What's it going cost?
The estimated cost to stabilize and restore the building is $250,000 - $300,000. We have independent confirmation, through on-site inspection by our ‘in-house’ architect and preservation specialist (and Camp Zoe alumnus), Paul Hohmann, that the estimate is a reasonable one. See Paul Hohmann’s detailed plans (click here).

How will my donation be used?
Your donation will be used to:
• Immediately stabilize the building.
• Restore the Lodge to its original state, utilizing our very own Camp Zoe alumni photographs as the architectural roadmap.
• Create an enduring alumni Camp Zoe Memories exhibit within Camp Zoe Lodge.
• Establish a plan for funding long term maintenance of Camp Zoe Lodge and preserving artifacts and memories of Camp Zoe.

Who’s going to collect the money?
Friends of Camp Zoe is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. To see our documents of incorporation, as well as the Cooperative Agreement with Missouri State Parks, (click here).

What percentage of the money actually goes to the preservation effort?
If your donation is made by check, 100% of it will go towards the preservation project. Please note there will be a 2.2% fee for credit card processing fees should you prefer that method. You can simply add 2.2% voluntary convenience fee to your donation when you check out in order to ensure that Friends of Camp Zoe receives the maximum intended by your generous donation.

How long do we have to raise the money?
The good news is that we have been able to extend our timeline to raise the necessary funds through our Cooperative Agreement with Missouri State Parks. To see that document, (click here). That said, the Lodge is in urgent need of stabilization. Beyond that, we want the Camp Zoe Lodge to be a functional building – one that will be an attractive and usable feature of this incredible new park. At the moment, the building is so unstable that it will be fenced-off when then new park opens this summer, and will remain that way until our work is completed. With a vigorous campaign underway to raise the money to complete the project, our hope is to finish all the work before the summer of 2018.

How bad is it… really?
Unfortunately, the last tenants did far more damage to the building than maintenance to keep it sound. There was a large refrigerator unit placed on the porch at the front right corner of the building, causing that area to bow outwards significantly. That’s the most critical repair to address, as the roof is also anchored to that corner. Additionally, there was extensive leaking around the fireplace chimney, and the poor grading at the rear of the building has caused constant water intrusion from runoff from farther up the hill.

You can see photos that Friends of Camp Zoe has taken of the Camp Zoe Lodge over the last 12 months, (click here).

So, how can I help?
By making your donation to keep these iconic vestiges of our beloved Camp Zoe a treasured part of the new Echo Bluff State Park. We also encourage you to become a member of Friends of Camp Zoe to be part of all the exciting things we are planning, both at the park and elsewhere. To see all the membership details, (click here).

Is there any good news?
Here’s the silver lining. Missouri State Parks has done its best to keep the Camp Zoe Lodge standing, all without the benefit of designated state funding for rehabilitation work. This work was done purely out of respect for the historical significance of the building and an appreciation of the affection shown by alumni and others who immediately pledged to the effort to save the Lodge. Aside from their ongoing basic monitoring and maintenance, they have tried to address the most alarming issues. They have applied sealant and done minor carpentry repairs to the leaking areas around the chimney so that water no longer pours in when it’s raining. They are constantly monitoring that front right corner to detect any further movement of the building and are monitoring the construction crews to make sure that no heavy equipment is damaging the extensive remaining sections of the stone pathway. In a further attempt to preserve the pathway, their contractor relocated some stones that had to be removed from the lower portion of the walkway and installed them in a functional and attractive patio at the foot of the lodge steps.

In short, Missouri State Parks has been a terrific and respectful partner in our quest to save Camp Zoe Lodge! We are confident they will continue to contribute their extensive knowledge and experience, assisting us with historical and cultural preservation.

Is there anything I can do aside from giving money?  YES - Volunteer!
Friends of Camp Zoe is on the lookout for volunteers! As a potential member of Friends of Camp Zoe’s team, you will be contributing your talents and energies to help preserve the Camp Zoe Lodge and the legacy of Camp Zoe itself.

As with all nonprofit organizations, the work to this point has been performed by a few volunteers; however, now that the work of formalizing the organization and the agreement with Missouri State Parks has been completed it is time to add more volunteers to help make all our plans a reality. Email us at info@friendsofcampzoe.org to let us know if you have any particular talents in fundraising, marketing, historic restoration or design and if you can volunteer to be a member of the Board of Directors, Fundraiser Planning Committee, etc.

Thank you for your interest and support of Friends of Camp Zoe and we look forward to meeting with you.

Contact Information
Email: info@friendsofcampzoe.org
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