Our vision: Experience Mintahama and Grow
We exist to secure the Mintahama property, to keep it in use for future generations so posterity may know the wellness that comes with a deep connection to nature and participation in outdoor experiences, and to continue building leadership and character in our community members by offering development of lifelong skills and servant leadership culture.
We are currently staffed solely with volunteers, those who want to be part of saving this property from abandonment and offer something meaningful to our community.

WHAT DOES MINTAHAMA INC WANT TO DO WITH THIS PROPERTY?
The nonprofit group, Mintahama Inc, formed to operate the camp year round, now becoming accessible to all ages, families, groups, and for community enrichment. Mintahama can continue to create meaningful experiences that make life better for the people of our community, from developing leadership and teaching lifelong skills, to fostering wellness and appreciation for nature.

WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL BE OFFERED ONCE MINTAHAMA REOPENS?
TRADITIONAL CAMPING ACTIVITIES:
Camp, hiking, swimming, fishing, canoe and kayak, archery, cycling, outdoor skills and nature education.
ARTS AND CULTURE:
Photography and filmography, theatre camp, writer’s and singer/songwriter retreats, native culture, plein air painting, hands on crafts, and space for creative groups to meet, community summer concert
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Gardening and cooking, incubator kitchen facilities, skills classes, group and corporate retreats, hosting new area events

WHY DOES MINTAHAMA INC BELIEVE THIS IS A SUSTAINABLE VENTURE?
Since the Friends of Mintahama Group ran the Camp Mintahama property for 5 years before its closure by the Girl Scout Organization while they focused on other camp properties, this group already knows how to be successful improving, funding, and operating the camp. The numbers show that the community wants and needs this property. This group met fundraising revenue goals each year, completed major improvements to the camp maintenance condition, had community support and volunteer engagement, and has a large base of passionate supporters who want Mintahama to remain accessible for use. Outside the narrow scope the Scouts used it for, there are many more ventures the property can support that have never been offered, as well as more months of the year the camp can be utilized. The community base of participants will be wider and more inclusive. And the dedicated volunteers ready to lead this organization have tons of education and talent to offer, besides experience, since many were counselors at Mintahama over the years.

SO THE CAMP WILL NOT BE FOR GIRL SCOUTS ANYMORE? no and yes
The Girl Scouts Organization is no longer interested or involved in the property at Camp Mintahama. Purchasing Mintahama allows many of the local Scouts to continue to benefit from the unique property as a venue they will be able to utilize, without the Girl Scouts Organization having a role in its ownership. Youth groups, clubs, boys and girls, people of all ages who enjoy outdoors activities can all enjoy Mintahama upon reopening.

DOES THE CURRENT OWNER WANT TO SELL?
Yes. Mintahama was sold by the Girl Scout Organization in January 2019 to a private owner who outbid the Friends of Mintahama Group for the purchase. Mr. Cupps approached the Friends of Mintahama Group, asking if they were interested in buying it back minus a tract of field frontage near the road. Mr. Cupps has partnered with Mintahama Inc to allow us to fundraise for the downpayment, and to assist with financing. Mintahama must secure the down payment amount of $300,000 to put the property under contract, and do so with urgency in order to reopen for Summer 2021 intake for Mintahama's 75th anniversary.

Mintahama is now closed since December 2018. Though the facilities are in overall good shape today thanks to the effort of community volunteers working with the Friends of Mintahama Group these past 5 years, if it sits unused without maintenance, the goal of reopening becomes more expensive and the chance to reclaim Mintahama might be lost.

We cannot do it without you. When the community chips in to fundraise our $300k down payment, that will allow us to be able to reopen. Though $300k seems sizable, that is 3000 people raising $100 toward the reopening. Once that happens, we will produce revenue while offering services that support our mission, seeking available private grants, and fundraising events that the community will enjoy. If Mintahama remains closed it just goes to waste, and our community, which has lost enough after the destruction of the Joplin tornado, will lose another piece of its heritage, its story, its shared identity. Reclaiming Mintahama is doable, and now it is time to do it.