By Carol Anders Staff Writer
KOONTZ LAKE — The fate of the Rice Woods Scout Camp is still dependent upon raising the necessary funds and usage numbers to keep it as a viable part of the LaSalle  Boy Scout Council.
The 132-acre property provides woodlands and wetlands for Scouts and community members to explore. Camping sites can be used for a nominal fee by members of the community on a scheduled basis.
Clarence Shively, volunteer caretaker and what many have called “the number one supporter” of keeping the property for use by Scouts, continues to seek ways to raise the necessary $350,000 for an endowment fund.

The LaSalle Council officially notified Shivley in June of 2007 of its intention to sell the property.
Shively, along with many other supporters, has taken it on as personal mission to not only raise the needed donations, but to make the public understand the need for this type of Scouting experience.
Shively said the groups have raised $81,000 since November of last year.
He and his wife Sharri can be seen on Saturday mornings at the Farmer’s Market in Plymouth manning a bake sale booth.
Several Cub Scout and Boy Scout troops have held a number of fundraisers to help fund the endowment.
Shively has also being helped by the owners of Cartridge World in Plymouth. One of the business owners, David Bowers, is an Eagle Scout. The company has pledged $1 for every empty usable ink cartridge that is brought into the store. Shivley said they have already realized $900 through the donation project and hope to get to $1,000 by July.
Donations boxes where cartridges can be left can be found at the following locations: Marshall County Jail, Marshall County Museum, First Methodist Church, First Presbyterian Church, Trinity Methodist Church, and New Song Church.
Additional donations boxes are at Bomarco, Maax, I.T. Equipment, Knox United Methodist Church, Knox City Building, and the Knox N.I.T.
Shively said he has picked up cartridges from several local factories as well.
Rice Woods is located just north of U.S. 30 on 1100 East. Shively said he spends as much time as possible caring for the property, but basically it is run on an honor system. They have been able to install a frost-free pump for the well that can be primed and used all year round. Bathroom facilities are limited to a “privy.”
The lodge on the grounds has a sleeping capacity of 16. There is a wood stove in the building for heat and there is also a bottle gas hookup to the range for cooking.
Shivley said, “It’s an ideal place to camp. It’s really being in the outdoors.”
He said he feels it is the type of camping that will teach Scouts how to survive.
For more information on the project or to make a financial donation, call Shively at 574-936-9495.