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09/28/2022 08:30 AM

Ted Langevin: An Unsuspecting Hero


KILLINGWORTH

Ted Langevin says he kind of stumbled into the job of hero.

President of non-profit organization Pathfinders, Inc., Ted and an army of volunteers took on the seemingly insurmountable challenge of raising the alarm and close to $5 million to preserve a much beloved 250-acre camp, Deer Lake, from a sale by the Boy Scouts of America Connecticut Yankee Council.

Originally started in the 1990s to provide outdoor education and programming at the Deer Lake Camp, Ted and his electrical skills helped maintain and provide upkeep at the various facilities, but he was only loosely associated with the group as one of several organizations that assisted in keeping the camp operational.

“The original function of Pathfinders was to run the Wilderness School separately before it got integrated into Council’s Scouts’ program. Over the years, Pathfinders had been involved in programming and also renting the camp out for outside programming, providing donations and equipment [and] materials for the camp as well,” says Ted. “I was aware of Pathfinders because I was involved with the camp since 2011, but I didn’t really become a member of Pathfinders and get involved officially with them until this whole thing started.”

Ted has been hailed by every person and entity involved in the Deer Lake negotiations as a critical voice in the situation, but according to Ted, being from Killingworth and having been so intimately involved with the camp, the pressure to successfully complete a deal was nerve-wracking to say the least.

“It was combination of salesmanship and a chess game, I think,” says Langevin. “We really began negotiating in earnest around the time we made the original offer that was rejected. But since around May 1, we have been negotiating the entire time. It certainly was not easy, but the hard work of everyone involved, on both sides, should be commended. It was a true group effort.”

According to Ted, it is not difficult to quantify what the sale means to Killingworth, but it is easy to describe what this preservation means for residents.

“(I)t is some of the most resilient land along the coast between New York and Boston, so that is one of the main issue of importance.”

Ted says that the legacy of the camp is also a critical aspect for many area residents.

“The second important thing is that this has been a camp since 1933. It has changed hands several times and then sold to the Scouts in 1959 and went through a series of mergers, but despite these changes, the camp remained in operation and so people really developed a tremendous amount of attachment and spirit about the place. Their fathers and grandfathers and in some cases even their great-grandfathers had camped there, so it was really important that this legacy be respected and understood. I can’t tell you how many people told me tales of their time at the camp,” says Ted. “And the third important aspect is simply it is just a fantastic place for recreation. When the Scouts owned it, it was much less accessible to the public. So, our aim is that we will keep the property open for public access to hiking trails and for fishing and for events.”

Ted says that a ranger would be integrated into the park and recreationists would have to register to enter, but the plan is for the parcel to become fully accessible to all who wish to delve into the magic that the land possesses. There are several updated buildings with all of the amenities that make the site perfect for corporate events, weddings, reunions and other public gatherings.

“We intend to have everyone enjoy the property. We are hoping all varieties of youth groups and camping groups come and utilize the camp,” says Ted. “Also, we want to encourage people in the area as a great resource for modest rates as a meeting space, corporate events, weddings, and parties. My daughter was married there, so I can say it truly is a wonderful spot. There will also be fishing available as well. You would need a fishing license issued by the state and we would offer a fishing permit for the day that will allow anglers to access and fish the lake.”

Ted says the work is not over for the preservation of Deer Lake. One of the more complicated aspects of the deal was the huge price tag the Scouts demanded for the property. Ted was able to help secure millions in donations, but Pathfinders also needed to take out a $1.8 million dollar loan which will need to be repaid. Donation efforts are ongoing, and Ted and the others involved in this effort say that though federal and state monies will probably help defray some of that cost, a grassroots dedication will be needed to accumulate the rest.

“It’s my intention to stay in this role as long as I am making forward progress and the rest of the board members feel that I am the right person for the job,” says Ted. “

Ted says that until the loan is paid off, the critical “conservation easement” label that is required to permanently preserve the land can’t be enacted, so donations are still crucial for the organization.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us, but I think we have enough people behind us. I have been surprised many times by how generous and supportive the community have been on this. And I have been overwhelmed with gratitude, because they see what our board sees, and that is very gratifying for us,” Ted says.

Ted says his close association with the camp made the negotiations personal.

“I have invested a lot of time and personal money into the camp, and I’ve been maintaining the camp for some time. In fact, I think there’s very few buildings there that I haven’t worked on or built, so I know the place really well and I have gotten very fond of it for that reason,” says Ted. “I really feel the conservation aspect of it is extremely important. These waterways are so critical to clean our water and this land is exactly what you need to accomplish that and make the water suitable for restoring the Sound. That was really important to me. I also felt a strong obligation to the camp because I could see that the entire community really valued that camp and that made an impression on me. I didn’t want the kids to be disappointed and break that chain of continuity. Working with Mark and Patty Clifton was also of great importance to me. They worked their entire careers here to rebuilding the camp and operate it and I didn’t want to se that effort and that amount of personal sacrifice and will power be lost.”

Ted says that the reality of the work didn’t hit home until the morning of the closing event after he was told by the lawyers that funds had exchanged hands.

“I was still anxious right up until the lawyers called and said the funds had been transferred and the deal was done. All the way up until the very last moment until the deal was closed,” Ted Laughs. “

For more information about donating to Pathfinders to preseve Deer Lake, visit savedeerlake.com.

Ted Langevin fell into the role of hero, acting as one of many public faces involved with purchasing Deer Lake for preservation.