SUNNY LAND COUNCIL 1925 to 1994 (Bradenton, 1925 to 1955; Sarasota 1955 to 1994) |
last updated 3/25/26
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Merged with SOUTHWEST FLORIDA COUNCIL 1995
merged with ROYAL PALM COUNCIL 1925 to 1937 (FORT MYERS)
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CAMP FLYING EAGLE 1928 to present |
One of the oldest camps in Florida, the property that became Flying Eagle was obtained on behalf of Sunny Land Council in 1928. The council itself did not purchase the property, instead a private corporation ("The Manatee County Boys Development Association") was created to obtain a mortgage for the purchase, and to ensure that the property could not be taken by National if the council were to cease to exist. Due to its remote location on the Upper Manatee River, larger construction materials and supplies were brought to the camp via barge. Summer camp opened in 1929. Along with summer camp programs, the council conducted winter camps, as early as December 1929.
MYAKKA STATE PARK 1940
In 1940, water issues with the Upper Manatee River at Camp Flying Eagle required the council to move their summer camp program. For that year, the program was moved to nearby Myakka State Park State Park.
BEAR POINT 1941
The following year, lingering water issues that prohibited aquatic activities required camp to find another location, this time at Bear Point, located on Lake Childs near the town of Lake Placid. Articles in the Bradenton Herald in June 1941 describe "Scouts who complete certain requirements as to advancement, and participation in camp activities will be given an attractive camp emblem at the Court of Honor which will be held each Sunday afternoon" (6/8/41). On June 18, a troop reported to the newspaper that "All of the Scouts were awarded the Bear Point Camp emblem for proficiency."
In 1943, Sunny Land Council was unable to use Flying Eagle, due to continued contamination issues. For that year, the council borrowed the Camp Flaming Arrow location from Gulf Ridge Council for their program.
CAMP TONKAWA 1928 to 1933, CAMP GUMPERTZ 1933 to 1941
As a result of the merger with Sarasota Council, Camp Tonkawa became available to Sunny Land Council. In 1934, "The Trust Company of Sarasota" resigned as trustee for the property, and it was transferred to "Kiwanis Club of Sarasota". By 1934, the camp was renamed after its benefactor. Once the Sarasota Council was absorbed back into Sunny Land Council, the camp was used for weekend and training events, and was made available to other local organizations. In 1936, summer camp was held there by Sunny Land at the same time that Flying Eagle was open. By 1941, Camp Gumpertz was reduced to five acres, and was no longer as secluded from development as it once was. In October 1941, the Kiwanis Club sold the remaining property for $5,000. The proceeds from the sale became a trust fund for the council.
CAMP ROPACO 1944 to 1963 |
CLICK HERE FOR CAMP ROPACO (ROYAL PALM COUNCIL) |
Camp Ropaco ended with the merger of Royal Palm Council in 1937, but had not been forgotten by the members in the renamed Royal Palm District. The "Junglewild" site near the town of Olga had been buried by the dredged dirt and clay from the Caloosahatchee River canal project, and had a higher elevation as a result. The site was still used by local Scouts, In 1944, the district purchased the site for $1,500, and shared the property with the local Girl Scouts. The location was used for weekend camping, training events, camporees, and meetings for Calusa Lodge. By 1963, the camp was no longer being used, and was sold to the State of Florida as a part of a plan for flood control and recreational areas.