Council Camps Comments
Respondents were given the opportunity to provide any additional comments about the closing and selling of camps in their council. Responses are listed below "as is" from the survey. They have not been edited for spelling or grammar.
- We were just donated another Camp which now makes our council have 4 well run and used camps.
- Our council sold our historic camp even though I had an investor who wanted to spend over a million dollars to upgrade the camp. The investor wanted to be able to use the camp for a limited number of days during the week in winter when the girls were not there. Our council would not even return his calls. Instead they auctioned it off and got 20% of its appraised value.
- My troop would live to troop camp at GS camps. But when it is $500 for a weekend, because you rent a lodge that sleeps 32, not an option for our troop of 8. Why can't we rent the smaller cabins (used by counselors in the summer) or platform tents that are at camp. We want to encourage outdoors, let us be outdoors.
- Focus on the girls not the money. Make it work. Besides. Who is out there in the freezing cold selling cookies creating your revenue. Me and my girls yes m'am. And we loved our camp- Trefoil Trails. It was a gift from a benefactor, now to be sold and where will the money go.... Thanks council.
- Our council is heavily populated. There is too much competition for resources, and camps on the other side of the council are essentially impossible to get to during the week due to traffic issues.
- Our council has consistently set our camps up for failure and then told us our numbers were not good enough. First the horse program was pulled, then funding for programming cut, then our summer shortened, then it was just troop camping (no resident program), then our ranger fired (at one camp in particular). Each time, the council tells us our numbers are down when it is clearly because of these changes. Our volunteer-led programs continue to thrive, proving that our camps can be filled and do have interest in their use. The council does not put forth any effort, and has not answered volunteer questions as to what can be done to save the camps. Everything we do seems as if we are losing a fighting battle, but we will keep getting girls to camp for as long as possible!
- Josepho - being sold - is so far outside our area that I've never heard of anyone using it. Skyland has serious financial issues & GSGLA wants to find a non profit group to take over that camp. Lakota recommendation is to FINALLY use the insurance money to replace the burned dining hall & return it to use. Osito will remain part of council. I have no problem selling Josepho IF WE BUY ANOTHER CAMP that better suits the needs of our girls. Same with Skyland - want to turn it over to another group? replace the property with a new camp.
- If they are not kept up with programs offered at the camps, they will not be sustainable. Council needs to offer programs to ALL of their members.
- There is one camp that is in our council that is never used and its in a large populated city and many girls could use it. This makes no sense to me.
- Our Board recently secured a long term lease on the mountain property used and enables us to continue to offer and emphasis a resident summer camp to serve our girls as a result. Kudos. Perhaps this can be a model for other Councils to look at vs. camp property ownership which is grossly cost prohibitive in many instances.
- The local day camp where I went was recently sold to a local land trust. Is in the process of some of it being restored. Land trust recently hosted an open house for GS who had camped there and are very willing to work with any leader who would like to take her girls there activities.
- Councils be all end all response to camp closing and selling questions is that the camps aren't self-supporting and council should not be in the property management business. Why does camp have to be self-supporting? Our girls are completely ok with their cookie sales helping to support their camps. Property management worked for almost 100 years, why did it become impossible after the realignment? Council also says that girls can get the out door experience from day trips to other out door locations. That is in no way, shape, or form the same as spending time in nature camping with the Girl Scouts.
- Council has indicated that Camp Oakledge is too expensive to operate. They have also indicated that they don't have enough participation at camp activities. I have been with this council for 10 years and have seen the programming for the camps dwindle. I believe that if they actually provided quality programming, they may just actually get girls to participate.
- You can not get in to them but they are not used enough too keep open. The sold camp had recently had over a million dollars in donated improvements to it. New buildings, swimming pool etc.
- Ask the girls what they want? Adults who could care less about camping appear to be making camp decisions. Try actually have camp choices at the camps and you might find they are being used, funds are generated for camp, maintenance and upkeep.
- We only have 1camp property. It was used almost every weekend by a troop or group. Was even rented out by schools and groups during the week. They have just released the care taker (effective October 30). Not only are we not allowed to use it, there is no one that is taking care of the property. Our camp is in an area that can get large amounts of snow and avalanches. Without a year round caretaker buildings are at risk for being destroyed. Many, many issues! Girls and parents in the council are not happy and agreeing with this decision.
- After realignment we sold one (very small camp) - it was outdated, tiney-tiney, and was quickly going to be surrounded by retail zoning. we didn't need it really, and I think they were right to sell it and re-invest in our other camps.
- KEEP camps open! Our council is partnering with the KS state parks to offer free camping at a state park to Girl Scouts. This leads me to believe they will be selling and closing properties in the near future.
- I am not sure of lack of member use. Members stopped the council from selling one camp - Camp Arrowhead. Camps will not get use if the council doesn't make the effort to train adults in outdoor skills. I get the feeling at times, this council isn't interested in the outdoors just National doesn't put an emphasis on the outdoors. Yet Juliette Low based the Girl Scout movement, in part,on the outdoors because she understood the power of the outdoor to build leadership skills. The outdoors provides the best environment (literally and figuratively) for build leadership skills and self confidence. The human-made world takes away the desire to build leadership skills as there is no real reason to develop those skills. In the outdoors you can stretch yourself and test yourself. This is very important.
- Our camps are great. They cover a range of activities available at each.
- After the merger, there were 12 camps. Some were in need of lots of maintenance and some were not used. At least two had no surrounding buffer zone and were near residential development. 5 camps were sold and the promise was to use the proceeds to upgrade and maintain the remaining 7 camps. That is happening!
- At one point 2camps were going to be rested and the other property not developed, but with the hire of a new CEO those plans were changed. Volunteers helped with needed repairs and after a temporary drop in usage numbers, our nearest camp has increasing usage.
- Please find a way to keep Camp Blackhawk going. It is the closest thing my troops have experienced to the type of camping I did as a girl scout. Tradition and heritage is something to hold precious and fight to save. I know many troops that would work very hard to save it.
- It is sad to consider giving up a facility with a bog and two lakes because of a perceived desire for indoor plumbing and cabins. Girl Scouting is about growing and learning. In addition, by the time they promote camp and have actual dates to sign up, the other local camps (religious, etc.) have had their dates out and people have committed. This happens at our school with many troop members as their families plan their summer.
- Camp Tweedale is consistently the most well-attended camp in our council. (Tweedale regularly operates at 80% capacity, or more.) However, this camp is not close to our council's population center, and it is also located in a region of high suburban real-estate value. Despite it's consistent record of high attendance, and the long-standing grassroots efforts to keep it open, Camp Tweedale is closing in 2014.
