NASSAU CHARGER
December/January 2002

 

ONTEORA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION FORMED

 

The Onteora Alumni Association has been formed for all former staff, campers and friends of Onteora Scout Reservation which is owned and operated by the Theodore Roosevelt Council, Boy Scouts of America. The chairman of the Onteora Alumni Association is Assistant Council Commissioner Dave Barkstedt. The Onteora Alumni Association is open to everyone who believes in this beautiful 1400 acre camp located in Livingston Manor, New York.

 

The Theodore Roosevelt Council and Onteora Alumni Association leadership have developed operating guidelines which will guide the Onteora Alumni Association. There are annual dues to be a member. The money generated by the Onteora Alumni Association will be used in three ways. The expenses to operate the Onteora Alumni Association will be paid for by the Association. These will be kept to a minimum to allow the majority of the money to go directly to Onteora Scout Reservation. After expenses 50% of the Onteora Alumni Association funds will be spent annually on maintenance or capital projects at Onteora which will be decided on by the Association. The other 50% will be placed in the Onteora Endowment fund. The interest realized each year from the endowment will also be spent at Onteora on projects decided on by the Onteora Alumni Association.

 

The Onteora Alumni Association will be governed by a five person executive committee. The initial members of this executive committee are Dave Barkstedt, Brian Issing, Bill Cotter, Rick Balla, Eric Andersen and Victor Varonier.

 

Members of the Onteora Alumni Association will be invited to Beaver  Days and other opportunities to visit and help at the camp. Support the revitalization of Onteora by joining the Onteora Alumni Association!

 

In addition to the help the Onteora Alumni Association will be able to provide, the Theodore Roosevelt Council hopes to raise over $3,000,000.00 during the next few years for major capital improvements at Onteora. This is being done by reaching out to major donors. An executive board campaign under the leadership of Executive Board Member Steve Grosskopf is under way. Any Scouter who knows of either an individual or a corporation who may want to make a substantial donation to Onteora, should contact Assistant Scout Executive, Joe Kalamar, at 516-797­7600 x104.



ONTEORA SCOUT RESERVATION

 

Onteora Scout Reservation is the Theodore Roosevelt Council's beautiful camp upstate in Livingston Manor, New York. This 1400-acre camp was first opened in 1956. Over the years, thousands of Scouts attended Onteora for either one or two weeks each summer. Unfortunately, the late 1980s were difficult years for both the council and Onteora. A serious lack of funds prevented the council from adequately maintaining the camp. Attendance dropped and in 1991 the camp was closed. However, the dream of Onteora stayed alive and in 1998 the camp reopened with a volunteer staff for one week. In 2001, this volunteer effort expanded to a two-week camp which will be repeated in 2002.

 

Then in 2003 the council will reopen Onteora for a five-week season. Sign up for 2003 will begin on SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2002. At 9:00 a.m., all units that camped at Onteora in either 2001 or 2002 may put down a $100 non­refundable deposit for 2003. At 10:00 a.m., reservations begin for all units in the council. This will be done at the Council Service Center.

 

The five sessions for 2003 will be as follows:

1st week - July 6-12

2nd week -July 13-19

3rd week - July 20-26

4th week - July 27 - August 2

5th week - August 3-9

 

In 2003, the dining hall will be open and all meals will be served in this facility. The complete renovation of the kitchen is currently underway and will be completed for the summer of 2003.

 

In 2002, Camp Director Jim Kent promises another great summer with his wonderful volunteer staff. Camp will be open the weeks of August 4 to 10 and August 11 to 17. In addition to Jim, Camp Commissioner Dave Barkstedt, Assistant Camp Director Rick Balla, Kathy Brown, Business Manager, Pequott District Executive Marc Ryan will join the team as an assistant camp director. The fee for 2002 will be $190.00 per week per boy.

 

Onteora, The Land in the Sky, is one of the great treasures of this council. Plan to attend with your Troop in both 2002 and 2003.