CANOEMOBILE EVENT TAKES PLACE AT OLD BOY SCOUT CAMP

The Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota and Wilderness Inquiry teamed up recently to provide memorable experienc-es for countless people of all ages at the former Boy Scout Camp near Lake Shetek State Park. That would not have been possible if the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota hadn’t stepped up to purchase the land when it came up for sale in October 2020. President Brett Feldman said the organization paid a record-high $1.85 million for the 24.5 acres of land. “We placed our winning bid right un-der this tree,” Feldman said on Saturday. “This was our largest single purchase in the history of our organization.” Feldman explained that the Parks & Trails Council of Min-nesota had been around since 1954 and that private money is raised to purchase land for public parks and trails. “We’ve grown a land fund over the years that’s now worth about $5.2 million and it’s a revolv-ing fund, so we will sometimes have $5 million in land and $200,000 in cash or the other way around,” he said. “At the time this went to auction, we were stretched to the brink. We only had two months’ no-tice it was going to auction, so we stretched ourselves, which meant other active projects were threatened, but private donors came through.” Thanks to that dedication, people can continue to en-joy outdoor recreation there for generations to come. Last week, hundreds of local school children were expected to take for future generations,” said Katie Chapman, director of environmental learning for Shetek Lutheran Ministries. “Between the old growth forest, pristine shoreline, historic campsites, archaeological importance and so much more, students were able to connect with and understand both the beauty and significance of the land itself.”

Murray County Central sixth graders had the opportunity to participate on Wednesday morning, as did MCC fifth graders on Thursday morning. “We feel very good to know that this land did not get developed, and then to see all those students out here was very emotional for all of us,” Feldman said. “More than 300,000 kids have come through this camp in the 80 years it was here. And to think that would have been gone forever. But we got to see all these kids come out. It was beautiful.”

The Westbook-Walnut Grove fifth and sixth graders took advantage of the “floating classroom” on Thursday afternoon. “I taught about Minnesota snakes and their habitats, while the Lake Shetek State Park manager, Roseann Schauer, taught about wild birds and attracting them to feeders – both of these were the land-based program options,” Chapman said. “Wilderness Inquiry out of Minneapolis brought the kids out onto the water in 10-person canoes, which was an incredible experience for them. On the days when the weather created unsafe water conditions, they learned about canoe history and did canoe relays and educational games.”

Wabasso students were slated to take part in the Canoemobile experience on Friday, but the cold, damp and windy conditions prevented the activities from taking place at the camp. “As someone who was both a cook and a lifeguard for many years at the Scout Camp, I feel so relieved and grateful for the work that took place to keep it wild for years to come,” Chapman said. “I’ve loved that piece of ground for such a long time. There are so many memories and so much history on that 25 acres and to see it preserved forever makes me so happy. Many other scouting families and area people feel the same way.”

On Saturday, community members were invited out to the camp to canoe, hike the trails and see the historic lodge. Parks & Trails Council members and donors were then invited to tour the water via canoe and given a walking tour of the island, with interpretation from Feldman and Schauer. “The evening ended with a delicious dinner, catered by Mill Street BBQ Company, and a beautiful sunset that graced us as we left Boy Scout Island,” Chapman said. “It was such a profound and meaningful experience to be a part of something with such a clear vision and mission, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to both teach and learn with an amazing team of people who fought to keep such a unique piece of our prairie safe.”

Canoemobile provides educational outdoor experiences. More than 300,000 participants across the country have had the opportunity to take part in the hands-on, STEM-based learning experience since 2010. When the program was launched at Lake Shetek, Canoemobile will have visited every region of the state. “Look at what you’ve done to help make this day possible,” Feldman said during a short presentation on Saturday. “This place will not be developed, I can promise you that.”

While the Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota ultimately saved the land, the organization’s plan is to eventually have the property incorporated into Lake Shetek State Park.