Long Range Planning Cub Scout Forum
Scout Resource Center
July 29, 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 Cub Scout Forum consisted of a target audience of:

• Adults who volunteer or have interest in Cub Scout Programs
• Average years volunteering with Scouting Programs ~ 6 years
• 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 ~ Boy Scout 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 (primarily Neosho) Activities/Camping ~ Canoe Activities ~ Rappelling Activities
• Camp Keystone ~ District (primarily Sac & Fox) 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:
Camping (year round)
Day Camp (Neosho only)
District Activities (Neosho primarily)

Garland:
Camping (year round)
District Activities
Training
Climbing Tower
Webelos Woods

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

Keystone:
Nature activities
Troop Camping

Zink Ranch:
Cub World
Mom and Me / Dad and Lad
District Camping Events
Belt-loop Fair
Camping (year round)

Hale:
No Cub Activities
Council Cub Activities/Events not held at a camp
Good Turn activities- Scouting for Food, Floral Haven/Memorial Day
Guitar Hunt (Neosho)
Driller’s Scout Night
District Pinewood Derby
Cubmobile

What are new programs you would like to see implemented?

Membership Retention for Webelo Scouts crossing to Boy Scouts ~ Council event Matching Cub Packs with Scout Troops
Youth Patriotism Training (Flag Cerimonies)
Sibling Program at Cub World- Tot Lot area
Native Heritage Center
Aquatics Program at Zink Ranch for Cub Scouts (day and week long program)
Additional Housing
Larger Dining Hall
Pool Area
Extended Hours for the Scout Shop during the week.
Advancement Workshops for Cub Leaders
Advancement based or centered Activities
Day Camp ~Advancement based and market that
Update/correct Council Training Records
Pow Wow ( more training opportunities)
Leader/Parent Camp Work Days at Zink/Russell/Garland
Improved Communications ~ New Smoke Signal layout and website a good start
Better Marketing ~ activities, events, Scouting to public (Scout-o-Roma)
Partnering opportunities ~ Cherokee Heritage Center,
Interpretive Program Center,
Oxley Nature Center
Updated Council Event Calendar on-line
Improve unit commissioner visibility in each District
Cub Scout Resident Camp at Garland or Zink
Severe Weather Training ~ evacuation center for all camps
Enhanced emergency procedures
On-line information
Site orientation video for all properties
Eddy Eagle NRA Training
Cub Round Table ~ needs improvement

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
Road work needed

Camp Garland:
Upgrade Water System
Campsite improvements
Build restrooms and shower facilities (Flush toilets !!!!)
Restroom facilities built to double as tornado shelters
Dining Hall improvements
Repair Pavilions
Fix Climbing Tower
Improvements on Shooting Sports Range
Demolish Pool (safety issue)
Road improvements
Winterize Training Center

Hale Scout Reservation:
N/A ~ Boy Scout Only

Camp Russell:
A bridge and trail system connecting the east and west side of the property together
Nature Building ~ Program Center
Improvements needed on boat dock, fishing dock, storage facility, maintenance facility Road and Bridge need work
Better Parking Areas
Improved road and path leading to Ropes Course facility
Additional restrooms by the shooting sports area

Zink Ranch:
Pavilions at Boy Scout Loop
Further development of Aquatic Center
Pool
Cub Resident Camp facility
Cub World theme areas need tents, running water and restrooms for campers
Additional Shooting Sports Ranges at Cub World
Rebuild Village at Cub World
Facelift on Cub World ~ showing signs of wear

What New Facilities you would like to see?

Storm Shelters at all properties ~ training on emergency procedures
Expanded Aquatics Center at Zink Ranch with an Olympic size pool
Native Heritage Center
Location for New Cub Resident Camp ~ Garland or Zink
Cub Scouts (moms) need flush toilets
Nature/Training Center at Russell

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 Cub Scout Forum will take place on August 26, 2008 at the Scout Resource Center at 7:00 p.m.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:40 p.m.