Public Information Office
210 S. McDonald St. Suite 636
McKinney, TX  75069

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby
Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@co.collin.tx.us

October 17, 2003

Collin County leaders break ground on new education camp; unveil name

(McKinney, TX) – Collin County leaders broke ground today on a state-of-the-art outdoor educational camp near Westminster. The estimated $26 million facility was approved by voters in a 2001 bond election.

Members of the Collin County Commissioners Court, Collin County Camp Advisory Board, YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, education leaders from the county’s 14 independent school districts and county youth all participated in today’s ceremony.

“It is indeed a rare occasion that individuals have an opportunity to participate in a momentous occasion such as this,” says Dr. Joe Farmer, chairman of the Collin County Camp Advisory Board. “In numerous ways, this groundbreaking event bridges our past to our future.”

Planning and support activities for the camp began more than a decade ago. In September 2001, voters approved the bonds specifically for the purchase of land and the construction of the camp.

“Today is a milestone in the history of our county and our personal lives. It represents tireless efforts of many individuals, the foresight, fundamental values, hopes and forward thinking of county residents,” says Dr. Farmer

While the land, housing, utilities, roads, buildings, education facilities, equipment and site work are all being taken care of by the county, the YMCA will manage the camp.

“This relationship is a fiscally fit one that allows the YMCA to use facilities when they’re not in use by the independent school districts,” says Collin County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland. “The relationship maximizes the camp’s utilization.”

The YMCA is a non-profit organization that will reinvest operating profits into capital improvements.

During the regular school year, the camp will be utilized by the school districts with weeklong programs and day camps. During the summer, the YMCA will offer programs. And, the public will be able to utilize the facility on weekends for such events as family reunions or retreats.

Collin County leaders also unveiled the new camp name today. The Collin County Adventure Camp was created as a result of a camp-naming contest. More than 150 county residents submitted their entries to the camp advisory board, which then selected the final name.

Sean Loftis of Birmingham Elementary School in Wylie, Allie Cranfill of Curtsinger Elementary School in Frisco and Paige Ooton of Wells Elementary School in Plano all submitted entries with the word “adventure” in it. So, their classrooms were invited to the groundbreaking to participate in the ceremony.

“There is no doubt, rich learning activities experienced at this camp will contribute significantly to the cognitive, emotional and social development of hundreds of thousands of students over many, many years,” says Dr. Farmer.

Construction of the camp is expected to be complete by Fall 2005.

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