BY GARY W. MEYER EDITOR
Results of an investigation of Saturday’s blaze that destroyed the Sherburne County 4-H Camp in the Sand Dunes State Forest are incomplete.
But there was a spat of vandalism at the camp Saturday (May 5) afternoon, followed by an arson which took out all the buildings.
The result is that summer camp activities will have to be cancelled this summer, says Sonia Brevik, chair of the multi-county Sherburne County Camp Association. It is Sherburne, Stearns, Wright and Benton counties that belong to the association - and send their 4-H kids to camp at least annually on the site.
Brevik noted it is suspected four persons were involved in vandalism at the site - it has been vandalized many times due to its remoteness.
But another party, officials guess, stepped forward with the match around 4 to 5 p.m. Neighbors called the authorities when they saw the smoke, but it was too late to save the property.
State fire marshal’s personnel were on the scene Tuesday.
Each year - over the years - 500 to 700 children from the region were treated to day and overnight camps at the facility.
The buildings were owned by the camp association, the land by the Sand Dunes State Forest, which surrounds the facility.
In the 1970’s, the property, then known as the old CC Building, was designated to serve youth - and the camp board was formed. The Sherburne County Camp Association kept the program alive for about 10 years, then it was turned over to the association representing the local counties.
Brevik estimates the campground space was only an acre and a half, but the beach from neighboring Ann Lake and Sand Dunes forest provided wonderful learning and play spaces.
She remembers her years as a camper, followed by more years as a 4-H camp counselor, in the years 1979 to 1988.
And she served as Wright County 4-H Camp cook, where her 4-H Mcmuffin (an egg sandwich) and mac and cheese were sought-out menu items.
But, things are on hold now.
Brevik says the camp association will rebuild to make it a play and learning area for more 4-Hers and campers of the future.
“We will rebuild,” she said. “It won’t look the same. But we will again be making the memories for the kids in the future.”
