Camp’s closure end of era in Madison Twp.

Camp Stigwandish in Madison Township has provided many memorable moments for Boy Scouts who have spent time there over the past 90 years. Recently, though, current and former Scouts learned that Camp Stigwandish itself is about to become nothing more than a memory.

The Lake Erie Council of the Boy Scouts of America said operations at Camp Stigwandish, located at 7497 Ross Road, will cease on May 4.

When you check out Facebook comments in reaction to this news, you can tell that the posts were made by many people who camped at Stigwandish as Boy Scouts or served as Scout leaders. Most of those postings included two common opinions: 1) Stigwandish was a fun place; and 2) it’s sad that the camp is closing.

Although the decision by the Lake Erie Council of the Boy Scouts of America is making a lot of people unhappy, it’s clear that the group conducted careful research before issuing its verdict on Camp Stigwandish.

In a message posted earlier this month on its Facebook page, the council said its decision to close the camp was based on a 2019 assessment of its four properties in northern Ohio. Those properties are Camp Stigwandish; Camp Beaumont in Morgan Township in Ashtabula County; Firelands Scout Reservation in Wakeman in Huron County; and the Lake Erie Council, Boy Scouts of America Unit Service Center in Cleveland.

This assessment was conducted to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of all four properties, focusing on occupancy, usage, building conditions, programs, and financial sustainability, Lake Erie Council Scout Executive/ CEO Mark Ryan stated in his Facebook message.

Ryan said the team conducting the independent assessment was led by a volunteer adult Boy Scout leader who is familiar with properties and camp operations. In regards to the three camps, the assessment team sought to determine how much it would cost to bring the camps to “brand positive” levels — or standards required to meet or exceed the expectations of current and future campers.

“The assessment team estimated that the cost for needed improvements at our camps would exceed $6 million,” the council stated in a list of Frequently Asked Questions about the closure of Camp Stigwandish.

Another conclusion reached by the assessment team is that two of the three camps — Stigwandish and Firelands — have operated at a deficit in recent years.

Combined losses for the camps ranged from a high of $235,000 in 2017, and then improved to a shortfall of $150,000 in 2019.

“These operating losses do not include the significant capital investments made at all three camps since the Lake Erie Council came into existence (in January 2017),” the council stated.

In addition, the assessment showed that although Firelands has been operating at a financial loss for several years, significant progress has been made at lowering the camp’s deficit.

The study also showed Stigwandish had the lowest camper-occupancy rate of all three camps for 2017, 2018 and the first half of 2019.

“While Stigwandish is a beautiful property and holds a special place in the hearts of many who have camped there for years, it is no longer sustainable to operate and keep the camp,” Ryan said.

Time is dwindling for anyone who wants to go back to Camp Stigwandish for a final visit. The Lake Erie Council of the Boy Scouts of America stated that planned activities will go on and reservations will be honored at the site until May 4.

“As of May 30, 2020, Camp Stigwandish will cease to be a council-owned property,” Ryan said.

In addition, the council said it has contracted outside help to sell the camp property.

While the Lake Erie Council’s reasons for closing Camp Stigwandish make sense from a financial and operational perspective, the loss of this Madison Township landmark will still be mourned by many. For those who love Camp Stigwandish, hold on to your cherished memories. Because the camp, at least in its form of a Boy Scout property, soon will become a thing of the past.

. .. the loss of this Madison Township landmark will still be mourned by many.