This is an open letter that I composed back in 2013 after a recent visit to Centerville Mills opened my eyes. It was my first visit back in years. It feels more appropriate than ever to post it now.

Dear Friends of Centerville Mills,

            It seems that every so often I am writing an open letter to the community to address my thoughts and to align everyone. For starters, I have not given up on Centerville nor have I given up on the organization I founded with some of my good friends six years ago. Times change, people change, goals change, visions change, but the one thing that does not change are the memories.

          Centerville Mills is a place I hold dear and close to me. It has a rich history, an amazing natural resource habitat, and it's a lot of fun to visit. I honestly wish that we could have done more for the camp (it doesn't mater how you slice or dice it, it's a campground and will always be) and I tried my hardest to lead us there. But I failed. The organization and efforts, however, did not. 

          The CVMA will always be a success to me and it should be to you as well. News article after news article, we generated press. We pushed buttons and we were not afraid - I was not afraid to be at the helm when the hammer came down on us multiple times. We generated some public interest - just not enough. The CVMA was a pioneer, ahead of its time and I am darn proud to have lead us. I wish I could do more. I wish we could do more. Our downfall was that we were competing in a tough market. Why would anyone pick the CVMA over the Boy Scouts? Why would anyone pick the CVMA over the YMCA?

           While Bainbridge bulldozes what's left of the camp in an effort to recklessly waste tax payer dollars instead of generating revenue, we can't do anything anymore except sit back and watch. But as each cabin falls, the true spirit of Centerville will live on. Even after all these years and all those fallen buildings, I could probably mark the foundations of the buildings within an inch. I am sure many of you can. This is the spirit of Centerville. It will always live on.

          This organization, the people I worked closely with, will always be held close to me. One day, I hope, I can help regenerate what this was. We had so many plans and ideas, but we just couldn't complete them. Dreams can come true, but, sadly, you must throw some fuel on the fires and we were lacking that fuel. We made do as best as we could with a $0 budget. We expensed the entire organization out of our own pockets with our high school jobs. We collected zero membership dues, zero sponsors, and no money from our parents and families. That's real dedication and we did everything we could. That's why I continue to hold on to Centerville personally.

          At some point in time, I hope I can revive the CVMA. Maybe not exclusively to Centerville, but as an organization that will help others. Living things first, finances second. It's definitely not the business model for a profit-driven world, but it was part of our core values. We love camping. We love natural resources. This is the Centerville Mills story.

 

See you on the trails,

Travis Newton

Director, Centerville Mills Association