Let’s
Get Outside!
 |
| Troop 30117- Juniors from Hoover Valley Service Unit |
Research shows that outdoor experiences are
an important part of the Girl Scout experience.
Those experiences can take place in local, state or national parks, in backyards,
on the beach or in the water, and, of course, at Girl Scout camp. Girl Scouts get outdoors in troop events,
service unit events and council events. Going
outside in Girl Scouting is not just about experiencing the natural environment
or learning and practicing outdoor skills. Nature also can be a great classroom
for STEM, the arts, sports, teambuilding exercises and more. Whatever they do and wherever they do it,
getting outdoors helps Girl Scouts learn things such as environmental responsibility,
self-reliance, and confidence. As
adults in Girl Scouting, we know those things will last a lifetime – as will
many of the friendships and memories made under a brilliant sun, beneath a
starlit sky, within cabin or canvas walls, and around the warmth of a
campfire.
The merger of the four legacy councils a few
years ago brought together a number of Girl Scout program properties within the
jurisdiction of the merged 36 county council Girl Scouts of North-Central
Alabama. The Property Committee is
working on an evaluation of each of those properties, including but not limited
to: the size, topography and location of
each property; how each one is used, how much and by whom; the nature and
condition of the existing improvements; deferred maintenance; future
possibilities; etc. Concurrently, the
committee is developing strategic objectives for the overall GSNCA program
property portfolio; i.e., the ideal mix of what kind of properties and
improvements will best meet the needs of tomorrow’s girls. The work being done
by the Property Committee is independent of any past property assessments,
plans or recommendations. We are
starting with a clean slate and open minds.
Share
the Past, Shape the Future: Add Your
Voice
An Affinity Group has been formed for each
of GSNCA’s program properties. The
groups are made up of volunteers, parents, girls and community groups who have
experience at and an interest in each of the properties. The groups are charged with gathering information
from a wider constituency to provide input for the Property Committee to
consider in its evaluation. Help the
Affinity Groups by sharing your thoughts, experiences and opinions.
The property evaluation process should
answer the following questions that are important to the future of the
organization. Think about these questions, in relation to the property or camp
that you are remarking on, before sending your opinion to the Affinity Group:
• How do we want girls’ future to be
different because of their Girl Scout Leadership Experience?
• What do we want to do and what resources
do we want to use?
• How do we want girls’ lives to be
different as a result of the Girl Scout outdoor experiences?
• Is outdoor programming, outdoor
education, and/or play space learning the best way to accomplish the mission?
To provide
input, contact the following members of the Affinity Groups:
Camp
Anderel – Mitsy Fitipaldi mfitt@knology.net
Tentative
Timeline
October 5,
2014 - Property Committee will meet to
determine criteria and assign accountability for reports.
October 9,
2014 – Property Committee will hear Affinity Group
presentations
November 2,
2014 – Property committee hear Affinity Group
presentations
November –
March – The Property Committee will conduct
site visits, evaluate reports/data, discuss opportunities, and form
recommendations.
