February 2009

It's been a year since I was hired as the Lair's new Facilities Director, and what a productive and exciting year it's been! Our excellent team was able to complete a number of projects prior to the 2008 camping season. And we've gotten a great head start on many projects set to be completed for the 2009 camping season. Here are some highlights from the past year and a look at what's ahead:

Camp Blue: The Recreational Courts Area got a big facelift, as we added three granite covered retaining walls and a new drainage system to move snow melt water and rainwater effectively under the courts rather than over and through them. The retaining wall just below the upper road allowed us to relocate the Basketball Court next to the upper tennis courts and provide a viewing mezzanine just above the wall. Other improvements to the Sports Courts included:

• New green vinyl-coated fencing.
• Beautiful new court surfacing and striping.
• New pair of Horseshoe Pits next to the Basketball Court.
• New set of stairs connecting the Basketball Court with the Paddleball and Volleyball Courts below.
• The lower and middle retaining walls allowed us to provide a fully fenced, newly paved and sealed Volleyball Court with massive, dug-in cedar bleachers.
• And we're currently putting the finishing touches on the stairs project at the lower Volleyball and Paddleball entrances by adding a concrete walkway and drain at the Basketball Court, as well as wood fencing to safely separate the campers from the rock covered drain inlet area next to the lower Tennis Courts.

Camp Gold: Gold's Recreational Courts Area was substantially rearranged and improved before the start of the '08 camping season. Among the more noticeable changes:

• The Art Arbor was relocated and completely rebuilt.
• New Shuffleboard Courts were constructed in the location previously occupied by the Art Arbor and a considerable amount of paving was done to create a smooth even surface for the new Volleyball Court.
• Everything in the Gold Courts Area received the new green vinyl-coated fencing, as well as new surfacing and striping.
• Alongside the great new basketball court with 2 baskets, the younger basketball players will find a small court just for them.

In addition, just past the Camp Gold entrance at the Pinecrest Schoolhouse you'll find a new entrance to the Gold Dining Hall Parking Lot. The US Forest Service required us to decommission and deep-till the old road across the Softball Field to return the area to natural meadow. Happily, cars will no longer have to dodge softballs as they cross the outfield to get to the parking area!

Camp Oski: Oski's Recreational Area will see some big improvements for the season ahead (with more to come!):

• The Volleyball Court has been completely rebuilt with a substantial level wood edge and fresh sand. The Volleyball Posts are even straight!
• The Basketball Court has been resurfaced and striped and will receive a new backboard and hoop in the spring.
• Both Basketball and Volleyball Courts will benefit from new green fencing in the spring as well.

And the troublesome floors in the new Oski bathrooms will be receiving new epoxy / sand floor coatings, which will help with the water drainage issues.

The Legacy Trail: We're thrilled that the Lair's new Legacy Trail made its arrival this past spring. The Legacy Trail consists of beautiful cedar posts with decorative metal caps, each with plaques featuring etchings of donor names. The posts run along the creek in all three camps. The Lair will create and install additional posts and plaques each season to accommodate additional donor names.

What else is new? We have several major projects going on now at camp, including the rebuilding of Head #3's in BOTH Camp Blue and Camp Gold. And we're gearing up to replace as many as 15 of our aging tent cabins. And at Gold, construction has begun on a new Men's and Women's Handicapped Restroom at the Gold Lodge—this project was funded by the generous donations of 4th Week Gold campers. The foundation is in, and we anticipate completing the work in time for this summer's camping season.

What's Ahead: For the 2009 / 2010 season, our Master Plan projects list remains lengthy. Among the new projects being discussed:

• More head replacements
• Tent replacements
• Expansion of our internal camp trail system
• Expanded parking away from camping areas
• Improvements to our road system

Look forward to a more detailed plan for the next couple of years later this spring!

Welcome, Matt (did I just say that?!). We're also excited to share the news of our new addition to the Team: Matt Burgess, our new Facilities Manager. Matt brings a wealth of construction experience as a local contractor, and will lead our Facilities team as we continue to work on Master Plan Projects. We hope you'll say hello when you camp with us in 2009.

Thank you so very much for your continued support of our camp improvement efforts and we look forward to seeing you this summer!

Steve Hannon
Facilities Director
Lair of the Bear
(209) 768–8139