- My girls and I have been to all our Council camps on many occasions. Some are close (45 minutes) others are farther away (4 hour maximum distance). All are unique and offer a different take on the varied landscape in Iowa (river bluffs, lake, cornfield and Loess Hills). All are beautiful and worthy of usage. The challenge is getting girls to go and appreciate the serenity of the Loess Hills or the paddle boarding on the lake. If a leader, parent or camp director is enthusiastic and gets the girls there, it doesn't take long for the girls to be hooked. They need the outdoors to reset themselves and to take a break from all the technology that surrounds them on a daily basis. As a troop, I have seen my girls grow closer and enjoy the simple things in nature. Everyone needs to step away from gazing at the screens and spend some time star gazing. Camps must be maintained for this very reason!
- Council could use it's funds more wisely
- Most need work. We have a 5milion dollar conservancy yet they only want to spend about 200,000 for camp upgrades.
- Getting rid of camps will only expand the problem of not being able to get a reservation.
- The letter they sent this month about the closing of Camp Innisfree said that the camp was not self-supporting, enrollment for summer camp was not enough to cover costs. But the rest of the year, when they offer core camps for the different levels the camp was full. I don't feel that they explored all options in making the camp more utilized in the summer. The property is large with an equestrian center, ropes course, and lake so there are many options for allowing usage by other groups for during the summer. It doesn't help that the camp is geographically located outside of the council boundaries, it is far for many to drive to. But with that camp closing, the remaining council camps are double the distance for us to drive.
- Council staff aren't former Girl Scouts. They don't have a clue.
- Two have been sold, two idled for resident camp and maintained for Council use. One remaining resident camp.
- Selling a camp that we have water/boating rights in, and the only GS camp in the Southern Chester County (PA) area shows a singular lack of foresight, and an eye for the quick buck. It would behoove the Council(s) to listen to the members, and not fall back on the trumped up excuses for 'surveys' we have been offered. (Not this one - THIS would have been highly appropriate.)
- Sad seeing camps being shut down.
- Once sold, can not be returned...there are many endangered habitats in these areas
- We retained the camp that is most centrally located for our membership
- Camp should not be self-supporting. Girl Scouts needs to subsidize camp because it is integral to the core values of Girl Scouts.
- The council says they don't have the funds but they just put up new buildings on one of their properties, but did not have the money to feed the horses on the same property. Also a lack of modern amenities is no reason to close a camp, all they are is a money drain and rustic camping is WAY better.
- I am SO thankful that they have reopened our camps. It was a grass roots effort and I am thrilled my daughter and girls will have the opportunity to enjoy them as much as I did!
- I have been on the Property Task Group for GSMISTS. Our camp usage is way down, but we are not doing a good job of capturing numbers when the properties are used. There are many barriers to troop usage, from awareness of the properties to difficulty with the registration system. I keep hoping it gets better...
- Our Council has a large metro area. The largest camp was just outside the metro, and had been recently renovated - new buildings & swimming pool. It's on the market - and part has already been sold. Now there is only one camp that is large enough for our SU Day Camp, and 2 that are large enough for Encampment. One other camp was critically damaged by flooding in 2013. One of the camps had a utilization rate of 77%, and had had major upgrades in the last 10 years before being sold.
- They use the same program for all of the camps so there isn't any incentive to travel and see another camp. Evidently they feel the camp directors have not one creative bone in their body to come up with 4 weeks worth of camps. They dropped the number of weeks down from 8 to 4. What a waste.
- The popular horseback program has been moved from our nearest camp to a camp that was in another council before realignment. As a result, girls in our area cannot participate as easily and sessions are often filled by girls living nearer.
- Selling that camp -- which was highly under-used -- provided funding to improve facilities at the other camp and has thrown off significant interest income to enable financial stability for our Council.
- Camping is such an important part of Girl Scouting. It is so terrible when camps are closed. Girl Scouts needs to rethink ways to raise funds to improve camps and get girls interested in camps - would provide great experiences for kids and would keep camps open.
- Our camps were closed for three years and just recently opened back up. Our troop will be devastated if they are closed again. It seems to me that there could be better management of these camps and more consideration put into the camps.
- Camp access is very uneven. Some troops live close and use them all the time. We are far away and almost never use them as result.
- My understanding is that GSWW attempted to sell one camp but members got them to stop.
- GSWW actually has purchased a new piece of property for primitive outdoor use about the time of the alignment. The first large event was just held on it- Mix It Up. An annual event with the Canadian Girl Guides for a total of 350 Girl Guides and GS. We use to hold the event at the neighboring state park. Over the summer the first Community Camp was held by volunteers.
- The claim is lack of member use, but the camp that is closed is in one of Councils most lucrative Real Estate markets. I feel it was undermarketed and not well maintained ( no upgrades made to facilities, while other camps saw $$$ building bathhouses and new lodges) so that members stopped using it. If your going to pick a camp to sell, I guess you want one that will generate the most revenue...:/
- They want to close Camp Libbey but if they do then all we'll have is whip por will and as its a 4hr. drive down, Toledoens wont go. Also they can't sell it. if g.s.w.o. want to sell Camp Libbey the land goes back to the Libbey family. the land dose not belong to girl scouts.
- To expensive
- They lied
- The site our council sold was under utilized, not in a good location, in need of work and we are better off without it.
- One of our local scout houses was demolished (taken over by the city for a large complex), and in return the city granted us land where we are going to build a state-of-the-art high-tech STEM-based waterfront leadership center hopefully with a kayaking program (as soon as we secure a benefactor). This year, our resident camp had its highest attendance numbers in a while!
- There was plans to rest another camp, but members spoke up and the camp is maintained for troop camping year around, and several council programs are being run from it.
- They were not honest about camp usage
- I wish we had more than one camp, but the one we lease is a good one (Camp Waisu II).
- It was a huge blow to our part of the realigned council when they chose to close and sell both the closest day camp AND resident camp. it leaves us with very few convenient options for SU events such as camporee as well as troop camping
- It was sad when they closed this camp it was a favorite of all of us
- My council has been closing all things in my region - though it is a region that has been growing in membership. We don't even have a service center anymore, and are the ONLY region in the council to not have a local service center (the center is on site of a camp that is closing).
- I hate they have closed one of our camps so soon after the merger that we did not get an opportunity to use it. We were scheduled there for a campout and it was closed 2 days before we were supposed to camp there. I think that more people would have started using it given the chance but the chance was taken away. I hate to see any camp close and be sold because that is security for the long term as with any property land has value. Currently our council listens when we offer suggestions and we are seeing small improvements at our camps. My Service Unit actually built 2 fire pits in our tent areas and we are planning to help upgrade the archery area if we win a grant we have applied for.
- After merge our council trimmed the number of camps with the intention of upgrading the remaining camps to a "premier" status
- Camping is the heart of scouting, please keep the camps going and make them available to girls.
