Camp Little Lemhi

Canoeing

Grant Proposal for the

Little Lemhi Scout Camp

Submitted to

Osage Canoes, LLC

By: Jeff Howard, Nathaniel Dickson,

and Berthier Jean-Louis

Students at BYU-I

“The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the

Scout Oath and Law.”

Shaun B. Bawden District Director Camp Director, Camp Little Lemhi Grand Teton Council, #107 Boy Scouts of America 574 4th Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Phone: (207) 522-5155 Osage Canoes, Inc. P.O. Box 871 Lebanon, MO 65536-0871

To Whom It May Concern:

The Boy Scouts of America is an organization of with a long-standing reputation for excellence and outstanding achievement in promoting physical fitness, mental and spiritual development, and good citizenship through hands-on involvement with young men between the ages 12-18. The Little Lemhi Scout Camp in Idaho Falls, Idaho is seeks to connect with the boys on many different levels. The boys learn skills like fire-building, knot-tying, and other traditional scouting activities. As a result, these Scouts also learn the importance teamwork, leadership, self-reliance, and responsibility as they learn these outdoor skills.

Like other scout camps, Little Lemhi offers a variety of merit badges, from archery to wilderness survival. What makes Little Lemhi special is its proximity to the Snake River and, of course, Lake Little Lemhi. The camp has offered traditionally offered canoeing during the summer weeks, but recent budget restrictions have made it impossible for the camp to replace worn out canoes. We are asking you to donate 6-12 canoes to help this camp continue its legacy and mission in influencing young boys to become better citizens and members of society.

Sincerely,

Jeff Howard, Nathaniel Dickson, and Berthier Jean-Louis

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Table of Contents Letter of Transmittal……………………………………………………………………….i Table of Contents ............................................................................................................ii List of Tables and Figures ..............................................................................................iii Abstract.......................................................................................................................... iv Introduction.....................................................................................................................1 What is Camp Little Lemhi? ...............................................................................................2 Why Should You Be Interested?..........................................................................................2 How Can You Help Camp Little Lemhi?.............................................................................3

Advantages of Different Types of Canoes....................................................................3 Disadvantages of Different Types of Canoes ...............................................................4

Summary and Conclusion................................................................................................4 Works Cited ....................................................................................................................6

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List of Figures and Tables Figure 1-Teaching Moment………………………………………………………………iv Figure 2-Canoeing at Camp Little Lemhi…………………………………………………1 Figure 3-Map of Camp Little Lemhi…………………………………………………...........…2 Figure 4-Fun with Canoes…………………………………………………………………4 Table 1…………………………………………………………………………………….iv Table 2……………………………………………………………………………………..3

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Table 1

Abstract Camp Little Lemhi is a Boy Scout Camp located just east of Idaho Falls, Idaho. This camp serves the Scouts of the Grand Teton Council in eastern Idaho. The boys

attend Camp Little Lemhi to receive instruction and knowledge regarding the outdoors, themselves, and the community. They also learn how to improve the communities in which they reside and to become better leaders and citizens of their state and country. Although Camp Little Lemhi desires to help as many individuals as possible, recent budget restriction have limited their ability to accomplish their mission. Therefore, Camp Little Lemhi is seeking the donation of 6 to 12 seventeen foot aluminum canoes with 3 paddles each. We are seeking your help to

provide the means necessary to accomplish the great endeavor of the Boy Scouts of America—more specifically Camp Little Lemhi—to provide outdoor education and recreation for young men and women. “[Boy] Scouts builds men; it brings them into nature and out of the house…. Most boys now are so house-bound because they don’t have rural areas [near their homes].” (Layne Dearden, personal interview) Matthew Whoolery, a professor of developmental psychology, says, “The things taught in Boy Scouts are important because they get you out of the house. Water sports are a big part of that.” Each of us has the opportunity to contribute to society. Through your donation we can make a difference in the lives of many youth.

