August 28, 2017
Donald G. Quick
Council President
Five Rivers Council
244 West Water Street
Elmira, NY 14901
Re: 2017 Camp Gorton NCAP assessment letter
Dear Mr.Quick
Camp Gorton was evaluated and determined to meet full accreditation requirements of the Nation Camp Assessment Program(NCAP).It was clear during both the evaluations of the Scout and Cub overnight camp programs that the camp leadership and the camp staff had worked hard to prepare the camp and were enthusiasticallydelivering the program. Further during the evaluation, it was clear that the various Five Council committees were working together to address long-term facility maintenance needs issues. The assessments were attended by over 14 members of the various council committees demonstrating the commitment to thecamp. Among the many notable attributes of Camp Gorton was the longevity of support for the Camp Gorton. Meeting fourth generation campers and that the 2017 camp staff had at least three former camp directors still involved with the camp was impressive.
The prior NCAP assessments for Camp Gorton there were comments made on the condition of the basement area of the dining hall. This yearthe area was entirely cleaned out which required considerable effort by volunteers and camp staff and planning to address use of the basement with local agencies. The space is now serving as the main program area for the Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program, indoor programs and various meetings that support camp operations. Having a good indoor space to operate STEM will support stability of the program. The STEM area will require constant attention to advancing the program. STEM always must have an element of new material to stay current. Rope work and pioneering hasn’t changedmuch in 100 years, but STEM related programs need to change to keep pace and stay relevant to the youth. There will have to be a continued investment
in materials and personnel to keep the STEM programs evolving. The program staff is working on relationship with colleges and university to supportSTEM staff development which is fundamental to having long term success.
The demonstration and instruction in iron work is an important program that has both historical value and should be integrated into the STEM program.
The bridge to the rifle range improves entrance to that facility. The extensive work on the memorial lodge to repair and upgrade the building shows that volunteers and Council can commit to important repairs. Camp Gorton has an effective program of tent replacement and has stayed on track with that effort.
Camp Gorton has a very enthusiastic dedicated staff that deserves the fullest possible support that should include additional and diversified program materials to allow all programs to flourish.
During the evaluation of the Scout Camp there was a discussion of therequired age and training requirements to operate power boats. The rules of New York State Department of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation do apply and safe boating training is necessary for operators that are born after May 1, 1996.The New York State Department of HealthSubpart Children’s Camps((7.2.11(h)(3)) states that the waterfront director will review qualification and training for the operation of boats by person over the age of 18, and the fact sheet sheets it states that camps must comply with navigation law. Both rules must be followed, therefore boat operators will need to complete the Safe Boating course.
Everyone that assisted in the assessment of the Cub Overnight camp was impressed with the comprehensive use of the camp theme and staff ‘s implementation of the theme. The Cub program provide good opportunity for advancement.
The Council is having to address itsongoing deficit which makesspending on the camp physical facility difficult. The recently form camp friends group has been able to raise some money and obtain donations to support needed repairs. The Camp Gorton Friends and the Council need to stay focus on critical repairs. The Empire lodge roof has an accumulation of moss and areas of deteriorated shingles, indicating the need for immediate repair. The various attendees at the assessment also identified that the maintenance building roof was leaking. Keeping up with needed continuous repairs is critical to the appearance of the camp, and it most often the failure to address the routine up keep that creates problems that soon become too big to be address. When working on a solution to the overall financial stability of the Council there should be focus effort to also invest in meeting capital expense needs.
The other area that needs to be address is the camp garage or shop building and the lack of organize storage of materials. It is realized that work space shoulduseable by the primary workers, but a camp shop building needs to be organized so that it will also support volunteer workers coming the property on weekends and in the evening.
The bouldering wall should be repaired or demolished, since it has not been used in the last ten years. Addressing the bouldering wall is simple, but the Council needs to decide if COPE resourcesat Brule’ will be used to support programs at that camp prior to their useful life ending or if components should be moved to Gorton or find other methods to provide COPE experiences if that is desired.
Investing in solar thermal collectors should be evaluated to support hot water need at the shower and radiant heating load. The shower building has good exposure and modern solar collectors will produce large quantities of hot water. Most solar hot water system produce excessive amounts of hot water, and the for a shower building storage is critical. The evaluation of solar collectors will determine thepayback period based on energy savings and the Council will be able to evaluate whether this would be a wise investment.
The dininghall refrigeration system is not equipped to facilitate connection to a generator to keep refrigeration and freezer operating when a power outage occurs. Investing in the manual cut over switch and a generator that can sustain the refrigerator andfreezer operation may save thousands of dollars of food. I am sensitive to the need to be ready for power loss since my recent experience includes power loss every year.
All camps that are in a forested setting have a common problem of too many large trees that endanger buildings and camp sites. The Council needs to continue an annual program of large tree removals by professionalsto avoid building damage and extraordinary cost in a single year. All camps in the northeast need to address large hemlocks and ash trees that are dying due various invasive species.
FiveRivers Councilisaddressing its problems, making progress and will be successful if it continues its focus efforts to find necessary solutions and implement the required measures.
Sincerely,
Dean R. Long
CC NE Region files
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