Lord Baden, Lady Powell and Juliette Low
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Girl Scouting was born in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia, by a fiesty woman named Juliette "Daisy" Low, who announced that she had a program for the girls of Savannah and the world.
And what a program! From the very first troop that was formed in Savannah to the troops of 1983, Girl Scouting has proven to be a people-centered, character-building movement with the ability to meet the challenges of change with skill and foresight. Girl Scouting is now the largest volunteer organization for women in the world.
Girl Scouting in Beaver and Lawrence Counties was born in the mid-1920's by women who realized the need of the Girl Scout program in their community. Single troops were formed and individual councils were chartered by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. Today these individual councils have merged together to form Beaver-Castle Girl Scout Council, whose combined history is rich with tradition, good program and wonderful volunteers and girls.
The Beaver County Girl Scout Council was first organized in June, 1943 when 38 "lone troops" with a total membership of 800 were brought together into a formal council structure.
Prior to 1943, two other councils had existed in Beaver County: the Aliquippa Council and the Beaver Falls Council.
The Aliquippa Girl Scout Council was started in 1928 and was chartered by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. on March 22,1935. At that time the council had five troops and 87 members, included the areas of Aliquippa, New Sheffield and South Heights, and had an operating budget of $200. The council had a part-time staff member and operated a resident camp for several years. Aliquippa Council disbanded in 1938.
The Beaver Falls Girl Scout Council was chartered by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. on May 22, 1939 and originally consisted of Beaver Falls, West Mayfield and Eastvale. In 1939, the council had 163 registered members. The council grew to include Patterson Heights, Patterson Township, College Hill, Chippewa Township and White Township and had 327 registered members.
Troops did not fall under the jurisdiction of a council registered directly with Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and had to pay a $5.00 Chartering Fee.
Beaver County Girl Scout Council was organized for the "purpose of developing a finer womanhood and a more democratic citizenry in this county." The program was designed for girls seven to eighteen years of age whose purpose was to supplement the training of the home, church and school.
The council was originally divided into six districts: Little Beaver, consisting of Beaver Falls, New Brighton, Eastvale and North Sewickley; Mingo District, consisting of Rochester, Freedom, Monaca, and Center Township; Aliquippa District including the Aliquippa and Hopewell Township areas; the Cheba District including Conway, Harmony, Economy, Baden and Ambridge; Sacajawea District including Chippewa and Patterson Townships; and the O-He-Yu District consisting of Beaver, Brighton Township and Midland.
The council's first headquarters was in Tamaqui Village in Vanport and then moved several months later to the Market Street School Building in Beaver. The council then moved to its present location at 443 Third Street, Beaver, in the fall of 1948.
Funding for the Beaver County Girl Scout Council originally came from the Upper Valley Community Chest, campaign drives and the Cookie Sale.
Beaver County Council had four executive directors between 1943 and 1963. They were: Mrs. Ruth Forsyth, from 1943-1949; Mrs. Ruth Dunmire, from 1949-1952; Miss Helen Gotjen, from 1952-1959; and Mrs. Margaret Saxton, from 1959 to 1963. Several volunteers have served as commissioners or presidents of the council including Mrs. Marie Cappert in 1951; Mrs. J. Edwin Ahrend, 1952; Mrs. Charles Craighead, 1953-1956; Mrs. John Leighty, 1957-1959; and Dr. Loetta Hawthorne, 1959-1963.
Beaver County Council regularly participated in National Conventions, Round-Ups and sponsored council trainings for surrounding councils. As of 1947, all leaders were required to have a minimum of eight hours of basic training and twelve hours of additional training in their first year. Refresher courses of eight hours were required yearly. From 1955-1958 the council sponsored the "Girl Scout Institute" at Old Economy Park, which featured training on program for new and experienced leaders.
Beaver County Council regularly sent representatives to the National Girl Scout Conventions, including the 1951 convention in Boston, the 1953 convention in Cincinnati; and the 1960 convention in St. Louis. The council also sent eight Senior Girl Scouts to the 1959 National RoundUp in Colorado Springs.
The first established camp that was held by Beaver County County was held in Raccoon State Park in 1946, with 384 girls attending several ten-day sessions. Raccoon State Park continued to be the site for Beaver County Council's established camps until 1958. The council had no resident camp program between 1955 and 1958.
