OF WESTERN OHIO

APPLESEED RIDGE HISTORY

1912- Juliette Gordon Low started the Girl Scouts.

1916- The Golden Eaglet was established; girls in our area from Hancock Co., Putnam Co., Hardin Co., and Auglaize Co. completed this award. They are on display at our Council Service Center.

1917 -Girl Scout “Lone Troops” were started in our area.

1920- Girl Scout Council of Kenton was chartered on January 19th.

1924- Girl Scout Council of Kenton disbanded.

1929- Columbus Grove Girl Scout Council was chartered on November16. At some point this council was disbanded.

1931- Sidney had Girl Scouts in a Lone Troop. Lois Folkerth was a member of Oak Troop #1 and passed her Tenderfoot rank.

1938- Girl Scouts of Allen County was chartered.

1940- Was the first record of Girl Scouts in Hancock Co.

1940’s – 2007- Cookie sale monies were used to assist troops with activities and to provide the Council with funds for camp improvements, the funding of programs and Council operations.

1942 –Kenton area Girl Scouts were chartered again under the name of Simon Kenton Girl Scout Council.

1942- Sidney was originally chartered as a local council.

1943-Van Wert Council of Girl Scouts was chartered.

1943- Logan Co. Girl Scout Council was first chartered.

1945- Hancock Co. became an “Association” Council.

1946- Kiwanis Club purchased 20 acres of land for the Lima Girl Scouts.

 Accepting for the Girl Scouts were Mrs. Raymond P. Smith, Commissioner, and Mrs. Henry Rochelle, Camp Chairman.

1948- The first campaign was held to help with the building of the Sweetbriar Lodge at Camp Woodhaven.

1949- Simon Kenton Girl Scout Council disbanded.

1950 - Councils combined to form larger councils. We know that Fort Amanda Council served Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Van Wert, and Mercer counties.

1950-1962- Mrs. R.W. Augsburger served as President for Fort Amanda Council.

 
1950- HoW House was built. “HoW” stands for Heart of Woodhaven.

1953- Tri-Ridge Council was incorporated to include Hancock and Putnam Counties

1958- Logan County Girl Scouts became incorporated and became Hi- Point Council of Girl Scouts of Logan County.

1958- Sidney changed their name to Sidney Ohio Girl Scout Council, Inc.

1959- The Fort Amanda Girl Scout Council purchased 265 acres of land to form Camp Myeerah. As the original purchase was cleared land, tree plantings were a major project to start the camp facility.

1959– In June, Camp Myeerah was dedicated. Mrs. Lyn Timmerman was Council President and Mrs. Boyd Travis was Chairman of Sites.

1959- Girls from Allen and Hancock Counties had a patrol at the second Round Up in Colorado Springs, Colorado area.

1960’s- Camp Myeerah - The Lodge was built, the Log House was moved from SR 540 to its current position and the lake construction took place. The main well was drilled. Mr. James A. MacDonnel was the Chairman of the Camp Development Committee.

1962- The Platform Tents were built at Camp Myeerah.

1962- December 18th Articles of incorporation were filed for the forming of Appleseed Ridge Council.

1962- A patrol attended the third Round UP in Button Bay, Vermont, from Shelby Co.

1963- The First Class Award replaced the Curved Bar. ARGSC girls responded and earned this award

1963- Paulding Co. was not a Council; it operated as a Lone Troop and was part of the merging process with Appleseed Ridge.

1963- Appleseed Ridge Girl Scout Council was born and brought together Fort Amanda, Tri- Ridge and Paulding Co. Lone Troop. The new board president was Mrs. William Glover.

1963- The new council, Appleseed Ridge, embraced Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Hardin, Hancock, Paulding, Putnam, and Van Wert counties serving some 5,300 girls.

1965- Girls from our council attended the fourth and final Round Up in Farragut, Idaho.

1967- Hi-Point Council was accepted into Appleseed Ridge Council. This brought all of Logan County into Appleseed Ridge.

1968 - Sidney and Shelby County Girl Scout Council was the last County to merge with Appleseed Ridge Girl Scouts. They brought with them Camp Brookside, which is owned by the Sidney Community Foundation for the lifetime use by the Girl Scouts.

1970’s- The Tree Houses and Shower House were built at Camp Myeerah.

1970’s - The Log House at Camp Myeerah served as a nature center. Today it houses a wood burning cook stove and beds for group overnights.

1978- Shagbark Environmental Center was open, serving our girls and many school groups with a variety of nature programs.

1980’s –Reconstruction of the Tree Houses at Camp Myeerah took place making these the wood structures they are today.

1980’s -The Adventure Challenge program began at Woodhaven Program Center. GSAR quickly established a local reputation for its outdoor adventure programs.

