Houston, Texas (PRWEB) September 15, 2014 -- Gensler, the global design firm, today announced its selection by the Sam Houston Area Council Boy Scouts of America as the architect for a new, state-of-the-art Camp Strake. The new camp will be located on 1,442-acres of pine forest -- surrounded by Sam Houston National Forest -- between New Waverly and Coldspring.
The Sam Houston Area Council recently sold the original Camp Strake, located on a 2,100-acre site in Conroe, to The Johnson Development Corp.
“The original Camp Strake served us well for more than 70 years,’” said CEO/Scout Executive Tom Varnell. “With the continuing encroachment of development, however, some aspects of a wilderness experience were being compromised. Our new camp is surrounded by the Sam Houston National Forest which will allow us to create an exciting outdoor experience for scouts of all ages, their families and leaders.”
Gensler will create an overall master plan for the camp including core camp facilities, the Janis and George Fleming Cub World, a Boy Scout/Venturer Camp and a Leadership Institute.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to explore with the Sam Houston Area Council how to create a unique camp environment that will usher in new ideas about leadership, environmental stewardship and outdoor adventure,” said Gensler Principal Alan Colyer. “This is a terrific site and we are delighted to be a part of redefining 21st Century scouting.”
Gensler enlisted the aid of its Summer Interns to imagine what the new Camp Strake could look like. Twenty-one architecture and interior design students from schools across the country created design concepts that included zip lines, planetariums, adventure rides as well as cabins, a leadership center and ceremonial sites.
“Every year we ask our Summer Interns to participate in a project that gives their creativity full rein,” said Gensler Managing Director Gerald Gehm. “This year, it was Camp Strake. Their ideas were really exciting. We hope to incorporate some of them in the final design.”
About Camp Strake
Camp Strake was named in honor of Susan and George Strake, Sr., who provided funds to purchase the original camp property in 1943.
About Gensler
Gensler is a global design firm with 46 offices and more than 4,400 employees worldwide. Founded in 1965, Gensler has deep expertise in design and architecture across 27 practices areas. The Houston office was established in 1972.
Ann Kifer, Gensler, http://www.gensler.com, +1 713.356.1397, [email protected]
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