In June, 1953, the Little Beaver and the O-He-Yu Districts purchased property near Brady's Run Park from Mr. William Florence. Each district erected a primative cabin on the site which were used for camping weekends, meeting sites, etc. and were maintained by the districts.
Then in 1970, the Beaver Valley Expressway bridge was constructed through Brady's Run Park, forcing the districts to either move or give up the cabins. With the help of Mr. Russell Wright, the Beaver County Commissioner in charge of Parks and Recreation and a member of the council's Board of Directors, the two cabins were moved to James Street in Chippewa Township and joined together to form what is now Wright-O-Way Lodge. The lodge was named in honor of Mr. Wright and was formally dedicated on May 2, 1973.
In November, 1957, Beaver County Council purchased the Brittain Homestead, a 260 acre farm in South Beaver Township. The farm was improved by building a lake and two shelters to make it the council's first-owned resident camp property. Two summer camp sessions were held there in 1958 and 1959. Due to financial difficulties, the council sold the camp in January, 1960. The property later became the Rolling Acres Golf Course.
In July, 1960, Beaver County Council purchased property in Franklin Township. Once again, Mr. Russell Wright was instrumental in this purchase by serving on the Camp Site Development Committee. A 130 acre farm was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Ashton and a small cottage whose property bordered the farm was purchased from Mr. Harry Thomas. These two properties became Camp Fornbelina. The first resident camp was held there in 1961. In 1962, building a new Fornbelina pool became the goal of the Cookie Sale. Excavation for the pool began in November, 1962 and the pool was opened in 1963.
On April 4, 1963, Beaver County Council appointed an Organizational Committee who was empowered to represent the council during discussion of Council Coverage with the National staff. Beaver County Council accepted the recommendation of a council merger with the New Castle Council. By Fall, 1963, the merger was completed.
The New Castle Girl Scout Council came into existence in 1926 when a group of civic-minded women met with Mr. E. Callahan, the executive director of the Lawrence County Boy Scouts, to discuss and plan ways of making the Girl Scout program available to the girls in New Castle. The first meeting and the succeeding meetings of this committee was presided by Miss Alice Sterling, who later became the head librarian of the New Castle Public Library.
The committee applied for a charter from Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and upon its receipt in 1927, the first Girl Scout troop was formed under the leadership of Miss Pauline Gilkey. The troop became so active and popular, the council was able to establish other troops. By 1929, Girl Scouting in New Castle had swelled to 40 troops.
Members of the first council were: Miss Martha Bigley, Miss Florence Davies, Mrs. Pauline Gregg, Mrs. John Higgins, Miss Elizabeth Reis, Mrs. Roy Robinson, Miss Alice Sterling, Miss Elizabeth Vance, Miss Helen Wilson, and Mrs. A.C. Hoyt.
New Castle's Girl Scout program featured "learning skills, learning to live and enjoy outdoor activities, hiking, camping, learning the democratic way of life, and extending a hand in world friendship' " By 1948, 700 girls and adults were active in Girl Scouting.
New Castle's first executive director was Miss Nancy Pugh and Miss Elizabeth Reis was the first commissioner (president) of the organization. Miss Reis was also New Castle Council's first recipient of the Thanks Badge, the highest award for volunteers in Girl Scouting. In 1929, Edna Raney Shumate was the first Girl Scout in New Castle to earn the "Golden Eaglet" award, which at that time was the highest award for girls in Girl Scouting.
In 1930, New Castle Council joined with Ellwood City Girl Scout Council to offer a resident camp program to girls in both councils. The camp was held in August and the fee was $8.00 per girl.
By 1935, New Castle Council was recognized as an established council, and many Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.'s Region 3 meetings and trainings were hosted by the council over the years. Volunteers f rorn all over the region met in New Castle to discuss program training and camp with the National Representative.
New Castle Council was also active in local and civic affairs. In March, 1950, the council sponsored a "Community Night" in the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Demonstrations of the Girl Scout program were carried out by troops from all over Lawrence County.