1980’s- Covered Wagons, a favorite overnight camp site at Camp Myeerah, were built with real wagon wheels and canvas tops.

1981- The dorms and greenhouse were added to Sweetbriar at Camp Woodhaven.

1984- Camp Woodhaven was renamed Woodhaven Program Center.

1984 -Daisy Girl Scouts where introduced. Our first Daisy Troop was led by volunteer Mrs. Jerry Brose from Mt. Victory.

1984- Camp Unaliyi was sold.

1985- Pottery and Photography were introduced to Woodhaven Program Center.

1985- outreach programs started with START (Striving, Teaching, and Reaching Together).

1989- Rose Marie Duffy Lodge was built at Camp Woodhaven.

1992- The Troop House was built to provide girls with the modern accommodations some of our members were looking for.

1994- Our Council Service Center (Eilleen Webster Dicke Council Service Center) was completed at Woodhaven Program Center. This was our first capital campaign as Appleseed Ridge.

1997- The Log Cabin attached to Sweetbriar was dedicated, the home of our Girl Scout Museum.

1999 – Girl Scouts of Appleseed Ridge received the first Non-Profit Business of the Year Award from the Lima Area Chamber of Commerce.

2001—Girl Scouts of Appleseed Ridge added the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program through a partnership with Lima Correctional Institution, becoming the only council in the country to operate a program for incarcerated fathers and daughters. Mothers and daughter programs were created at Ohio Reformatory for Women with Girl Scouts – Seal of Ohio. Today GSAR continues to have the only program of its kind in the country for fathers and their daughters.

2003- 20 acres along Cole Street, east of existing Woodhaven Program Center, was added to the site.

2005- Four new platform tents that are handicap accessible were added to the unit at Camp Myeerah.

2004-Tri-Moraine Audubon Society helped to establish Camp Myeerah as an Important Bird Area.

2006- The addition of a Wet Lands and board walk provide for cleaner lake waters and a multitude of nature study opportunities.

2006- A prairie was planted which will allow for the study of wildlife native to Ohio grass lands and will contribute to the habitat for birds was planted at Camp Myeerah.

2006- The Pottery Studio was moved to the Council Service Center Garage to allow pottery to become a year-round activity.

2006 – GSAR received national press coverage for its Girl Scouts Daddies and Daughters program.

2007- The Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program received the Gold Star Award from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections.

2007 -An addition to the Rose Marie Duffy Lodge was made for additional storage and improved operation.
 

BUCKEYE TRAILS HISTORY

1916 - Four Girl Scout troops met at Christ Episcopal Church.

1918 - Dayton Council was organized through the efforts of Mrs. George M. Ander with the support of Mr. John H. Patterson of the National Cash Register Company. There were a total of 200 girls at that time.

1921 - Dayton Girl Scout Council was issued its first charter from the Girl Scout national organization; membership was 500 girls in 21 troops.

1922 - First troop established in Greenville, OH

1923 - First established camp site on Mad River Road south of Dayton. Wilmington Council is formed.

1925 - First Troops formed in Piqua and Piqua Council established.

1926 - First Cookie Sale in Dayton; girls baked and sold the cookies; first franchised sale of commercially baked cookies was in 1936. The cookie sale has been an annual event since 1926 except for three years during World War II.

1931 - Day camping was introduced in Dayton. First troop established in Springfield.

1934 - Springfield Council was chartered with 7 troops.

1936 - Property was purchased near Morrow, Ohio and named Camp Whip-Poor-Will Hills.

1937 - Camp Whip-Poor-Will Hills opened to girls; Resident camp started using six platform tents; troop camping began in the newly-built Grace Cullen Cabin.

1946 - Greene County Council formed.

1949 - Donation of land near Bellefontaine, Ohio and named Camp Mac O’Chee.

1950 - Dayton Girl Scout Council located at 224 North Jefferson Street, Dayton.

1953 - Wilmington Council expands to become Clinton County Council including a portion of Warren County.

1955 - Camp Greene in Yellow Springs was purchased with the help of the Xenia Rotary Club. Dayton Council moved to United Way building on Salem Avenue.

1958 - Purchased 50.13 acres in Miami County; named Camp Rolling Hills.

1960 - Dayton Council and Greene County Council merged to become Dayton Area Council. Mad River Valley Council formed (Clark & Champaign Counties) Green Valley Council formed (Darke & Miami Counties)

1963 - Dayton Area Council, Mad River Valley Council, and Clinton County Council merged to become Buckeye Trails Girl Scout Council.

1965 - Little House in Greenville deeded to the Council.

