Lawmakers Float Plan To Save Pouch Camp

01/28/2010 11:50 PM
Lawmakers Float Plan To Save Pouch Camp
By: NY1 News

State lawmakers announced a plan Thursday to save a popular scout camp on Staten Island.
Generations of Boy Scouts have camped on the 80-acre parcel of land known as Pouch Camp. But the Greater New York Councils of Boy Scouts of America have said they may have to sell the land to private developers to ease financial difficulties.

Now comes a suggestion to move the Scouts' headquarters from expensive Manhattan to rustic Pouch Camp.

"It's important that we should be thinking outside the box, and should be thinking about opportunities that we have on Staten Island to cut the costs for the Boy Scouts, so they're able to save money and able to save Pouch Camp," said Assemblyman Michael Cusick.

"Come to beautiful Staten Island and it will make them feel more with nature. I mean, this is an example of one such beautiful corporate park where they'll be surrounded by trees so it's almost symbolic for the Scouts to have their offices in such a beautiful environment," said Assemblyman Lou Tobacco.

A spokesperson for the Boy Scouts of America said the organization is in the process of renegotiating its Manhattan lease and always looks for ways to cut down on operational costs.

The spokesperson, however, would not comment directly on the lawmakers' proposal.


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