- I am shocked when I find out about the salaries of council presidents and GSUSA presidents, when I think of how much money comes from cookie sales, to our girls, the rest goes to council. Then to find out that they want to close camps because of lack of money? They want to keep girls interested past cadettes, but they don't offer high adventure. Girls are allowed to join boy scouts after 8th grade for high adventure, and many do because of this disconnect. My daughters will have a dual membership after 8th grade, and not sure how long they will continue to do crafts, and "leadership training"
- Which is sad because my daughter who has been going to Tweedale sine kindergarten (she is in 8th grade this year) always had to pick the week she wanted as soon as the booklet came out so that she could get the week she wanted. Not sure the whole truth is being told that the camp is not well used. Sadly now she refuses to go to any of the other camps (closes one being 2+ hours away) so she is just going to church camp and is waiting to turn 14 to join a venture troop.
- The camps are fine if you keep up general repairs but they let everything go. Also do not put flushing toliets at camps they will get clogged overflown and nasty laterins are easy to clean maintaine and no cloggs.
- Our two camps are the only ones in the area and they want to close both. We are horribly devastated and even more heartbroken because council does not even want to pay for up keep while our camps are for sale. Camp Tohikanee has been our areas camp for as long as my family has been in scouts and longer. I was there on a trip this past weekend and was devastated by the condition of some sites. After a storm that came through and destroyed a site council told the ranger to just leave it. The horrible use of resources and conditions of this make me want to fight for my camp even more. This is our camp not theirs so who gave them the right to decide what they do with it.
- I know they have sold some recently. I am a fairly new leader so not sure on all of it. I know they are building one now that is fairly big - Oak Springs. I am sure it will be great when done but I don't see the sense in getting rid of all the others. I hope they are utilized very well but not sure because I am not the one in charge of bookings, etc...
- Using resources wisely does not seem to be on the radar of my council and camps
- Usage numbers of camp were not accurate, registration when the councils realigned was poor, many were told there were no openings for a particular camp when the camp sat empty for the weekend
- I wish councils would give their members more warning before they decide to sell so that the members can feel like they are part of the discussion and they have a chance to save their camp. Our camps are vital to the Girl Scout mission. Camp brings our girls together and improves their lives in ways I cannot overstate.
- There is a catch 22. They charge so much that we can not use the camps. Then the camps are also closed from November to March.... when we are most likely to have the troop together to go troop camping.
- Our council (before realignment) had several, beautiful camp facilities. All of them were closed and they now only use 2 camps for the whole council (one is 4 hours from us). In fact, the camp closest to us just closed 2 yrs ago.
- They are wanting to close camp in my area due to lack of use , deferred maintenance, and lack of amenities. But the camp is closed November through April. And every weekend at any other time us booked with one group. Why close the entire camp all winter when half of it could very easily be used if not all of it. Why only allow one group at a time to reserve it. There are 6-7 units available plus other buildings why have 20 girls there when the camp can hold 150. Once one troop has it reserved is can't be reserved by another troop even if they want to use a different part of camp.
- They are GREAT !
- Some properties are maintained well, others not as well.
- I have started unofficial Camp Sites on Facebook to encourage people to communicate about work days, events, and more there. We also share some photos, etc. I think this will really help if there comes a time to group together to save a camp down the road. But right now, our council wants to do everything it can to address our current financial problems WITHOUT selling a camp. I am very happy about this.
- If outdoor programming is so important and vital to a girl's development, and national trots out the studies to show us all the time, why are councils allowed to divest camps, why does national have no outdoor journey, and why bother getting all of us outdoor/first aid/etc. trained. If we just have little sewing circles of girls, what's the point of being a GS?
- We are blessed in GSSA to have four camps, two of which offer residential summer programs.
- There is a long term property use survey going on and fears amongst some that there may be plans to sell something - hopefully not.
- Camp is way too expensive
- They restructured one camp that is closer to us. Used to be a resident camp in full operation.No resident camps done there anymore. Closest one now is about 4-5 hours away. That location is mainly used for 1 day events and occasional 2 day, 1 night overnight for some specific event. Not sure of why this was done - cost I'm sure. They used to do all kinds of water sports, horseback riding camps, etc.. Horses all sold and no more water sport events either.
- Get out corp people, and bring in former Girl Scouts for CEO's!
- I don't understand how, if we were able to support four camps BEFORE the realignment, why we couldn't AFTER the realignment. The number of girls in Scouting and the number of campers didn't change. Supposedly the realignment was to "save lots of money" in overhead....so WHY were we suddenly forced to shut down two of our four camps? Why were we not told that it would happen? Why were we as Scouts, leaders, girls, and alumni not allowed to do workdays or Bronze/Silver/Gold projects at the camps? Why were we not allowed to fund-raise to save our camps? Why didn't the Council get corporate sponsors to keep our camps open, the way the BSA did? What happened to the gear at these camps? There are still a lot of bitter feelings and unhappiness about the camp closures among we "old scouts."
- It is ridiculous to sell camps. Girls need them to learn how to be capable to live in all aspects of life. During a power outage from a blizzard here in AL my daughter was able to feed her new husband by cooking outdoors over a small fire! Only from GS outdoor program did she learn that skill. Yes, I was her leader, but having only been a GS myself from age 12-16, I had to learn it all along side her.
- I have to say our council does a good job of managing our camps and the funds. A couple of camps were closed several years ago, but I'm not sure what year. However, the two that were closed were leased from Corp of Engineers, there was no money made from a sale. I don't really know the details of why those camps were closed.
- We currently have one camp in the northern part of our council and 4 camps in the southern part of our council. The camp in the northern area is the 'nicest' facility but is under used. We used to rent our facilities to other organizations to help with costs, but only during the week when girls were not using the property. This has been discontinued and I believe is a waste of our resources.
- People running councils do NOT understand outdoors comrade, teamwork, self reliance, etc. I think the everyone on council should participate in Girl Scouts, troop activities and camp activities, etc
- Council has made attending either camp extremely expensive. Our "adventure" program a few years ago was $40/girl and $20/required adult. A troop of 2 adults and 10 girls would cost $440. Now it is $60/person for the same program. The cost would be $720. The $280 increase is astronomical for a program that is IDENTICAL! Our council would like to get rid of one camp (Camp Kitty), so they have put barriers in place to make it harder to use. They require 75 registered attendees for camp to open. If 70 register, they cancel because you did not meet the 75 minimum. They have not done this at the other camp (Pamunkey). They have removed equipment, not replaced equipment that has failed, and done other similar things to make Camp Kitty less usable.
- In our large council the financial disparity is HUGE. Some camps are in disrepair, while other have air conditioned units. Our local camp is looked down upon and council money is sent to the others. Our girls are encouraged to travel 2-4 hours to the other camps, instead of the council improving our local historical treasure.
- Again, GSGLA hasn't advertised the availability of the properties. Like La Casita was closed fro an undetermined time, then no one knew that it was open for use.
- Our camp that is closed lacks funds due to lack of support from council. The director of both camps heavily prompts one camp over the other due to personal preferences. The past 10 years have seen a lack of emphasis on the closed camp, which has lowered the revenue.
