Frequently Asked Questions
+ What is the Brewster Flats Foundation?
The Brewster Flats Foundation (BFF) is a Massachusetts-based not-for-profit organization which is dedicated to preserving the summer camp experience and delivering it through its new century marked by social inclusion, ecological conservation, and service to children, families, and the community at large.
+ Why are we a Non-Profit Organization?
Non-profit status will allow the Brewster Flats Foundation to partner with conservation and Land Trusts; local, state, and federal agencies; other innovative social and community organizations; and to receive grant funding. Organizing as a mission-driven NPO will ensure that the Foundation is accountable to a diverse group of stakeholders as it seeks to create a more inclusive recreational, conservation, and educational year-round site use.
+ Who is involved in the Brewster Flats Foundation?
The Brewster Flats Foundation is a group of educators, lawyers, project managers, fundraisers, healthcare providers, policy experts, financiers, entrepreneurs, non-profit and corporate executives. This team is committed to preserving the site of the former Cape Cod Sea Camps as a Camp delivering recreational and educational programming for children and for the betterment of the community. Today, the Foundation represents a global coalition of volunteers, emerging partner organizations, alumni and families, former staff, and friends of Camp. Many of us were once young campers and counselors who learned to lead at CCSC.
+ What does the Brewster Flats Foundation hope to accomplish?
The Brewster Flats Foundation seeks to acquire the site of the former Cape Cod Sea Camps to provide world-class recreational and educational experiences in our safe and inclusive community on the shores of Cape Cod Bay. We are wholly united in the shared responsibility to steward these precious coastal and wooded resources and to the future generations of children who might access them.
+ What is the fundraising goal?
There are two campaigns underway. The first is soliciting gifts to fund startup costs, particularly for real estate due diligence and professional services, as well as the capital we plan to be able to deliver as earnest money with our offer to purchase. The second campaign is soliciting pledges to fund the purchase of the land and assets and delivery of programming. Pledges will not be released until a purchase and sales agreement is executed.
+ How much do you think buying the camp will cost?
This answer is more difficult than one would hope. Through our ongoing due diligence, we plan to objectively identify fair market value for the land. However, the regulations on development, which are numerous and significant, dictate the need for a complete highest-and-best survey and valuation before we can declare an expected purchase/offer price.
+ If unfortunately the goal is not met, and the camp is not purchased, what happens to the funds raised?
Funds raised in the startup campaign are being delivered and put to use immediately. Should the goal not be met, they will be utilized in accordance with BFF's organizing purposes, specifically the delivery of educational and recreational programming for the benefit of children and the community, as well as increasing access to such programming through scholarship. As a purchase and sales agreement would not have been executed, pledges for will not have been released.
+ What is the difference between a gift and a pledge?
A gift is a paid donation that you can make today with a credit card and is processed immediately. A pledge is a commitment to a future donation.
+ Who will oversee and manage the camp?
Many members of the outgoing CCSC leadership team are already members of BFF. Further, we have bringing advisers and potential directors into the conversations these past months. The great news is that the business is sustainable, particularly as a non-profit that will not fall prey to the pressures of liquidating the real estate asset, as is the current reality.
+ What programs will BFF implement?
The Brewster Flats Foundation will sustain not only a traditional summer camp for children but also to offer year-round educational programs which take advantage of the unique environmental features and facilities of the site. Additionally, we hope to offer community-based programs such as possible artist residencies, writers’ retreats, school field trips and environmental studies programs.
Learn more about programs here
+ With whom is the Brewster Flats Foundation working? Can we partner together?
The Brewster Flats Foundation is developing partnerships with local and regional government agencies, Land Trusts, as well as public and private organizations that are similarly committed to delivering impactful camping experiences to children and families, and to increasing engagement with the community and the amazing resources of Camp.
+ Realizing the camp has always been welcoming to campers from across the US, and the world, how is that being represented?
While we hope to partner with the local and regional communities and increase year-round access and use of the grounds and resources, BFF has every intention to ensure the inclusion of the national and global community of campers, families, and partner organizations. Additionally, BFF Task Force members include folks from across the country and represent several countries; such is the power of all that CCSC had been able to achieve in its many years! It is very much the case, however, that the local communities have long felt, and to a certain extent been, excluded from engaging with and benefiting from CCSC. If BFF is going to be successful in achieving the goal of protecting this resource, conserving the land, and expanding access, there is as much to do locally as there is globally.
+ What is the Brewster Flats’ Foundation timeline?
We have been and are continuing to work as quickly as we can to thoughtfully stand up the Brewster Flats Foundation as an effective Non-Profit Organization, while simultaneously pursuing all avenues necessary to secure Camp. This is a layered process involving research, community on-boarding, partnership building, and fundraising. It is difficult to assess how long this process will take, as there are many tasks and many variables. We are working as expediently as possible, as the threat of losing Camp to another buyer is ever-looming. In December, 2020 we filed Articles of Incorporation as a non-profit entity with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In early spring, we will file for 501(c)3 status with the IRS. This spring we will also look to raise the capital needed to acquire the site.
+ How can I get involved?
We welcome Camp parents and alumni, community members, potential partner organizations, and anyone who hopes to shepherd the site of the former Cape Cod Sea Camps into the next century. We seek volunteers with the following background or experience:
- Non-profit work
- Legal counsel
- Fundraising and development
- Public relations and communication
- Land acquisition and development
- Educational programming
- Facilities management
- Summer camp administration
- Web design
- Community and supporter outreach