Sewataro Plans Camp Scholarships For Sudbury Residents

SUDBURY, MA — The town is still preparing Camp Sewataro for public use, but the staff is already looking ahead to summer camp season. The camp's liaison has applied for a special permit to provide scholarships to town children who want to attend summer sessions.

In an update sent to the Board of Selectmen this week, Sewataro liaison Kristen Drummey said the camp wants to provide up to 50 scholarships to local kids. The funds would reduce camp fees for two-week summer sessions.

There will be a hearing about the scholarship program in early January, and interim Town Manager Maryanne Bilodeau and Town Social Worker Bethany Hadvab will be involved, Drummey said.

Sudbury acquired the 44-acre Sewataro property for $11 million after an affirmative vote in June. The choice was close, however, with 2,561 in favor and 2,195 opposed. Since then, the town has hired a management company to oversee the property and run the camp. The town expects to earn about $345,000 in revenue from Sewataro each year.

In a financial update presented to Selectmen, Bilodeau said that the town will receive a guaranteed $120,000 payment in 2020 from the camp operator. The town will also get a percentage of net revenues, Bilodeau said, but it's unclear how much that will be.

Sewataro will eventually be open for public use, but the town still has work to do on the facility before that can happen. The town held an open house at Sewataro on Nov. 16, and another one may occur this spring.