C.A.M.P.

Conservation and Management Pioneers (C.A.M.P.) is a public benefit organization which has recently acquired the 86-acre “Camp Pedersen” property in Washington County Nebraska.  C.A.M.P.’s mission is to provide for education and development of youth outdoor skills, conservation practices, range management, and outdoor recreation, by providing opportunities for camping, scoutcraft, wilderness training, outdoor education, physical fitness, service projects, nature development, and land management.

The C.A.M.P. organization was formed by several members of the Fort Calhoun scouting community.  Scouting America Troop #114 and Cub Scout Pack #114 have benefited many generations of Fort Calhoun youth.  The C.A.M.P. organizers and board believe that Camp Pedersen will provide a superior venue for the pursuit of C.A.M.P.’s education and skill development objectives, for both scouting and non-scouting youth alike.  Although C.A.M.P. is not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, the 12 points of the Scout Law are top of mind as it pursues its goals.

Through the generosity and hard work of many others that have come before us, the existing Camp Pedersen was established in 1971.  But, the history of Camp Pedersen runs much deeper, as it first began as a scout camp in 1935 in the woods near 58th and McKinley Streets.  It gained its namesake in 1949 when a scout lodge was built in honor of an Eagle Scout who was killed in an industrial accident.  When Interstate 680 was built through the existing scout camp, the camp was moved to its existing location just North of Fort Calhoun.  The existing main cabin was built in 1975.  After several decades of use, Camp Pedersen has fallen into a state of disrepair and is in need of an influx of resources and energy.

C.A.M.P. has a goal to restore and enhance Camp Pedersen, so it can be used not only by our local Fort Calhoun scouting programs, but also by many other youth organizations that care deeply about outdoor recreation and youth development.  Some of the immediate goals include a new roof for the main cabin, well-water improvements, septic installation, HVAC installation, shower and bathroom facilities, removal of invasive tree species, boundary fencing, trail establishment, erosion control, a maintenance building, and many future scouting service projects.

C.A.M.P. needs your help to provide the necessary influx of resources and energy to write the next chapter of Camp Pedersen.  Conservation and Management Pioneers is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization (EIN# 99-3135928).  Any contributions or donations to C.A.M.P. are tax deductible.

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