A former Boy Scout camp in Monroe County will now be used to help local veterans following the sale of the property in May.

The Minsi Trails Council sold its prestigious Camp Trexler in Polk Township to Trexler Veterans Initiative for $7.8 million to help raise money for its contribution to the Boy Scouts of America Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

While the benefactors behind the Trexler Veterans Initiative remain anonymous, the group purchased the 755-acre property for use by the nonprofit Valor Clinic Foundation, which runs a nearby homeless veterans shelter in Jonas.

“We are tremendously grateful that with the backing of our generous and powerful friends and partners behind the Trexler Veterans Initiative we will bring tremendous new resources to northeastern Pennsylvania’s veterans,” Mark Baylis, Valor founder, said about the sale. “To the community it is your chance to breathe a sigh of relief. Camp Trexler will be preserved, and as a byproduct of preservation of the camp, the undeveloped land will remain conserved in perpetuity.”

The community will soon have an opportunity to learn about specific future plans for the property.

Baylis said recently that Valor is hosting a community report and volunteer appreciation dinner at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 7 in the former Settlers Camp dining hall at the camp.

“At this meeting, we will present our volunteer awards, give an update on our plans and inform our team and the community of the team’s accomplishments,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for community members to hear the facts as they apply to Valor and Camp Trexler.”

Food will be provided by the Old Mill Food Truck and is provided at no cost for all attendees.

In November, Valor used the former dining hall for its veterans holiday meal box preparation.

“It was an amazing difference from past holidays,” Valor said in a social media post. “When you have enough room to fit your food and people it makes a huge difference. We have seen a tremendous upgrade for our holiday meals and food pantry support.”

Money from the sale of the property, according to Richard Christ, Scout executive and CEO, was needed to resolve scouting related sexual abuse claims. There are more than 82,000 sexual abuse claims against BSA National. Under the Chapter 11 agreement, $2.7 billion must be contributed to a victim abuse fund. The local council’s contribution is $2.6 million.

In 2024, all camping operations will be moved to Camp Minsi on Stillwater Lake in Pocono Summit.