Moines will see that the local scouting community is behind Camp Wapello 100% and change its mind before it alienates local troops.

For Many years I have been involed in Camp Wapello I guess you could say my Dad went there my Brother and now my 17 year old boys go there I have been a Den leader and a Committe Member and now a CubMaster and my husband a assit scout master This is a crying shame
What about the Eagles that there projects are done there

I will not take my 6 year old to Boone and leave him there that is too far away my older boys say that Boone is not a camp because it is not true camping

We as are song goes Wapello brees Wapello born when I die I will be Wapello die we live by this and we lovve are camp

Well lets just start by saying I think a piece of my heart died when i got the message from my mother about all of this.
I have been going to camp wapello since my brothers were little and attending every clean up and every camp out sense I joined the Navy. I have memories i cant quite discribe about the camp and one that really comes to mind was my last camp out. My mother and some others were bound to have this webelo camp and so i agreed to stay along with a couple staff members. These mothers had everything planned from sunrise to sunset. Then some unexpected weather came up and parents started pulling there kids from camp thinking it was to risky and such. Well then there was only 10. keep in mind this was most of thems first time at camp and all of us staff was bound to make it the best time they have ever had. So after the loss of a few tents blankets. We made our way to the Dinning hall. We moved the tables and came together as more of a family the only people you knew were the ones who brought you. But not on this night where all the Dens were seperate. Nope we were family. So we broke out the food but blankets in the dryer and started skits then all the kids wanted to make there own. Pretty soon it was morning the rain was gone and I just remember standing with the other parents and cracking jokes about there skits and just about the whole night of laughter and overcoming fears that the kids faced all in one night. I have never seen something so big come out of such a little thing.
So this long story always reminds me to give everyone a chance always know there is something good at the end and its the little things.
The day I wrote my name near my grandfathers in the boat house was one of the best days of my life.
With that..
Wapello born Wapello Breed when I die I will be Wapello Dead...
All hail wapello...
Signed the last of the dying Breed
QMSN Brandi Renae Lindemann
United States Navy

I remember that night all to well and the boys still talk about it

I am an Eagle Scout, and I have attended Camp Wapello for many years. I have served on camp staff there for 4 of those years. Wapello is what camping and scouting is all about. We don't have air conditioning or in-ground pools, because we aren't running a leisure camp. We want to get dirty, get wet, get bug bitten, swim in the lake, race cardboard boats, and perform songs and skits in the dining hall. It is truly sickening when politics such as this are incorporated into organizations. What kind of values are we showing the kids that are in scouting right now? Last time I checked, money wasn't one of the 12 points in the scout law. People need to get their heads on straight, forget vendettas, and remember the true values of scouting.

Richard Fortney
Eagle Scout
Troop 22

I hope everyone comes to the meeting tomorrow night at Strother Lodge at the IHCC campus. I think my son said things quite well. We have spent 12+ years at Camp Wapello, and it is HOME to us and any boy that has ever experienced life there. Wapello relies on private donations and many volunteer hours to bring the boys a first class camping experience. Mid-Iowa Council does not fund any of the camp improvements that are made each year. The camp has been an acreditted Boy Scout summer camp for many years. (That means it is inspected during the first week of camp and it meets with National standards) Maybe if Mid-Iowa Council is hurting for money they shouldn't waste money building a new Scout building in West Des Moines, since they already have a very nice one on Euclid. I'm sure if Mid-Iowa would ask The Wapello Preservation Group how to have a beautiful and quality camp with-out alot of money they would teach them how to live on a budget and maybe they wouldn't have to close OUR camp. With the economy the way it is I would think building a new building and air conditioning the dining halls could wait so they wouldn't have to close a camp that has been open to many Scouts and their families for over 75 years. It surely can't cost them more to have camp here then it would cost to have camp at Mitigwa. I've been informed that this area has one of the highest poverty rates in the state, why take away a quality camp that can serve these kids and families? It is just too far for families to travel to get their kids to camp, let alone visit on family night.
Wapello born, and Wapello bred....hope Wapello is not dead
Kathy Fortney

I think closing camp wapello is just appaling. It irritates me to no end that they think of money instead of the program that is for the BOYS not the adults. Camp wapello is just a huge part of scouting for the boys in this area. It provides a real camping experience and the kids all enjoy going to summer camp there. Now they want to know where they are going to go camping at for the summmer. Last year they closed the camp due to the lake being drained and kept money from each boy who didn't go to camp matigwa. Then we asked this fall is camp going to be open this summer and they said yes it would be open provided there was water. When they say things like this and then go back on there word is that not the same thing as lieing to all these young men who are trying to learn some great values. All I have to say to that is, it is a good thing that we have the upstanding leaders and parents to look out for the boys.

