The Twin Lakes Campground area in the Allegheny National Forest is rumored to be facing a permanent closure, but an Elk County woman is trying to rally people to keep that from happening.
Melinda Lewis is organizing an effort for Sunday in which multiple Scout troops from the Johnsonburg and Wilcox area will gather to begin a letter-writing campaign in favor of Twin Lakes. The gathering will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Twin Lakes main beach house pavilion.
The letters will be sent to local politicians and agencies with words of how much the campground means to the Cub and Boy Scouts who take part.
The campground was previously the site of factory buildings, stores and company row houses owned by McKean Chemical company.
The trail for the campground begins at the Black Cherry National Recreation Interpretive Trail, extends to the Mill Creek trail, while also connecting with the Brush Hollow system. Activities at Twin Lakes include camping, fishing, hiking and canoeing.
While the area has recently been rumored to be set for permanent closure, Allegheny National Forest officials did not return a phone call to comment on Thursday.
Lewis has been a Cub Scout master for nine years, a den leader and treasurer. She remembers her father and grandfather bringing her to the campground as a child.
Her son is involved in Boy Scouts, so the tradition of spending time there has been passed down through generations in her family.
“Going to Twin Lakes is a chance for kids to be with the outdoors,” Lewis said. “It is a chance to encourage them to put down the technology.”
Scouting organizations use Twin Lakes for their camping trips, as well as it being the site of their fishing derby for five years. Fish are stocked just for the event.
Lewis said the Twin Lakes area is convenient for area Scouts because it is close enough that if a member has another commitment during a camping outing, he can leave and come back to the campground in a short amount of time.
“It’s convenient to have a place like this where you can come and go as you need to,” she said.
After letters are written there will be activities, which are still being planned, while food and refreshments will be provided.
Lewis believes that the Scouts who enjoy Twin Lakes are future leaders, and that by taking part in the letter-writing campaign they are working to show it.
“They have a voice, and that voice is important,” she said.
All materials will be provided, including paper, pens, crayons and markers, and the general public is welcome to attend.
“This is a place to gather and make memories,” Lewis said. “A lot of memories have been made there.”
