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The Girl Scouts of Utah is set to acquire 236 acres of Wasatch County mountain land near its 75-year-old Camp Cloud Rim.
The land is being acquired from Silver Islet Lake Partners, LLC, the Girl Scouts announced in a news release Monday.
The transaction became necessary as growth in the Park City area was threatening to compromise safety and the "camp experience" for Girl Scouts, GSU Executive Director Cathleen Sparrow said in the release.
"I am very happy to announce the purchase of this property," Sparrow said. "We're protecting hundreds of acres of open space for generations to come and creating a buffer zone from competing interests."
Camp Cloud Rim will mark its 75th anniversary in 2013. Summer camp programs run between mid-June and mid-August and accommodate about 100 girls each week. Programs include arts and crafts, outdoor skills development, conservation lessons and outdoor recreation, including lake swimming, sailing and other water sports.
Currently, the camp includes just 27 acres of land, which sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet at the edge of Lake Brimhall, about 40 miles east of Salt Lake City.
The Silver Islet parcel includes land that runs mostly to the south, southeast and southwest of the existing camp, Girl Scouts attorney Christopher Jones said.
The Girl Scouts initiated talks with the private Silver Islet partners group several months ago, he said.
The purchase will preserve pristine lakes, forests, meadows and wildlife habitat. The deal also includes the creation of a permanent conservation easement that prohibits commercial development near the camp.
"The addition of the Silver Islet Lake parcel will greatly enhance a continued legacy to include expanded activities, recreation and educational programs," Debbie Nielson, Girl Scouts of Utah board chair, said in the news release.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, and the Girls Scouts want to keep the amount private, Jones said.
According to the news release, the Girl Scouts have obtained a low-interest loan from Wells Fargo Bank and plan a capital campaign to pay for the property.