Yesterday I closed my office for most of the day so I could show WHO TV 13 film crew Camp Wapello. Today they will interview Ely Brewer. Tonight at 9pm channel 15 then 10pm channel 13 the interviews will be shown. Please watch and tell your friends to watch. One note from my son in law I would like to share with everyone. He is not a scouter but made the comment Mid-IA does not sound very trustworthy. Every Scout kowns the first point in the Scout Law is TRUSTWORTHY. Interesting view from someone not involved with CWPG or Mid-IA. Also CWPG is more than willing to except your tax deductible contributes to support the continued operation of CAMP WAPELLO.

For those of you who are on Facebook, there is a group called Save Camp Wapello! You can make the difference!. On there is all the information you need to contribute to the cause. Also, if you aren't familiar with the camp or other subjects, you can post on the wall or board and ask members to explain certain topics of your choice.

I am an Eagle Scout, father of a bear cub and former member of the Camp Wapello staff. This isnt the first time they tried this. I remember as a youth the sadness i felt when we thought they were never going to have camp at Wapello again. But the leaders at the time got through that and so will we. I have to laugh at the reasoning for them not having camp at Wapello last year. I was on staff in 90' i think, when they drained the lake. It was another successful summer camp with different activities such as horseback riding and the buckskinner encampment. It was the plan all along, to see what the reaction was and see what happens, In my opinion. I dont ever hear them say, we need to close a camp, now wich one should it be. maybe they should close Matigwa and keep Wapello open, sounds like it would make much more economical sense. See oyu all at the meeting.


Sam

I was a staff member for several years and Camp Wapello and am now an Eagle Scout. This doesn't resonate with the values that my scouting experience taught me.

I was taught trustworthiness. I think that authenticity and clarity is a necessity in all communications. Yet, I am reading that the leadership of the Mid-Iowa Counsel intentionally deceived its members. If financial reasons were a concern, the Counsel should have been more transparent in previous discussions about the camp’s future. Further, among the first people to be informed should have been the Preservation Board.

I learned about leadership, as a scout. At every campout, we were given tasks and expected to figure out how to do them, enlisting the support of our fellow scouts. A solution that never worked was avoidance. The Mid-Iowa Counsel had the responsibility of talking with the Preservation Board about the problems it is having and the decision to close the camp. If its support were enlisted, the Preservation Board may have been able to work with the Counsel on ways to solve problems. At any rate, the Counsel tried to avoid the problem due to a previously strained relationship with the board.

I was taught to value friendliness, courteousness. It seems that since the merger of the two counsels that previously owned both Camp Wapello and Camp Mitigwa, their has been a severe lack of friendliness and courteousness and a desire to show superiority by maintaining one camp and abandoning the other. The leadership of this wonderful scouting organization has, at times, forgotten its values.

Chris "Fish" Childs
childc1@central.edu

I, like Mr. Kingery, was around Wapello from 1989 thru 1996. Some of my most cherished memories in scouting come from that place. I can't imagine that "economic conditions" are causing the proposed closing of camp for scout activities. Camp Wapello has been on the chopping block before and it survived thanks to the Camp Wapello Preservation Society. I hope it does again. Doc, I fondly remember your presence at camp, both with your troop and with the buckskinners and I wish you and the preservation society the best of luck with the continued maintenance of the camp. It is a wonderful place for scouts and scouters alike.

Kevin
Eagle Scout, Troop 64
Camp Wapello attendee, 1989-1996
Honor Camper, 1995
Brotherhood Member of the Mitigwa Lodge