February 1 2021

Friends of Camp WaBak Launches!

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Back in November, I wrote a warning regarding what I foresee on the horizon when it comes to the future of camps.  In it, I mentioned that we were in the process of starting a Friends group here in my council (GSSC-MM).  Well, that time has come!

I am very excited to announce that the Friends of Camp WaBak group has OFFICIALLY launched!  FOCW is a volunteer organized and led association of camp alumni, volunteers, girls, parents, and supporters who seek to support and promote Camp WaBak. 

What’s a Friends group and what does it do?  It’s a team of people who have banded together to support a camp in various ways.  How they accomplish that goal really depends on the circumstances.  And they aren’t necessarily Girl Scout related, because there are some for church, BSA, and Y camps as well.  Friends groups in the Girl Scout world are organized by volunteers and serve in various roles.  Many of them have cropped up through the years in response to the news that a camp will be sold.   Some are loosely organized and then there are others that are fully functioning 501(c)(3)s.  Some partner with the council to provide volunteer-based programming and maintenance – and others purchased the camp outright when the council put it up for sale and now run full blown summer camps!

Friends of Camp WaBak is just in the beginning phases, but we have six goals:

  1. To build a community of WaBak supporters
  2. To partner with GSSC-MM to accomplish the Friends’ goals
  3. To reach out to alumni and Girl Scouts
  4. To promote year-round usage of the camp
  5. To inform the WaBak community about ongoing news and events at the camp
  6. To support upkeep and projects of the camp facilities

We’re sending out a newsletter every other month that will engage the WaBak community by featuring camp news, a highlighted story, and camp pictures & memories.  You can find out more about us and how to join by visiting friendsofcampwabak.org.  Even if you’re not from this area or have a connection to WaBak, feel free to join!  I envision big plans for it, but who knows what the future will hold.  It’s very possible FOCW takes on a life of its own (and hopefully it does), so let’s just see where the ride takes us!  In case you’re wondering, no, WaBak is NOT being sold, but we just want to make sure it can live up to its full potential and has every opportunity to succeed.

If you love your local camps, I insist that you read the blog post I wrote back in November about why you should start a Friends group NOW in earnest.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Here’s a list of Girl Scout related Friends groups.  If I’ve missed one, please let me know either via email or by commenting below because I’d like for this to be as thorough of a list as possible.

1 COMMENTS :

  1. By Sharon Johnson on

    Hello,
    I am so glad to hear of another Friends group being established and appreciate your listing of groups around the country! We established our organization, Camp Rio Blanco Circle of Friends, in 2018 to help provide resources to preserve and improve Camp Rio Blanco. This camp is still in use by our Council. I’m so glad that so many volunteers are coming together to form groups to help keep these camps going for future generations!

    Sharon Johnson
    President, CRBCOF

    Reply ↓

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