Future of Cub Scout Camping

Ken Warner

Purpose

To gain your concurrence on

an alternative Course of

Action with regards to Mark

Greer Scout Reservation

Problem

To determine where we can

best support and develop

specific Cub Scout resident

camp.

Recommendation

Coarse of Action “Brave” is our

Preferred Solution

Prior Coordination

Unit/Person Results

• Anthony Dinicola (camp commissioner ) Concur

• James Motes (former camp director) Concur

• Corey Holmes (Cubmaster & staff 91-94) Concur

Outline

• Background

Information

• Facts Bearing on

Problem

• Courses of Action

(COA)

• Analysis of Each COA

• Conclusion

• Recommendation

• Decision

Background

• MGSR has been steadily losing money

due to increased spending and

decreased revenue for over eight years

• All other camps have the same problem

but make up for loss in year round

revenue by increased summer revenue

Facts Bearing on the Problem • Camping Statistics 2005-2013

– MGSR has decreased Cub Scout attendance from 688 in 2005 to 377 in 2013 (48%)

– JNW has increased Cub Scout attendance from 68 in 2005 to 110 in 2013 (61%)

– Mattatuck has increased Cub Scout attendance from 39 in 2009 to 96 in 2013 (146%)

– Workcoeman has increased Cub Scout attendance from 47 in 2008 to 57 in 2013 (21%)

– Overall Cub Scout attendance has decreased from 779 in 2005 to 640 in 2013 (18%)

– Overall increases in other camps can explain decreases at MGSR

• Camp Financial Data 2005-2013

– MGSR has decreased excess cost from $77,679 in 2005 to $55,899 in 2013 (28%)

– JNW has decreased excess cost from $75,735 in 2005 to $47,095 in 2013 (37%)

– Mattatuck has decreased excess cost from $82,343 in 2005 to $52,965 in 2013 (35%)

– Workcoeman has decreased excess cost from $87,409 in 2005 to $63,869 in 2013 (26%)

– Overall excess cost has decreased from $323,166 in 2005 to $219,828 in 2013 (31%)

– MGSR is decreasing spending close to the overall average

• Historical Data 1972-2013

– Cochipianee sold $62,500

– Lake of Isles sold for $5,500,000

– Nahaco sold for $560,000

– Wakenah sold for $1,000,000

– Cochegan conveyed for $1,000,000

– Overall excess revenue from asset liquidation $8,122,500 since 1972

Cub Scout Resident Camp

0

200

400

600

800

1000

Workcoeman

Mattatuck

JNW

MGSR

Overall

Year Round Excess Cost

MGSR

JNW

Mattatuck

Workcoeman

Overall

0

100000

200000

300000

400000

500000

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

MGSR

JNW

Mattatuck

Workcoeman

Overall

General Fund Vs. Capital

Improvements

Improvements at MGSR

General Fund Increase

0

1000000

2000000

3000000

4000000

5000000

6000000

7000000

8000000

9000000

Improvements at MGSR

Liquidation Revenue

General Fund Increase

Courses of Action

• COA 1 “Brave”

• COA 2 “Thrifty”

• COA 3 “Loyal”

Brave

• Increase All Camps Marketing Not Just Summer

Camps

• Continue Joining Initiatives like Sept. 12th Event

• Utilize Membership fees as a “reduced rate” for

summer camp “Join Today and we will apply $27

towards your summer camp fees, save 10% etc.”

• Utilize new technology “Payanywhere” and increase

social media

• Focus Summer Camp as a “Capstone Event”

• Increase utilization of Property Management Systems

• Market usage to outside agencies with similar goals

and objectives

“Brave” Timeline

5 Rentals at MGSR 20-21 September 2013

FY 2014 FY 2014

Mattabesett Klondike Derby at MGSR 7-9 February 2014

MGSR Last Full Week 260 ($91,000) Resident Campers 28 July – 2 August 2013

Future of Cub Scout Camping Briefing 17 September 2013

OWL/BALOO Training at MGSR 5-6 October 2013

1 Rental at MGSR 13-15 December 2013

MGSR Opens Week Two Webelos Camp 13 July 2014 Forecast 110 Participants ($41,250)

MGSR Opens Week Three Resident Camp (Webelos & Cubs) 20 July 2014 Forecast 260 Participants ($91,000)

