Hudson Valley Boy Scout Camp rescued, another sold, amid bankruptcy issues

Facing bankruptcy issues, the Boy Scouts of America Greater Hudson Valley Council has announced that it will sell one of its popular camps, although another has been suspended and is no longer on the market.

In Rockland County, Council announced that it has decided to sell Camp Nooteeming at Stony Point to “ensure Scouting in the Hudson Valley will thrive and have a sustainable and bright future.”

Over the summer, council warned the city that three properties were up for sale, including the 313-acre Camp Bullowa at Stony Point, which has a rich history in the Hudson Valley stretching over several generations since its purchase in the 1940s. ..

“Selling Camp Nooteeming was a tough decision, but the board ultimately agreed that selling Camp Nooteeming was the best way to put bankruptcy behind us without incurring heavy debt,” they announced.

The bankruptcy task force spent months analyzing several scenarios to raise the funds needed to pay off the Council’s multi-million dollar obligation to the Victims Compensation Trust.

In the end, it was determined that selling Camp Nooteeming, and not Camp Bullowa, nor the Durland Scout Reservation in the Putnam Valley, was the more prudent decision.

“The market information gathered along with analysis of past budgets, staffing reports and future spending led the Bankruptcy Task Force to recommend the plan that was approved today.”

In response, the Council issued a statement saying that “(they) understand that many families will mourn the sale of Camp Nooteeming; he has been part of our Scout community for over 90 years.

“The legacy of what Camp Nooteeming stood for will be carried on as we move forward and develop Scouting in our regions,” officials said. “The staff and board of the Greater Hudson Valley Council are committed to helping the traditional Scouting programs held at Camp Nooteeming find a new place to call home. “

Rockland County Director Ed Day hailed the council’s decision to retain Camp Bullowa, calling it a “victory” for the region.

“This decision by (the Greater Hudson Valley Council) is a victory for the Rockland Scouting program and the other organizations that regularly use Camp Bullowa,” he said. “We look forward to the continuation of the Scouting program at Camp Bullowa which will greatly benefit future generations and continue to support the work of the (Greater Hudson Valley Council) in Rockland County.”

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