Camp Flood 2017
Donation protected
Greetings to all our loyal campers and LGBTQ family from coast to coast
and internationally.
HELP. Update - with the receipts all in, the totalling for the FLOOD repairs has amounted to $25,000. We really are asking for assistance with this from our community. This set back will definitely alter any future plans for the primary campground without assistance. The 'flood relief' that was proposed by the government is meerly a low interest loan that we can tack on to pay for this at this time. However, with this overhead we do not expect to have any major projects going on till it is completely paid off.
The Historic floods at the end of April had caused extensive flooding and damage to Cactus Canyon Campground and Resort LLC.
Over the past 20 years we have had to contend with White Supremacists and Conservative Christians trying to intimidate us and our campers and force us to close our campground. We have always stood tall and tightened our belts and put off our own needs and desires for the benefit of our campground community. The unique environment we have been able to build; a place where all our LGBTQ friends have been able to come and openly celebrate our partners and relationships without the judgmental interference from others is truly a gay utopia and something that has developed over time to become the largest gay campground in America.
The flooding couldn't had come at a worse time: newly open for the season and occurring for our first big weekend event, we are nevertheless counting our blessings. No one was injured. Everyone pulled together and took care of each other, everyone was upgraded to dry accommodations out of the flood plain, campers were all fed and stays extended till we were able to evacuate them safely days later. The damage to the physical campground was staggering, especially around the pool area and a shower house/bathroom facility. The roadway system through the campground had been basically eradicated, bridges were still in place but needed to be repaired and the roads graded to be made passable; truckloads of gravel had to be brought in to fill ruts made by the rushing water, gravel needed to be removed from the bed of Planar creek to allow water to pass under bridges and not overflow the banks so quickly for the future. After 37 days of contracted work occurring at the Canyon, The CANYON is BACK!!
With the work now completed, the campground is up and running to full compacity. With the help of work parties, friends and neighbors and expecially campers the campground has again come to be the great place it once was before the flood.
While we are able to keep our hopes up, and "today is another great day in the Ozarks" the reality of the situation was very overwhelming; but with this in the past we are left with the huge debt.
We are aware of people planning fund-raising events on our behalf in the coming weeks and we will announce them as we become aware of them. In the meantime you can become a "Lifetime Member" of a donation of $100 or- greater, but any amount will be accepted is greatly appreciated. Please call us to make your donation.
We are reaching out to both coasts East and West and encourage you to help spread the news that your Gay family in the Midwest needs your help and support at this trying time. If you can make a donation that would be very welcome, if you can, come on out and join us this summer would definitely help us out as well.
We will survive but could use everybody’s help.... we send all our love to those who can help.
Donations can be sent to:
Cactus Canyon Campground
P.O. Box 266 Ava, MO 65608
and internationally.
HELP. Update - with the receipts all in, the totalling for the FLOOD repairs has amounted to $25,000. We really are asking for assistance with this from our community. This set back will definitely alter any future plans for the primary campground without assistance. The 'flood relief' that was proposed by the government is meerly a low interest loan that we can tack on to pay for this at this time. However, with this overhead we do not expect to have any major projects going on till it is completely paid off.
The Historic floods at the end of April had caused extensive flooding and damage to Cactus Canyon Campground and Resort LLC.
Over the past 20 years we have had to contend with White Supremacists and Conservative Christians trying to intimidate us and our campers and force us to close our campground. We have always stood tall and tightened our belts and put off our own needs and desires for the benefit of our campground community. The unique environment we have been able to build; a place where all our LGBTQ friends have been able to come and openly celebrate our partners and relationships without the judgmental interference from others is truly a gay utopia and something that has developed over time to become the largest gay campground in America.
The flooding couldn't had come at a worse time: newly open for the season and occurring for our first big weekend event, we are nevertheless counting our blessings. No one was injured. Everyone pulled together and took care of each other, everyone was upgraded to dry accommodations out of the flood plain, campers were all fed and stays extended till we were able to evacuate them safely days later. The damage to the physical campground was staggering, especially around the pool area and a shower house/bathroom facility. The roadway system through the campground had been basically eradicated, bridges were still in place but needed to be repaired and the roads graded to be made passable; truckloads of gravel had to be brought in to fill ruts made by the rushing water, gravel needed to be removed from the bed of Planar creek to allow water to pass under bridges and not overflow the banks so quickly for the future. After 37 days of contracted work occurring at the Canyon, The CANYON is BACK!!
With the work now completed, the campground is up and running to full compacity. With the help of work parties, friends and neighbors and expecially campers the campground has again come to be the great place it once was before the flood.
While we are able to keep our hopes up, and "today is another great day in the Ozarks" the reality of the situation was very overwhelming; but with this in the past we are left with the huge debt.
We are aware of people planning fund-raising events on our behalf in the coming weeks and we will announce them as we become aware of them. In the meantime you can become a "Lifetime Member" of a donation of $100 or- greater, but any amount will be accepted is greatly appreciated. Please call us to make your donation.
We are reaching out to both coasts East and West and encourage you to help spread the news that your Gay family in the Midwest needs your help and support at this trying time. If you can make a donation that would be very welcome, if you can, come on out and join us this summer would definitely help us out as well.
We will survive but could use everybody’s help.... we send all our love to those who can help.
Donations can be sent to:
Cactus Canyon Campground
P.O. Box 266 Ava, MO 65608
Organizer
Chaz Franzke
Organizer
Ava, MO