Re-Centering of The Tadma Task Force 25 August 2013

Hockanum River District Briefed 26 August, 50% polled want MGSR Promotions

Mark Twain District Briefed 9 Sep 2013, 91% polled want MGSR Promotions

Camp Director Notified of Proposed MGSR Closure 12 August 2013

Mattabesett District Briefed 09 September 2013 100% polled want MGSR Promotions

1 Rental, Fall Venturee and IOLS Training at MGSR 23-24 November 2013

14

MGSR Opens Week One Resident Camp (Webelos & Cubs) 6 July 2014 Forecast 260 Participants ($91,000)

MGSR Opens Week Four Resident Camp (Webelos & Cubs) 27 July 2014 Forecast 260 Participants ($91,000)

Matianuck District Briefed 10 September 2013 80% polled want MGSR Promotions

Executive Board Decides MGSR COA 24 September 2013

Nipmuck District Briefed 11 September 2013

MGSR Strategy Meeting 11 September 2013

1 Rental and OA Weekend 21-29September 2013

1 Rental and OA Fall Fellowship at MGSR 5-6 October 2013

1 Rental & Mark Twain Fall Camp-o-Ree at MGSR 11-13October 2013

5 Rentals and Mohegan Fall Camp-o-Ree at MGSR 18-20 October 2013

Mohegan OA Fall Fellowship at MGSR 8-10 November 2013

4 Rentals at MGSR 15-17 November 2013

1 Rental at MGSR 10-12 January 2014

1 Rental at MGSR 17-19 January 2014

1 Rental and Mohegan Klondike Derby at MGSR 21-23 February 2014

IOLS Training at MGSR 1-2 March 2014 OWL/BALOO Training at MGSR 8-9 March 2014

VLST Training at MGSR 21-22 March 2014

IOLS/BALOO Training at MGSR 28-29March 2014 1 Rental at MGSR 4-6 April 2014

Mattabesett Gold rush at MGSR 26-27 April 2014

Mohegan Camp-o-Ree at MGSR 15-16 May 2014

Analysis of “Brave”

+ Advantages: • Success can be measured across all camps not just

MGSR

• Focuses on recruiting and retention goals (raise the bar from 75% to 80% retained scouts)

• Tap into markets previously underdeveloped and increases working relationships with “like” organizations

- Disadvantages: • Does not address immediate fiscal concerns for FY14

• Has the potential risk of remaining the same (See COA “Loyal”)

Thrifty

• Concentrate our limited resources in the development

of Cub Scout resident camping programs at Camp

Mattatuck and JN Webster Scout Reservation

• Discontinue operations at Camp Tadma

• Close and sell Camp Tadma and use its resources

elsewhere to support Cub Scout resident camping

Analysis of “Thrifty” + Advantages: • Quickly liquidates assets who’s expenses exceed

revenue

• Fiscally responsible initiative that makes economical sense

• Allows assets to be dispersed supporting a larger market with less overhead

- Disadvantages: • Does not address where to disperse 377 scouts, none

of the three other camps can logistically absorb a 1-200% increase in cub scout attendance in less than a year

• Has the risk of leaving on the table $8,685,360 in potential revenue over the next 20 years

Loyal

• Continue with our historic subsidization of Camp

Tadma’s operational budget by moving the excess

operational funds from Camp Mattatuck, JN Webster

Scout Reservation, and Camp Workcoeman

• Recruit additional Cub Scout campers so that it can

operate successfully and profitably in the future.

Analysis of “Loyal”

+ Advantages: • Saves a “National Treasure” for future scouts to enjoy

• Allows a transitional period for other Cub Resident Programs to grow safely

• Justifies the improvements made over 20 years spreading cost benefit analysis over the length of the initial investments

- Disadvantages: • Does not address immediate fiscal concerns for FY14

• Has the risk of further draining Council resources

Conclusion

“Brave” is the best COA because: • Success can be measured across all camps not just MGSR

• Focuses on recruiting and retention goals (raise the bar from 75% to 80% retained scouts)

• Taps into markets previously underdeveloped and increases working relationships with “like” organizations

However, • Does not address immediate fiscal concerns for FY14

• Has the potential risk of remaining the same without strategic attention to detail