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August 2023
This is your monthly newsletter, exclusive to supporters of GSWO
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I can’t believe it’s already August!
Here at Girl Scouts, that means we are in the last days of summer camp – and what a great season it has been! Almost 3,300 girls joined us for Day Camp, Overnight Camp, and Troop Adventure Camp. Hundreds more girls, who didn’t have the opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts throughout the school year, joined week-long summer camps designed especially for them; and finally, 19 Service Units continued their strong tradition of holding Girl Scout summer camps, led by volunteers, in their communities.
Camp is where girls challenge their limits, explore nature, learn Girl Scout traditions, make new friends and so much more. This has been true for decades!
In this issue, you will meet a camp staff member “Poptart” and learn how she found friends - and herself - at Girl Scout Camp. You’ll also get a sneak peek at our newest play space at Camp Butterworth, which will spark girls’ creativity while exploring nature. Finally, you’ll meet one of our biggest supporters, Jody, who is a shining example of how to ensure Girl Scout camp will benefit girls for generations to come.
As our Empower Her campaign comes to a close, we thank each donor who believed with us that ‘there’s a little camp in all of us’. Thanks to the generosity of amazing supporters (like you!), we collectively raised almost $6 million dollars to improve our camps. From new program shelters and welcome centers to educational kiosks and upgraded sleeping units, our camps feature a range of updates, all of which girls have enjoyed this summer. You can check out all of the Empower Her improvements here.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
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Aimée Sproles
Chief Executive Officer
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio
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Allison (aka Poptart) is a veteran camp staff member at Girl Scouts of Western Ohio. She has been Unit Counselor, Assistant Camp Director, and - most recently - she is the Overnight Camp Director.
Allison grew up in North Baltimore. As a Girl Scout, one of her favorite experiences was being able to attend camp at Camp Libbey. Summer camp opened up her world. Being from a small town it was difficult for Allison to find "her people". Because of Girl Scout camp, Allison found true friends -- camp folks, and Girl Scouts!
Allison eventually participated in the Counselor-In-Training and Junior Counselor programs. Knowing she would need a camp name, her mom gave her the name of "Poptart" - "because everyone has one flavor of Poptarts that they like, and she thinks I am a likable person!" (Your mom isn't the only one!)
Poptart celebrates being able to attend camp thanks to the generosity of donors. In 2008, her family was affected by the recession, and her dad lost his job. Thanks to camp financial assistance, donors like you helped her afford a life-changing camp experience.
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"I believe in Girl Scouts of Western Ohio's outdoor programming, and I am honored to have a role in creating ways for all girls to have life-changing summers as I did as a camper. Thank you to all who continue to support our mission. Without you, I would not be where I am today." | |
We have a full lineup of events just for you, so don't miss out! Plan to join us for these fun times ahead! | |
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New Fun at Camp:
Butterworth's Playground!
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On June 20, we held a ribbon cutting for Camp Butterworth’s new Natural Playground. Thanks to the Elsa Heisel Sule Foundation as well as the Louise Taft Semple Foundation and Ohio Department of Natural Resources, this camp improvement is now open. Below is a recap of the ribbon-cutting ceremony from a first-grade Brownie's perspective.
This year was my first summer going to Girl Scout day camp. It was so much fun, but one day was different.
That morning was like the others when my mom dropped me off. With new and old friends, we went to the flagpole for the Flag Ceremony and the Girl Scout Promise.
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After the flag ceremony, we went to a part of the camp that I hadn’t been to yet. As we walked up, I noticed a big, green, shiny ribbon blocking off what looked like a bunch of old trees. There were rectangle pieces – all different sizes – hanging in a box (I later learned this was a xylophone), a table and seats (but the chairs didn’t have legs or backs) and there were tall tree pieces – taller than me!
One of the Girl Scout adults started talking about all the things we could do there. She called it a playground! It didn’t look like the playground at my school, or even at the park near my house. But then she started showing us things we can do! She showed us how we can walk on the benches to play “the floor is lava” or climb up the wacky posts by holding onto the ropes. She even showed us how the xylophone made music!
While she was showing us the fun stuff we can do, she told us how in this space, we can try anything, make new friends, connect with nature, have adventures, and be creative.
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As we played there the whole week, we had so much fun! I loved seeing new friends from the playground at other parts of camp. I’m so glad I got to be at Camp Butterworth when the playground opened! | |
Jody Wainscott: A Voice of Giving | |
Jody, right, with Aimée Sproles, CEO, at the Voices of Giving event hosted by the Greater Cincinnati Planned Giving Council. | |
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As a Girl Scout alum, Jody Wainscott strves to ensure that girls and young women have opportunities to learn new skills, seek challenges, and gain self-confidence to become our future leaders, just as she did.
Jody was active as a young Girl Scout and has continued in Girl Scouts as an adult. She has served in many volunteer roles over 25 years, including national and international volunteer roles, and as the chair of the board for Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.
Serving as a co-chair of the Empower Her cabinet, Jody backed the campaign with a significant personal gift.
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Jody is also a member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society, as she has designated a gift for GSWO in her will.
“Donors like Jody are the cornerstone for organizations like Girl Scouts of Western Ohio,” says Aimée Sproles, CEO. “Not only has Jody generously given her time and her many talents to the Girl Scout movement nationally and locally, but to think that she has the foresight to ensure Girl Scouts can empower girls for generations to come is inspiring. Jody’s generosity is endless, and I can’t thank her enough for her dedication to Girl Scouts of Western Ohio.”
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Jody, thank you for all you do to support each Girl Scout! | |
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Did you know that August is "Make a Will Month"?
In honor of Girl Scouts Founder Juliette Gordon Low, you can leave a gift in your will that will impact girls for generations to come.
Join today to be inducted at a special event in October!
Reach out now, and a team member will help you reach your goals.
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