- They don't compare to the camp I went to for resident camp in the 1980's, which IS on the verge of being sold. A sad state for GS.
- We have 2 wonderful camps in our council. I think our council does a really poor job of marketing one camp. It's our tent site camp. It's the most beautiful site we have. It's the most versatile site we have and it's the one that council makes idle the most due to maintenance costs and lack of use. The lack of use is due to council's lack of marketing of the camp but they don't see that.
- Those who use the camps love them, but council has priced them to high for day, weekend and events. It is cheaper to go else where.
- I am grateful that our council decided against closing Amahami, which can hold the largest numbers of campers at a time, which is important for service unit camping, and which offers a large assortment of opportunities for girls use of the facility.
- Could be so much better utilized
- Our council has taken survey's, but sadly they do not communicate any information with us what their plans are. There are a lot of rumors currently going on about them selling properties.
- GSNETX is planning on closing one camp, which has become much too congested with a near by marina, and develop one currently owned by the council in a much less developed part of the lake.
- Closing Camp Innesfree is a huge mistake. The property has much more to offer than the remaining camps and is the closest one to the majority of the population. It is the only place for equestrian programs that routinely follow GS safety regulations. If the camp is not self-supporting you need to look at what Council is paying for. Why is GS camp so expensive compare to other camps?
- Council makes using the camps very difficult. We would like to attend events at our camps, but one of the camps is never available. Resident camp at that camp was only available through June, that means that we had two weeks for our child to attend resident camp there. We want to use our camps, but it's just prohibitive.
- We have 4 camps with dam problems, which need half a million dollars to fix. They need to start looking at grants and other agencies for help. They should also start looking for sponsorship from companies or volunteers to help upgrade our properties. The person in charge of camp maintenance is running them into the ground with lack of upkeep.
- Out two local camps were great and seemed heavily used. When the councils merged, it seems they put all of their resources into promoting the larger, further away camp and neglected, then closed, the local ones. This seems penny wise and pound foolish.
- They have sold off part of a camp.
- Our membership was very vocal at the plan to sell all 4 camps. The council stopped that plan. The new plan is to remodel one camp to make it more modern. Then sell land (some or all most likely) at the remaining 3 camps that is underutilized. So of course all of the non developed land with trails and so on will be gone since there are no buildings there to utilize it. Which means most of camp being sold if not all, yet it is this wild space that it one reason it is important for camp to exist. A two acre plot of land with a lodge/""outdoor program center ""is not a camp. A small patch of grass with a fire pit near a parking lot in a town next to an urban program center is not a camp. The sale of camps must stop. This trend of selling camps is divisive and and not part of the Girl Scout tradition. It is not what is best for the girls and because of this many long term volunteers and financial donations by those people in addition to their time have stopped.
- Sold 1 camp because they refused to maintain it (copied from second entry- me). GSESC gave 2 weeks' notice that they were selling Camp Low Country at an absolute auction 2 years ago. This was the camp Carolina Low Country Girl Scouts purchased in 1962 with cookie money and a great deal of community support, and paid off the first mortgage in 1982 the same way. This was the camp where generations of Girl Scouts learned how to camp, primitive camp, swim, canoe, sail, and ride horses. This is where I learned to ride & swim, & taught my now husband & daughters to ride, & taught the daughters of my riding students to ride. This was the camp with an historic graveyard and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places that GSESC (and CLCGS) wouldn't bother to maintain. They decided to sell it instead. Makes me wonder how well they're maintaining their sole remaining camp.
- Angry they sold our resident camp. Another property that could be developed into one has been left to rot and not fixed up as promised. The profit from the camp sale was supposed to be invested in the other property to get it in shape to be a resident camp. It was not. At the day camp a council staff person sold off the supplies in the craft building to make it a teen center. Sewing machines, kiln, ceramic supplies and other craft items all gone. Those were donated items from GS alumni group. Now for summers camp they had to restock craft supplies and had to move over to the nature building for crafts.
- They say it is not self supporting but they are not exploring all possibilities and are closing it if it is not FILLED to capacity. We do not want our camp closed!
- Two small, barely used camps were rental camps from Army Corps of Engineers and the council didn't renew the leases.
- We only have one camp that services ALL of northern Nevada and parts of northern California.
- Seems very political. Good camps are being sold because they are not in the 'home' region of the new alignments. It's very unfortunate that the focus is not the girls. I was actually in a meeting of GS professionals at a council and someone said 'we need to keep the girls in mind when we discuss this', and one of the professionals actually said 'what girls'. VERY TELLING!!!!!
- Council camp properties donated to Girl Scouting Should not have been able to be sold! Too much money is being put into council office facilities, and not into camp upkeep. Girls not being able to do Silver & Golf award projects at council properties is not using our most precious resource wisely!!!
- Our existing camps are in poor repair. We just had a Service Unit Camp Out at one and the camp was in a said state from tents, to hiking trails, to cooking facilities.
- I wish every council looked at ours on how to run camps. Our camps are great - they are GROWING. We have eleven of them with every program a girl could want at a reasonable cost. I am always saddened to hear about other councils, so I go and book a council camp just to keep ours going. If there is one thing I can't complain about in our council, it is our camps. Every one of our camp has a sign when you drive in that says "This camp was built with funds from the cookie program." What an inspiration, to show a Girl Scout her field of 50+ horses and tell her those are "their" horses!
- Volunteers have run much in the past and saved the council money. Return to this practice and reduce the council staff and the amount of money the council staff is paid. Management needs to learn how to work with and compensate volunteers. We are not that difficult to understand.
- We went from 5 Counties and 5 camps to 18 counties and 15 camps. The first thing the CEO (who had NO Girl Scout experience) first hired after the reorganization did was cut the Camp budget in half so that select camps fell into disrepair. A survey was designed with scewed questions to get the answers they wanted, numbers of attendance were inaccurate because a whole 17 unit camp would be shut down for the whole weekend for a 4 hour program on Sunday afternoon and other camps were closed to camping for programs to use the whole camp but made to look like it was unattended. This created quite a bit of dissidence among Volunteers to where many quit, others were forced out because they were behind suing the Council. All this damage and now GSUSA is showing interest in promoting the out-of-doors. With all the technology at home and STEM in schools don't they think that maybe girls would relish the peace and quiet of an outdoor setting once in a while?
- My council doesn't want to be "in the business of owning properties" any more and has just 'idled' one of it's last two running camps. I think it is really sad that girls are no longer getting to experience the GS programming in the resident camp setting, especially since they have the opportunity to provide such unique programming if they cared enough to do so.
- It's impossible to raise usage numbers when your hands are tied by blackout dates, not being able to be on camp during the daylight hours when a non-scouting group in on camp, not enough cabins or "secure" dwellings for troop camp, etc.
