Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Blog, Girl Scouts Join the Burbank, IL Community, Associate Board Reached New Heights at Camp Butternut Springs, Girl Scouts and travel adventures just go together, thanks to our Girl Scouts GCNWI Historians. Girl Scout Graves | Girl Scout Statues | Girl Scout Plaques, Memorials & Markers, Girl Scout Tea Houses | Camp Andree Clark - The Early Years, Rockwood National Camp | National Center West, Girl Scout Headquarters | University of the Woods - MACY | Girl Scout Little Houses, Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout National Center (Birthplace), Site originally launched November 18, 2000, Dottie Farmer was able to date the secondpin to, Asidefrom 4 different pins, 2 patches and a small group of. They even have a secret kaper chart scheduling aides to help me. Tenaz celebrates the very best in independent journalism. Yep, it really isnt that long ago. In 1934, Mrs. Phelps Stokes personally asked Virginia McGuire, head of the District of Columbia NAACP, to form a Black troop in Washington. The camp opened in 1937 and was first operated by the local District of Columbia-Montgomery County Council, which started improvements and renovations to the site, but supply shortages during World War II halted the work until 1949 when the national organization assumed responsibility for the property. Thanks, Barbara. Pulled out a pewter GS plate from his desk drawer, and gave it to me. Its sale to developers in 1978 triggered a class-action lawsuit filed by the. Mrs. Caughey fully supported women who entered the professional world, but drew the line at lipstick, nail polish, and smoking. Girls left in their full Girl Scout Uniformincluding hat, black or brown flats or heels, hose (no anklets) white g1oves, and the two-piece Senior Green uniform.And then changed into their traveling clothes: Girl Scout green Bermudas, white Girl Scout blouse, white knee-high hose, white tennis shoes and red flashes.. Readers may remember Durrett as executive director of the District of Columbia council. Girl Scout National Convention Highlights. Subscribe to our newsletters. All Rights Reserved. Was it the friends you made from other councils? Add your recollections to the comments. When you travel with Girl Scouts, near or far, youre doing more than making memories youre also exploring your passions and making global connections! Washington was still a very Southern city, but it was ahead of other jurisdictions GS-DC desegregated its main camp, located in Virginia, in 1955. I was amazed two-fold; first of all, that he just gave it to me, and secondly, it was obvious to me that it had actually been in his desk all this time!! In June 1942 the National Housing Agency. Her weekly reports included comments such as: January 22, 1944: Group of women return at 1 am; another member of group returns at 2 am, January 28, 1944: Group of 18 women checks in at 11 pm. The monthly reports run about five pages each and provide statistics describing the groups using the camp in a particular month. I love seeing the Ohio connections, Thank you. The neighborhood was largely rural in the camp's early years, but as new houses and neighborhoods expanded, Rockwood staff reached out to make new friends. From the plaque still outside the door, to GS displays. The Girl Scouts were willing to make rooms available, but they were bound by the conditions imposed by Carolyn Caughey, when she gifted her beloved country home to the Girl Scouts in 1936. They were so gracious, and let us explore inside and out, wandering at will. Just doesnt sound like the DC we know today. Washington may have been a national city, but it still held strong southern beliefs in the early twentieth century. Durrett might have created one more connection between the WAVES and the Girl Scouts. The now-smaller housing development went through. Washington had faced a housing shortage for years. I enjoyed my short experience there. How to find a local Girlguiding unit for your child to join or to volunteer with. They were there to support nine plaintiffs who were suing the Girl Scouts of the USA: seven adults and two of their Girl Scout peers. Case closed. While in the D.C. area, the girls and their leaders stayed at Rockwood National Girl Scout Program Center, located about 15 miles from the capitol in Bethesda, Maryland. (September 1963), A leader, as she got off the bus, said to the staff member standing nearbyWatch those girls. Told him it would be in a place of honor in my GS museum. According to a letter sent to parents outlining the details of the trip, the total cost per girl was $65.00, which would be $565 today, with a food budget set at $1.24 per day ($11 today). What memories have stuck in your mind over the decades? Girl Scout Exhibit at Rockwood Manor The Girl Scouts have returned to Rockwood Manor Park! Charity numbers: 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland). (May 1961). Once you start the registration process you can search in a map for units near you. [] doll house was taken to Rockwood, the Girl Scout national camp outside Washington, DC. This troop had few questions to ask since the granddaughter had already furnished all the necessary information. A favorite meal in the dining room? West