Figure 1-Teaching Moment

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Figure 2-Canoeing at Camp Little Lemhi

Introduction Emmanuel is a young man who was born without hands. During a visit to Camp Little Lemhi, Emmanuel met with Jeremy Oswald who taught him how to tie knots. Gripping a stick with each of his nubs, Emmanuel learned to manipulate the ropes into various knots. He discovered through knot-tying that his disability was not a complete limitation to his intellectual, mental, and physical development. Many people have said that the skills learned in Boy Scouts are useless, that they have no direct application or value in everyday life of the average citizen. Certain professors and students have voiced their opinion against this perspective, saying that the idea of scouting is to acquire the processes necessary for life-long learning. “These things may seem useless, namely camping, building fires, and tying knots, but we shouldn’t judge something by its market value. Scouting is college in miniature; you [make] lots of little goals to achieve bigger goals.” (Layne Dearden, personal interview) Scouting is also family-oriented. Rachel Spencer, a Broadcasting Major at Brigham Young University-Idaho (BYU-I) said, “The bond between my dad and brothers were stronger because of scouting. Courts of Honor were family events.” Each year, approximately 1,000 young men and women attend Camp Little Lemhi. Like Emmanuel, they come to receive guidance and to “build [their] confidence and self esteem” (Bawden, survey). The main programs at Camp Little Lemhi are water-related activities such as canoeing, boating, and rafting. But because this facility hosts so many campers, its equipment is often insufficient and thus constantly wearing out. Without water equipment the camp loses its appeal to the communities in the Grand Teton Council and is thus limited in its capacity to serve the youth.

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What is Camp Little Lemhi? In the Eastern region of Idaho, Camp Little Lemhi is set aside from other camps by the natural advantages of its location. “Little Lemhi camp is nestled among the tall pines of the Yeaman Creek Canyon, just below the Palisades Dam in Idaho. The creek flows into a trout-filled lake where swimming and boating become favorite pastimes in the heat of the day.” Camp Little Lemhi informs the public that it is opened to Scouters for six weeks of the year. According to Camp Little Lemhi, Scouters arrive on Monday and stay through Saturday. This year these weeks begin on the following dates; June 16, June 23, July 7, July 14, July 21, and now July 28. Because of budget restriction and fewer attendants the week containing the 4th of July has been dropped. (www.grandtetoncouncil.org/index.cfm?pageid=1078)

According to Jeremy Oswald, a camp

employee of eight years, the point of the camp is to educate youth and the outdoors is the means to accomplish this endeavor. “The canoeing programs at Camp Little Lemhi set it apart from the other camps in the area. The instruction is key to the success of the camp. Youth groups make the trip to Camp Little Lemhi just to go canoeing. We even hosted a group from Australia last year that had some new and challenging experiences.” (Bawden, survey, italicized for emphasis)

Canoeing is a large part of the various programs offered at Camp Little Lemhi. With the increasing number of visitors, the camp’s canoes are wearing out and are inadequate to meet everyone’s needs. They now only have four canoes left, some of which are in need of repair. Canoeing is the one program that sets Camp Little Lemhi apart from the other camps in eastern Idaho; it will continue to have a great impact on the camp—whether for good or bad. While having the canoeing program attracts more and more campers every year, the absence of canoes will detract from the reputation and success of the camp in its efforts to serve, which may cause many people to be less satisfied with their outdoor experience. As disappointment grows fewer campers will return. With fewer visitors the camp will no longer be able to hire the same number of employees. This will result in fewer jobs.

Why Should You Be Interested? The mission of the camp is to reinforce the importance of outdoor experiences. “Outdoor activities, particularly those which have some element of adventure like hiking,

Figure 3—Map of Camp Little Lemhi

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mountain biking, rock climbing, canoeing, or skiing do facilitate spiritual growth. Activities such as these have the potential to stretch people, to encourage them to go further, push harder, and climb higher then most other low angle sit at a desk type of activities” (Wood, survey). Camp Lemhi is one of the places where outdoor activities such as those mentioned by Scott Wood give young adults the opportunity to rise above their situation in life, and reach for greater heights. Outdoor recreation and education greatly influence secular learning as well. Studies have shown that Boy Scouts perform better in school. By providing this camp with the resources it needs, you will take an active role in the physical, mental, and spiritual development of the young people who attend Camp Little Lemhi. Further, through your generosity, you will light a fire within the youth to love and appreciate the outdoors and water activities. Because of their love for the outdoors many Scouters will continue to enjoy coming to Camp Little Lemhi to use the water equipment which you provide to the camp. No doubt, they will become future customers of your company because of previous exposure to the quality products which you provide.

