thedailytimes.com : Your 24/7 news source

Daily Times Corespondent

Donations made to Friends of Camp Montvale, the organization formed to save the historic camp, are now tax-deductible through the Blount Chamber Foundation.

To celebrate the organization's newly achieved status, a fund-raising kickoff was held at the Maryville's municipal building Saturday. The camp was closed by the Knoxville branch of the YMCA in November 2005.

Bryan Roberson, Friends of Camp Montvale board president, said that donations will be used to purchase and operate the camp, which they hope will reopen in the summer of 2007.

"The association (YMCA) is talking dollar figures of around $5 million, but they're continuing to say that's not set," said Roberson.

The total membership of Friends of Camp Montvale numbers about 180, he said.

"The group has made significant advancements," he said.

The plan is for the camp, which comprises about 400 acres, to continue as a camp for children.

"But we would like to see it expanded as a camp for the community as well," said Roberson.

According to Roberson, the YMCA owns all the land on the right side of Montvale Road from the camp heading up Chilhowee Mountain, except for a 100-acre tract that belongs to the Foothills Land Conservancy.

"If we get control of the property, there will be an unbroken corridor for wildlife all the way to the Park," he said, adding that the YMCA does not own anything on the left side of the road.

Private developers are reportedly interested in purchasing the land, which has sparked considerable concern among neighbors, environmentalists, and those who wish to preserve the character of the camp, which had its origin as a resort in 1830.

Such famous people as poet Sidney Lanier visited the camp during its prior period as a resort. The camp was created in 1948 with gifts from the Pflanze family, community members and local businesses.

Will Pflanze, of Knoxville, the son of Charles and Thea Pflanze of Maryville, said his mother is delighted with the efforts to preserve the camp. His father is deceased.

"It was my dad's favorite place, and she has fond memories of it," Will Pflanze said.

Richard Armstrong, who was Camp Montvale director from 1993-97, expressed concern about possible private development along that section of Montvale Road.

"It's hard to imagine if there would be a development up there what Montvale Road would be like," Armstrong said. "It'd be horrible."

Armstrong blames the camp closing on poor management.

"In my opinion, they've had some poor leadership and a lack of financial support for marketing," he said.

Armstrong, who now directs a YMCA camp in Indiana, disputes the notion that the popularity of such camps is waning.

"Membership in my camp in Indiana has tripled in the last eight years," he said. "The Y in Nashville is spending millions, and they wouldn't do it if they didn't know that kids would come to camp."

Bob Proffitt wants to see the camp remain as a Blount County treasure.

"I was a long-time member of the camp board," Proffitt said. "I also have helped out as camp physician. I actually think it's such a valuable asset here, and the need is so great. I don't think it's been promoted as well as it could have been. I would like to see it remain as a camp. Sometimes it's easy to overlook things that are closest to us."

Mayoral candidate Joe Gallagher echoed the desire for the camp to be preserved.

"I'm very much in favor of saving Camp Montvale," he said. "If I were county mayor, I'd work toward that goal."

Two new members were added to the board of directors Saturday -- Billy Mincer, a University of Tennessee professor who lives in Blount County, and Will Pflanze.

Checks or in-kind gifts can be mailed to Blount Chamber Foundation, 201 S. Washington Street, Maryville, TN 37803. To pay by credit card, please call (865) 983-2241.

For more information, visit www.savecampmontvale.org or contact Roberson at (865) 980-9330 or robersonb@charter.net.