Camp Tahigwa near Dorchester among four Girl Scout camps facing closure

by Lissa Blake

This summer could be the last opportunity for area youth and volunteers to attend Camp Tahigwa Girl Scout Camp near Dorchester.
Last week, the volunteer property committee for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois recommended the sale of the four camps owned by the council: Camp Tahigwa in Allamakee County, Camp Conestoga in Scott County, Camp Little Cloud in Dubuque County and Camp L-Kee-Ta in Des Moines County.
Camp “Tahigwa,” a Native American word which means “at peace,” opened in 1967, following the purchase of 315 acres by the Conestoga Council of Girl Scouts.

FIVE-YEAR DATA
“None of us like to face this,” said Diane Nelson, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Nelson said the volunteer property committee has been compiling data and research on the viability of the camps for the last five years.
“Some of the information they’ve discovered is that although the Girl Scouts have seen five years of consecutive growth, the camping component has experienced five years of decline,” she said.
At last week’s meeting the volunteer property committee released five factors used in developing its recommendation:
• None of the four current facilities meets the needs of the Council’s increasing membership of almost 20,000 girls and 5,000 adult members
• Less than 10 percent of the membership utilize the camp facilities
• To meet the needs of today’s members will require a total redesign of property infrastructure
• Research has shown that girls are more interested in adventure and travel opportunities than the rustic camp experiences that the camps were designed for
• The declining income, resulting from substantially lower attendance, could not keep up with operating costs.
“After careful deliberation and study, the council property committee, charged with researching the need and usage - and the financial investment of camp - has decided further investment in the properties is not a responsible use of the Council’s financial resources,” said Mary Lagerblade, chair of the Board of Directors.
Nelson said, “Our girls have continued to vote with their participation… even with our steady growth in membership, there has been an ongoing decline in the number of girls using our camp properties despite our best efforts to change this. Meanwhile, the need for improvements to the camps has escalated."
Nelson said if the vote passes March 28, “the sale of the properties would open the door for Girl Scouting to respond to current trends and needs of girls in our council, and we’re excited about exploring the development of a new outdoor learning center which would meet the needs of our current Girl Scout Membership.”

LIFETIME LESSONS
Laura Bauercamper, a 1995 graduate of Waukon High School, spent time at the camp every year from the time she was six years old to the time she was 22, first as a camper and next as a counselor. “From the first time my parents took me to camp, I knew I wanted to work there,” said Bauercamper.
“My parents were great and would sign me up for two or three sessions each summer. Camp was such a huge part of my life. I became so much of who I am because of it,” she said.
Today, Bauercamper works as a women’s advisor at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. She said many of the skills she uses in her daily life came from her experiences at Camp Tahigwa. “My leadership abilities and event-planning skills all came from camp. As a counselor, I had to plan an entire week’s activities for the campers. I still use that today,” said Bauercamper. “I also think it was important to be able to try new things in an all-girl environment, where everyone was completely supportive.”
She said it’s hard for her to think about someone purchasing the camp and using it for something else. “All the work and effort that’s gone into that place...” she lamented.
“It seems so crazy that they’re talking about closing these camps down and building a new place three or four hours away. If my parents would have had to drive me that far, I would never have had the same opportunities,” she said. “I’ve made so many lifelong friends from camp and learned so much. It’s a lot different than meeting in a conference room, just looking at a book and turning out badges.”

CHANGING TIMES
Nelson said she finds the possibility of closing the camps “extremely sad.”
“Camp Tahigwa is such a beautiful camp. Gene (Averhoff) has done a great job. This closing is no reflection on the work that has been done there over the years, it’s just not something girls are interested in. Many of the girls of today want more modern conveniences. We’ve put a lot of time and energy into getting them there, including increased marketing, sending girls personal letters and having financial assistance available. We can’t make the girls do something they don’t want to do,” she said.
Nelson added the Council’s camp struggle is not unique. “There are many other Girl Scout, Boy Scout and YMCA groups being faced with the same decisions,” she said. “There was a big decline after 9/11, when parents started worrying about safety issues.”

INPUT WELCOME
Nelson emphasized the official vote on the matter will not take place until March 26.
“If people want to express their concerns, ideas or thoughts, they can email Property@GirlScoutsToday.org. We’re committed to making sure the voting members of the Board see everyone’s ideas and requests,” she said.
She also reminded Scouts and parents they can register for this summer’s session at Camp Tahigwa at www.GirlScoutsToday.org.
“Whether this recommendation passes or not, Girl Scouts are committed to having outdoor programs for our girls. We will partner with other non-profits, community and state parks. We’re still committed to helping our girls explore the great outdoors,” she said.