In the fall of 2002, the Board of Trustees approved the launch of a $2 million capital campaign intended to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Camp Tecumseh and to enhance the future of its endowment by the creation of the Centennial Fund. Through the end of 2006, many generous pledges and contributions have been received. The three primary goals of the capital campaign were to raise funds for the camp's endowment, to expand the availability of financial aid for needy campers, and to enhance camp programs.

The Board of Trustees is pleased to note what has been or is being done with the funds raised to date that are designated for the Centennial Fund Campaign. Three noteworthy improvements recently have been completed. First, $47,000 was spent to straighten up the Lodge, which had developed a noticeable lean to one side. The original part of the Lodge dates back to 1787. Being a post and beam structure, a portion of the top plate, which is the top of the frame to which the roof is attached, and a number of the rafters had to be replaced. The porch and roof on the tennis courtside of the Lodge were completely replaced. Neil English, one of New England's premier barn restorers, took pictures of every name plate in the Lodge and even measured their exact locations so as to be able to return them to their original locations.

Second, following the end of the 2005 summer camp season, a $34,500 brand new Correctcraft ski boat with a 350-hp. Chevrolet engine was purchased for the waterfront to kick off the 2006 camp season. Third, another major facilities project was the restoration of the lower structure of the barn. This project cost $120,000 and was completed in February, 2006. All of the support beams in the barn basement – formerly known as the cow barn - which support the first floor - where the horse stalls and wagons were - had to be replaced. Thirty-foot wood beams measuring 10" x 12" had to be replaced. The concrete milking walls in the basement along with 75 tons of rock under the floor had to be removed. The first floor wood flooring on the north side of the barn had to be replaced. The ventilation system up through the cupola on the roof was rebuilt and now works, so that a new climbing wall could be installed for campers to use in the future.

The Trustees agreed that such major projects are to be funded out of an annual allocation from the Replacement Fund. The Board has approved the funding for the Replacement Fund from depreciation and a fixed allocation from the endowment, a major portion of which is the Centennial Fund. In addition, since there is much deferred and ongoing maintenance expected in the future, it is quite likely that all of the funds raised for the Centennial Fund will be spent on such work.

Parents, Grandparents, Alumni, and Friends who have not made a contribution to the Centennial Fund are encouraged to make their donation; our goal is to have everyone’s participation and support for the Centennial Fund. For more information about the Centennial Fund, please contact Charles Kurz II, trustee and chair of the Development Committee, at (610) 617-6836 or ckii@keyship.com.

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