The Rotary Club of Griffin recently received a district grant from the Rotary Foundation for assistance in completing a special community development program.

The project that the Rotary Club of Griffin chose was the establishment of a Camp Health Center at the Flint River Adventure Area at the Lawhorn Scouting Base, a Boy Scout camp in central Georgia.

The Flint River Adventure Area is the high adventure Boy Scout camp for local, regional and national Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. Club member Charles Penny took the lead on the project, partnering with Andrew Gast, director of camping and properties, of the Lawhorn Scouting Base.

The project involved converting a cabin on the camp property into a full medical facility with an exam room, a sick room and quarters for the live-in health officer.

Until this project was completed, the camp did not have any dedicated medical facilities. With the development of this facility, the Boy Scouts will be able to conduct summer camps at the facility and ensure swift treatment and care for families that visit the camp on weekends throughout the year. With funds received from the district grant, and gifts from local businesses such as Impact Office Interiors (Mark Milam), David’s Drug & Surgical Shop (David Clements), and Spalding Regional Medical Center (John Quinn), the Rotary Club of Griffin was able to purchase or receive professional-grade medical tables, cabinets and furniture. With an estimated 205 hours of work completed by approximately 15 Rotary Club of Griffin members, renovations included the removal of an existing kitchen, and repairing or replacing Sheetrock, flooring and lighting fixtures to ensure a safe and sterile environment.

Funds were made possible through the Paul Harris Foundation. The foundation supports programs that change lives, enhance communities, enrich countries, and, ultimately, create a better world.