I am writing to express my strong disagreement with the planned luxury cabins that DNREC is considering putting in Cape Henlopen State Park at the site of the primitive youth camp.
Is the Cape Region underdeveloped? Does Sussex County lack sufficient Airbnbs? Should a serene space dedicated to our youth be transformed into a hub for upscale cabins?
I am an Eagle Scout and did my final Eagle project at the site of the primitive camp (as I am sure others have). My entire scouting career was with Pack 1 and then Troop 1 in Lewes. This site is where I spent months of my life camping during my youth and holds a very special place in my heart. It is a unique location within walking distance to the ocean that allows for peaceful camping with pines overhead and sand beneath. Delaware will not be able to regain a similar location for our youth if it is lost.
I currently live in Rehoboth Beach and frequently bike into the state park with my 3-year-old son in his jump seat. Every time we ride by the camp, I tell him that I can’t wait until he’s old enough to join scouts so that we can camp there together. The possibility of this site no longer being available for my son and other future scouts is truly heartbreaking.
Furthermore, putting luxury Airbnbs at this location is antithetical to the mission of the state park. It does not promote conservation. It does not promote education. Both of these missions are better served by retaining the land as a youth camp. If any action is taken, it should be to expand the types of groups able to use this land as is.
I urge the readers of this letter, specifically former and current scouts, to oppose this decision and write your legislators as I have done.
I also strongly encourage the Del-Mar-Va Scout Council and local Troop 1 in Lewes to oppose this.
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