(Published Thursday, January 4, 2007 11:18:33 AM CST)
A d v e r t i s e m e n t
By Shelly Birkelo Gazette staff
Imagine living in a 12-by-16 foot building with no running water or cooking facilities.
Now imagine working a 16-hour day and coming home to less than 5 feet of space not filled by to two sets of bunk beds, shelving and a registration table and chair.
Welcome to the camp director/camp master's living quarters at Camp Indian Trails, where the Glacier's Edge Council Boy Scouts of America attracts an average 1,600 campers each summer and 150 campers a weekend.
At least that's the way it used to be. As of today, the camp's leader will feel like a king in his new castle-a 1,000-square-foot, three-bedroom home donated by Steve and Karen Brown, 5940 E. Rotamer Road, Milton.
A house that used to sit at 5940 E. Rotamer Road in Milton makes its way down Rotamer Road on Wednesday on the way to Camp Indian Trails.
Al Hoch/Gazette Staff
The 50-year-old home, valued at $83,700, also boasts a new roof, siding, windows and kitchen countertops.
The Browns initially hoped to put an addition on the home, but decided against it for several reasons. Instead, they're building a new home on the family farm's property.
As for what to do with the house, the Browns found that obvious. Scott is a volunteer scoutmaster for St. Mary Boy Scout Troop 471, and Karen's son is a scout with the local council.
The house was moved along back roads to the North River Road campgrounds, where a concrete basement had been poured.
Having a camp master house is a first for the 60-year-old, 173-acre camp, which is owned by the local Boy Scout council. Undoubtedly, it will attract more camp masters, program director Steve Orlovsky and district executive Andrew Olsen said.
Trevor Bahr, 2005 summer camp director, agreed.
"It definitely will make a big difference. A lot of people, especially those with families, are already excited hearing about all that space,'' he said.
A newlywed last year, Bahr said his wife would not stay with him in the tiny cabin. Now, he said, she is at least considering staying with him part of the time.
The camp master quarters also is important because it operates all year.
"It's a lot nicer to be able to open the door and not have to freeze yourself," Bahr said. "With more room, you will actually be able to do stuff instead of tripping over everything. It'll also give couples and families a chance to enjoy their time at camp.''
Orlovsky agreed: "It's important to get quality volunteers who take care of the camp and will increase opportunities for people to live in decent conditions.''
The council has been trying to get a camp master house for more than 25 years. It was even listed among projects in a recent capital campaign. However, the money-an estimated $126,000-was never raised, Olsen said.
Moving the house cost about $35,000, including excavation and concrete, a septic system and work along roads to widen the path for moving the house to the camp.