Montgomery County Citizens Association, The Little Little House | Girl Scout History Project, If I Were CEO of GSUSA Girl Scout History Project, My Afternoon with FrancesHesselbein Girl Scout History Project, Whos That Girl Scout? While it would be three decades before integrated troops formed, Girl Scouting thrived within Washingtons Black community. It was willed to the Girl Scouts in 1936 by Carolyn and John Wilson Caughey and was to be used as a character building center. GSUSA sold it to a residential developer, but nine local Girl Scouts filed a lawsuit to block the sale, arguing that selling violated the terms set out by the woman who donated the property. But out of the blue, I was contacted a few months ago by Jamie Kuhns, senior historian for the Montgomery County Parks. I have statistics on how many troops camped there month by month. Trainers from GS-DC frequently scheduled classes at Rockwood so that adult volunteers from nearby councils could attend. Registered address: The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, England E4 7QW Website Terms and Conditions, Data Protection, Cookie Policy and Site Map Last build at 10:54:40 AM on 23.05.2023, POR (Policy, Organisation and Rules) and other key policies, Remembering the past, embracing the future, The Association of Scout and Guide Centres (ASGC) provide a. In June 1942 the National Housing Agency Accommodations for women were especially scarce. Washingtons Black Girl Scouts were excluded from attending the local councils flagship Camp May Flather until 1955. The site included a mansion, tennis courts, a swimming pool and cottagestwo of which had electricity, modern kitchens and bathrooms. The site didn't become a "National Camp" until 1952, so none of these date prior to then. She was married to John Caughey, son of a Pittsburgh industrialist, though she had her own income from savvy speculation in Washington real estate. Specifically, would such use qualify as character building? To find a local Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger unit for your child, start by registering online. Singing and skits in Brooke Hall? Go, already! Rockwood is, of course, one of my favorite Girl Scout topics. When the United States entered World War II, Rockwood National Girl Scout Camp joined the war effort. With Girl Scout campgrounds across the country and council-powered outdoor programs, there are lots of options for Girl Scouts to choose their own adventure year-round. Before it was sold in 1978, Rockwood was a gathering place for all Girl Scouts. GS-DC officials strongly opposed allowing Black troops to use Rockwood, and the issue threatened to break the cost-sharing agreement. Rockwood is a wonderful part of Girl Scout history. The camp welcomed girls from across the United States, and was especially popular with troops from segregated areas. This facility would have been reserved for sick volunteer soldiers of the Union Army, and their descendants.. It was very hard for me when I got older and began to see the reality of the world and have always been thankful of my blissful youth. Scholarship funds provide girls facing financial hardship with the resources to plan and pursue travel, from council-sponsored day trips to international journeys through the Destinations program. Hoopsie, as the girls called her, soon learned that hosting adult women was much more complicated than hosting Girl Scouts. Please. We went to thank the CEO, for allowing us to hang out at an important place in our history. First, she sought to endow two hospitals in Pennsylvaniafor native-born Northerners only. Rescue Rockwood: How a Group of Determined Girl Scouts Rallied to Save a Beloved National Camp eBook : Robertson, Ann: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store It was used as a conference & training center,a way-station for traveling Girl Scout troops as well as a pleasant destination for local troops to camp out and explore that many trails. Pulled out a pewter GS plate from his desk drawer, and gave it to me. Told him it would be in a place of honor in my GS museum. Both images showBobby investing her granddaughter, also named Barbara, as a Brownie around 1964. Well keep you in the loop. Traveling as a Girl Scout has been a tradition for many years; we have a special look into a trip Girl Scouts from our council area took in 1965, thanks to our Girl Scouts GCNWI Historians! The locals thought, yes, its a national camp, but its a little more ours than anybody elses, said Robertson. He stopped his cargreeted the girls and shook hands with many of themasked where they were from and then invited them into his home for a tour. Subscribe to our newsletters. This could be controlled in the Washington area, but negro groups from other states may apply for weekends from time to time. When members discovered it had been sold to developers, they took action to save their treasured gathering place. Hi Ann, Sorry to disappoint, but that is not my uniform. Almost from the start there was a certain tension. On the third day members of the staff took turns sitting quietly in the unit doing office work. Jamie also had several pictures she wanted to incorporate into the display. Sachs said the state had an interest in making sure the