Tipi Village: an Eagle Scout's Project

TiPi Village at Texas Lions Camp

By: Stephen S. Mabry, CFRE, CAE

Chief Executive Officer

Tipi Village at Texas Lions Camp

This past summer, Texas Lions Camp was the recipient of many acts of kindness and thousands of man-hours of service in preparation for the 1,383 children who attended Camp in 2012. To say it takes the expertise of many people to provide our services to so many deserving children is an understatement, as the Camp operation is actually a conglomeration of many smaller operations and systems that operate synergistically in order to create our program.

Over the years, Texas Lions Camp has been the beneficiary of a number of Eagle Scout projects and it was my great privilege to get to know Evan Schaff of Houston, Texas as a result of just such a project. When I met Evan, he was classed as a "Life Scout" and was looking for a project that he could undertake in order to achieve his Eagle Scout classification.

There were a number of needs the Camp had at the time; however, one particular need seemed like a match too good to pass up for an Eagle Scout candidate, namely: TLC's Tipi Village. As I discussed this need with Evan, taking a project of this size and scope was understandably...well...daunting. After all, how many of us have ever erected a Tipi (let alone three tipis) or would even know where to begin?

Moreover, I asked Evan to conduct some research and to consider how the Native Americans present in the Texas Hill Country may have lived when planning artifacts to create and add to the village. Evan had many great ideas to share and of course the Camp had many objectives that had to result in order to create the safe atmosphere desired for the kiddos of TLC. After a number of meetings and idea sessions, Evan submitted his project for approval, and was given the approval to proceed by both his certifying body and Texas Lions Camp.

On June 2, Evan mobilized with Troop 1001 of Katy, Texas and bivouacked on site at Texas Lions Camp. Throughout the weekend, the troop under the direction and leadership of its senior patrol leader, Evan, set about the task of constructing TLC's all-new Tipi Village. 

One of the items that Evan decided to include, was an exhibit to demonstrate the tanning of hides which would have been used for clothing or other leather-goods needs.

More than just "Clowning" around...the tri-pod configuration is the beginning and foundation of the framework and must demonstrate integrity and strength before the remaining poles and framework can be added. Like anywhere else, the Texas Hill Country can produce some high-winds and thunderstorms on occasion and Evan was careful to construct the structures to withstand the potential for windy weather.

Each tipi also has a center, anchor line that runs from the top of the frame, to a stake in the ground which helps to ensure the integrity of the structure.

In addition to the three full tipis, Evan and the team also erected two "shells" without canvas in order to give the impression of nomadic lifestyles. Lastly, Evan created a full-color report to document how to construct the Tipis as well as information and facts he had learned about how native Americans lived in the area.

When asked about the project, Evan said, 'The only way that I was able to do this project was with the unsparing and industrious help from the scouts of my troop.  These scouts and friends worked so hard on the project that they are the ones who should really be applauded.  They knew how to do most of the tasks I assigned to them and if not, they were very quick to learn.  The majority of all the helpers I had out there working on the project were scouts from my own troop, the rest were personal friends who were in a different troop.  I am with Troop 1001 in Katy, TX.  We have about 30 scouts in the troop and are always looking for new friends.  We go camping, every month and do a wide variety of things from fishing, kayaking, backpacking, hiking, or just having a good time at one of our favorite camp grounds.  Feel free to check out our new website: HTTP://www.troopmasterweb.com/troop1001.

Evan Schaff and Troop 1001 from Katy, Texas

Evan with his Dad.

In mid-August, Evan returned with his family and dismantled the village in order to store it until it is needed once again next summer. To be sure, many long hours of planning, work and travel were freely given by Evan, his family and others, and it is with our deepest gratitude that I say thank you, Evan for a job well done!

Congratulations on the achievement of your Eagle Scout badge Evan, an honor that was earned and well deserved.

Sincerely yours,

Stephen S. Mabry, CFRE, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
Texas Lions Camp, Inc.

Frontier Village – What’s New at TLC in 2012

By: Stephen S. Mabry, CFRE, CAE

Chief Executive Officer

FRONTIER VILLAGE – WHAT’S NEW AT TLC IN 2012

With over a decade of planning, fund-raising and round-table discussions, Texas Lions Camp is proud to announce the addition of Frontier Village as one of the many new resources awaiting Children at Texas Lions Camp for the summer of 2012. The new facility is a “themed” campsite that is constructed to remind visitors of the frontier and “old west” style amenities that may have been seen in the area with early settlements (except for ours has a foundation, reinforced steel girders and over 24 ceiling fans).

