Frequently Asked Questions:

Girl Scouts of Nassau County Pending Sale of Camp Tekakwitha
to
The Nature Conservancy and the Town of Southampton

1. Why is Girl Scouts of Nassau County selling Camp Tekakwitha?

It is a matter of stewardship. The vast majority of GSNC’s financial assets are in the properties that are held at Camp Blue Bay and Camp Tekakwitha. However, these valuable assets are utilized by less than 10% of our membership, and neither property brings in enough revenue to cover the direct expenses that the Council incurs each year to maintain, insure and run programs at these sites; hence, both of these valuable properties represent a drain on our liquid assets and annual revenue. By selling the property at Camp Tek, the Council will earn interest on the investment of the proceeds of the sale. This interest income will allow the Council to significantly expand its services to girls and adult volunteers in Nassau County, and will also allow for resources to be directed to much needed capital improvements and program expansion at Camp Blue Bay.

2. Why now?

The Board has studied this question of stewardship for over four years. Membership was surveyed to determine what could be done to increase use of the facilities at both camps. While some changes were made to programming, resources for capital improvements were very limited. Meanwhile, utilization has continued to decline at all of our camps for the past five years, while needs for maintenance and capital improvements have increased.

The Nature Conservancy and the Town of Southampton have money available this year that is earmarked for the purchase and preservation of open space in the Town. (This money comes from a property transfer tax established by law for this use.) This money will not be available indefinitely and it is important that the Council act in a timely manner before this offer expires.

3. Why are the Camps under-utilized?

There are many demands on the time and attention of girls and their families today and camping does not play the prominent role in recreation that it once did. Many Troops/Groups do not take advantage of weekend camping because of the busy schedules of the girls and/or because adult volunteers may not be interested in taking girls to camp. Willing and trained adult volunteers are essential to weekend camping. The distance and travel time to our camps is a deterrent for some. The amenities at our camps are very basic, and many girls and their families seek summer sleep-away camps that offer more modern facilities and more specialized programming than our Camp Blue Bay can currently muster.

4. Did the Board explore other alternatives to raise revenue other than the sale of Camp Tek?

Yes, other options were considered, including the sale of development rights to only a portion of the property, which would mean we could never sell that portion of the land for development. In the end, the Town of Southampton decided that it was only interested in a purchase of the entire property. This option provides for the best utilization of the Council’s assets at this time. The Council receives a high market-value return, it eliminates its operating expenses on this parcel, and the Council does not make future obligations on any of its other property, as the sale of development rights would do.

5. Why sell Camp Tek and not Camp Blue Bay?

Camp Tek is a smaller parcel and it is used even less than Camp Blue Bay. The existing amenities and improvements are more extensive at Camp Blue Bay than at Camp Tek. In addition, there is a usable waterfront at Blue Bay, something lacking at Tek, and which is essential to any viable camping program. We intend to stay in the camping business, so it is important to preserve our most used, most usable and most valuable property.

6. How will The Nature Conservancy and the Town of Southampton use the property?

Ultimately, those are decisions that will be made by the Town of Southampton. However, we have been assured that the property will be held in trust as open space for a public park and a scenic recreation site. The Town has also promised to continue the low impact environmental stewardship practiced by the Girl Scouts, which they see as critical to the protection of the Peconic Estuary.

7. How will this sale affect camping in our Council?

Camping is an important part of the Girl Scout tradition and will continue to be an important program in our Council. Outdoor education and the learning that takes place at camp contribute very positively to the Girl Scout experience for many girls.

Camp Blue Bay is also currently highly under-utilized by our girls, and easily will be able to absorb all weekend Troop/Group camping, as well as Outdoor Training and additional special program weekends for girls.

The interest income from the proceeds of the sale will allow GSNC to make much needed improvements to Camp Blue Bay. The first items to be addressed will include upgrades to the water system, improvements to bathroom facilities, paving the roads, and installation of an adventure course. In the next few years we expect to add additional winterized facilities and expanded program offerings.

In addition, due to a new era of cooperation among Girl Scouts of Suffolk County, Girl Scouts of Greater New York and GSNC, girls from our Council are expected to be able to access the camping facilities of our neighboring Councils in 2007. Their camps are located in Bayport, Yaphank and Hamilton, NY, where they offer a variety of weekend camping opportunities for Troops/Groups and individuals. (Their members will also be able to use our resident camp and weekend camping at Camp Blue Bay.)

8. How much money will Girl Scouts of Nassau County receive from this sale

The exact final price of the property is still in negotiation. The initial offer from The Nature Conservancy and the Town of Southampton is considered a fair market price and was in line with the values determined by independent MAI certified appraisals that were ordered by our Council. Once the sale is completed, the amount will become public record.

9. How will Girl Scouts of Nassau County use this money?

The proceeds from the sale will be invested (following established Council investment polices and guidelines). Interest income from this investment will be used to expand services to girls and adult volunteers in Nassau County, including additional support for membership and expanded program services to girls. We hope to find suitable space in the coming year to accommodate Girl Space, a place that we envision as a hub for girls in Nassau County to come together to discover, connect and take action.

We will also direct a portion of our budget to capital improvements and expanded programming at Camp Blue Bay.

10. Will the sale affect our ability to raise funds in the community?

Donors and funders look to not-for-profit organizations to use their assets wisely in pursuit of their mission. The Board of Directors is confident that our individual donors, corporate and foundation supporters, as well as the public will recognize that GSNC is being pro-active in determining its financial security now, and for the future. Girls, and the organizations that serve girls, deserve to have their fair share of all donor dollars. The income generated from this sale will allow the Council to expand and improve services to girls, and is not meant to replace current or future public support of Girl Scouts of Nassau County. GSNC will continue it fundraising, along with its revenue generating programs, and will be able to demonstrate to its supporters that every dollar invested in girls is building girls of courage, confidence and character who will make our world a better place.