The emotional outpouring from local Boy Scouts, scouting leaders and scouting alumni should make Maine’s Pine Tree Council think twice before selling Camp Gustin in Sabattus.

It’s a matter of tradition, certainly, as well as honoring the wishes of the late Charles Gustin, who donated the 100 acres around Loon Pond for future use by Scouts in Maine. The council’s poor fiscal projections, however, have it trying to raise about $350,000 in revenue from its sale.

This seems a sudden decision by an organization that, only four years ago, held a $4 million capital campaign to refurbish infrastructure at certain camps and build a large new administrative building on 2 acres of gifted property on Johnson Road in Portland. (Disclosure: the Sun Journal donated $1,000 to that campaign.)

While it is possible that the recession is necessitating the sale of Camp Gustin, the local Scouts and scouting leaders who are the lifeblood of the Pine Tree Council should not be told this decision is final without it being proven all other avenues are being explored for savings.

The Pine Tree Council has, according to its tax returns, operated at a minimal loss for several years; is there something about this year’s deficit that makes a sudden infusion of capital necessary? Council officials also said there is the matter of $1 million in debt that must be addressed.

It seems ironic, and somewhat worrisome, that the plan for eradicating debt is selling a property the council, and its generations of Scouts, had received for next to nothing, as a legacy.

Cutting services — whether one is scouting, or governing — is always the last resort. Our local public leaders always leave no stone unturned when balancing budgets. The Scouts who now enjoy, and the legions who have enjoyed, Camp Gustin should ask the same of its leadership.

Scouting is all about building character, after all. This crisis is a prime opportunity to do so.