- GSGLA is proposing the "retiring" of one large camp (El Potrero) as part of it's property task force as well as one small camp-like Program Center (La Casita). These are two of 6 that are slated to be voted on to be retired/sold in April by GSGLA membership. We are fighting to keep La Casita in Claremont as it is only a few minutes from town but surrounded by 1,600 acres of protected wilderness. Local Scout Leaders and community members are fighting the retirement of this property.
- Our council campgrounds are wonderful. Very well maintained and well run. We are fortunate.
- We have 4 camps. One is in fantastic shape. It has lots of diversity in activities, sleeping facilities both outdoor and indoor. It's just the right size. However it is in a location that would be easy to sell. Our other 3 camps are either in disrepair or are too small to run large events
- TODD IS THE BEST CAMP THERE IS. PLEASE DON'T LET THEM SELL IT.
- I can respond to the above questions for another council that I do not currently live in. It is the council in which I grew up going to resident camp (Formerly Circle T which is now Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains). They didn't sell the camp because the property was on lease as long as it was used as a GS camp. They did not have council funds to support much needed maintenance and upgrades on the plumbing system and buildings. Another reason is that the city had grown up around what use to be country and vandalism and trespassing were a huge problem.
- There are several camps setting idle that are very close to our location. I would LOVE to see these camps opened
- None of the camps should have been closed. If they weren't closed there would be more choices for the girls on where to attend an activity. Also council would be able to offer more availability for programs (run the same program at 2 or more camps)
- Underused and often empty, impossible to schedule, a leader has to be RELENTLESS to do all things necessary to troop camp.
- Council own 2 camps. One is resident camp. The other is a primitive camp that would work for older girls. I have never been there.
- Out camps are great and we make regular use of state facilities as well
- The process being used by our council to decide on camp closings is far from transparent. At the property plan meetings, we were reassured that a popular camp in an area where membership is growing would not be closed. After the board voted, this camp is now on the chopping block, with no reason given. I'm assuming this is because it is a very valuable piece of land. There is a realtor on our council's board of directors, which strikes me as a conflict of interest.
- We have one camp resting due to need for repairs and not enough funding to do it. It is so aggravating because now we will have to go farther.
- We need to save Camp Kitty. I'll reiterate that the main reason the Leader Daughter campout is sold out every year is because the cost is kept low and both adults and kids may attend. Summer camps should be opened up so adults can attend camp during the summer. I can think of NO reason why adults cannot attend. GS should welcome and encourage parents/leader help at camp. We want to share these wonderful memories with our daughters.
- I feel there is poor financial planning in the council. This is evident of the Fredericksburg Retail Shop closing as well as Camp Kitty closing. You need to get your minds off of money and put your mind and HEART on the GIRLS........GIRL scouts.
- Why does Nassau County own a camp in East Hampton, deep in Suffolk County? Why not have more obvious reciprocity between the councils for camping purposes - "be a sister to every Girl Scout"?
- GSEP is closing or has closed 3 council camps. The Pocono camp, (Hidden Falls) was sold due to it being "unable to modernize or build" due to rock placement. However the are this is located is actually starting to become a booming area for business- guess they'll be able to build. Tohikanee- not sure why this camp is being sold. I believe the reason was lack of use, but many girls really liked that camp. Tweedale- The only camp left in Chester County is closing by next year, however there has been a lot of protest over this. This camp is the closest for us to access at 45 minutes away and is very unique offering tent camping, cabin camping and they even have old fashioned style "covered wagons". Many of the facilities are fairly modern here. They cite lack of space.
- 14 is really a lot. The two being sold are very small and they are going to be preserved as open space. Unless more are in the pipeline for sale, one is not too worried at this point....Council has issued a long range planning document which you may view at http://www.girlscoutseasternmass.org/aboutus/property-planning.html However I am not the most connected person in my council and more may be happening than I know about....
- The two camps most used for troop camping and resident camps are 2+ and 4+ hours away. The local "city" camp is good for first time or young troops, but doesn't challenge more experienced leaders/girls. Without adding in extra cost for travel and other expenses, there are no local GS camps. Many in the council are in extremely low income areas and traveling to the two nice council camps is often cost prohibited. The local GS camp that was sold recently (at a fraction of the asking price) was paid for and would not have been a burden if it was simply rested for several years until the economy came back. Once sold, it's gone. The asking price was $1 million (in a good market it was worth a lot more) but they settled for $600k. This paid bills and salaries. What will pay the bills next year?
- I think they should offer more programming at the other camp.
- They are closing a Camp but they don't do any programming out of it. Again POOR Management by our Council.
- Our council did an extensive property planning process and involved volunteers through a lot of town hall style meetings. I think they've done a pretty good job of listening to the membership and coming up with good recommendations for the future of our camps.
- Our council is in the process of evaluating all camps and program centers.
- Closed the camp closest to out cluster, leaving our girls no other option
- They want to sell 3 donated properties so they can buy 1 property near their headquarters! and it sucks!!!
- I am not overly familiar with any/all of the camps in our area, beyond Lake Rickabear, Glen Spey (currently idled for renovations), and Jockey Hollow. I would like to see these properties remain open. It's sad to hear that former camps are no longer in existence. Side note: I was especially sad to learn that the former Girl Scout National Center West in Ten Sleep, WY, where I spent a week in 1978, was sold off a while ago. I had a wonderful time there and on the "Wyoming Trek" I took with other members of my council.
- We have two resident camps and three camp properties. They only use the two resident camps for programming. We also have three program properties (houses) that are more commonly used by troops but also require a great deal of maintenance and upkeep. The fee structure is not reasonable for small troop use. Maintenance is not performed with any regularity at ANY council property and there is no budget for any of our properties. The largest resident camp has a very nice lodge which generates up to 30K annually, yet none of that supports any of our properties for upkeep, maintenance, or programming. Our Board of Directors is refusing to publish the report by the Property Task Group. They will not hold the operations management accountable for the condition of the properties, or the lack of use.
- There are at least 4 camps in the southern regions that are currently in use, one very small facility in the central area and one camp in the northern area. The camp in the northern region is the one I am most familiar with (I have been to the central facility and one camp in the southern area). While they are all nice, most in our area don't want to travel 3+ hours to use the southern facilities. The camp in the northern region is near capacity booked on weekends through the end of the school year by October, so it is difficult to get in if you don't plan well in advance.
- They said they were closing the camps and putting them up for sale yet Camp Yough closed over a year ago and it is still not listed. That is an entire year where girls could have been using it. Its such a waste.
- Council stated camp were not used and the girls preferred the other camps with swimming and horses. This information was gathered from girls attending resident camp where they offered swimming and horses. The camps that are being sold or were sold are the closest to where the majority of the girls are in our council,
- The selling of Camp Yough, which was in McKeesport was controversial b/c many of the troops from less affluent areas used that camp for day camp. Yough was in the middle of a neighborhood, had no pool and limited programming resources, so it was closed.
