Long Range Planning Boy Scout Forum
Scout Resource Center
July 22, 2008
7:00 p.m.

Executive Board Member, Mike Holdgrafer welcomed those in attendance and explained the format and purpose of the meeting. Scout Executive, Bill Haines led the evening’s discussions emphasizing that the discussion would center on the status of existing programs and facilities of the Indian Nations Council and examine needs for the future. The Long Range Planning Boy Scout Forum consisted of a target audience of:

• Adults who volunteer or have interest in Boy Scout Program
• Average years volunteering with Scouting Programs ~ 10 years
• Out of Council experience as a volunteer ~ 10% of audience
• Adults who represent all Council Districts and the Council Board

Bill Haines began the open discussion with a review of the Indian Nations Councils Program functions and responsibilities: Training, Advancement, Activities, and Camping. This discussion continued with a review of Council properties and their uses:

• Hale Scout Reservation ~ Summer Camp
• Zink Ranch ~ Boy Scout Camping ~ Cub World family camping ~ Aquatics Camp
• Camp Garland ~ Troop Camping ~ District Activity Camping
• The Robson Family Outdoor Center Camp Russell ~ Day Events ~ Seasonal Events
• The Jack Graves Outdoor Learning Center ~ Day Activities, Seasonal
• The Outer Limits Ropes Course Facility ~ Day Activities, Seasonal
• Camp Darby ~ District Activities/Camping ~ Canoe Activities ~ Rappelling Activities
• Camp Keystone ~ District Activities/Camping ~ Canoe Activities ~ Rappelling Activities
• Scout Resource Center ~ Training ~ Meetings

An active discussion continued regarding existing and new programs and facilities as follows:

What are the existing programs operated by the Indian Nations Council at each facility?

Darby:
Canoeing
Camping (year round)
Order of the Arrow
Day Camp (Neosho only)
District Activities (Neosho primarily)
Climbing and Repelling

Garland:
Camping (year round)
District Activities
Order of the Arrow
Training ~Woodbadge~Pine Tree
Shooting Sports
Climbing Tower

Russell:
COPE/Ropes Course
Fall Festival
Day Camp
Shooting Sports~BB & Archery
Training
Special Needs Camporee
District Day Activities

Keystone:
Camping (year round)
District Activities (Sac & Fox)
Day Camp (Sac & Fox)

Zink Ranch:
Cub World
Camping (year round)
Major Council Events~Camporee

Hale:
Summer Camp
Order of the Arrow

What are new programs you would like to see implemented?

Membership Retention for Webelo Scouts crossing to Boy Scouts
Improve Lake to Lake trail at Zink Ranch
High Adventure Programs
High Adventure programs at Hale
Museum at Hale
Native Heritage Center
Aquatics Program at Zink Ranch
Additional Housing
Larger Dining Hall
Pool Area
High Adventure
Pavilion inside the Boy Scout Loop Camping Area
Enhanced Shooting Sports at Garland and Zink
Cub Scout Resident Camp at Garland or Zink
Geocashing at Zink and Garland
Mt Biking at Zink, Garland and Hale
Winter Camp at Garland

What challenges with the existing facilities operated by the Indian Nations Council need to be corrected to help you deliver a better program?

Camp Darby:
Upkeep needed on all facilities / general repairs
Add a Restroom Facility
Clear campsites and build shelters (w/ Fireplaces) for expanded camping spaces
Road work needed

Camp Garland:
Upgrade Water System
Campsite improvements
Build restrooms and shower facilities
Dining Hall improvements ~ Roof improvement immediate
Repair Pavilions
Treat wood at Training Center.
Add Storage at Training center and at camp
Add 75 person Dinning Hall at Training Center
Fix Climbing Tower
Improvements on Shooting Sports Range
Fix Quartermaster/ Admin Building so it can be used
Demolish Pool (safety issue)
Fill dirt in campsites
Road improvements
Question: Is there a need to connect the upper and lower sites by road? The group attending did not see an immediate need.

Hale Scout Reservation:
Stain and seal all wood on all structures- immediate need
County road improvements ~ flooding hazards
More bath houses needed
Need for energy efficiency program for all facilities
Need a separate building for training
Expanded Trading Post
Walking pathway needed at Pool area
Improvements to Technology Center
Museum
Native Heritage Center

Camp Russell:
Shooting Sports Ranges back filled for proper upkeep
Stain and seal all wood structures
Improvements needed on boat dock, fishing dock, storage facility, maintenance facility, l Road and Bridge need work
Better Parking Areas
Storage Buildings
Better Maintenance Building/ Yard

Zink Ranch:
More, better Aquatics near camping area- better dock
Boy Scout Loop Road needs immediate improvements
Pavilions at Boy Scout Loop
Further development of Aquatic Center
Storage Buildings

What New Facilities you would like to see?

Expanded Aquatics Center at Zink Ranch with a pool
Storage Area for Boy Scout activity uses at Zink Ranch
Canoe and boat ramp at cove at Zink Ranch
Winterized water systems at camps for winter camping
Bartlett Training Center needs to be better insulated/heated
Shooting Sports Facility at Garland
Museum at Hale Scout Reservation
Native Heritage Center
Multi-purpose building near SRC (open w/ shooting range & storage)
Mid-level High Adventure at Hale
Spread out campsites at Hale
More bathhouses at Hale

The meeting concluded with all in attendance encouraged to e-mail Scout Executive, Bill Haines with a prioritized list of items discussed, most important improvements to existing facilities and programs and new facilities and programs prioritized.
Next meeting for the Long Range Planning Boy Scout Forum will take place on August 19, 2008 at the Scout Resource Center at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:35 p.m.