1968 - Buckeye Trails Girl Scout Council jurisdiction extended to include Green Valley Council.

1982 - Modified Camp Mac O’Chee for accessibility to campers with disabilities.

1983 - Buckeye Trails purchases Shoup Mill School from Dayton Public Schools and opens the Girl Scout Program Center providing additional programs for girls, a Girl Scout Equipment Shop and Corporate Headquarters.

1988 - First high ropes challenge course constructed at Camp Whip-Poor-Will

1992 - Little House in Darke County was rebuilt.

1996 - Mary Rollins Dining Lodge was rebuilt at Whip-Poor-Will and Camp Mac O’Chee was sold.

1998 - Rainbow Lodge was renovated and pool added to Camp Rolling Hills.

2002 - Reinstated horse program at Whip-Poor-Will and rebuilt climbing wall.

2004 - New Challenge Courses installed at Camp Rolling Hills and Camp Greene.

2006 - Preble County joins Buckeye Trails Council. Construction completed and moved into   the new Urban Campus.

GREAT RIVERS HISTORY

1916-Girl Scouting begins in Cincinnati. The name of the council is Cincinnati and Miami Valley Council of Girl Scouts.

1918-Girl Scouts attend summer camp in Terrace Park, Ohio, on property donated by the Hirsch family.

1920-Girl Scouting begins in the Middletown, Ohio area and is designated as Middletown Girl Scout Council.

1921-The seventh National Council session is held in Cincinnati, Ohio and membership totals 112,515. The National Training Camp for leaders is held in Cincinnati and Camp Wildwood in Middletown opens.

1926-National President, Anne Hyde Choate, visits Cincinnati, Ohio.

1928-New uniforms of “Girl Scout green,” are adopted and Girl Scouting begins in Batesville, Indiana.

1929-Cincinnati’s council’s name changed to Cincinnati and Hamilton County Council of Girl Scouts, Inc. Also, a Girl Scout troop started at the Hospital for Crippled Children in Cincinnati.

1930-The Butterworth property is leased in Fosters, Ohio for Camp Katherine-later renamed Camp Butterworth.

1932-Troops in Franklin, Ohio become part of Middletown Girl Scout Council.

1935-National President, Birdsall Otis Edey, visits Middletown, Ohio.

1936-Cincinnati establishes Mariner Girl Scout program for girls who desire to join a water-based program and Camp Wildwood in Middletown is destroyed by fire.

1936-The National Council Meeting is held in Cincinnati.

1936-Camp John Claire opened in Batesville, Indiana for summer day camp.

1940-Mariner Girl Scout program is adopted in Middletown.

1953-The National Council meeting is held in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1953-Land is acquired in Waynesville, Ohio for Camp Stonybrook. Also, Middletown council’s jurisdiction includes Waynesville, Wayne Township in Warren County. The name is changed to Middletown Area Girl Scout Council, Inc.

1956-Cincinnati council’s jurisdiction includes Clermont County. The name is changed to Greater Cincinnati Girl Scout Council, Inc.

1957-Girl Scouts collaborate the Boy Scouts in United Clothing Drive. Middletown council’s jurisdiction includes Mason, Ohio.

1959-Camp Ross Trails opens in Ross, Ohio.

1963-Wing Girl Scout program is adopted in Franklin, Ohio for girls interested in aviation.

1964-Great Rivers Girl Scout Council is formed with the merger of Greater Cincinnati, Middletown, Hamilton and Dearborn Hills Area councils and the Girl Scout Organization of Batesville.

1996-Camp Timber Hill is donated.

1976-The Girl Scout Center in Blue Ash, Ohio is dedicated.

1989-Camp Ross Trails is closed.

1996-Ground is broken for the office addition in Blue Ash, Ohio.

2006-Camp Timber Hill is sold and Friendship Lodge is dedicated at Camp Butterworth.

MAUMEE VALLEY HISTORY

1914 - First troop in Toledo, Ohio.

1917- First Charter in the United States is issued to Toledo Council on May 6 and signed by the founder of Girl Scouting, Juliette Gordon Low. First troop was composed of 32 girls.

1918- Outlying towns including Bowling Green, Maumee, Rossford, Weston, and Perrysburg are invited to join the Toledo Council.

1920- The Girl Scouts become part of the Community Chest.
Camp Segur, our first establishment camp, is on Catawba Island.

1922- First Brownie group is organized.

1923- Toledo Council boasts the first handicapped troop in the nation.

1925- Edward Drummond Libbey leaves a bequest of $25,000 for a camp site.

1927- In 10 years, we have grown to 1,137 girls registered in 58 troops, and 109 adults.

1928- Toledo sold its first Girl Scout Cookies. 4,000 were sold.

