Camp Fire Minnesota: Tanadoona Community & Dining Center
Location:
Excelsior, MN
Scope:
Kitchen Design, Equipment Supply & Installation, Tabletop & Smallwares Supply
Camp Fire Minnesota was initially founded in 1910 as the first nonsectarian, interracial organization for girls in the United States. By 1924, Camp Fire began operating its first summer camp program at Tanadoona and has since evolved to become inclusive and open to every person across the communities they serve. In 2019, Camp Fire Minnesota raised $5 million to design and build a new Community & Dining Center; an effort that Rick Palm, Contract Sales & Account Manager with Boelter, was directly involved with.
Having outgrown the original Community & Dining Center, a brand-new facility was erected; one better suited to provide its guests with an updated teaching kitchen and flexible space for programs and events. And while the installers and work crew enjoyed the “woodsy atmosphere” – a stark and welcome change of scenery – the often-muddy terrain made installation efforts challenging. In order to deliver the various kitchen equipment, a large 4-wheel drive forklift was often needed to expedite the process. In addition to providing a quality installation in a timely manner, Rick also focused on opportunities to provide the customer with added financial benefits through creative product selection and the re-use and repurposing of some of the Camp’s existing kitchen equipment:
- Added new stainless-steel legs to the 3 Compartment Sink ($2300 in savings)
- Tuned up the Hobart 30 qt. mixer and applied a new paint job ($4500 in savings)
- Installed a show floor ventless Champion dishwasher ($2000 in savings)
- Demand Control Ventilation hood system afforded gas rebates from Center Point Energy
- A new Tilt Skillet provides greater versatility with larger food batches
- Hot wells were added to the serving line, and a new ice machine was installed
Completing the “back of the house” was the first part of the project. Rick Palm also specified and provided tabletop samples inclusive of Cambro grip trays, Libbey Glassware, Corning China and a variety of Boelter smallware. With assistance from Julie Pandl, Boelter’s Business Development Manager, and Amy Schroeder, Supply Leader with Boelter, the order was procured and the project was completed. Although Camp Tanadoona’s new and improved Community & Dining Center is ready and waiting to serve its guests, the effects of COVID-19 has temporarily delayed the grand opening. In the meantime, the kitchen is being put to good use and serving as a non-profit, meal prep. station.