New Castle held resident camp for their girls almost every summer. Resident camp was held at Camp Agawam for many years, particularly in the mid to late 1940's. Camp Trefoil in Butler was also used in the early 1950's. By 1953, the council recognized the need to own an established camp to sponsor camp activities and to successfully carry out the outdoor facets of the Girl Scout program.
In 1953, a summer cabin and the grounds surrounding it were purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Reuben Elliott by the council. The camp, located outside of Volant, Pa. was purchased with years of saved "cookie money" and was named Camp Elliott. Mr. Jack Gerson was instrumental in securing equipment and supplies for the new camp. Supplies were either donated or sold at cost to the New Castle Council. The first resident camp was held at Camp Elliott in 1954. In 1955, the summer cottage was improved and had a large addition built on, and it was named Elliott Lodge.
Between 1927 and 1963, New Castle Council had fifteen commissioners (presidents) and at least four executive directors, including Miss Nancy Pugh, Mrs. R. Forsyth, Mrs. Gladys Hughs and Miss Grace McClain.
As of 1961, New Castle Council had nine communities: Bessemer, Central, Laurel, Highland, Mt. Jackson, Neshannock, New Wilmington, Shenango, and Union-Hillsville-Westside. The council's office was located in the Greer Building in New Castle.
In 1963, as part of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.'s Council Coverage policy, New Castle Council merged with Beaver County Girl Scout Council to form the original Beaver-Castle Girl Scout Council. The headquarters became an outbased service center for the volunteers and girls in Lawrence County.
Ellwood City Girl Scout Council was founded in 1926 under the leadership of Mrs. Stoughton, who was instrumental in bringing the Girl Scout movement to Ellwood City. The first committee meeting was held on May 27, 1926, with Mrs. A. Paetzel serving as commissioner.
Training for volunteers was extremely important to Ellwood City Council. They were one of the first councils to send leaders to Camp Edith Macy in New York for advanced training in 1927.
In 1928, Ellwood City Council made arrangements with the Aliquippa Council to hire a part-time staff member to be shared between the two councils. Miss Owens was the first paid staff member for both councils. Partnership continued between the two councils when Ellwood City send their girls to Aliquippa's resident camp in 1929.
When Aliquippa Council was unable to continue paying Miss Owens, Ellwood City Council entered into partnership with the newly formed New Castle Council in 1929 by hiring Miss Nancy Pugh, New Castle's Executive Director, to meet with Ellwood City's leaders one day a month. By 1930, Ellwood City Council had hired their own part-time director, Miss Dorothy Tomb.
Camping was extremely important to the Ellwood City Council. It was one of the first councils in the country to sponsor a day camp program for Girl Scouts. In 1930 the council purchased land in Wurtemburg and built a cabin for camping, that was dedicated on April 25,1931. The cabin was sold in 1941 due to financial reasons. Resident camp continued to be held at various local camps, including Camp Thompson, Camp Kon-O-Kwee, Camp Ellwood, Camp Agawam, Camp Phillips, Camp Carondawanna and Camp Brashaer.
The first Cookie Day was sponsored by Ellwood City Council in October, 1931, when sixteen volunteers baked 112 dozen cookies and sold them to the public to raise money. This practice later blossomed into the national Girl Scout Cookie Sale. The first Girl Scout calendar sale in Ellwood City was in 1944.
In 1934, Helen Gotjen was the first Girl Scout in Ellwood City to receive the Golden Eaglet Award. Miss Gertrude Jones and Miss Mildred Cable had also earned the award by 1936.
Ellwood City Council was incorporated in 1942 by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and had nine troops registered, all with local troop sponsors.
Ellwood City awarded its first Thanks Badge in 1946 to Mrs. Pearson. Helen Gotjen received the award in 1947.
In 1952, Ellwood City Council had received permission from the Ellwood City Boro to build a cabin in Ewing Park. The cabin was to be owned and maintained by the Boro, but the council had first rights to use it at any time. The cabin, called Trefoil Lodge, was dedicated in March, 1953.
Ellwood City continued to be an active council. Their volunteers attended almost every National Convention, Regional Conference and Training and Senior Round-Ups. The council hired their first fulltime executive director, Mrs. Kenneth Fox, in 1956.
Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. first discussed Council Coverage with Ellwood City in 1949. In 1961, the National Regional Advisor suggested that the council merge with Beaver and Lawrence Counties to form a larger council. Ellwood City refused to merge and was granted a three year charter in 1961. By 1962 the council had set aside money to aid other councils in fighting council coverage in court. Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. issued a one year charter to the council in 1964 and a three year charter in 1965.
In 1968, Ellwood City Council formally merged with Beaver-Castle Council and the new council became the Beaver-Castle Council as it is known today.
When Beaver-Castle Girl Scout Council was formed in 1963, it had over 8,000 registered girls and adults. Its first formal Organizational Meeting was held at McCarntey Library in Beaver Falls, where a new board of directors was elected and Council by-laws were endorsed. Instrumental in the success of the Organizational Meeting were the two councils' presidents: Iva Woods, of New Castle Area Council and Leotta Hawthorne, of the Beaver County Council. Mrs. Margaret Saxton, the executive director of the Beaver County County Council was hired as the new council's executive director. Miss Grace McClain, the Executive Director of the New Castle Council, was hired as a field director of the new council.
The new council's headquarters was at 443 Third Street, Beaver which had formerly served as Beaver County Council headquarters. The office in New Castle became an outbased service center. In January, 1964 the New Castle office moved from the Greer Building to the Frew Building, and in June, 1965 the office was relocated to the present location in the Farone Building.
Camping and outdoor program continued to be important to Beaver-Castle Council. January, 1966 marked the first time Girl Scouts became involved in the Canoe Trails program. In 1967, the council hosted a Senior Conference for Western Pennsylvania.
Camp Elliott underwent changes in the mid-1960's In November, 1966, the Elliott farmhouse burned tothe ground and in 1970, Wood's Edge Lodge was built. Camp Fornbelina also had improvements made to it, including the building of Forrest Lodge in 1969. Wright-O-Way Lodge was in the process of being moved from Brady's Run Park to its present location in Chippewa Township. Resident camp continues to be offered at both Camp Elliott and Camp Fornbelina each summer. Day camps are offered in various community parks and council properties throughout the council.
1970 brought the advent of Council Goals and Objectives and in 1974 Beaver-Castle Council underwent its first Audit of Services. It has since conducted two Self-Evaluations, in 1978 and 1983, to determine its strengths and weaknesses and to help in the forming of new council goals and objectives.
Margaret Saxton retired as executive director of the Beaver-Castle Council in 1976. Mrs. Catherine Eells, the council's Training Director, was hired to take her place. Mrs. Eells resigned in 1978 and was replaced by Ms. Wencle Reynolds.
Beaver-Castle's past presidents include Dr. Leotta Hawthorne, Dr. Clara Cockerille, Mrs. Vivienne Magee and currently serving is Mrs. Carolyn Kulcyk.
Beaver-Castle Girl Scout Council continues to be funded in part by the United Way, Cookie and magazine (QSP) sales, contributions and program fees serve as additional income.
Beaver-Castle Council serves one in four girls in Beaver and Lawrence Counties. In 1983 there are 4,400 and 1,500 adults registered in the Girl Scout program in the two-county area.
1. Who was the founder of the Girl Scouts?
2. What is the founder's nickname and the flowered symbol of the organization?
3. When and where was the first Girl Scout meeting conducted?
4. What was the title of the first Girl Scout handbook? 5. What circumstances caused the founder's deafness in one ear?
6. How was the Girl Scouts first national headquarters in Washington D.C. financed?
7. Who was the first American Girl Scout?
8. What is the Girl Scout motto?
1. Juliette Gordon Low
2. "Daisy"
3. In a stable in Savannah, Georgia, March 12, 1912.
4. "How Girls Can Help Their Country"
5. During Mrs. Low's wedding, people threw rice and
some landed in her ear, causing an infection and subsequent deafness.
6. Mrs. Low sold her pearls.
7. Daisy Gordon Lawrence, Mrs. Low's niece.
8. "Be Prepared"
Jennifer Claypool
Grade 5
Troop 104
Rochester
Clarissa Middleton
Grade 4
Troop 214, Rochester
Lisa Vogler
Grade 5
Troop 151
Five Points Service Unit
Aliquippa