How Can You Help Camp Little Lemhi? Camp Little Lemhi needs a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 12 aluminum canoes, with three paddles for each canoe. These canoes will replace the 4 existing canoes and expand the camp’s flotilla to meet the needs of the canoeing program. We researched the advantages and disadvantages of fiberglass, wood, inflatable, and aluminum canoes. Some of the things that we have found are as follows:

Advantages of Different Types of Canoes Fiberglass canoes are low maintenance and medium in weight. They are also

easily repaired when they are damaged. Wood canoes handle well and can last a long time. Inflatable canoes are light, easy to carry and store. They are also inexpensive.

They can carry more equipment because of superior buoyancy. Aluminum canoes are very durable. They have a great capacity to hold equipment,

and are lighter than most wood canoes.

Table 2

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Disadvantages of Different Types of Canoes Fiberglass canoes can be

fairly easy to damage. Wood canoes require more

maintenance and are more expensive because of the cost of labor.

Inflatable canoes may not shatter or crack, but they puncture easily. They are not suited for usage on a lake because they need currents. They are also easily capsized or pushed by wind.

Aluminum canoes are a bit slow and noisy. They are heavier than fiberglass and plastic canoes. They do not perform well in rapids because of their tendency to stick to rocks and boulders.

We have concluded that aluminum canoes are best suited to the specific needs of

Camp Little Lemhi. Because the canoes will be used primarily on the lake, the disadvantages of aluminum canoes do not apply to our situation. When they are used on the Snake River, rapids are not a serious issue.

The camp hosts an average of 300-400 Scouts each week between June 1st and August 1st. The camp currently has four three-person canoes, an inadequate number for so many Scouts who come for the purpose of the canoeing experience. We are asking you to donate 6-12 Osage 17 foot portage standard canoes with three paddles per canoe. If you would rather donate 2-3 canoes a year during the next 4-5 years instead of a one-time donation, that would also be appreciated.

One of the limitations of our proposal is that the camp does not currently have a trailer to transport the canoes. Also, our proposal does not include a request for life jackets, but through your generosity the Scout camp will have more freedom in their budget to purchase the needed accessories.

Summary and Conclusion We have written this proposal to you because we believe that the situation of Camp Little Lemhi is worthy of our concern. Right now, Camp Little Lemhi lacks the adequate number of canoes required to function effectively. Without the ability to function effectively the camp will not be able to educate youth—like Emmanuel. This is a serious problem for the camp because their water activities—specifically canoeing—are the main attractions during the summer weeks of Scouting.

Figure 4-Fun with Canoes

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In light of the problem which the camp currently faces, our proposed solution will be equally advantageous for the camp and your company. Your donation will help keep the canoeing program afloat, and the camp will continue to influence Scouts as it has throughout many generations. Further, this type of donation will increase the good name and reputation of your company. Through your charitable actions, you will acquire more customers because of their previous exposure the quality canoes you provide. Because the Scouting activities begin in the first week of June, we would greatly appreciate it if you could make this donation on or before the 1st of June, 2008. To schedule a date for delivery, we would recommend that you contact Shaun Bawden, the director of Camp Little Lemhi.

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Works Cited Bawden, Shaun. Camp Little Lemhi Director, survey and e-mail correspondence

Dearden, Layne. Professor of Communications, BYU-I, personal interview 03/11/2008

Figures 1-4 Grand Teton Council, www.grandtetoncouncil.org

Oswald, Jeremy. Staff member of Camp Little Lemhi, personal interview 03/9/2008

Spencer, Rachel. Student of BYU-I, personal interview 03/11/2008

Tables 1-2 Boy Scouts of America www.scouting.org/media

Whoolery, Matthew. Professor of Psychology, BYU-I, personal interview 03/13/2008

Wood, Scott. A spiritual leader at BYU-Idaho, personal interview