CEDA UNVEILS PLAN FOR TRADING POST SHELTER ADDITION

The Camp Eastman Development Association received final approval this fall for a plan to add a 40’ open shelter addition to the Camp Eastman trading post. The idea that had been under study for several months, is a part of the association’s overall plan to develop the heart of Camp Eastman into a central gathering and recreational area. With the popularity of the completed shelter in the scoutcraft area, this new addition will undoubtedly be useful for many programs and activities that take place at camp year around. Following the summer season, the new Scoutcraft shelter received heavy use from groups using camp for training sessions, camporees and unit rentals.

The shelter addition will extend forty feet from the north end of the administration building. It will have a concrete floor and a walkway that will extend the porch of the present structure. A bench constructed of stone to match the front of the building and to give a coordinated appearance to the addition will separate the shelter and walkway areas. Plans also include installation of a ceiling and electricity in the shelter to provide additional possibilities for its use.

The Camp Eastman Development Association has arranged funding to complete the first phase of construction, which is to pour the concrete footings and floor. The estimated cost of this portion of the project is $5,500.00 and is scheduled to be completed during 1999. Construction of the shelter is scheduled to be completed before summer camp season 2000, IF ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE RAISED. The board of directors is presently contacting interested supporters to make the completion of this project in 2000 a reality!

If you are interested in supporting the completion of this project, your help would be greatly appreciated. Your gift, returned with the donation form included in this newsletter, will help us reach our goal before summer camp 2000!

IN MEMORIUM

The Board of Directors of the Camp Eastman Development Association express their sympathy to the family of Thornton “Thor” Martin who died November 24, 1999. Thor was a longtime Scouter and actively supported the Camp Eastman Development Association by serving as a member of the Board of Directors.

His wisdom, advice and support will be greatly missed by the association as well as his active participation in many aspects of the Scouting program. Camp Eastman has truly lost a truly great friend.

LOW COURSE COPE EVENTS OPEN AT CAMP EASTMAN
The first session of Camp Eastman during summer season 1999 officially opened the COPE course. Since ground breaking was announced last spring, Camp Eastman Development Association workers have been busy mowing, clearing and constructing the events necessary to open the first twelve stations of the course. Also a part of the project was the rebuilding of an existing shelter house into a COPE equipment storage facility. Total expenditures to develop the COPE course area now total over $7,000.

Work has continued this fall on one new event and an additional seven events are under study as possible additions to the course. In time, the possibility of the construction of a high course also exists, with the approval of the Mississippi Valley Council. If you haven’t had the opportunity to participate in the newest program at Camp Eastman, don’t miss your chance when the course reopens next summer!

To many of us it seems impossible, an event that was so far in the future we would be unable to recognize our own youthful selves. But now it’s here and Scouters from the last 40 years can actually write it on their upcoming calendars. Next summer on Tuesday, July 4^th, just as inscribed on the marble slab most have seen or tripped over for all of our Scouting lives, the time capsule at Camp Eastman will be opened and the contents revealed. The event will be a celebration of all the good times, friendships, and great Scouting experiences we have had through the years.

As a fitting tribute to these times, a link to the future, and a commitment to continuing Scouting excellence, a new time capsule with contents from this time period will be set, to be opened in 2026, the 100^th anniversary of Scout camping on the banks of the Mississippi. Those who attend the celebration will have the opportunity to sign a roster to be placed in the new time capsule and have photographs of their family, friends, troop, etc. preserved there too. This is a chance for Scouters and their families to share a meaningful Scouting heritage and pass it along to the next generation. The day will be filled with lots of other events: Check out the following list. See you there!

Camp program areas open: Swimming pool, volleyball courts, basketball court, soccer field, archery range, canoeing and kayaking on the pond, trading post, memorabilia display, slide show, ground train tours, OA lodge and trading post, photographer.

Eastman Lodge Preservation Dinner. Special $100.00 per plate fund raising dinner limited to the first 80 people to send in reservations. All proceeds from this dinner and from the event will be used for the renovation of Eastman Lodge.

There is no formal evening program but those wishing to may participate in a sing along in Eastman Lodge following the dinner.

FOOD: Throughout the day the Order of the Arrow will be serving picnic-type fare along with pop and snacks at the camp trading post.

