SUNY Delhi Students Construct New Cabin at Camp Shankitunk

            Although
the construction season is nearing an end and this year's local camping season
is over, there is a great deal of excitement at 4-H Camp Shankitunk.  SUNY Delhi carpentry and architectural
freshman plus masonry students have collaborated to design and construct their
first camper cabin.

Freshmen construction technology
and architecture students in Professor Floyd Vogt's "Principles of
Construction" class and juniors enrolled in the 4-year Construction Management
Program attending Associate Professor Eric Robért's "Design-Build Management"
class began designing the new cabin at the beginning of the fall semester.  *Professor Vogt, Associate Professor Robért,
4-H Team Coordinator John Hannum, Camp Maintenance Specialist Art Howard, and
third year construction management students met to develop the building's
design criteria, drawings, and materials' estimate.

Camp Shankitunk's long-term plan to
is to continuously upgrade our facilities. This new cabin project is part of that plan. To meet
the square foot per bed requirements of the *New York State Department of
Health, enhance the structural integrity of the cabin to withstand high winds
and falling tree limbs, and use local *indigenous/native materials when possible, provided the team with a worthy challenge.

Rough-cut lumber purchased from
Pawlikowski's Sawmill was used to construct the wall framing as well as the
board and batten siding and roof trusses were included in the design to
strengthen the cabin's structure.  Although
traditionally purchased commercially, students designed and constructed the
trusses from traditional lumber to acquire additional experience under
supervision.  SUNY Delhi masonry students
placed the concrete slab.

Most of the camp's existing cabins
can accommodate one counselor and eight campers.  The new cabin can accommodate two counselors,
two counselors in training and sixteen campers.

"As third year students our overall
construction responsibility and what is expected of us has increased
significantly," said Deana Kani.  "As freshmen
our professors tell us that a building is structurally sound but as juniors
we've learned to analyze every aspect of a building's structure and we
understand how and why it is structurally sound."

The partnership between SUNY Delhi
and Camp Shankitunk is mutually beneficial. 
For the staff and students at SUNY Delhi, building these structures
provides a practical learning experience where they can utilize their
carpentry, plumbing, electrical, architectural, and other skills while they
attend SUNY Delhi to earn a *technology degree. 
Under the careful supervision of their instructors, they gain invaluable
hands on experience and an opportunity to apply classroom theory to a much
needed community project.  Camp Shankitunck benefits as the recipient of a new
building designed and constructed under the supervision of professionals for an
affordable price.  This sentence and the last one in the next paragraph are
basically the same.

"All of the structures built by SUNY Delhi directly contribute to the quality
of life for both the campers and staff," said 4-H Team Coordinator John
Hannum.  "The camp benefits from this
relationship by being able to modernize their facilities at an affordable
price."

Funds to construct Camp Shankitunk
buildings come from the generous support of individuals, businesses,
foundations, and the Delaware County Board of Supervisors.

"This is the first SUNY Delhi built
camper cabin," said Mr. Hannum.  "There
is a feeling of spaciousness when you walk in the new unit.  The larger design allows for better camper
supervision and exceeds Department of Health requirements for camper space. 
We are very proud of this project and
feel that SUNY Delhi has engineered and built a safe and spacious cabin for our
youth."

4-H Camp Shankitunk and SUNY Delhi
have a history that goes back over 20 years. 
SUNY Delhi carpentry students and their instructors have built several
significant structures over the years that the camp would otherwise not be able
to afford.  For the price of materials
and a percentage of that cost, they have constructed the Edna B. Gladstone
Director's House (2005), the Ford Building (2001), the Walter B. Gladstone
Science Center (1999), the camp's pool (1992), and the dining hall (1988).

4-H Camp Shankitunk owned by
Delaware County and managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension *of Delaware
County, is the oldest continuously operating 4-H camp in New York State.  Established July 1, 1927 by John Lennox on
the estate of John D. Clark, Delaware County purchased the property in 1969 from
John and Marion Dent.

Cyndee Pattison/DCT