A unit of Lasting Forests
Sustained forests; sustained profits
evolving since March 30, 1999

Project Pivotal-Rig

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Enterprise 3 The Camps Group

There are two sections to Enterprise 3:

Youth and Adult Camps Writers' Camps

Youth and Adult Camps

Camps that are already in existence within the region are to be sought for specialized use and developed as fun places for youths of both sexes and for adults. Concentrating on nature study, woodcraft, campcraft, and outdoor skills, a variety of activities allow people to escape the typical activities and sporting events of daily life at home. Non-denominational, the camps stress character-building, healthful living, independence, and a cooperative spirit. Periods are available for creative expressions (see The Writers' Camps described below).

Novosports are involved. Specialized units to enhance math and science interests and skills are available, both unified within the field programs. Extensive trail systems, boating, and horseback riding (including cooperative work with The Stables) provide a rich camplife environment. Tent-camps widely spaced provide opportunities for hiking and backpacking between camps. One unit concentrates on soils and geology.

Weekend winter camping is planned.

One Camp Concept: The Old Codgers' Place A camp for the elderly where "to re-discover the child " is one slogan. Skits, dancing, marbles, ball toss, bike riding, swimming, reading, "how to use the computer " instruction, finding rocks in the stream, top spinning, singing, talent shows, art, songwriting, clogging, costume night, quiet times, good food, hikes, medical analyses and prescriptions for exercise and health, lasting memberships, newsletter and website and chat-room for each year, nature study and instruction, black bear and other wildlife ecology, photography, wood carving, Novosports, hide-and-seek (a new binoculars game), story telling.

Estimates

Rental and year-around use of existing facilities and lodges is proposed. Development costs may be $50,000 and annual profits ($500 x 20% occupancy x 20 periods x 30 campers = $60,000) are expected of:

• Low - $30,000
• Mod - $50,000
• High - $70,000

Continued below ...

Writers' Camp

The camp provides:

• Away - just the opportunity to get away for a week is what many writers need.
• Juice - programs are carefully designed to get the creative juices flowing.
• Conversation - contacts with diverse people with similar interests.
• Hardware - a network of word processors and clip art.
• Connections - connected with the "across-the-curriculum " writing program and distance-learning opportunities of Virginia Tech.
• Expert lectures
• Web Page work - ideas and leads for those with such interests.
• Target - a unique computer system to move work to the most likely buyer or publisher.
• The Pivotal-Rig, Inc. Writer's System - a writing system for the novice or struggling writer.
• Writing for the Web - Technical and professional writing short course for natural resource agency and enterprise people writing primarily for web sites
• Library - the Wildland Knowledge Base, WKB, of Pivotal-Rig,Inc. is at the service of guests (for-fee services). A small in-house library is available.
• Membership - continuing support, contacts, news, and ideas, all potentially in lasting camaraderie.
• Environment - direct contact with 10 organizations actively working with the environment (soil, water, wildlife, fish, plants, forests, wilderness).Pivotal-Rig, Inc. itself is a new complex natural resource enterprise representing a paradigm that is, itself, worthy of description.
• Awards - annual awards are given to superior work from the camp.
• Anthologies and ChapBooks - collections by camp writers are published.
• Credit - in some cases, university credit may be made available.

This is a fully-catered activity. Staff members pick up participants at an airport or center and drive them to the camps, taking care of all baggage. Other camps or facilities for other family members (spouse or children) are available nearby and suggestions are available. This camp is an in-depth, fully concentrated, totally safe, drug-free, writing camp. There are great meals and trails for walking off frustrations (and weight). "Late snacks " are memorable. The camp does not "do sports " but concentrates on walks, quiet periods, jogging opportunities, World Ball and new sports demonstrations, and educational trips. Staff work hard on providing access for adult writers with disabilities. The great outdoors is not inaccessible. Programs are available: readings, skits, and lectures. The camp provides "conflict centers, " "crisis spots, " and the "hypervolume " the latter being a novel process for seeing conflicts more clearly and inventing new ones (about which to write.) A camp vocabulary game (on the computer) provides challenges, learning, fun, and "bragging rights " as scores progress during the week.

A local lore project is available for people with such interest. A 4-hour practical photography-support unit is taught. A vast "title and idea base " is available, providing a unique system to give ideas for articles, poems, etc. that match with each writer's interests or background.

This is a year-around activity with limited winter camps. It coordinates with many other enterprises of Pivotal-Rig, Inc. Meaningful physical work (volunteer opportunities) other than jogging is available. We'll coordinate with the Southwest Virginia Writing Project of Virginia Tech.

Prof. Lisa Norris is an award-winning writer and faculty member of the English Department at Virginia Tech. She teaches English 1106 with a "People and Nature " emphasis: Her comments about the proposed camp:

"The focus of your camp is different, I think, from most of the ones I know, where people mainly want to make contacts with famous writers and agents and learn something more about the craft. Your camp idea seems to be a bit more holistically oriented--very interesting. "

This unit of the enterprise is likely to use existing facilities. A "tent camp " may be tested for expansion for some types of writers. Rentals of select areas for special use from the public lands (and other private, nearby areas) may be attempted. Development coats are staffing and special advertising.

Estimates

• Low - $10,000
• Mod - $20,000
• High - $50,000

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This Web site is maintained by R. H. Giles, Jr.
Last revision June 23, 2002.