SCICON seeks cash, input on village name

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January 19, 2007 9:00 AM

By The Porterville Recorder Staff

SPRINGVILLE - The construction phase on the new village at SCICON is quickly coming to a close and those supporting the effort are turning to local residents - including the younger generation - for help completing the campaign.

The Friends of SCICON, a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting the SCICON outdoor education program, is announcing two ways that students and community members can help with the new village project.

First, SCICON is seeking suggestions from students as to a permanent name for the village. The Friends of SCICON is also inviting the community to help with donations for the purchase of new items such as bunk beds, mattresses, curtains and outdoor furniture.

“SCICON is a product of almost 50 years of community involvement,” said Mike Milanesi, president of the Friends of SCICON. “It is exciting that we all have a chance to contribute to the legacy of SCICON, especially for future generations.”

SCICON is the Tulare County Office of Education's respected outdoor education program.

The new village will allow SCICON to accommodate the growing student population in Tulare County and surrounding communities. Once completed, it will consist of six student cabins, restrooms and showers, an amphitheater, meeting areas, and staff and teacher housing.

The project was made possible by an anonymous donation of $811,000 plus additional funding from the Tulare County Office of Education.

Construction is scheduled to be complete on Jan. 28.

A special Web page has been established where youngsters from across the county can make their suggestions. To access the Web site, visit and click on the link to the New Village.

Due to time constraints, name suggestions should be submitted by Jan. 31.

A complete list of needed items can be found on the Friends of SCICON Web site .

Cash donations can also be sent to The Friends of SCICON, P.O. Box 426, Springville, CA 93265.

All donations are tax deductible.

SCICON currently serves more than 15,000 students per year on the 1,100-acre campus for one-week or one-day programs in outdoor science and conservation.

For specific questions concerning the new village and the SCICON program, contact SCICON Administrator Rick Mitchell through e-mail at or by phone at 539-2642.

Contact The Recorder newsroom at 784-5000, Ext. 1044.

This story was published in The Porterville Recorder on Jan. 19, 2007

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