- If there were more affordable, they would get more girls attending - which in the long run would make more than charging a higher amount for less girls. I know several girls in my troop that would like to attend but are unable to because of the cost.
- One camp I believe was sold but still being used by GS. Too far for us to look into camping there. The other was a very lively camp that was well utilized and has been closed for about 10 years now. Was rented out to many other organizations including some type of survivalist group for a few years. Not sure of its current status.
- Yet, they never opened up the camps for troop summer use
- A couple of years ago, council indicated there would be a 3-year opportunity for troops to use the camps more often or face closure. The troops have responded well. There are also "Camp Champions" of each camp that are volunteer-led to offer events for troops, individuals and families to participate in. Our Camp Champion group has sponsored two events, averaging about 80-100 attendees.
- This is not something that council has just started working on. I know that they have been trying to get attendance up for awhile in our camps. Sometimes I feel that the camp closest to me is "picked on" the most only because there is no charge for using the camp because of how the camp was obtained.
- I find it sad that they are selling one of our camps. I tried to use it right after the mergers and was actually scheduled to use it the week they closed it without telling me. My old legacy council in Oklahoma has already sold 2 of their resident camps. Camp Red Rock and Camp Kate.
- I think it is criminal that they are selling the one camp that would be great for first timers and keeping only the one in Indiana that they owned previously! We have no closer choice if the other camp is filled we have to then drive at least a half hour or more into Illinois to camp! It's wrong and seems discriminatory to the Indiana girls!!
- My daughter and I attended a camp at Mah-Kah-Wee a few weeks ago, and enjoyed ourselves immensely. I would love to have more opportunities to camp. I wish that Girl Scouts promoted leadership through learning outdoor skills in the way that it used to. My daughter is bored out of her mind, and it appears that there are no other troops in the area accepting girls. There is a good chance that she and I will quit soon.
- The camps they're closing/selling affect girls in the southern half of our council and for those living at the very southern end, it is at LEAST 2 hours to the nearest camp. With my neighborhood camp (I've been blessed to live almost next door to my closest camp) it is at least an hour to the next nearest camp, but 2 to the better one. The camp closures seem to have been a self-fulfilling prophecy. They didn't keep them up because they might be sold and now it's too expensive to keep them because they haven't been kept up.
- I think our camp properties are mostly safe. The council has owned at least four of them since at least the early 1950s (I'm not sure about the other two). They recently also purchased another piece of property that has few amenities but hopefully will be developed into some kind of a camp/program space in the future.
- Renting out certain spaces to outside groups would certainly help to alleviate fiscal concerns. Ex: Silver Meadows and Green Berry acres for weddings/special events. They are beautiful properties that should be enjoyed- it might even help in terms of future donations from attendees/participants.
- The sale of many camps is disappointing, but the good news is that our council is building a large camp that is.largely free of encroachment....a major problem with the others.
- Love our camps
- The long range property plan update cite the closure due to being rarely use. The properties will be conservation land and can still be used by Girl Scouts.
- They are beautiful. We love them.
- The camps at Wallace Creek were always in demand and used and yet they closed it down. It was the only local area for more than one service unit and was closed for no good reason. Troops even tried to take over maintenance of the camp but were not able too.
- Since I have been a leader, our council has sold or closed three-four camps and is idling our largest camp which is nearest to other facilities we could at least get program from.
- General poor property management and lack of use of outside renters. Poor management overall.
- I learned about the camps being sold through Facebook and news. My council needs to give more info about these problems we are facing.
- Despite the excuse of a Lack of Member Use the camps were always in use and I often had to choose an alternative date for my troop.
- Our council estimates it costs about half a million a year to keep the current camps, do minimal maintenance, and no development. We also are operating in the red (more than half a million this coming year) and have been for quite a few years, causing us to draw down our reserves significantly. If membership declines among cookie-selling girls are not reversed, eventually we will need to release or sell additional camps.
- Former admin thought camps weren't necessary. Lawsuit and member uproar cause a rethink on that position. ?Staff and board changes brought the council to more of a planning stage to rejuvenate all camps while re-assessing how they will be used. Our hope lies with the girls!
- One of the camps was sold because approximately 30 girls were using it per year and upkeep and modernization was simply too expensive to sustain. Another council owned property is located within 30 miles of the site. The second property that was sold was used even less (approximately 18 girls per year). It was one building that was way out in the middle of nowhere and costs to sustain vs. usage was the indicator that the property needed to be sold.
- Our council has done an incredible job of upgrading 1-2 major items at camp each year the last two.
- They have the most active outdoor people in the southwest suburbs. There is now only one active camp north of Chicago in the Council. They've sold one (Happy Hollow) and rested another that they are now trying to sell, which would be much more convenient to the north suburbs.
- Our council has acquired a land easement on our camp, plus is in the middle of a capitol campaign to raise money to upgrade the camp (replace the leaky pool, put electric lines underground, and rebuild our mess hall. We are afraid that costs will continue to increase.
- Our ceo is hiding real reasoning for selling camps. With get everything is secret
- The most attended camp is closed in order to enhance and enlarge two camps that are HOURS from southern Chester County, PA. The people in Chester County have NO CAMP reasonably close to their homes.
- Our girls are tired of only having one camp to do all of our activities at. We go to another councils camps because it is cheaper and they have more than one camp.
- At the merge the Seattle area council explored the opportunity to sell the smaller council's resident camp...much to their surprise the council did not own the camp! The camp is held in trust by GSUSA for the girls of the City of Tacoma, Washington. If the property is no longer used by the Girl Scouts, it reverts to the estate of the donor. That was a surprise to those who thought it would be a cash opportunity. The second event was the proposed closure of a 73 acre camp in a rural area, and the farthest from Headquarters in Seattle. The girls of that area wrote a letter to the new CEO, explaining why they were not going to sell cookies. The camp is used regularly by the girls in that area. The CEO met the girls, and their parents at the camp, took a tour of the camp, and found that the camp was not in the poor physical shape that her staff had told her. The camp remains open, and is in use.
- We need more programs available year round. Almost all our camps only provide programs in the summer for resident camping. During the rest of the year, the only program available at (one) camp is ropes courses. The sites are booked (we sometimes cannot get a reservation on the date of our choice) but there are no programs. The Camporees are disorganized and oversold/cramped. More Camporees throughout the year should be offered.
- I do not recall a reason. I am sure some of it was maintenance/repair costs. We do not seem to have enough.
- After realignment, GSGATL had 5 large camps, and 3 very small properties that were generally empty, and pretty run-down (no onsite ranger/caretaker). The smaller properties have been closed.
- A grassroots effort in our council led to a pause in a process that was going to sell three of the five camps including historic camp Coleman. Volunteers have been busy bringing new life to the camps especially Coleman. Previously the council would not allow volunteer work because of liability concerns.
