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Scouts envision a nautical outpost
By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN, Times Staff Writer
NEW PORT RICHEY -- The Boy Scouts in Pasco could soon be learning the ropes -- and knots -- out on the water, operating from a new base off Green Key Road that would be the first of its kind on the West Coast of Florida. The West Central Florida Council of Boy Scouts is planning to turn its Camp Robert Crown off Green Key Road into an aquatic and environmental base. Leaders of the branch, which includes 18,000 members in Pinellas County and 2,000 in west Pasco, hope to convert its current underused property into a base for environmental study and aquatic adventures such as scuba diving, sailing and snorkeling for Scouts both local and nationwide, said John Cabeza, council executive. Local students could use it, too, he said. "It's surrounded by beautiful mangrove areas," Cabeza said. "What we're doing is determining what we can do . . . (while) protecting the environment." The council owns 15 acres at the site, including seven acres on the mainland and two small coastal islands in the mangroves, that were donated to the group about 30 years ago from the Robert Crown estate, Cabeza said. "It's had little use," he said. While some "wilderness" camping currently exists at the site, the council hopes to convert it into a base with a regular caretaker where Scouts could gather to study plant life and birds either on the mainland or the islands. The Scouts and older coed "venturing" members could also launch canoes from the site. There also is access from the site to a deep channel leading to the gulf, he said. And although a small dock likely would be built, big boats would not leave from the site, he added. Instead, the members could check in at the base and be bused to a facility with which Cabeza hopes to partner for the docking of bigger boats. Wilderness camping would be available, although with a proposed common shelter area, as would a few campsites and latrines with a minimal impact on the environment, he said. "One of our goals is teaching young people awareness of the environment and protection of the environment," Cabeza said, calling the site a potential "resource for the community." He envisions its use by local schools and Scouts from the region as well as those visiting from northern states who stay at Sandhill Scout Reservation in Hernando County. Young people ages 11 and up would likely be the primary users, he said. "They can go out snorkeling or scuba diving, and then you have Anclote (Key) out there," he said. "It's something a lot of our kids, even though they live on the coast, don't experience." The council is currently undertaking a wetlands survey and talking with the Southwest Florida Water Management District about the site's possibilities. By this summer, the council will have a plan and cost estimate for the project, Cabeza predicted. Construction could start by summer 2004 and possibly take a year or more. The funding will come from part of its $5.5-million fundraising drive, which will include capital improvements at several Scout facilities. The improvement of Camp Robert Crown would create a gem for Scouts, Cabeza said. "There isn't one like this on the West Coast of Florida," he said. -- Saundra Amrhein covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is amrhein@sptimes.com .
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