terms of charitable trusts were maintained. Curious why it took GS-DC so long to desegrigate even when GSUSA was adiment? Her lawyer believed that Mrs. Caughey had made that distinction because GS-DC still practiced segregation in the 1930s; the national organization did not. When did Rockwood, the national Girl Scout camp outside Washington DC, desegregate? Through the online content we publish, we share our opinions and thoughts on the various problems that the world is facing right now. After some internal discussion, the Girl Scouts accepted the property. Visiting Seniors of all shapes and sizes tried []. The owners of the raided suitcases now know that we mean it when we say that food should be kept in covered containers. I have already heard from that confident Brownie, who wanted to share her version of that weekend! When the United States entered World War II, Rockwood National Girl Scout Camp joined the war effort. 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Nora Huffman, Mrs. Caugheys former secretary and confidant, was enthusiastic: The local Girl Scouts, as a bit of war service, are generously sharing the comfort of the house with the enlisted service girls now located in Washington, many of whom have been Girl Scouts. But that is only part of the story. The display case was dedicated in late November 2016. Ive spent several weeks going through the files at the GSUSA National Historical Preservation Center in New York, and I have many documentsand scrapbooks from Washington-area Girl Scouts. Other than a few postcards and the images in the slideshow above, Ive seen precious little of the interior. She had the money (about $300,000) thanks to her successful real estate investments. Rockwood Girl Scout Camp was a beloved location used by the Girl Scouts from 1938 until 1978. thousands of girls visited during that time, but the campo was also used by other groups including but not limited to: Boy Scouts, adult groups, church groups, and even civic groups would hold their meetings there. [] created samples in sizes 6 through 20 and shipped them to Rockwood National Camp and the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah. The sixty-eight acre site was donated to the Girl Scouts in 1936 by Mrs. Carolyn G. Caughey, who had a vacation home there. Theprohibited and restricted camping directory lists those areas and the reasons. Many of the included items are routine and rather boringIve learned more than I. A property like Rockwood is expensive to maintain. Once you start the registration process you can search in a map for units near you. Soon quiet hours were established for the visiting women. Ann Robertson is a writer, editor and Girl Scout historian. 14-18 years. As long as segregation was still practiced in the region, interracial groups could not camp together overnight. Part of the camp, including its two main buildings, would be given to the Montgomery County parks department for public use. For 40 years, Rockwood Manor was the National Girl Scout Camp, and over the last 30 years the property has transformed into a unique retreat destination with charming camp lodging and converted cabins that accommodate up to 85 guests overnight. Just six minutes from the Capital Beltway, Rockwood Manor is far removed from the hustle and bustle . 4-6 years. The field trip to the courthouse would count toward their Active Citizenship badge. Now girls today can view a small part of our history. She repeatedly informed national staff members that some of the women did not set appropriate examples for any troops camping at the same time. Bobby remained an active Girl Scout until her death at age 104. But mixed in with the monotony are some real gems. I dislike holding them back and tiring them with pushing my chair, but-no one could resist them. Mrs. Caughey had a distinct aversion to racial discrimination, perhaps influenced by the strong abolitionist sentiments of her native Ohio. Rockwood was a national Girl Scout camp from 1938 to 1978. Another troop from the same city arrived the fourth week of the month and were to live in the same unit. Girl Scout History Project, Girl Scout National Convention Highlights. There was also a ballroom - for meetings. I have diagrams of the woefully insufficient septic system. Including these: A group of Senior Girl Scouts in perfect uniform is a beautiful sight to behold and Mr. Robert Kennedy evidently thought so too. To Purchase the Book Rescue Rockwood please visit the following link: This site requires JavaScript to run correctly. She was a Girl Scout leader and her calm demeanor and the way she helped other victims made her a heroine of the disaster, which killed 98. Her main complaint was the late-night activities of the adults, so she documented their comings and goings. Visiting troops usually had to hike from the streetcar stop. It was willed to the Girl Scouts in 1936 by Carolyn and John WilsonCaughey and was to be used as a character building center. Ive blogged about Rockwood several times, and I am now writinga book about the Rockwood story. Her solution was to distribute half of the estate upon his death and the balance 20 years later. 