Beginning in 1999, attendance by traditional G.N.Y.C. Troops at T.M.R. started a slow decline. Attendance by out-of-council Troops at T.M.R. surged between 1997-2003. For the first time, in 2002, out-of-council attendance exceeded attendance by traditional G.N.Y.C. Troops at T.M.R.

OUTREACH TO MORMON AND KESHER SCOUT GROUPS

In 1998, under Director of Camping A. Richard Greene, Mormon Scout groups in New York and New Jersey were recruited to organize one-week camps at T.M.R., further boosting camp attendance. Kesher Scouting, a national orthodox Jewish youth organization, took over multiple weeks at Camp Kunatah, which was then the only kosher Boy Scout camp in the United States.

 

As a result, T.M.R.'s attendance jumped from 3,800 Scouts to almost 6,000 Scouts in 2002. Camp Keowa absorbed the old Rondack area, becoming a Greater Camp Keowa, covering the same territory as the original Camp Manhattan. Camp Kernochan, now specializing in Outreach and In-School programs, absorbed most of old Lakeside, making it a greater Kernochan. Ten Mile River began providing camp support and services at Camp Ranachqua under the leadership of a camp director selected by Hudson Valley Council. Camp Ranachqua was opened to both Hudson Valley and New York City Scouts for the first time.

CAMPOREE 2000

In early July of 2000, G.N.Y.C. sponsored Camporee 2000 at T.M.R., immediately before the start of the regular summer camp season. Special activities were held at all the T.M.R. camps, ending with a gala evening show at Camp Keowa.

T.M.R.'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY

On July 20, 2002, over 600 T.M.R. alumni celebrated its 75th anniversary with a gala celebration at Headquarters Camp. The program included a midway, T.M.R. history jeopardy game, visits to the Museum, donut farm recreation and various dedications.

 

In 2002, T.M.R. offered an expanded selection of specialty camps, including Venturing Camp, Law Enforcement Camp, High Adventure Trek, Trail to Eagle Camp, Junior Leader Training Course, T.M.R. Provisional Camp and Scuba Camp.

DECLINING CAMP ATTENDANCE DURING THE 2000S

Attendance at Camp Kernochan grew from 1997-2002, filled with youths from Learning for Life, a nontraditional program sponsored by the B.S.A. Starting in 2003, Camp Kernochan attendance dropped and the camp closed in 2004. Out-of-council attendance grew during this period and traditional G.N.Y.C. Troop attendance slowly declined. As a result, overall T.M.R. attendance dropped from 6,000 boy-weeks in 2002 to about 4,500 boy-weeks in 2005.

 

Camp Kunatah closed in 2007, due to declining overall attendance, a deteriorating dining hall and the inability of Kesher Scouts to supply sufficient youths to justify the camp operation. In 2008, T.M.R. attendance dropped below 4,000 boy-weeks for the first time in recent memory.