Concept Drawings for proposed 500000 project at Camp ToPeNeBee

Last July, Cub Scout Day Camp was in full swing at Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee. More than 180 youth were expecting to finish off a successful week with all the usual Friday activities including the grand finale – a Friday night program for family members. Plans took an unexpected turn, however, when a fire broke out Thursday night totally destroying the Dining Hall.

Fortunately no one was injured, but the fire left Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee without a main lodge. Volunteers and staff worked throughout the night to ensure a successful conclusion to the camping week.

Now, thanks to the generous support of the community to the LaSalle Council’s $3.975 million Trailblazing for Tomorrow Campaign, plans are underway for a new lodge for Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee to meet today’s programming needs.

The new four-season Training & Program Headquarters will be the primary leadership development and training center for LaSalle Council, B.S.A. Scouts and volunteers. It will also serve as the camp’s dining and meeting hall, will be available for year-round use, meet all barrier-free requirements, and be available for community use.

Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee encompasses 166 acres with five lodges, 13 campsites and lake access. It is located near Michigan City in Coolspring Township and is especially important to the more than 3,500 LaPorte and Porter County Scouts since it is the council’s closest camp and the frequent destination for weekend camping. Thousands of youth use this facility every year and the demand keeps growing.

The Trailblazing for Tomorrow campaign will upgrade, expand, and, in some instances, replace council properties, build the endowment fund, and provide support for at-risk youth. Besides the new Training and Program Headquarters at Camp To-Pe-Ne-Bee, funds will be used to develop a Team-Building Course, improve the lakefront, and replace other lodges, the chapel, and pavilion. Total project costs are more than $500,000 at this camp. Lodge construction will begin in 2004 with the other projects scheduled to be completed by 2006.

This is the council’s first capital campaign in 42 years. Approximately $1.7 million of the overall $3.975 million goal has been raised. Of this amount, approximately $235,000 has been designated to date for To-Pe-Ne-Bee projects. Early donors to this project include many individuals, families, businesses, and foundations. Major funding has been received from the Robert Hiler Family Foundation, Porter County Community Foundation, Horizon Bank, and Merrion Realty.

“For more than 40 years, our efforts have been focused solely on building better programs for our youth,” said Patrick Bridges, Scout Executive/CEO. He continued, “We must now bring the level of our facilities up to the level of our programs. We just can’t meet the needs of our Scout’s and volunteers without addressing these projects. We appreciate the generous support we’ve received from so many in the early stages of this campaign.”

Established in 1919, the LaSalle Council serves 16,000 youth annually in St. Joseph, Elkhart, Marshall, LaPorte, Porter, and Starke counties in Indiana and Cass and southern Berrien counties in Michigan with the help of more than 3,500 registered adult volunteers and 343 charter partners.

To contribute or for more information: Contact Patrick Bridges, Scout Executive, 574.289.0337 or look for the contribution envelope in today’s Tribune.

Posted 6/22/2004