3/18/22
Dear Scout Leaders, Parents, and Supporters:
This morning, after careful consideration and a comprehensive yearlong review of the long-term sustainability of our camps, the Executive Board of Three Harbors Council has made the difficult decision to end operations at Indian Mound Scout Reservation (IMR) and advise the Trustees of the Milwaukee Boy Scout Fund, a separate legal entity that owns the camp, that the property can be sold. Indian Mound Scout Reservation will remain open for camping and programing up to the camp closure date of November 1, 2022.
This camp decision was driven by the contribution requested of our council to the Settlement Trust (a compensation fund) for survivors of abuse in Scouting, formed through the National BSA’s Chapter 11 case. Three Harbors Council’s portion of the contribution was determined to be $3.685 million by the Ad Hoc Committee of Local Councils, a committee in the bankruptcy proceedings. Our contribution will be funded initially through a loan from unrestricted endowment funds owned and managed by the Milwaukee Boy Scout Fund. Proceeds from the sale of IMR will go towards repaying the loan.
Our council’s contribution to the Settlement Trust, along with approximately 250 local councils across the country who are contributing a combined total of $515 million, will support the BSA’s two key objectives in its financial restructuring: equitably compensate survivors who were harmed during their time in Scouting and ensuring that Scouting’s mission continues, both nationally and locally, for years to come. Both objectives require unprecedented action by councils across the country. In the past year, three other Scout camps in Wisconsin, owned by other local councils, have sold to support contributions to the Settlement Trust. However, even with the recent camp closures, thirteen Scout camps remain open in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula, providing many great camping options.
Early last year, Three Harbors Council’s Executive Board formed a committee to review our two camp properties and make a recommendation to the board on the best future use of those assets. The committee’s review has been comprehensive over the last twelve months. In addition to the financial considerations of our contribution to the Trust for survivors of abuse, the committee reviewed multiple factors including camp usage, programs, facilities, and current and future Scouting membership trends.
We understand the concerns this camp decision may raise with our Scouting families, but this is a necessary and important step as we support the survivors of abuse in Scouting and ensure that we are in the best position to serve youth and families safely for many years to come. We anticipate hosting several opportunities over the coming months that will allow Scouts, alumni, and community members to celebrate their memories at IMR and the impact the camp has made on Scouting. Three Harbors Council’s Executive Board and staff are committed to providing top-quality program and camping opportunities at Camp Oh-Da-Ko-Ta and will continue to invest in the camp to meet the needs of our current and future Scouts.
The Council Key Three will host two Town Hall meetings to answer questions and hear your feedback on the camp decision. The Town Halls will be conducted virtually via Zoom on Thursday, March 24th at 5:30 pm and Tuesday, March 29th at 7:00 pm. Please click here to register for a Town Hall session and receive the link for the Zoom webinar.
Please reach out to Camping@ThreeHarborsScouting.org with any questions. You can also view our FAQ here. Any inquiries from local news media regarding the BSA bankruptcy or the camp decision should be directed to Scout Executive Andrew Hardin.
Thank you for your continued support of Scouting in Three Harbors Council.
In Scouting,
Pat Stiff
Council President |
Lucia Cronin
Council Commissioner |
Andrew Hardin
Scout Executive |
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