02/24/2013
Boy Scouts' old Camp Kickapoo near Clinton may become new military-style adventure camp
The 193 acres outside Clinton where Boy Scouts used to camp, swim and hike may soon find a new purpose as a haven for teens seeking help to overcome challenges.
The CJ Stewart Foundation is working to raise money to buy the former Camp Kickapoo and create Down Range, a military-themed adventure camp. The listed price is $975,000. The private owners have given the foundation, founded by CJ Stewart of Madison, a 23-year-old wounded Army veteran, 90 days — until May 1 — to complete the purchase of the property.
“We are grateful for the generosity of the property owners and their willingness to work with us,” said Chuck Stewart, CJ’s father and a member of the nonprofit’s board of directors. “We are executing an aggressive fundraising campaign and appreciate the support CJ has already received from so many friends and supporters.”
Clinton Alderman-at-large Jehu Brabham said the property sits in “a beautiful setting” close to the Clinton city limits. “Most of us in Clinton have longed for it to be developed,” he said.
The purpose of the camp is to teach teamwork and perseverance so young people can overcome whatever challenges they face and build character and self-esteem. Stewart said his son wants to use his story to show teens they can triumph over adversity.
“Our vision is to help every kid in the state,” Stewart said. “Everybody’s got problems. We want them to spend time with CJ and get into nature.”
CJ Stewart has overcome his own challenges since he was injured in an rocket-propelled gr***de attack in Afghanistan in June 2010 that almost cost him his right arm.
He has since had 40 surgeries, 18 blood transfusions and more than 1,000 hours of therapy, leaving him with 25 percent use of his arm.
“CJ was so severely wounded, but he focused on the Lord and is making something tragic into something good. He decided to make a difference and help people through the tragic obstacles in their own lives,” said Lori Haight of Madison, a supporter of the foundation who is helping with fundraising for the camp purchase.
“This is going to be a place where kids can roam and run and be counseled,” she said.
The foundation was in the process of buying Parkway Pentecostal Church and the surrounding 30 acres on Mannsdale Road in Madison for $3 million when it broke ground in September for the camp’s first phase, a paintball course. Then in November, the foundation decided to seek another site after residents in surrounding neighborhoods complained about whom the camp would serve.
“We talked about troubled youth, and they believed they were bad kids,” Chuck Stewart said at the time, adding that the foundation did a poor job of explaining the camp and its philosophy.
“It was heartbreaking when the first place fell through, but God had a bigger plan,” Haight said.
Chuck Stewart said the foundation has not yet met with the few neighbors in the rural setting of the camp in the Clinton-Tinnin Road area but said “Clinton has been very receptive. We’re not anticipating any problems.”
Stewart said he believes the foundation will come up with the money for the camp, which will need renovation on existing buildings and construction of obstacle and ropes courses.
The plan is to be open for small camp sessions by next spring and have the camp in full operation by the end of summer 2014.
Churches and businesses will be able to rent camp facilities for retreats or team-building exercises, which will help cover costs of sessions for teens who can’t afford it, he said.
The foundation is planning a major fundraiser in April, but a date has not been set. Donations for the land purchase can be made through the foundation’s website at cjstewart.org.