1929- The “Little House” drive is started (center for Girl Scout Activities). Toledo is chosen for a Regional Leadership Training Course. The first Senior Troop is registered.

1930- Troops provide baby clothing and food baskets for the needy. Camp Scholarship fund established; 10 recipients

1931- First Day Camp is held at Ottawa park.

1932- Camp Segur is too small to meet Girl Scout standards.

1933- We have no established camp for the next three years. The Camp Committee is still seeking the ideal site.

1934- The “Little House” is built. (Hardee family estate)

1935- Toledo Council bought land for Camp Libbey – construction begun.

1936- More than a thousand attend the dedication of Camp Edward Drummond Libbey in Defiance, Ohio, on July 26th.

1937- Silver anniversary. Camp Libbey pool is finished.

1939- Linden House, to be used for overnight camping, is built at Camp Libbey.

1941- The emergency troop project is Bundles for Britain. A pioneer unit and a new sanitation system is built at Camp Libbey.

1943- Office headquarters moved to the Spitzer Building. Day Camp first charged attendance fee.

1947- The first Senior Planning Board is formed. Neighborhood Chairmen are elected for the first time. Our first unit of Counselors-in-Training (C.I.T.’s) is formed. Our registered membership is 4,152 girls and 1,456 adults.

1950- The “Little House”, now too small for our needs, is sold. Rotary presents us with a new Craft House at Camp Libbey.

1952- An infirmary (Pill Box), a gift of the Kiwanis Club, is built at Camp Libbey. The Zonta Club presents us with a trailer to be equipped for Troop Camping. A South Toledo Senior Troop ushers at the United Nations in New York City.

1953- Troops collect toys and clothing for Korea, hold “patient” parties and make baby clothes for the Day Nursery.

1956- Girls plant 5,000 trees at Camp Libbey. Senior girls attend the first National Roundup near Pontiac, Michigan.

1957- 9,053 girls registered in 493 troops, and 2,847 adults.

1960- Camp Libbey has a new water system. The Kiwanis Club gives us new Unit Kitchens for Camp.

1961- Camp Libbey celebrates its Silver Anniversary. Over 1300 girls participate in Troop Camping.

1965- Camp Libbey has a permanent caretaker and a new home for him.

1966- Plans are being completed to extend our jurisdiction.

1967- Our new name is Maumee Valley Girl Scout Council, Inc., and the jurisdiction includes Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Williams and Wood Counties, the City of Fostoria and a portion of Monroe County in Michigan. The Council serves 19,000 girls and 3,000 adults.

1968- Campus Gold Groups for former Girl Scouts attending college are organized at Toledo University, Bowling Green State University and Defiance College.

1970- Council Service Center moves in the Stranahan Community Services building.

1971 – Picked up all of Ottawa County

1974- Completed construction of the new pool at Camp Libbey. Selected by G.S.U.S.A. as a test Council for the development of a pilot project with migrant children. Started a summer program in Spencer-Sharples in cooperation with the Y.W.C.A., E.O.P.A., and Lucas County Recreation Department.

1978- Purchased 83 acres adjacent to Camp Libbey and approved long-range master plan for the site. (325 acres)

1980- Girls from 20 states attended a National Girl Scout Event sponsored by Maumee Valley Girl Scout Council which focused on ecology, wildlife and wetlands of Lake Erie and its tributaries. The Council completes a Capital Campaign for Camp Libbey development and undertakes major construction and renovation of Camp buildings to enable the council to fully utilize the site year-round.

1984- Daisy Girl Scouts for girls 5 years old or in kindergarten introduced. Mrs. Betty Pilsbury, former President of Maumee Valley Girl Scout Council, is elected President of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

1985- The Council’s operating budget exceeds $1,000,000 for the first time and the cookie sale proceeds are now the major source of operating income (42%).

1986- 50th Anniversary of Camp Libbey.

1987- 70th Anniversary of Girl Scouting in the Greater Toledo Area. 75th Anniversary of Girl Scouting Nationwide. Maumee Valley Girl Scout Council will sponsor the largest parade in Toledo’s history on May 9th in celebration of the 75th Birthday Year.

1995 – A donation to Maumee Valley enable an Old West end carriage house to be converted in the “Little House” a facility for council and troops to use.

2003 – GSMVC community Service Project, Read to Succeed collected over 26,000 books for children at 26 area schools.

2003 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Capital Campaign “Adventure Awaits” held for the new mulit-purpose infirmary, new horse corral, high and low ropes course and Shoppe.

2006- Camp Libbey’s celebrates 70 birthday

2007 Girl Scouts 95th Anniversary – GSMVC celebrates with a parade and service project for Making the World a Better Place