PHOTOGRAPHS: For a donation you can have a photo of your family, old Scouting friends, troop, etc. taken and placed in the 2026 time capsule.

CAMPING: Units under their own leadership are encouraged to camp overnight either on July 3^rd or 4^th. Arrangements must be made through the Scout Office.

FURTHER INFORMATION: Contact Bill Dorrell, 402 S. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641 (319) 385-9756 or Jim Gray, 1710 Pine St, Burlington, IA 52641 (319) 754-7820.

The Camp Eastman Development Association, dedicated to the betterment of Camp Eastman, is proud to administer an annual education scholarship in the amount of $1000.00. This scholarship is available to all members of the summer camp staff of the Mississippi Valley Council, Boy Scouts of America, who are planning to attend or continue their education as a full time student at a four year college, two year college, or trade school. The amount of $1000.00 will be paid directly to the school identified by the student. Camp staff members may apply by submitting a letter and application form to the Camp Eastman Development Association for consideration and final selection.

The purpose of the scholarship is to help valued camp staff members return, especially where a financial need may exist. Applicants are expected to demonstrate their sincere interest in returning by applying for a camp staff position. The scholarship committee will contact the camp director as to the willingness of the Mississippi Valley Council to offer future staff employment. If for unforeseen circumstances the recipient of the scholarship does not return to camp employment the following summer, this grant will not be considered revocable.

Five members of the 1999 camp staff made application for the education scholarship this year, which is funded through the generosity of Joe Williams of Yelm, WA. Selection committee members Bill Dorrell, Don Vinson, and Quentin Karlstrand carefully reviewed the applications and selected Kenneth Koch of Quincy, Illinois as the 1999 scholarship recipient.

Congratulations to Kenneth, who is enrolled at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. His major is math and engineering, and he hopes to pursue a career as a civil engineer. Kenneth has served on camp staff for the past four years as a CIT, scoutcraft staff, and co-director of the scoutcraft area. Best of luck to Kenneth in his studies this year and we look forward to his return to camp next summer!

Tom Seibert attacks the old boathouse foundation

The final phase of the boathouse replacement project was accomplished in late October of 1999 with the removal of the crumbling foundation of the old boathouse. With the help of Tommy Seibert, who arranged for use of a jackhammer, air compressor and end loader, the foundation and floor were turned into useful fill material for the water system intake area on Larry’s Creek.

The project also included removal of the railroad rails that were a part of the motor launch storage system that was last in used in the boating area during the early 1960’s. In recent years the rails proved to be a problem because of the debris that lodged upstream and blocked access to the docking area.

Final grading and seeding of the area will be finished prior to summer season 2000. The project was completed as a part of the Camp Eastman Development Association’s plan to return abandoned areas of camp to a natural state.

The board of directors of the Camp Eastman Development Association is seeking a small (12’-14’) trailer capable of storing tools, equipment and materials for the Camp Eastman improvement projects. For further information contact: Jim Gray, 1710 Pine Street, Burlington, IA 52601 (319) 754-7820.

During ceremonies held at the Wednesday night campfire of the first session of Camp Eastman, David VanWinkle of Allen, Texas was recognized for his contribution to the “betterment of Camp Eastman.” As announced in our last newsletter, David provided $10,000 in funds for the construction of shelters in both the scoutcraft and archery program areas.

David’s parents, the late Betty and Melvin VanWinkle of Fort Madison, were both longtime Scouters. With the passing of Betty VanWinkle in December of 1997, David expressed an interest to sponsor an improvement project at Camp Eastman in memory of his parents.

David’s weeklong visit this summer saw both of these new additions in use by campers. Thanks to project coordinators Kevin Moore of Troop #3, for his work on the archery shelter and Ray Shafer of Troop #60, for his work on the scoutcraft shelter, most of the construction was completed prior to the opening of camp. Kevin and Ray both had the benefit of many volunteers to keep the projects on schedule.

Following the close of summer camp, additional work in both areas has continued. Roof shingling at the archery range, delayed due to the extremely hot summer weather, has been completed. Thanks to John Weyer of Troop #53, lights and electrical outlets were added to the scoutcraft shelter to make it more functional for a variety of activities. Painting at the archery shelter and fill grading at both locations was accomplished late in the season.