- One of our camps was closed when I started in 2009, but it was able to be reopened about a year later. I hear that our Council gets good support for camps as compared with other areas.
- Our council placed a higher value on funding employee pensions for staff members who had not earned those benefits, than it placed on managing, upgrading, preserving camps for girls. It has been an embarrassing and disappointing time in our council's history.
- It is very sad that generations of girls and leaders paid a lot of money that should have been used for camps but never was. It was pocketed as the sale of them will be.
- Our council just turned one into family camp. You can rent a cabin or spot, and use some of the areas(archery/boating/etc). So far it's being used, but not enough info out there about it.
- The council has a very long term use agreement for a camp in addition to the one owned.
- I think it is wrong especially when these properties were given as gifts to the girls. They gave the girls no say whatsoever. We loved our camp dearly and used it often.
- Being loaded with the liability of run-down camps in certain locations at the council merge has stalled existing plans or involved economic diversion that was not prudent but legally necessary. This impacts a generation of girls. No one wants "their" camp closed, so it is a nightmare of wasted resources as camps are kept at minimum maintenance or improvements aren't made because resources are widely spread across properties that are less in demand and become even more less so as time marches on. Troops do not want to travel many miles to a "primitive" camp or poor facilities. They want to go to camp for the supportive, well-maintained structure of cabins, stoves, waterfronts, etc.
- I feel data used for closing of the camps was manipulated.
- I absolutely HATE seeing a camp closed!! The girls love camping, it is hands down the best activity and the girls would go every weekend if we could afford it
- Council will not discuss camps and money
- I do not think council is using their resources wisely they want to pay outside companies to do all the work and that takes lots of money,
- Council is considering selling all of our camps. I believe they had plans to close all but 2 of the camps (had the closing ceremony and everything). Some camps were saved by outside groups who realized the need for girl to be able to go to camp and were willing to help pay for it. I wish girl scout staff would come to the same conclusion that it is more worthwhile to let girls get use out of the camps than to charge high prices that prevent troops from being able to go to camp regularly.
- If they would actually offer outdoor programs that were interesting, we would generate enough funds to support them!
- It is cost based but not sure of specifics. Selling 2 camps.
- They thought one was sold but buyer backed out. We were not allowed to use it while deal was in process and now it is too rundown to use. Sold another one that had less use and they are using money to improve the remaining 4. They have a deal with a ymca camp in the general area of the sold camp as remaining camps are farther away from that part of the council
- DON'T SELL CAMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- They claim lack of use, but several things make this true; must have 75 or more people, you can't use pool (broken) or fireplace (broken). Can't use ropes course (only person who is insured is a council person and it can't be used for non-council events, or so we are told). Equipment is often in bad shape (archery, kitchen). Can't do archery or canoeing without certified people which is hard for some troops.
- We own 3 and lease 1. It is $1/Year for 25 years from the core.
- At least one camp was sold (possibly 2) to consolidate resources on the remaining camps. The camp sold was only used for Troop camping and was very rustic (no amenities.) I believe a camp devoted to horseback riding was also closed as that became cost prohibitive to run.
- It's clear to us here in CT that "the writing is on the wall" with the camps. They started with 14 properties after the realignment and at least two have been sold, several more are on the block, and most are under-utilized. Outdoor program has been almost entirely abandoned in favor of year-round product sales.
- Camp Marion White in expensive Richmond, MA- offer little to no programming and have announced a desire to sell.
- The CEO has stated the Girl Scouts are getting out of the camping business. Right after realignment GSSEM sold Camp Metamora and idled Camp O'Fair Winds. They just sold off memorabilia and supplies at camp without notifying membership. The just idled Camp Innisfree, which is our only camp with am elaborate equestrian program and facilities. They have said that they would sell off the other camps if an offer was made. They state that the camps aren't being used even when they are open and that they're running at a loss because of it. in the 80's and 00's the camps were full and were rented almost every weekend when the rates were reasonable. Now the cost outweighs the benefit. They don't promote the camp in any way. The don't rent to outside groups either. I fully believe that they won't stop till they've closed every single camp in Michigan. Troops need that outlet to teach and bond with their girls. If it's not met through Girl Scouts, it will be at other camps in the area. Many Troops have started renting other camps because they are more accommodating in activities and cost.
- Our one camp is now closed for the winter, it was seldom vacant on winter weekends when it was open. We loved being able to go to the snow. We live in the desert so snow is a joy for us for one weekend a year.
- They closed up only camp in Northwest Tennessee and it is further for those girls to go camping.
- Our council camps were unfairly realigned within our region. We have closed and sold Camp Greene and Myeerah, and rested Camp Rolling Hills in the center of our region. Rolling hills reopened this year, but holds limited programs and has not held summer programs since I've been a scout leader (five years). While the Cincinnati area to the south has kept three active camps.
- In the past 10 years all camps have undergone some degree of renovation/improvement. More money (a lot more in my opinion) has been spent on camps that are near headquarters - 3+ hours away for us in the southern end of the council. Rumors, denied by our CEO, are that the most centrally located, but still 1.5-2 hours away for us, camp is in negotiations for sale to the YMCA. Council rep say they are just exploring options to lease it. Well even leasing it would most likely make it unavailable to us!
- I wish our council would realize that raising prices beyond what troops can afford does effect how many troops go to camp. Most troops cannot afford to pay $500 to troop camp.
- I wonder if they could keep the camp running just without the high-cost of maintaining the horses. I know the girls really like the horse-back riding, it just seems like a high ticket item. And sometimes, I'd like the girls to go to camp and do a different outdoor activity and not be required to do horseback riding every time.
- Council is not keeping up with maintain e, not offering events girls want, not helping service units to offer them.
- The council properties are expensive to maintain, but GCNWI is committed to providing an outdoor experience for all girls.
- Was sad to see camp Scout Haven close last year. Wish camp availability could be emailed to all troop leaders and scouts like the newsletters to increase visibility and get more camp dates scheduled so we don't loose any more camps.
- Need to be maintained better; not an issue of rangers, but a funding issue.
- We had to form a foundation of supporters to keep Camp Cardinal, Carter Co, Kentucky open.
- Our service unit tried to save a local camp by offering fundraising and volunteers to update and maintain the camp. They refused
- Girl Scouts of Mile High was a council operating in the black before the merger of our state. The other councils within the state weren't operating in the black and we took on that debt that was occurred with the merger. Then we had the summer of fires, bad economy, slumping cookie sales, and decrease in our membership numbers has all contributed to the decrease in our camp use. I keep encouraging the leaders in my service unit to take their troops to camp.
- I didn't know they could sell a donated camp, I think that was wrong of them doing that all they had to do is have more things there and they would of gotten kids to come because of the location.
