Questioning logic of camp closing

Questioning logic of camp closing

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio is planning on closing and selling our local Girl Scouts camp, Camp Sugarbush, in Kinsman. For the sake of my daughter, her friends in scouting and all future Girl Scouts, I am very disturbed by this. There are several reasons this seems like a poor decision.

First, how will GSNEO ever be able to replace a camp like this in the future? Plans are to close all but two camps within its region. Someday we hope for not only an economic recovery in the area, but an expansion of organizations like Girl Scouts. In an economic upturn, how will we ever be able to economically replace such a large space with all its campsites, facilities and amenities? We all know what real-estate prices are like in this area. Is the idea here to sell low now and buy high later?

Secondly, two camps, even now, regardless of future needs, are just not enough. Part of GSNEO’s argument to close the camps was the low attendance rate. Some families will have to transport their girls two hours away or more just to attend a camp. Between high gas prices and travel time, this will only make Girl Scouts camp less appealing, and more expensive.

It makes no sense that the two remaining camps would have the capacity to serve 40,000 members regardless of present attendance rates.

Third, GSNEO emphasized not only low attendance, but that most members preferred a pool and showers be available at camp. Camp Sugarbush has the third highest attendance of all seven existing camps, and it has both a pool and showers. It also has an indoor dining area and kitchen, a variety of camping options, including tent sites, an enclosed building, a small lake, archery, pavilions, flush toilets and latrines, all in a beautiful bucolic setting where girls can experience nature.

Lastly, I would like to touch on safety. Where else can I send my girl to camp, to experience nature, surrounded by other girls, loving volunteers, and caring staff, in a well maintained facility surrounded by farmland? I could never feel so comfortable sending my girl to camp in some public park. At Sugarbush, she was able to go to a week-long camp without a parent, thus building her budding sense of independence and self-esteem in a totally appropriate and safe manner.

I was looking at photographs recently my daughter and I took from the last two times we camped together at Sugarbush. What dear memories we both have. I would hate to think that would not be available any more because of short-sightedness and poor decision-making by a few at an organization that is supposed to be an advocate for girls.

Melissa McLeod, Cortland