Over-looking a serene valley, campers will be treated to one-of-a-kind views, out-door cookouts, and sleeping under the stars in an outdoor setting. The new site is situated to the North of the main campus and overlooks the sports lake - portions of which can be seen from inside - since the pavilion’s NW elevation stands open to the view for campers to enjoy.

  

Many campers come from the inner-cities or for other reasons may have never had the opportunity to camp overnight in nature. The new campsite will provide campers the opportunity to experience nature and overnight camping at its finest while never being more than 500 yards from the infirmary and the Camp proper. The natural path leading to Frontier gently meanders through the woods and is both wide and relatively flat, making the trek accessible to all, regardless of their abilities or appliances used for ambulation.

While the design and concept for the new campsite had been adopted by the Board of Directors some time ago, the price tag was rather steep at an estimated $250,000.00 – that is, until Lions District 2-X2 stepped forward with a $116,000.00 pledge for funding as well as a volunteer contractor in Past District Governor Jimmie Muckleroy. In addition to owning a contracting company, PDG Muckleroy is also director of a volunteer group of contractors and handy-men known as the “Christian Church Disciples of Christ” whose mission leads them to travel abroad, helping organizations erect structures so that the organization can better accomplish their mission…and that certainly has been the result at Texas Lions Camp.

“Volunteer” construction on this scale is outside the norm for Texas Lions Camp, and there were many details and obstacles that had to be addressed in order for the project to proceed. Moreover, both the distance and construction requirements that are unique to building in the rocky, Texas Hill-Country, posed many puzzles to be unraveled by PDG Muckleroy and his crew who are based in deep East Texas; however, by working together, consulting and inviting the participation of a number of Kerrville based contractors and a determination to overcome issues, children visiting Texas Lions Camp from this point forward will benefit as a result of this tremendous effort. My heart-felt appreciation and congratulations go to PDG Jimmie for his tremendous work and sacrifice in seeing this project through to completion. Many thanks also to Mike Dyal, of Kerrville based  Mike Dyal Custom Homes, for his many hours devoted to the project.

It is definitely noteworthy to also let you know a number of Dads and relatives of TLC campers both worked on this project and donated towards making this project a reality both for their children and the children of others. I can’t think of many things stronger than that!

In addition, I can’t express my appreciation and admiration enough for the many fine Lions of District 2-X2. They have a long standing and distinguished record of service to children through Texas Lions Camp, and have once again stepped up in a big way on behalf of the children we serve.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not also mention the tremendous efforts of 2^nd Vice-President Leon Van Alstine and DG-elect, Nancy Van Alstine for their tireless efforts in presenting their vision for Frontier Village to the District of 2-X2. The many presentations and long trips they have made to invite the financial support needed for the District to adopt and financially support the project was the impetus and driving force behind our ability to move forward to completion in time for Summer Camp 2012.

I am very excited for our kiddos and can’t wait to see the wonder in their eyes as they enter this new facility that has been constructed just for them.

Happy Camping…

  

Stephen S. Mabry, CFRE, CAE
Chief Executive Officer

New Sound System Comes to TLC – A Resounding Thanks!

New Sound System Comes to TLC – A Resounding Thanks!

Texas Lions Camp just completed installation of a brand, new public address system at the Camp’s amphitheatre. On average, TLC’s Kerrville based campus hosts 1,500 children per year from across the State of Texas and celebrates their accomplishments at the amphitheatre each Friday evening of the summer, camping season.

It is an amazing experience to collectively celebrate the accomplishments of these children. For many, this kind of opportunity remains elusive and a rare event…to have their name called from a microphone so that their achievement(s) can be publicly recognized as they move to center stage before a crowd of 600 people is a moving and powerful experience for all.

The new sound system is comprised of professional quality, outdoor components, that are a vast improvement over the temporary system that has been used since TLC’s inception. Our practice has been to setup a portable sound-system each Friday evening, which poses a hazard to both equipment and personnel, not to mention the additional time outlay in an already task-packed day. The former system has worked with some success, but has often left those in the back wondering what was said.

The new system sports 4-two way high output speakers, 1 sub-woofer that you can feel from a distance, 2 Crown amplifiers, 1 Rolls mixer, and 2 high-end wireless microphones the latter of which are all encased in a weather-proof, secure cabinet.

What does a state-of-the-art, new sound system mean to an operation such as Texas Lions Camp? It is at the heart of our mission to improve the self-esteem of children with special medical conditions. Thanks to the generous gift made by the Odessa Downtown Lions Club, we now have an improved system by which to tell everyone present that Children Can…With TLC^TM.

And now we can say it with more volume and clarity than ever before…well done and MANY THANKS!

Sincerely yours,

Stephen S. Mabry, CFRE, CAE
Chief Executive Officer
Texas Lions Camp, Inc.