CAMP PROGRAMS EXPAND
Sitting by the wheel, 1955. Source: Cleveland Press Archives
1950 - 548 girl attend summer resident camp (“established camp“)
1951 - Girl Scouts begin using Brecksville Lodge and Brecksville Hall. Both were built by the WPA in the 1930’s. Each summer session at Julia Crowell could accommodate 152 girls. Summer resident camp was at full capacity, and the council had to turn away two hundred applicants due to lack of space.
1952 - In spite of high demand for places at resident camp, the council committed to providing financial aid (aka "camperships") to any girl who wanted to come. The CGS board chose to raise the age requirement rather than raise the camp fee or deny anyone the opportunity to camp for lack of funds. Bedford Cabin destroyed by fire and re-built.
1953 - Capitol Campaign for expanded facilities at Julia Crowell as well as purchase of new campsite. The campaign fell short of the $275,000 goal. Plans for expansion at CJC set aside. Land for Camp Margaret Bates in Macedonia is purchased.
1955 - Family camping offered at Julia Crowell
1955 - Camp Margaret Bates is dedicated on July 9. Girls ages 9-11 attended summer camp at Bates. Older girls camped at Camp Julia Crowell.
1957 - Neal family sells the last remnant of their orchard property - the central parcel with their homes. Cleveland Girl Scouts buy it.
1958 - CIT (“counselor-in-training”) program expands to two years due to popular demand. Shelter at Old Fort Hill built in Rocky River reservation.
1959 - 486 girls attend summer camp at Margaret Bates, 727 at Julia Crowell. Both camps together require about 80 volunteers. Euclid Service club builds and donates Intergrove Cabin at North Chagrin Reservation. It is ready in Fall 1959.
Sources: A Promise Kept , copyright 2002 by Girl Scouts of Lake Erie Council, The Millwheel
The May/June 1960 edition of the The MIllwheel reports that in 1959,
1951 - Girl Scouts begin using Brecksville Lodge and Brecksville Hall. Both were built by the WPA in the 1930’s. Each summer session at Julia Crowell could accommodate 152 girls. Summer resident camp was at full capacity, and the council had to turn away two hundred applicants due to lack of space.
1952 - In spite of high demand for places at resident camp, the council committed to providing financial aid (aka "camperships") to any girl who wanted to come. The CGS board chose to raise the age requirement rather than raise the camp fee or deny anyone the opportunity to camp for lack of funds. Bedford Cabin destroyed by fire and re-built.
1953 - Capitol Campaign for expanded facilities at Julia Crowell as well as purchase of new campsite. The campaign fell short of the $275,000 goal. Plans for expansion at CJC set aside. Land for Camp Margaret Bates in Macedonia is purchased.
1955 - Family camping offered at Julia Crowell
1955 - Camp Margaret Bates is dedicated on July 9. Girls ages 9-11 attended summer camp at Bates. Older girls camped at Camp Julia Crowell.
1957 - Neal family sells the last remnant of their orchard property - the central parcel with their homes. Cleveland Girl Scouts buy it.
1958 - CIT (“counselor-in-training”) program expands to two years due to popular demand. Shelter at Old Fort Hill built in Rocky River reservation.
1959 - 486 girls attend summer camp at Margaret Bates, 727 at Julia Crowell. Both camps together require about 80 volunteers. Euclid Service club builds and donates Intergrove Cabin at North Chagrin Reservation. It is ready in Fall 1959.
Sources: A Promise Kept , copyright 2002 by Girl Scouts of Lake Erie Council, The Millwheel
The May/June 1960 edition of the The MIllwheel reports that in 1959,
- 5,413 girls and 1,023 adults used 13 Girl Scout operated cabins and eight sites for troop camping or on day hikes.
- 3,235 girls attended the 20 Day Camps operated in the 15 Girl Scout districts.
- 1,200 girls attended our two resident camps. Camp Margaret Bates is for girls age 9-11 and Camp Julia Crowell for older girls, both camps having four sessions of two week periods.
available campsites listed in The Millwheel - spring, 1960
Coffee can stove, 1956. Source: Cleveland Press Archives
From The Millwheel March, 1955.
Julia Crowell Work Camp. The responsibility for opening camp is being shared by Senior Troops all over the city with the Established Camp Committee. At least 100 girls and their fathers are needed at Camp Julia Crowell on Saturday, April 23 from 10-4 to help do all the jobs involved with opening camp for the summer season.
The support of Senior Leaders is needed in helping their Senior Inter-troop representatives recruit girls and their fathers for work camp.
New Primitive Unit for Older Girls at Established Camp. This summer girls who apply for the primitive unit at Camp Julia Crowell will have the experience of selecting their own unit suite and building their own primitive home. Skanowunde will be used as a unit for older girls during the first two sessions. As a regular unit in camp, girls will be assigned to it on the basis of expressed interest and past camping experience.
Julia Crowell Work Camp. The responsibility for opening camp is being shared by Senior Troops all over the city with the Established Camp Committee. At least 100 girls and their fathers are needed at Camp Julia Crowell on Saturday, April 23 from 10-4 to help do all the jobs involved with opening camp for the summer season.
The support of Senior Leaders is needed in helping their Senior Inter-troop representatives recruit girls and their fathers for work camp.
New Primitive Unit for Older Girls at Established Camp. This summer girls who apply for the primitive unit at Camp Julia Crowell will have the experience of selecting their own unit suite and building their own primitive home. Skanowunde will be used as a unit for older girls during the first two sessions. As a regular unit in camp, girls will be assigned to it on the basis of expressed interest and past camping experience.
This issue of The Millwheel, January/February 1952 is the oldest in the GSNEO archives.
Circle game, 1959. Source: Cleveland Press Archives
below: The Millwheel - January/February 1959. page 5
Is it that the cabins were more popular than tents throughout the year? Or that Winter camp was in demand? Amity (aka South House) was an adults-only meeting and retreat facility.
from The Millwheel 1959 Nov/ Dec
