Over the years, the cliff edge near the Camp Kilworth lodge and fire pit has been steadily eroding, and now erosion has temporarily inactivated the camp so experts can conduct a safety study.

The 25-acre camp is owned by the Pacific Harbors Council and is used by Boy Scout of America troops throughout the area. After an engineer from the national organization inspected Camp Kilworth and other camps nearby, the Pacific Harbors Council decided to temporarily inactivate the camp for the winter months to conduct a safety study on the eroding cliff, said scout executive Ralph Voelker.

“It’s important that we take this extra step,” he said.

The safety of campers has to come first, and campers are regularly found around the lodge and the fire pit, which are both close to the erosion zone.

The council received a donation designated for the study, and is hopeful it will be enough to fund it, Voelker said. The council has received one bid for the study and is waiting for two more before choosing experts and moving forward. The whole process should take two or three months, with the study itself only taking two or three weeks to complete.

“It’s fairly early in the process,” he said.

Only five groups were scheduled to use the camp during the three-month period. The groups were able to relocate to other camps owned by the council if they chose.

Camp Kilworth is mostly used by scout troops — both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. Some church groups also rent the space.

“It’s a great little property,” Voelker said.

The council is hopeful that the results will be positive, allowing the camp to safely stay open, but any decisions will naturally wait until after the study results have been understood, Voelker said.