WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR CAN MAKE

     A major component of the Camp Eastman Development Association plan to improve the boating area at Camp Eastman is complete.  The new 30’ x 40’ steel boathouse constructed in the winter of 1997 was opened for use during the 1998 camp season. To many it was quite a shock to see the old boathouse, that had served us for so many years, removed from the area.

    Although the building was constructed in the closing days of 1997, there was much to be done to prepare it for service. Throughout 1998 projects continued to provide telephone, electrical service and wiring for the building.  The remaining light fixtures will be installed prior to the 1999 camp season. Interior building projects have also included building storage racks for life jackets, oars, paddles, sailboats and sails.

    Salvage and cleanup of the old boathouse was a major project to improve the appearance of the area. Brush clearing and stump removal kept crews busy until the opening day of summer camp. To make the area more functional for boating classes, additional picnic tables were constructed and sand added to the boat access ramp.

   Future plans for the boating area includes additional grading to control drainage, landscaping and shore line improvements.  The plan also includes making the temporary water line to the area a permanent installation.

   There are still many project opportunities available to make the Camp Eastman boating area the safest, best maintained and finest program equipped facility of any camp. The Camp Eastman Development Association, with your support, will continue to pursue this goal.

 

ASSOCIATION AWARDED CATFISH BEND CASINO GRANT

 During ceremonies held aboard the Catfish Bend Casino February 24, 1999, President Jim Gray accepted a check for $3000.00 from the casino’s matching grant program.  The program is a new one offered by Catfish Bend and is focused on helping cultural entities, enhancing tourism and helping youth and senior citizens.

The letter of application submitted by the Camp Eastman Development Association was for the purpose of receiving funding to further develop the sports and recreation area located near the trading post at Camp Eastman. Specifically, the request was for $2500.00 to construct a new basketball court at this site.

The casino received nearly 100 applications from groups requesting more than $750,000. The Camp Eastman Development Association was one of 49 organizations that received monetary awards from the $100,000 available through the program

A big “Thank you” to Catfish Bend Casino for approval of our request. The Camp Eastman Development Association plans to complete this addition to the sports and recreation area for summer camp 1999.

 

COPE COURSE BREAKS GROUND

 

It has been over two years since our newsletter announced that construction would begin in the spring of 1997 on the first phase of a COPE course at Camp Eastman. Thanks to Joe Williams, who pledged the necessary funds to construct a complete low COPE course at our 1996 banquet, it seemed that this long anticipated project would soon become a reality.

            Following our newsletter announcement, the Executive Board of the Mississippi Valley Council meeting on April 15, 1997, voted to “put a hold on the COPE course/zipline issue for further study”.  For the next year, the board of directors of the Camp Eastman Development Association conducted a study of area COPE courses to collect accurate information to submit to the Council executive Board.  The CEDA study included information from interviews with Scouters who had planned, developed, built and marketed a successful COPE course project.  When the study was completed, a proposal was submitted to the Council Executive Board to consider approval of a COPE project at Camp Eastman.

            With approval from the Council Executive Board in the late spring of 1998, there was not sufficient time to construct a course to open for the 1998 camp season.  Some COPE events were constructed during the summer by the LDS camp volunteers for use during their stay at Camp Eastman in August. A part of this construction will be rebuilt or relocated to fit the final comprehensive course plan.

Our Council COPE Committee has now been formed and has plans to open the complete low course in 1999. Members of the committee are: Jim Gray, Chairman, Terry Ross, Dennis Wilson, Gary Butler, Steve Scheer, and Mark Welsh. Ron Eggars serves as the staff advisor to the committee. Don Vinson originally researched and designed the course and has refined many of the elements as information on new construction techniques and course events is available.

If you don’t remember our original story, COPE stands for “Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience”.  The events in the course will have some activities involving a group challenge while others test individual skills and agility.  Scouts climb, swing, balance, jump, rappel and think of solutions to a variety of problems.  The trust fall, spider web, giant finger, meuse, nitro crossing, the beam, porthole, amazon, mohawk and the wall are all team oriented challenges. The cobweb, triangle traverse, tire traverse and fidget ladder test individual abilities. The wild woosey and cargo net are designed to test the mettle of Scouts in pairs.

Project COPE is designed to develop youth in seven major areas: leadership, problem solving, communication, self-esteem, trust, decision making and teamwork.

 

SPRING CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON ARCHERY & SCOUTCRAFT SHELTERS

 

The Camp Eastman field sports and scoutcraft program areas will see major construction before Scouts arrive this summer.  The Council Camping Committee has approved Camp Eastman Development Association plans to provide shelters for these areas. Funding for both projects has been provided through the generosity of David VanWinkle o.

David’s parents, the late Betty and Melvin VanWinkle of Fort Madison, were both active long-time Scouters.  With the passing of Betty VanWinkle in December of 1997, David expressed an interest to sponsor an improvement at Camp Eastman in memory of his parents. Following a trip to Camp Eastman and consultation with Camp Eastman Development Association board members Jim Gray and Greg Humphrey, David selected these projects as a tribute to his parents.

Thanks to David, the memory of Betty and Melvin VanWinkle will live on at Camp Eastman.

Plans for these program areas are:

 

Archery Range:

            Construction of a cement floored shelter to cover the archery firing points and provide a storage area for archery equipment. The design will be identical to the existing rifle range shelter and will be located at the site of the present archery range.

 

 Scoutcraft Area:

            Construction of an open cement floored shelter to accommodate scoutcraft instruction. The design and size will be identical to the existing nature shelter and will be located at the site of the present scoutcraft area. The central location of this shelter will also make it useful for Cub Scout activities, training courses and family picnics.

