In 2008, the Long Range Property Planning process began with one goal:
GOAL: Create a sustainable property plan that balances the rich and unmatched tradition of Girl Scout outdoor education with the realities of the council’s financial situation and the changing needs and wants of the girl membership.
Critical issues were identified:
- Facilities must meet the needs and interests of girls with attention to different age levels.
- Property holdings must be within the council’s ability to support all sites financially at the highest standard of safety and program excellence.
- Camp usage should be equivalent to capacity.
Task forces were assembled, comprised of staff, volunteers, and members of the board’s property committee (rosters are in the resources links on this page). They were organized around:
- Market Research: demographics, membership surveys, opportunities for growth
- Program: activities, volunteer systems, developmental outcomes, competition, fees
- Property: site features, efficiency, deferred maintenance, capital investment, encroachment
More than 30 staff and volunteers from throughout the council participated in the research and planning processes.
Over 3,100 girls and adults completed surveys. Results showed:
- Girls want exciting, active outdoor opportunities like swimming, horseback riding, zip and rappel, and canoeing and kayaking.
- Girls, parents and volunteers prefer indoor toilets and cabin sleeping, but most are OK with more rustic accommodations.
- Safety and security and the quality of staff and volunteers are very important to parents.
- Girls want to go farther away from home for overnight camping opportunities.
Based on survey data, national benchmarks, property tours and inventories, and comprehensive program analyses, the property committee made a recommendation to the board of directors which they have now approved.
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