- I could not be more disappointed in how Girl Scouts have handled the sales of camp properties across the country. It almost made me want to quit, but as leader, I have a lot to offer my troop and so I stay for those girls. But I find it horrible and against what Girl Scouts stands for. I am a marketing person and it's clear the Girl Scouts failed many times over not only in their priorities, but in their messaging to members. I worked to buy a $4 million Girl Scout camp property in NYS. All you need to do is search the internet to find similar situations across the US. It's my biggest disappointment with the organization.
- Even after a huge response from volunteers they are still closing camps that the volunteers have shown interest in helping the council keep and upgrade. As a volunteer I can say that we feel that our council is not listening to our requests and is not taking our opinions into consideration. I know that many volunteers have changed their opinion of Girl Scouts based on the actions of our council in the last few years.
- Please don't close or sell any remaining camps!
- 1. Of course there is lack of use when programs are cut. There used to be waiting lists for nearly every session at many of the camps. I believe there has been a concerted effort to reduce use in order to justify closures. 2. Camps have never been self-supporting - they were never intended to be self-supporting. When people buy cookies or make donations, they assume that part of what they are supporting is camp infrastructure and programming. Part of the reason parents have been part of the GS movement is to sent their daughters to camp at a reasonable cost.
- I'm frustrated that they have closed the camp by the Lake of the Ozarks. This camp was a great opportunity for the girls to get away and learn activities that they don't have access to in camps closer to the city. I was often frustrated that it was not open during the year for the troops to utilize...but then really frustrated as they began limiting the programming to discourage girls from attending...before the 'rested' it completely... We loved our time there both for a 3 day family camp and then my girls both spent the week there for resident camp. Its disappointing that they are limiting the opportunities for camp.
- During the council realignment, all of the camps on the western side of Colorado where shut down with no explanation. This left the entire Western Slope more than 6 hours from any camp. Just stupid and horrid!!
- Council not putting required research into camps/program centers that they plan to "retire". Business practices not solid.
- I was very sad to see the council abandon camps but understand the economy requires the council to focus on making specific camps successful.
- I am still really mad at the decision of the 1 camp they closed and sold. It made no sense. It was a popular resident, troop and service unit camp. It was in great shape for the most part. The only problem? It was a little bit farther from a large group of girl population where there is another camp and they kept that one. Big mistake IMO.
- We are at the beginning of a 5-year plan to try to increase usage at our camps. Right now troop camp is at about 37% of girl membership, resident camp is at 4-5% of girl membership and I don't remember the stat for day camp. But they're all way too low and overall, less than 3 in 10 girls goes to any kind of camp in a given year. I think if those numbers don't go up by the end of the 5-year plan, our Council will probably suggest selling one or more camps.
- They have not promoted camps to volunteers and was hard to reserve....finally they have an online reservation system!
- We are partnering with council on a business plan to increase use, complete deferred maintenance, and open the camp to the community so it won't be sold.
- I feel we should be able to travel to other councils to camp and participate in activities. the website set up is very difficult to see what programming and services are available is in other councils. when i log in it takes me to my council not the one i wish to learn about. Boy Scouts don't have this issue with their site. boys can travel to other councils to attend camps - in fact it is encouraged!
- We lost Rolling Ridges and Greenwood, which were extremely popular camps. I was a delegate at the time but we were not given any vote; council made the decisions and the membership was extremely angry. We are going to lose Whispering Hills due to recent flood damage and that camp has been closed for about a year. We've heard Rolling Ridges hasn't sold yet and wish they'd allow it to be used again as it's a large camp that is close enough that we could use it for day camp activities.
- We now have to pay for a whole weekend at a camp--cannot reserve just one night.
- Sad that the membership never gets a say in the properties sold.
- We would use our local camp if we could get it when we needed and it was cost effective.
- We need more council camps, as the ones we have are really too far for us.
- The camp sales created a huge rift in our Council. As a former delegate and voting member of the General Assembly (GA)- I fought to bring the will of my constituents to the GA and full details and a timeline of the events that transpired can be found at http://www.trefoilintegrity.org/direction.html.
- Because the camp is on lake I am sure they are selling it for big $$$$$ scouts has moved a way from the girl and is all about the money making
- They raised the price for troop camping so that no one can afford to go, and then a year later, they "reported" that they had to close the camp because no one was using it. They spent tons of money on the new dining hall, and installing high and low ropes courses, climbing wall, and there is a lake for boating. They closed all the activities to troops so when you spent $500 to camp there, you couldn't use any of the facilities at the camp.
- GSNIM chose to sell one of our camps and used part of the profit to reopen another camp property that doesn't get much use due to the requirements that leaders must go through and the fact that each girl must have a family member with her.
- But we could spend millions of dollars on a pretty building for the CEO.
- I would love to see lower costs for renting the camps and to see the used more often. Let service units rent them for activities and not charge an arm and a leg! Have some activities there, we already own them!!!!
- Our council in Montana had several camp properties that were sold after the realignment. I assume this is true for Wyoming also. I understand the need to downsize and focus on only 3 residential camp facilities. But this has taken the camp experience from girls who are unable to travel the long distances. I also liked being able to use council owned properties for locally sponsored events.
- There has been no effort shown to promote outdoor skills for girls. It would seem more effective to do training for adults with the girls so they can all learn together.
- Neighboring councils charge far less for their camps than our council does.
- We would love to camp, I just wish it wasn't so hard. Cub Scouts allows for family camps, where parents come along with siblings & this would really help free up leaders from total responsibility & build better relationships with the families & potentially the community.
- I would be interested in knowing the utilization for each Council property. Some of the Council properties are in locations far away from the population. Our state has only a few big cities (one being Portland where over half the state resides). We only have one camp within one hour of Portland. The rest of the camps are 1.5 + hours away. When we went to Whispering Winds on a Friday night it took us 3.5 hours to drive there and we arrived in the dark.
- I am not sure of how many camps are actually owned by our council. They idled/rested a few camps several years ago, but I don't know if they have been sold yet. They have just closed/idled one camp with the intention of selling it if the right buyer presents itself.
- The camp closures and changes have really affected the girls in our area. Two plus hours away is simply too much to for most parents.
- If they would let the girls do their service hours for school and work and scouts there AND allow the parents with trade skills to help a lot of the funding problems and maintenance problems would be fixed. When the self spring camps got closed. We went from 14 to 2 them they changed their minds and let us keep 1 more so now we have 3 but 2 are closed from June through August for resident camp and adult trainings. They camps that had everything they closed and the camps that needed the most stuff they kept.
- We are lucky I have two camp under an hour away.
- Many leaders feel that our Council is creating a situation to justify the sake of the camp. They are not listening to us and are not really trying because they don't care.
- It is a disgrace and Juliette Gordon Lowe must be rolling in her grave.
- I'm deeply saddened that another Girl Scout Camp - Innisfree may be sold as Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan pulls out of the camping business. So many memories were made at this camp. Yet, D-Bar-A (Boy Scouts) is able to thrive by allowing other groups to camp there.