HANDICRAFT POLE SHELTERS IN PLACE FOR SUMMER

 

One of the most popular spots at camp this past summer was under one of the new pole shelters near the trading post. Since summer camp, poles for an additional three shelters have been erected near the sports and recreation field for use as a handicraft area.

The area will also receive some new handicraft equipment thanks to Jim Erickson. Jim has suggested that this would be a good program to receive funds as a memorial to his father, Charlie Erikson, who had a great love for Camp Eastman.

 

 

BANQUET AUCTION PREVIEW

Our annual auction last year provided a major source of funds for improvements that hundreds of Scouts enjoyed this summer at Camp Eastman.  Here is a partial listing of items that will go up on the auction block this year. Additional items will continue to be received until the auction begins. Bring those checkbooks, this is where you can make a difference at Camp Eastman.

 

¨      Beaded custom claws         Kevin Michaels

¨      TOSTA branding iron         Dean Anderson

¨      Framed Gary Butler

      steamboat print                   Greg Humphrey

¨      Camp Eastman style

      picnic table             Dean Anderson

¨      Old Threshers belt buckle   Bill Dorrell

¨      Latchhook rug                    Wilfred Spring

¨      Handcrafted wooden toys   Ron Keller

¨      1973-89 National Jamboree

      patch sets                           Terry Lile

¨      Scouting coffee mugs          R.C. Moore

¨      Handcrafted hiking staff      Lon Simpson

¨      Camp Eastman patches

      1974-1983                         Dean Anderson

¨      National Camp School/

      Philmont patches

      and neckerchiefs                 Terry Lile        

 

The Glenn H. Wootten memorabilia raised $1685.00 at our banquet auction last year. Due to the size of this collection, many of the items were not displayed or auctioned at that time. The remainder of these personal Scouting mementos will be prepared for auction this year. Many of the items now have significant value to collectors of Scouting, Camp Eastman, and Tribe of the Silver Tomahawk memorabilia. This is an opportunity to own a keepsake that is a unique piece of our history.

 

WIN A FREE WEEK AT CAMP!

 

If you would like to attend a week at Camp Eastman this summer absolutely fee, the banquet is your chance to sign up.  Scouts under the age of 18 will be able to register for 3 free week at camp scholarships to be awarded.

 

 

COME EARLY FOR THE PRE-BANQUET ACTIVITIES

 

Doors open at 4:00 P.M.

 

**Door prizes

**Register for a free week at Camp Eastman

**Help update the mailing list

**Historical Camp Eastman slide show

**Camp Eastman patch display

**Purchase new association emblem

 

 

CAMP EASTMAN DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION BANQUET

 

Date:  Saturday, April 17, 1999

Time:  4:00 P.M. - Pre-Banquet Activities

           6:00 P.M. - Dinner

Place:  St. Mary's Parish Center

           11th & Avenue E - Fort Madison, IA

Cost:   $8.00

 

Dress:  If you are an active Scout or

            Scouter, please wear your uniform.

 

Advance reservations are recommended.

You are encouraged to return your reservation form prior to April 10th

 

FOURTH ANNUAL BANQUET AND AUCTION

 

It is once again time for Scouts, Scouters and friends of Camp Eastman to gather for the FOURTH Annual Banquet & Auction.  Since we met last April, the Camp Eastman Development Association has accomplished a great deal to improve and preserve Camp Eastman.  Many of the Scouts that attended camp in 1998 enjoyed improvements and opportunities that were the direct result of those who generously supported our last banquet.  Your continued support will make many more projects become a reality at camp this summer.  All who share the goal of preserving and improving Camp Eastman are invited to attend.

The banquet this year will be held in the same location, St. Mary's Parish Center in Fort Madison. Greg Humphrey has generously donated the rental fee for this fine facility. Mike Sullivan certainly doesn't mind cooking for some additional guests this year, so lets see if we can fill the hall. Mike promises an outstanding dinner with all the trimmings for only $8.00!  Reservations are recommended, but you are welcome without them.  You can also purchase a ticket to the banquet this year by contacting any Camp Eastman Development Association board member. Your ticket purchase automatically enters you in our Door Prize drawing for a free night in the whirlpool suite at the new AmericInn, located in West Burlington.

President Jim Gray will deliver the annual report of the Camp Eastman Development Association and preview many of the projects which are currently under study by the board of directors.  Special recognition will be given to those who have made significant contributions to the association during the past year.

Colonel Randy Foor will again cry the fund raising auction.  Remember, the funds raised by the auction will be used to make Camp Eastman improvements for the 1999 camp season.  Bring your checkbook, there are lots of unique items included in the auction this year.

KAYAKS EXPAND BOATING PROGRAM

 

The Camp Eastman Development Association introduced the fast growing sport of kayaking to camp by purchasing two “Old Town” #138 Kayaks.  With the assistance of Steve Klein, owner of River Basin Canoe & Kayak in Burlington, the board was able to select, purchase and have Kayaks delivered to Camp Eastman for the enjoyment of Scouts during the 1998 summer season.

 

 

JOE LAWLOR RETIRES FROM CEDA BOARD

 

Joe Lawlor, member of the original board of directors of TOSTA recently retired from the Camp Eastman Development Association board. Joe assisted the organizing effort to bring TOSTA into existence and served as its first treasurer. Jim Gray expressed the sentiments of the board that he would be missed as a faithful supporter and contributor. Thank you Joe for your dedicated service.