Last Week's Meeting
RCY board and members presenting the check for $22,000 to the Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America. Left to right are: Sue Figler, Major Gifts Director, BSA; Joelle Kluck, Senior Development Director, BSA; Debora Flora, RCY board member; Jody Gildersleeve, Director of Development, BSA; Stephen DiPaolo, BCA district executive and RCY member; Josh Prest, RCY President; Dave Stillwagon, RCY board member & past president; Sharon Letson, RCY president-elect; Samantha Turner, RCY member & past president; Mike Latessa, RCY board member; Phil Kuestner, BSA program director; Nate Watson, BCA director of camping.
Rotary on the Road at Camp Stambaugh
Thanks to the foresight of Rotarians Scott Schulick and Paul Johnson, Scouts who attend Great Trail Council BSA’s Camp Stambaugh this summer will be able to use the camp swimming pool, which has been in disuse since 2019. Scott and Paul brought pool’s plight to the RCY board, which agreed that it was a perfect project to fund with Beerfest and Rotary Foundation dollars. The original swimming pool was funded by a donation from RCY in 1963, and this new gift will restore the pool to code and functional use.
The pool restorations include repair of the pumps, taller fencing, and maintenance of the filtrations system. There is also funding for staffing of the pool, including an aquatics director. The pool surface will be cleaned and treated. The pool is slated to open July 4.
Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 in the United States, and in the Mahoning Valley in 1912. Camp Stambaugh has been in existence since 1919, making it the second oldest camp in Ohio that has been in continuous operation. Camp Stambaugh allows Scouts of all ages to enjoy the outdoor aspects of scouting.
Developing youth who have character and give back to their communities is a hallmark of scouting. Nate Watson, director of camping, discussed the many amenities available at Camp Stambaugh for Scouts. The camp’s 85 acres contains 8 cabins, and at least 10 campsites. Returning this year is the Cub Scout resident camp, which was suspended in 2019 due to the pandemic. Other activities are a bouldering wall, archery and BB gun range, along with a rigorous firearm safety training program. Over 7,000 individuals will utilize the camp this year, ranging in ages from 5 years to the oldest volunteer.
Program Director Phil Kuestner is looking forward to day camp that will begin in a few weeks, with over 125 kids taking part. The Great Trail BSA is partnering with the United Way to bring kids from some of their programs to Camp Stambaugh so they can experience the outdoors. Adult trainings are also offered by the BSA, including a 5-day adult leader training in the fall, and a National Youth Leadership training for young leaders.
BSA Director of Development Jody Gilldersleeve
L’enfant terribles Josh Prest, Luke Politsky, and Stephen DiPaolo show off the plaque noting the Rotary Club of Youngstown donation that funded the Camp Stambaugh swimming pool in 1963.
Rotarians and others check out the soon-to-be-opened swimming pool at Camp Stambaugh.
