September 5, 2024, Greater Los Angeles Scouting

Dear Greater LA Scouting family:

Earlier this year, Greater LA Scouting vacated Camp Cherry Valley after 100 years of Scout camping on Catalina Island. You may recall from a previous update that a third-party foundation was actively negotiating to lease the camp and had the financial capacity to facilitate $10M+ in capital investments desired by the landowner, the Catalina Island Conservancy.

I am pleased to share that two months ago, those negotiations came to a successful end. Subsequently, the foundation has approached us and offered to sublet the camp during the summer. We are in active discussions with the foundation on the terms and conditions of that sublet. This is an exciting development and I want to make sure our volunteers and supporters, many of you avid fans of Camp Cherry Valley, have up-to-date and accurate information.

Q: So Scout summer campers can go back to CCV??!!??

A: We sure hope so and are working hard to make it happen.

Q: How far along are you in the negotiations?

A: At the very beginning of the conversation.

Q: So we are for sure going to be able to camp at CCV again?

A: We don’t know yet. We sure hope so, but no guarantees.

Q: If the sublet is completed, when would we be able to go to summer camp at CCV again?

A: Summer 2026

Q: If the sublet negotiations go well, when would my troop be able to place a deposit for summer 2026?

A: Shortly after we finalize the terms and sign the sublet agreement.

Q: How much will a week at CCV cost if we are able to camp there again?

A: We don’t know yet.

Q: What can I do to help?

A: Keep your eyes on our social media and newsletter for work weekend opportunities to help support our hopefully future landlord.

On behalf of all of us on the board and professional staff, thanks for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for Greater LA Scouting. I’ll keep you in the loop as we work through the details. 

Bob Kurkjian

Chief Executive Officer & Scout Executive