OREM — Camp Tifie, located above Mount Pleasant, is the newest property in the National Parks Council of the Boy Scouts. Now, thanks to a $1 million donation, the camp will be expanding to become one of the nation's premier Scout camps.
The camp, which sits at an elevation of 8,000 feet in Sanpete County, is slated for some improvements thanks to the large donation from Tifie Humanitarian, a Utah organization committed to teaching individuals and families independence through enterprise.
According to John Gailey, spokesman for the National Parks Council, the improvements will make Camp Tifie unique and already have attracted national attention.
"Our objective is to make it one of the premier Scout camps in the nation," he said, stressing that the national Boy Scouts of America plans on using it as a model for future camp development in the U.S.
He said the camp improvements will focus on three different areas:
Completing the lodge and dining hall. Although the camp opened last summer, the lodge was only framed, and there is no dining hall.
Enclosing the pool. The camp does have an outdoor swimming pool, but the hope is to now enclose it and extend its season, perhaps to year-round.
Creating a center for enterprise. This involves creating some classrooms and computer labs, so Scouts can learn entrepreneurship, business and green energy, among other things, along a theme of putting together business plans.
"It will make this camp very unique," Gailey said, noting that most boys learn only about outdoor skills at a Scout camp, while Tifie will offer nontraditional merit badge opportunities.
Work on these projects is expected to start in the next few weeks.
"We are very, very excited," Gailey said.
The Trapper Trails Scout council in Ogden received a $1.25 million donation last month to improve its Camp Hunt at Bear Lake. Gailey said donors must believe strongly in the Boy Scouts to make such donations in tough economic times.
Camp Tifie is part of the 600-acre Mountain Dell Scout Ranch. Nearly 2,400 Scouts took advantage of the Tifie Scout Camp summer program last year.
Tifie Humanitarian and the Utah National Parks Council are attempting to build a model of donor and recipient collaboration, ensuring the best use of donated monies for the ongoing needs and desires of both parties. This includes a focus on fundraising efforts and community involvement, as well as establishing an endowment for maintenance of the facilities.
"Forging a working committee with Tifie Humanitarian to oversee and drive development of this important camp facility is both unique and important," said Steve Royster, Scout executive of the Utah National Parks Council. "Accomplishing our joint vision of building leaders with vision, courageous citizens and strong families is key — and we invite others to join us in our stewardship."
The Utah National Parks Council, headquartered in Orem, serves nearly 75,000 youths, assisted by 40,000 volunteers. Its boundaries go from Utah County to the north rim of the Grand Canyon and include portions of Nevada and Colorado.
For more information, go online to www.utahscouts.org.
e-mail: lynn@desnews.com