Parties Meet To Consider Uses for, Conservation of Former Boy Scout Camp
By TERESA WINCHESTERMILFORD
Some 20 representatives from Otsego County environmental organizations, governmental bodies and agencies, and Boy Scout-related personnel gathered on August 23 at the former Camp Henderson Scout Reservation on Crumhorn Lake in the Town of Milford. They were joined by U.S. Congressman Marc Molinaro (R-19th District) and State Senator Peter Oberacker (R,C-51st Senate District). All parties were seeking a harmonic convergence to ensure the conservation of the 668-acre former scout camp, one of the largest undeveloped tracts of land remaining in Otsego County.
The extensive acreage features abundant woodlands, 63 acres of wetlands and more than 11,000 feet of frontage on New York State Department of Environmental Conservation classified streams. It is also immediately adjacent to the Susquehanna State Forest. Also part of the package are numerous buildings, including a 10,000-square-foot dining hall in good condition, a tower for rock climbing, a craft building and 20-30 other structures, in varying states of repair and suitable for different uses.
The land, owned by Leatherstocking Council BSA, was put on the market in 2022 as a result of collateral damage resulting from multiple sexual abuse lawsuits, which led the Boy Scouts of America to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2020. Other factors such as poor camp attendance, camp condition, and a denial of an “Intent to Operate” also played a part in the decision to sell. The asking price is $6.9 million, with no constraints as to how the property can be sold, subdivided or used.
