30 Years of CubWorld (extra 1)

Welcome to a bonus post! The Capital Campaign in 1994 was officially known as “Scouting. The Handbook for Life.” It was the largest–and first–capital campaign the council had conducted since 1972. The initial goal was $7.8 million, but by the start of 1995, the Council announced it had collected over $8.5 million. Once again, the Middle Tennessee Council conducted the largest capital campaign in the history of Scouting.

Cornelius “Neil” Craig, II had led the council through the Akers resignation. In 1994, he was the Campaign Steering Committee Chairman. The overall chairman of the campaign was E. W. “Bud” Wendell. Wendell was also the President of Gaylord Entertainment.

Seen here are Craig (left) with Mr. and Mrs. Wendell at the Victory Celebration at Opryland Hotel on October 19, 1994.

Neil Craig and Mr. and Mrs. Bud Wendell, 1994. Middle Tennessee Council.

30 Years of CubWorld (part 1)

This month marks the 30th Anniversary of the Dedication of CubWorld on October 26, 1995. CubWorld was part of the 1994 Capital Development Campaign. As we did in May with Jet Potter Center, we’re going to spend this month looking at the development of CubWorld.

The idea for a camp just for Cubs was pioneered by other Councils by the time Middle Tennessee began to consider it. The question was where to put it. There was some discussion about building the camp in today’s Percy Dempsey Camporee area, but starting from scratch seemed daunting. By 1994, attendance at Camp Murrey had been on a downward spiral for quite some time due to changes in the economy and social realities. It made more sense to renovate Murrey than build a whole new camp.

Seen here is one of the early blueprints for CubWorld, specifically from August 1994. Note that Site 4 (far right) would have tree houses, there would be a “motherlode mine” activity area, and the pirate ship would be back in the cove while the swimming area remained where it had been at Murrey. Perhaps the most interesting “could have been” here is dead center, where one finds not only a considerably larger parking area, but a host of Family Camp Sites–all on paved roads. It seems early CubWorld plans involved some RV Camping ideas!

An early map of CubWorld, August 1994. Middle Tennessee Council.