Our last newsletter indicated that the Camp Eastman Development Association was in need of telephone poles for a variety of uses at camp, including the popular pole shelters that have been constructed.
Due to the response from a number of Scouters, we obtained enough poles to complete a new pole shelter for the use of Troop #15 in the Wrens Nest campsite. The installation was finished at the eleventh hour, in extreme heat, by that faithful camp crew known as the “Jr. Woodchucks”. As the heat wave continued, the members of Troop #15 were very appreciative that this project was completed before the arrival of the troop.

Many thanks to Jim Neves who not only located some select poles, but also transported them to camp. The association would also like to thank Lon Simpson of Lincoln, IL for his contribution of poles and Jim Thompson for his assistance to load and haul them to Camp Eastman.

To equip the new archery range completed during the summer of 1999, the Camp Eastman Development Association has accepted a $1000.00 gift from the Mt. Pleasant Area Whitetails Unlimited Chapter. Whitetails Unlimited, Inc. is a national nonprofit organization. The purpose of the organization is to raise funds in support of education, habitat conservation, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife.

The Camp Eastman Development Association board representative, Terry Ross, accepted the Mt. Pleasant Area Chapter gift from Richard Lanphier. Ross personally recognized the chapter for their support with a letter of thanks and plaque at the Mt. Pleasant Area Whitetails Unlimited Chapter Banquet, held September 21, 1999.

The Camp Eastman Development Association would again like to thank the Whitetails Unlimited Chapter for their generous support. The chapter has indicated their interest in supporting the field sports area at Camp Eastman with regular yearly contributions. Their gift this year was used to purchase new bows and targets which will arrive for the 2000 camp season. Future contributions will be used to continue the Camp Eastman Development Association plan to improve the facilities and purchase additional equipment for the field sports area.

The newest addition to the recreation area at Camp Eastman for summer season 1999 was the completion of a 45’ x 60’ basketball court. Partial funding for this project was obtained from a $3000.00 matching fund grant presented to the Camp Eastman Development Association by Catfish Bend Casino. The Phyllis Ross Estate of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, presented additional funding of $652.00 for goals, backboards and hoops.

The completed value of the project totaled $6,542.32 with remaining donations from the generous friends of Camp Eastman that support our annual fund raising banquet. Judging from the use that the court received throughout the summer, even during the heat wave, this new addition to the sports and recreation area was a big hit with our campers.

Camp Eastman Alumni and friends that live outside the Mississippi Valley Council area have found an excellent way to support the work of the Camp Eastman Development Association. Scott Hale, of Iowa City, organized a fundraising effort within his department at Mercy Hospital to designate the Camp Eastman Development Association as a recipient of annual employee United Way contributions

During 1999, the Camp Eastman Development Association received payments totaling $887.33 from the Johnson County United Way, representing these employee contributions. Many thanks to Scott and Kelli Hale, Mike Westcott and Scott Clemons who designated gifts to the Camp Eastman Development Association.

Plans are already in the works to continue these designated gifts as a part of the United Way campaign. If you live outside the present council area and would like information about this type of United Way gift, contact President Jim Gray.

The membership committee of the Camp Eastman Development Association has designed and developed a “Contributor” card that was first introduced at our last annual banquet and has now been printed for distribution. This multicolor, wallet size card can be carried with you to identify you as a contributor, “Dedicated to the betterment of Camp Eastman.”

Your annual gift of $10.00 or more entitles you to receive a Camp Eastman Development Association contributor card. Gifts beginning at the following levels will be appropriately designated on your card and recognized in each issue of the “Paddlewheel”:

In addition to monetary gifts, the board of directors has recently approved a plan to recognize contributors that provide hours of service to Camp Eastman improvement projects. Service hours will be recognized at 20 for Navigator, 50 for Pilot and 100 for Captain. Details on how you can qualify for service hour credit will be announced at our annual banquet.

Tickets are now on sale for a fundraising dinner to be held at 5:00 P.M. July 4, 2000 following the time capsule opening and dedication ceremonies. The catered dinner, featuring smoked prime rib, will be a chance for Scouters to once again enjoy a meal together at Eastman Lodge, last used as the camp dining hall in 1960.

Tickets to this special dinner are now on sale and will be limited to the first 80 paid reservations. All dinner proceeds will be used for an Eastman Lodge preservation project.