They even went so far as to hold a protest demanding the camp be reopened. And when the Student Association was told that the main problem was a lack of funding, it stopped complaining and put its money where its mouth was. The college administration and the Organization of Ancillary Services are the other two groups. And the facility, located off Upper East Street, isn't just for students, either. While a variety of classes and student groups are likely to make use of the site, the camp will also be open to the public for hiking, jogging, biking, cross-country skiing, outdoor photography, picnicking and nature study.
Plans are in the works to renovate the lodge by next summer.
That represents a significant change in the facility's future. Not long ago, it seemed possible the camp would be closed permanently or be sold. While many people and organizations deserve praise for the turnaround, it seems clear that a focused and determined form of student involvement made a big difference. Perhaps the SUCO students' achievement will encourage other area campus groups to set meaningful goals and realize that they do, in fact, have the power and the money to get things done.