Treasure Island to Close
Posted in The Council Executive Board of the Cradle of Liberty Council, BSA recently voted to accept the recommendation of their camping committee to close Treasure Island for 2009. The decision was not made lightly, but the final tally was nearly unanimous at 35-1. The committee recommendation suggested an October 1, 2008 closing date. The above web page does not state whether this aspect of the recommendation was adopted.
While not explicitly stated the news story and the recommendation of the council’s camping committee make it clear that it is highly unlikely Treasure Island will ever be reopened for Scout camping. The camping committee will make a later recommendation regarding the future of this property.
Treasure Island, in operation since 1913, was one of the older BSA camps still in use as a summer camp. It is best known to Scouts in the US as the location where the Order of the Arrow was founded by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson in 1915.
As the council stated, the decision to close this historic Scout camp was not made lightly. The camp is located on two islands in the middle of the Delaware River and is one of the few Scout camps to be located in two different states. The camp suffered major flooding in 2005 and 2006. As a result of the 2005 floods it was closed for the 2006 camp season.
The council’s camping program is running a deficit, including a projected deficit of $140,000 in 2008 at Treasure Island, alone, on revenue of $388,000. It is stated the property is no longer insurable for flood loss. The camping committee also reports there are significant obstacles to the continued use of this property as a Scout camp. Among the issues identified I quote these:
- …Parking is an issue year round. All food, propane, fuel oil and other deliveries have been made substantially more complicated. We are no longer allowed to unload on River Road next to the canal bridge…
- …While the septic system for the Dining Hall has been replaced, the staff area septic system is in poor condition. The showerhouse septic systems are unknown quantities. Our ability to professionally service our latrines is limited and at times means hand shoveling waste into trash cans with removal to the Pennsylvania side…
- …The Delaware River Basin Commission voted on and approved the designation of the river as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“special protection waters.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ That designation limits direct discharges of wastewater into the river and has major ramifications should some of our facilities be investigated…
- …TI now has annual NJ Fire systems and Electrical inspections. These inspections include an increased scrutiny of new work performed since the last inspections. Even having qualified volunteers perform work at Treasure Island has become harder due to these licensing, inspection and permit issues….
- …The pool falls below state standards and is open due to grandfathered regulations. Major renovations need to be made to pumps, filtration and the concrete structure…
- …Should we need to rebuild the (campmaster) cabin due to a future problem, one of the requirements of a building permit would force it to be 14 feet off the ground. Handicapped access to that building, by code, would then require a ramp to be 168 feet long!…
The need for major capital improvements, environmental factors and government regulations all pose significant roadblocks. Clearly this is no longer a practical or suitable location for a Scout camp. There would even be significant issues with state sanitation regulations if the property was used only for short-term or weekend camping.
Any improvements made on the property would have to be done with the knowledge that all could be lost in the next flood. While that may not happen for another fifty years, the council does not appear to be in the financial condition to assume that risk. There are other needs for these funds within their camping program, with significantly less risk for a total loss of capital.
I believe the council is fully aware of the historical significance of this property. However as stewards of the council’s assets, they must act prudently. In a situation like this logic and prudence should not be overruled by a sense of sentimentality. The case has been made that it would not be a wise use of the council’s limited resources to continue to pour money into this property so it can be used as a Summer camp.
The council has made it clear that no determination has yet been made regarding the future of this property. Realistically a transfer of ownership would seem likely. This could create an opportunity for those who wish to preserve this historic property for posterity. Perhaps a foundation could be formed, with a sufficient trust fund, to maintain this site in a similar way to how Brownsea Island has been preserved.
Transfer of ownership to the states of New Jersey and Pennsylvania would also be a possibility. However this could face significant political issues. Some of these would likely deal with the property’s location astride the states’ border. Others would deal with BSA policies. State ownership would not guarantee the BSA could continue to use the property in any way whatsoever. Transfer to a private trust would seem to be the best option should the council wish to dispose of the property.
Popularity: 12% [?]
[...] Go to the author’s original blog: Treasure Island to Close [...]