Mid-South Youth Camp
Advisory Board Meeting
November 3, 2007
The Mid-South Youth Camp Advisory Board met for its annual fall meeting in Gano Dining Hall on Saturday, November 3, 2007. Board members in attendance were Frank Bell, Larry Bloomingburg, Frank Bradford, Ronnie Branch, Kim Spears Cook, Robert Farrow, Danny Jackson, Gayle McDonald, Betty Neilson, Jack and Gean Seward, Milton Sewell, Boo Spears, Gabby Spears, Richard Taylor, Jr. and Mitch and Natalie Zlatovich.
Chairman Boo Spears opened the business meeting by welcoming members and thanking them for their attendance.
Richard Taylor reviewed the financial operations of the camp. Gross income, net income, Retreat Center income and Ropes Course income are all up and for past fiscal year. Camp attendance this summer exceeded 1300.
Frank Bradford reported that the Retreat Center is now being utilized even in December and January, as well as during the February Lectureship and the Ropes Course continue to grow in popularity.
The annual BBQ DINNER will be held on Monday night, February4, 2008. An itemized list of donations and their contributors and workers for the event is attached.
Bathhouse renovations have been completed in one boys’ facility and one girls’ facility. There seems to be a more pressing need to complete the second girls’ bathhouse.
Future plans for a boat dock have been modified to consider a floating dock which would be less expensive and more functional for the camp’s needs.
The need to repair the leaking pool (the pool nearer the dining hall), will take precedence over both the bathhouse and the dock.
Discussion ensued as to whether the endowment fund could be used for such major camp repairs or construction. It was determined that the intent of the primary donor to the endowment fund was that it be allowed to earn interest and not be spent in the near future.
A motion was made by Frank Bradford and seconded by Gayle McDonald to repair the aforementioned pool. Motion passed.
Camp tuition was discussed at length. Richard Taylor stated that increasing tuition $5.00 annually keeps the operational budget balanced, and any excess profit can be moved to the special projects fund. Frank Bradford noted that camps offering lower tuitions have no paid counselors. Betty Neilson moved to increase tuition to $175/ wk. The motion died for lack of a second. Gayle McDonald proposed tuition discounts when multiple family members attend or a youth group discount. Jack Seward moved to increase tuition by $10/wk. The motion was seconded by Ronnie Branch and Robert Farrow. Motion passed.
NEXT BOARD MEETING – Tuesday, March 11, 2008 – 6:00 p.m. Wallace-Gano Dining Hall.