2001

From WikiBPSC

Boy Scout Resident Camp was held at Bear Paw from June to August in 2001.

1 Camp Expansion, Part 2
2 2001 Bear Paw Staff
3 2001 Bear Paw Events
4 Links to WikiBPSC
5 Links to BPSC.org

[edit] Camp Expansion, Part 2

Discussions about replacements for the Nicolet Dining Hall date through the 1990's. The tired building had severe limitations on space, becoming a crowded pressure cooker on the hottest evenings. Compliance with changing restaurant codes was becoming more and more difficult and questions about the durability and integrity of the structure began to arise. But, the biggest pressures came from the growth of Boy Scouting in the late 1990's and the Bay-Lakes Council decision to convert sister camp Rokilio into a Cub Scout facility.

Change Gonna Come - Summer 2000

Major fund drives and design conversations for a new Dining Hall began were well underway in 1999. Original construction plans called for replacement of the existing building with a new 400 seat facility with a new kitchen and basement shower. Traditionalists fought hard to protect the heritage and history that was contained in the Nicolet Dining Hall, and plans were made to reuse materials and capture design cues from the hallowed hall. Most Scouters left camp in the summer of 1999 expecting a new dining hall to be built atop waterfront hill for the next season.

But, construction on the existing site was difficult. Demolition and construction of a new facility would be tough on such a short timeline, especially over a northern Wisconsin winter. The central camp location remained difficult for deliveries and the small sloping site was extra costly. Council planners began to question the wisdom of a cramming a 400 seat facility into a tight space. By the time engineers realized that new plumbing codes were going to require a monsterous waste water drain field, the project was already on its way to a new location.

Completed Dining Hall

On August 14, 2000, the Bay-Lakes Council held groundbreaking ceremonies for construction of a new dining hall. The building was designed to accommodate 600 and serve as a year round facility for meetings and outings of all nature. Once again, Oscar J Boldt Construction company provided the construction expertise and contributed to the funding. The Millennium Architects design featured rough sawn pine siding and a covered porch extending for the entire front of the building. Adding to the rustic feel, the inside is decorated with knotty pine wainscot and the central area features a wall of windows. The project and modern kitchen was completed just in time to handle campers for the 2001 season and a special dedication ceremony was held on June 27 to celebrate.

Also related to camp expansion, the first new campsites were constructed in camp in 2001. Due to the intrusion the dining hall, Menominee Site was no longer capable of supporting campers. A partial clearing along a camp road past Winnebago Site was expanded, a latrine constructed and a new Menominee Site was born. The old Menominee space has since become a tent platform village for staff and camp volunteers. Bear Paw's sixteenth campsite, Iroquois was also constructed during the off season in 2001. This rolling site was placed north of Munsee Site in beautiful wooded seclusion.

[edit] 2001 Bear Paw Staff

Back Row (Standing L to R) - Neil Walker, Andy Anderson(Ranger), Nate Tauber, Brad ?, Jeff Jandrin, ____, Tom Sturdy, Derek Fournier, Arius Jacks, Ryan Rider, Alex Steele, Gregory Duescher, Kurt Olesko, Ian K___, Zach Loritz, Lorin Jacobs, John Olig, Joe ?, Matt Wellens, Jim Fournier

Third Row (Standing L to R)- Jameson Ribbons, Matt Miller, Kale Bongers, Nathaniel Bohlman, Thomas Matuszak, John Mumm, Lu Ann Matuszak, Kiah Fellin, Dale Brahmer, Josh Johnston, Steve Smits, Reese Louis, Steve Boss, Jess ?, Jamie Van Boxel, Will Curl(Camp Director), BJ Hermsen

Second Row (Kneeling L to R) - John O., Matt Brewer, Ryan Geiger, Chris Wellens, ____ ,____, Ryan Lang, Trevor Jones, Andrew West, _____, Jermey P____, Doug Schwartz, Brian Beyer, Roger Strebel

Front Row (Seated L to R) - Matt Mella, Doug Hildabrant, Chip Bartel, Shawn Flanagan, Eric Mercier, Scott Verber, Shawn Conneley, Phil ?, Chris Conklin, Tyler Biederwolf

Not Pictured -