Mine

If you invest yourself into any particular activity you have a tendency to look upon it as your own.  If you have put time, energy, creativity and perhaps even money into a project or a "thing" you have a natural belief that you "own" it.  Camp facilities and the programs that they offer are no different.  People who work on a facility or put on a program truly invest themselves into what they do and will have a tendency to look at it as being theirs.  What I find interesting is that there can either be ownership of the whole thing (facility and program) or each separately.

The example I see which takes each part separately is when we deal with our older staff alummi, usually circa '40-'50.  Many of these folks are still around today (though it seems they are beginnnig to "move on") and when they come to camp, they discuss more about what they did rather than the facility itself.  It seems to me that they are oblivious to the property (which really hasn't changed that much in real terms) and focus on what activities they did.  Now, that may not seem unusual to some, however it is the facility that sets the stage for the activities, ie: Swim Beach, the Pier, SMG, etc.  Back then, it was not easy to drive to camp so when you came to camp, you would stay there.  There wasn't the quick trip to Fat Schmittys or Poulsbo, they usually arrived to camp by taking a ferry to the Kitsap peninsula then a ferry from the peninsula to Brinnon.  So when they worked at camp, the only avenue to get away from camp was to go hiking which most of them did.  The camp wasn't used during the off season so it was truly a summer event during this era.  As you move forward in time, more people have invested themselves into the physical aspects of camp through work parties, service projects, etc as well as attend camp.  Today, most of our supporters can walk around camp and see what they have helped build; either through their own work or through their financial backing.  More importantly, they actually get to see the facility in action as the program plays out.  If you look at our current veteran staff, they are here in the winter or summer.......they are invested in all aspects of camp.

The other aspect of ownership is the continuity of the leadership.  Most of the camp leaders came back year after year, from the beginning of operations till pretty much through the late 50's.  However during the 60's, the camp director would change year after year.  Although some of the younger staff would serve for several years in a row, the leadership did not.  As a result, we have found that this decade really has been the hardest one to try to get a true coherent historical timeline out of.  After years of talking to people of that time we are pretty sure we have all the names of the camp directors of that decade and we are also pretty sure we know who served when.  Still, there is debate everytime a veteran staff member from the era appears.  The continuity reappeared in the early 70's with Reid Hansen who served for 7 seasons as camp director then Walt who served for 14 seasons, Bob for 6 seasons and now Ken.  I didn't forget you Gary...........79, but you were coming off of being Ranger.  Each director overlapped the previous; Walt was Gary's Ranger, Bob was Walt's Ranger, Ken was Bob's Ranger.  The result of this continuity is having a staff that takes pride in their facility as well as the work they do and the program they put on.  It helps strengthen a tradition of service as well as customer service.  In essence, it makes it a second home to those who work there over serveral seasons.  Of course there are potential problems with continuity as well.  Some people get into a "rut" and do the same thing over and over......even when it is apparent that it is not working.  Sometimes you "pooh-pooh" ideas that really have some real merit.  I learned a long time ago that no matter how ridiculous a suggestion would seem to me......I would think about it for a couple of hours or overnight, before dismissing it....(kidding).  An example of this was when the Eco/Con director wanted to have a campwide disco party in his area to promote his program.  At first it was "you want to do what?" and despite my concerns, we still gave it the go ahead.  It was a hit.  So was the Beach Bonanaza when that was started as well (spin off of the disco party).  Regardless, you have to be on your toes to make sure that you are moving along and delivering an exciting program that contiues to align with the aims and methods of scouting.

The other aspect about potential "ownership" which I find interesting is from outside groups.  I remember a UPS coordinator referring to Camp Parsons as theirs, when they only use it for eight days.  I am sure it was more of a reference....but still amusing.  The same goes for other outside groups that may use the facility for a long weekend year after year.  We find that even troops have a tendency to feel that it is "their" facility to use.  In other words, they want to use the tower, the kayaks, the rifle range just like it was summer camp.  I feel bad when I remind them that their $15 BSA membership fee is so they can be part of the organization......not to use camp......that is a little larger fee as you can see when you apply to come to summer camp.  There is too much money and effort to keep the facilities available for all to safely use, not just a few groups who want it their way.

This concept of ownership is just that; a concept.  The Chief Seattle Council owns the facility and we serve there at the pleasure of the council.  The council is not a singular entity as it is governed by a group of dedicated individual who support the BSA.  We own our talents, we own our work and we own who we are.  I know all of this.......but Camp Parsons is still MY camp.