RACF Second Century Campaign
Red Arrow Camp (RAC) has turned 100 in 2020. This a significant milestone for any organization but especially a full-term boy’s camp. In fact, Red Arrow is now the only full-session boy’s camp in the Midwest. People often ask, “Why a single term,” and the answer is simple, we know that certain experiences are only possible with the continuity of a full, seven-week session. These include:
Developing confidence and leadership.
Over the course of seven weeks, our boys are challenged to reach their full potential, and their self-confidence skyrockets as they grow and achieve their goals.
Building lifelong friendships.
Our campers get to know fellow campers and counselors on a deeper level as they work together, play together, and form lifelong bonds.
Providing superior instruction.
At RAC, our instructors get to know campers’ individual abilities in order to develop their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses throughout the summer.
Declining appreciation for a full-term, general camping experience, and increased parental involvement make camper recruitment and retention challenging, a challenge we are successfully overcoming. In today’s fast-paced, tech-enabled lifestyle, experiences that reconnect children to the natural world are more critical than ever. As an organization, we must continue to strive to articulate the incredible benefits of camp and its positive long-term impact on boys throughout their lives.
In order to thrive, not just survive, Red Arrow needs a strong capital foundation, exceptional programs/facilities, reasonable tuition, and scholarship opportunities to keep camp accessible to families who value the RAC experience. Towards these ends, the RACF has embarked on a major fundraising initiative to ensure that RAC has the financial strength to thrive for the next 100 years. The Second Century Campaign has four main objectives:
- Enhanced Programs and Activities. Red Arrow needs an operating fund to make certain we continue to invest in our existing programs while periodically introducing new activities, like our new mountain biking, baseball, golf, and junior lifeguard programs. This fund will make strategic annual investments in programs and equipment and replenish itself through investment earnings and on-going fundraising. Donors will have the opportunity to direct their support to specific camp activities.
- Scholarships that make camp accessible to families who value the RAC experience. The Boesel Fund and our previous owners have always worked to keep camp accessible to boys who would benefit from the RAC experience though scholarships or outright tuition abatement. This included campers from disadvantaged backgrounds, long time RAC families, and the children of former staff. Through a combination of permanent endowment and annual fundraising, we seek to support approximately 20% of our campers annually with scholarships for deserving boys.
- Facilities Improvements. The RAC Foundation Board has approved a multi-year capital improvement plan that includes an upgraded Mess Hall, Trip Shack, Eight, Tennis Courts, Mountain Biking Course to name just a few. This fund will make annual capital investments and replenish itself through investment earnings and on-going fundraising. Donors will have the opportunity to designate their support towards specific capital projects if they desire.
- Increased Annual Financial Support. A major goal of the Second Century Campaign is to increase the number of donors that support Red Arrow on an on-going basis. Since 2012, over 400 donors have contributed over $3 million to either the RAC Foundation or the Boesel Fund. However, many of those gifts were one-time donations, especially those supporting the initial purchase of camp from Bob and Sue in 2012. The Second Century campaign aspires to increase our donor base and average giving levels over the next five years and provide Red Arrow with stronger annual financial support. As such, we are asking our supporters to consider both a multi-year annual gift as well as a contribution to one of the preceding initiatives. Donors to the annual fund will be recognized in our annual report according to the newly established giving clubs described below.
Red Arrow stands apart from most camps in its seven week term and related developmental philosophy. But like many camps that have transitioned from owner/directors to a foundation, it has become increasingly dependent upon philanthropic support to fulfill its mission. Red Arrow’s best days lie ahead but it needs a stronger financial base to fulfill its mission for the next 100 years. This is the ultimate goal of the Second Century Campaign.
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The Red Arrow Camp Foundation Second Century Campaign:
Campaign Goals, Timeline, Giving Policies and Donor Recognition
Campaign Goal, Timeline, and Giving Policies
We will announce the goal for the Second Century Campaign at the 100th reunion in August 2021. Contributors will have up to five years to fulfill their pledge(s). Since a major goal of the Campaign is to increase our donor base and average giving levels, both Campaign and annual gifts will be counted in our fundraising total. The quiet phase of the Campaign began in 2019 so we will count all gifts received from 2019 through 2025 in the campaign total.
Donors have the opportunity to designate their gift for camp programs, scholarships, facilities, or general support (undesignated/areas of greatest need). Donors will be recognized in the Annual Report for the specific initiative(s) they are supporting.
Since we plan to build financial reserves while also addressing capital, scholarship and programmatic needs, the RACF Board will determine how much of a gift is used for quasi-endowment versus more immediate needs. We appreciate your understanding in this regard as the RACF is comprised of volunteers and has no full or part-time staff to manage separate donor funds. That said, donors should know the Board has a strong bias for strengthening financial reserves.
Donor Recognition and Giving Clubs
The RACF Board has established the following permanent giving clubs as part of its planning for the Second Century Campaign.
The “Raz” Founders Club
The Clarence Rasmussen Founders Club was established to recognize RACF’s major contributors. There are three donor recognition levels within the Founders Club.
- The Chateau Level recognizes donors whose lifetime gifts to the RACF and/or Boesel Fund exceed $100,000
- The Chalet Level recognizes donors whose lifetime gifts to the RACF and/or Boesel Fund exceed $50,000
- The Manor Level recognizes donors whose lifetime gifts to the RACF and/or Boesel Fund exceed $25,000
Members of the Founders Club will be recognized in the annual report, via placard(s) on camp grounds, and they will receive an annual executive briefing from RACF leadership.
The Bob and Sue Krohn Club
Annual gifts of $1,000 or more will qualify for membership in the Bob and Sue Krohn Club, an exclusive group of RAC’s most generous annual supporters. Members of the Club will be recognized in the annual report and receive an annual executive briefing from Foundation leadership.
The Lil Joe Club
Annual gifts of $300-$999 will qualify for membership in the Lil Joe Club, a group of RAC’s annual supporters. Members of the Lil Joe Society will be recognized in the annual report.
Patrons
Annual gifts of less than $300 will be recognized as Patrons in RAC’s annual report.
The Trout lake Club
A major focus of our fundraising program is seeking planned gifts from donors who wish to make Red Arrow a part of their estate plans. The Trout Lake Club will recognize donors who include either the RAC Foundation or the Boesel Fund in their estate plans. Members of the Trout Lake Club will be recognized in our Annual Report, through a placard on camp grounds, and they will receive an annual executive briefing from RACF leadership.
Thank you again for your past and future support of Red Arrow.
For any questions, please use the form below and our RACF committee will get back to you as soon as possible.
Red Arrow Camp Foundation is a non-profit enterprise organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Red Arrow Camp Incorporated was purchased by the Foundation in April 2012. Since that time, Red Arrow has operated as a non-profit entity. All donations to Red Arrow Camp Foundation, and the Boesel Fund, are tax deductible. Appropriate substantiation is provided to all donors making contributions to RACF to allow them to enjoy a tax benefit from their contributions.