8-10 years. Part of the former Rockwood property is now a facility of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission and continues to be used by Girl Scouts and the public. Taking part in a class-action lawsuit can teach a lesson, too. Rockwood was a place where a White troop from Louisiana could invite a Black troop from Ohio to an evening campfire program and discover they knew the same songs and stories. I fell in love with the place when my daughter camped there as a Brownie. Sharing these examples help others understandthank you. Remembering Rockwood - Girl Scout History Project Remembering Rockwood Did you ever visit Rockwood, the GSUSA camp located in Potomac, Maryland, from 1938 to 1978? Segregation was widespread. To find a local Rainbow, Brownie, Guide or Ranger unit for your child, start by registering online. I need help from former Rockwood campers. They dont know that I know about that too. What a wonderful troop of Seniors that group was! Caughey was born in 1864. These Rockwood pins are all enlarged. The site itself remains a community park, and apparently is a hot wedding venue. Did you ever visit Rockwood, the GSUSA camp located in Potomac, Maryland, from 1938 to 1978? Uniform display in Rockwood's Manor House (photo courtesy Montgomery County, MD, Parks) Rockwood is, of course, one of my favorite Girl Scout topics. The Girl Scouts have returned to Rockwood Manor Park! A map will appear to show. This belief is reflected in two wills written before she purchased Rockwood. Two fathers and a bus driver joined in with the fun. Lately I have been reading monthly reports from the directors of Rockwood, the former Girl Scout camp outside Washington DC. She wrote a new [], [] I cant let this topic (or any topic, really) go by without mentioning a Rockwood [], [] Rockwood had been the country estate of Washington philanthropist Carolyn Caughey, who left her considerable wealth to the Girl Scouts of the USA upon her death in 1936. The US Navy needed quarters for its newly created WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) program. On 68 acres, the site came with a mansion, tennis courts, swimming pool and cottages - 2 of which had electricity,modern kitchens and bathrooms. But the manager there saw no need for a doll [], [] which is enhanced when girls tour the Nations Capital and see how our government works. Please help me tell it. And the national Scouting group would pay the legal fees of the plaintiffs. Through the online content we publish, we share our opinions and thoughts on the various problems that the world is facing right now. Local troops might pile their gear into their fathers truck and ride their bicycles to camp. Most of these girls are from distant states and feel it is a real privilege to have the hospitality and security of a Girl Scout Home for a few days rest or a week-end relaxation, at a very nominal cost. I reviewed the display text, answered questions about various people, buildings, and events; provided a photo or two; and replacedthemissing yellow tie for theuniform. Girl Scout National Convention Highlights. Tenaz celebrates the very best in independent journalism. The top once is thought to be the oldest. Would I be interested in collaborating? Girls meet in lots of different spaces, from village halls in the Highlands to community centres onthe coast of Cornwall. Also, in the picture with my grandmother and me is my mother, Jessie Bradley Lerch, who was a troop leader throughout my childhood. The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) offers free membership to all scout groups/units. Registered address: The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London, England E4 7QW Website Terms and Conditions , Data Protection , Cookie Policy and Site Map Last build at 10:54:40 AM on 23.05.2023 Both are rented out for events, including weddings. 6-8 years. Together, we can help Girl Scouts become more knowledgeable, compassionate citizens of the world through global programming and travel opportunities. 10-14 years. Ann Robertson is a writer, editor and Girl Scout historian. It didnt need both. With our free time we ended up at Rockwood. In their one duffel and one carry-on tote, the girls needed to pack towels, wash cloth, soap, toothbrush, tooth paste, head scarf, sewing kit, rain coat, plastic boots or something for [their] feet if it rains, flash light, jack knife, pencils, pen, drinking cup (have it handy on the bus), stationery, stamps, plastic bags for clothing and laundry, Scout uniform, and much more. She also was an ardent prohibitionist, known for the saying, Put glasses to your eyesnot to your lips.. The Association of Scout and Guide Centres (ASGC) provide a directory of all centres that are members of their association. We're Scouts and everyone is welcome here. Fast, informative and written just for locals. Thats one of the details in a new book from Ann Robertson called Rescue Rockwood: How a Group of Determined Girl Scouts Rallied to Save a Beloved National Camp. Its a messy tale from the Carter/Reagan years that still rankles some in the Girl Scout community. Mr. Caughey, a sickly man in his 70s, surprised everyone by outliving his wife by 12 years. Few images have captions, either. She remained with the Navy until 1958, rising to the rank of commander. 3 sandwiches in the D.C. area you need to eat right now.