STRIVE & Camp Tanadoona with Marnie Wells

Our Program on May 20^th was a double header with STRIVE Scholarships and Participation Awards an Marnie Wells presenting the Capital Master Plan for Camp Tanadoona.

     Dick Glover (STRIVE Coordinator) kicked-off the program noting that the seven STRIVE kids had demonstrated super participation this year and really made a commitment to be at the bi-weekly meetings.  Because of their outstanding improvement and participation Dick announced that our club would be giving seven awards rather than our usual 4 scholarships.  Dick presented the awards individually and had the students introduce their parents that were attending the luncheon.  Award winners this year were:     Ana Kuzara-$2000, Micaela Pekarek-$1000, Spencer Berggreen-$750, Paul Gogerty-$500, and the other three students each receiving participation awards of $500.  Dick also thanked and recognized all of the STRIVE Mentors and speakers from our club. 

 

            Next Marnie Wells went to bat for Camp Tanadoona explaining that Camp Tanadoona is a 103 acre treasure on the beautiful shores of Lake Minnewasha that is rustic and charming for the past 90 years.  She noted that some of the structures are tired and in need of renovation and new structures needed to carry the camp forward.  After extensive interviews and focus groups a master plan was promulgated to take Camp Tanadoona into the future and that the builder would be Bob Boyer.

            The Master Capital Plan is a five-million vision and there is an anonymous donor that will match up to $750,000 and Marnie is working to get the remaining $350K!  There are several phases to the plan that include getting the start-up capital, four-million dollars for an endowment to maintain Tanadoona into the future and this year’s construction goals.   The plan includes a new large stone entrance.   Construction of Day Cabins (eventually 12) is currently underway as 75% of the camp’s enrollment is day campers.  Day Cabins cost $15K each and the goal is to have six completed by July.  Also they are scheduled to build three Blue Bird Cabins (sleepover cabins) at $45K each.  Another structure called the Tree House will be an elevated open air flexible structure and also available to rent when camp isn’t in session.  In the wetlands there will be a Watershed House.  They plan to shift the walking paths into the woods and the prairie grass areas.  The Dining Room is scheduled for renovation as well as a new “Yurt” which is a tent-like structure in the woods.

            Marnie ended by saying “This is an awesome undertaking and responsibility because this is for the kids to re-connect them back into nature.”

            President Molly thanked Marnie and announced that the Excelsior Rotary Club will be donating $10,000 and will work with surrounding Rotary Clubs and private donors to raise an additional $35K to build a Rotary Blue Bird Sleepover Cabin!