Camp Cullom, with future support of the community, is undergoing a transformation. Camp Cullom, assisted by the Community Foundation and United Way for Clinton County held several meetings to learn how to take the 90 acre Camp owned by the Children of Clinton County to the “next level”.
Board members have discussed several “dreams” to walk toward and someday hopefully transform into reality. More will be bounced off the community in the future but a few of the preliminary “hopes” include:
- Remote internet control of the Prairie Grass Observatory so Camp Cullom’s commitment to STEM and space observations can be “on the road” at school events, nursing homes and other public and community events. Celestial objects will be seen in real time from the Observatory via remote control on the internet. This is already ‘under construction’ with the last piece of the puzzle (an accurate internet linked telescope mount) ordered last week. It will take several months to assemble, test and tweek this technology but hopes of completion this summer are reasonable.
- Camp Cullom would like to hold an annual ‘Maple Syrup’ kind of event. This matches one of the pillars of Camp Cullom’s mission for education. The Camp made a large ‘down payment’ on such an activity with its first “Pancake Breakfast held Saturday February 24th called “a short stack for a tall cause.” Nick Atchley with Atchley Farms hosted and operated the stainless steal Maple Syrup evaporator on display during Saturday’s event. Board member Chuck Tedrick played a critical role in the assembly and testing of the equipment in preparation for the Pancake Breakfast.
- Camp Cullom is trying to figure out how it might afford more help for Ranger Hoppy Bray. Perhaps this new person could hold responsibilities as a full or part time Naturalist and/or Program person but this “dream” is subject to budget realities and other unknowns.
- Camp Cullom is developing a plan for continuing the improvements and maintenance of its several buildings. The lodge has just undergone extensive “deep clean” work late summer.
- The “wish list” is long and Camp Cullom hopes the community will share the vision of these improvements to better serve the area. Susan Kaspar added 22 new families to the “Friends of Camp Cullom” list toward that end of increasing community involvement. Other “dreams” in no particular order include:
- Signage/Landscaping improvements
- Lodge Entryway expansion
- Composite Deck behind the Lodge
- Safety windows in the Lodge
- Bunkhouse revamp
- Hand Rails in strategic places
- Lower dead trees to ground level
- Observatory ramp repair
- K-Hut work for Maple Syrup station
- Repair siding on the Nature Center
- Electric Dryers in Bath areas
- Bee Hive Habitat and Display
- Planetarium
- Expand Audio and Video capabilities
- Green houses and community garden areas
The Pancake Breakfast Saturday brought in $1,735 net toward these and other needs. 205 people attended, including Camp Ranger Hoppy and 8 board members. 19 pounds of pancake mix fed the crowd.
19 trees were tapped at Camp Cullom to collect Sap. 120 gallons of Maple Sap were collected from trees at Camp Cullom and 33 trees from another location. The 120 gallons of Sap rendered about 3 gallons of Maple Syrup.
There was a steep learning curve for the Pancake event this year but reactions from the community show promise for future Maple syrup events.
Board member Tom Dickerson co-ordinated the staffing and logistics for the breakfast.
Scrapbook of the first Camp Cullom Pancake Breakfast—“A short stack for a tall cause”. Camp Cullom is a 501 c-3 organization supported by The United Way for Clinton County.
