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February 16, 2006 Partnership Formed to Enhance Western N.D. 4-H Camp The Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation and Western N.D. 4-H Camp Association have entered into a partnership to continue to provide a high-quality 4-H camping program while exploring the potential for more year-round use of the camp. The Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation is a nonprofit organization that manages and maintains Fort Mandan and the North Dakota Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center near Washburn. The Western N.D. 4-H Camp is midway between the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan. “This is a wonderful opportunity to work within and broaden the work of our foundation,” says David Borlaug, Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation president. “The very core of our mission is education, and this wonderful 4-H camp located between our two facilities is a perfect complement to everything we already do.” During the 2006 season, the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation will conduct its own site assessment of the 4-H camp, prepare a master plan for the development of the grounds and evaluate its interests in assuming management of the camp. The Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation also will assist with marketing the summer camp sessions, participate in interviews and hiring summer camp staff and assist with other preparations for the camping season. At the end of this year’s camping season, the foundation will evaluate its interest in assuming future management of the facility; prepare a master plan for development of the grounds; determine sources of funding; and negotiate a long-term management agreement with the Western N.D. 4-H Camp Association. “As we explore the opportunity to work more closely with the 4-H camp in a direct role, our board of directors and staff are excited about the possibilities,” Borlaug says. “The plan is to have something by fall that we can present. The core of everything is maintaining a schedule of 4-H camps. The camps come first, and then we will talk about what we can do to make it a year-round facility, building around the core of summer camps.” “From the Western N.D. 4-H Camp Association standpoint, this presents exciting possibilities,” says Jim Sailer, association president. “This is a chance for us to grow the 4-H camp and make it even more of a learning experience for our youth.” A feasibility study to expand the fundraising capabilities of the camp recommended that the Western N.D. 4-H Camp Association explore possible partnerships, naming the Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation as the highest priority group. “This partnership could be a win-win situation for everybody, particularly youth,” Borlaug says. “By working together, we can develop a world-class facility for youth to attend camp and then take it to the next steps, which is from youth to family to visitors.” Cathy Palczewski, North Dakota State University Extension Service agent for Burleigh and Morton counties will spend 50 percent of her time during the next year as 4-H camp program director. Kristie Frieze, Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation executive director, will provide marketing and promotion assistance to the Western N.D. 4-H Camp Association. Frieze and Palczewski will work with the foundation and the association on details surrounding the partnership. The goal is for the development of a master plan by Jan. 15, 2007. ### Source: Jim
Sailer, (701) 843-8008, jdsailer@westriv.com |
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North Dakota State University |
