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Naval Sea Cadet Corps has eye on township park
(by Joan Demirjian - February 24, 2010)
Naval Sea Cadet Corps has eye on township park
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
Members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, Akron Battalion, like Bainbridge Township's Centerville Mills Park so much, they are asking to use it on a regular basis.
Representatives of the Sea Cadet Corps spoke to Township Trustees Monday. The corps serves students 13 to 18.
The corps had held a Seabee campout in January at the park. Now, they would like to come back and establish a unit in the area, commanding officer Lt. Robert Hooven said.
The Sea Cadets Corps is a military youth organization commissioned by Congress and sponsored by the Navy League of the United States.
David Mitchell, township properties superintendent, said the corps is looking to establish a home base in the area to bring in more cadets and serve Bainbridge and surrounding communities.
The corps hopes to hold additional camp sessions, teaching programs such as leadership, survival and marksmanship skills along with Seabee construction. During the two-week camps, they train from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and have adult supervision.
Mr. Mitchell said the cadets also would work in the park and the community, which is a benefit to the township. "This to me is an excellent program," he said.
"We're looking for our own unit here in this area," Lt. Hooven said. The battalion would do recruiting. Youth explore future interests and participate in training structured along military lines.
They participate in boot camp and then advance to other training, including airman training, medical, firefighting and marksmanship. They are eligible for scholarships to colleges and academies, and meet or drill at local units monthly.
Lt. Hooven said that historically Navy Seabees conducted work in Centerville Mills many years ago. "We're trying to get the same unit back to help restore it again," Lt. Hooven said.
The park's "White House," used as a residence by camp directors in the past, was built in 1833 and was rebuilt in 1955 by Navy Seabees, who also rebuilt the park's swimming pool and constructed a nature center.
In addition to camping sessions at the park, the cadets participate in community functions, including flag-raising ceremonies on the Fourth of July and Memorial Day. They also would help at the Bainbridge pancake breakfasts.
Mr. Mitchell said the park will remain open to residents and users of the park during the training sessions.
Park board member Marty Sfiligoj said the battalion gave a complete presentation to the park board before the use of the park for winter camp in January.
The battalion would do work around the park and the project list would be approved by the park board, Mr. Sfiligoj said.
Lt. Hooven said there will be no live weapons or ammunition in the park during campouts. Safety is first and foremost in the program and there are cadets on fire watch and adult supervisors, Lt. Hooven said.
Ensign Wendy Wittenauer said the goal is to become familiar with the community and to create beneficial activities for youth in the area.
Those who work with the youth all have background checks. "We are drug and gang free," Lt. Hooven said. Youth members have to maintain a certain grade-point average in school to participate.
"We don't recruit kids to go into the military," Ms. Wittenauer said. "We teach life skills," she said, no matter what they choose to do.
They will talk with Kenston school officials, Lt. Hooven said. "We want to be out here long term," he said of providing ongoing programs in the area.
Trustee Lorrie Benza said, "It sounds like a wonderful program for Bainbridge Township to be involved in."
Trustee Matt Lynch said, "I think they can be a real inspiration to our youth and I would encourage them to use our facilities in any way they can."
Any improvements they make to the park will be substantial and will be worth more than the rent they pay, Mr. Lynch said. "And the more we use it for a variety of community events, the better."
Mr. Mitchell will come up with rental rates for the organization and trustees will vote on the matter.
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