Girl Scout camp seeks community support

A camp used for more than 60 years by local and visiting Girl Scouts is in danger of closing unless area troops can prove its usefulness and provide evidence of community support, according to the local service unit director.

Heather MacPherson, Garland County's service unit director, said that the Diamond Council, which presides over all the troops in Arkansas, is in the process of liquidating some of its camps across the state, and Radford Little House is being considered for closure.

"We are self-sustaining through reservations and donations but we need a little bit more support. We need it in the form of volunteers and donations," said MacPherson.

MacPherson said that at least $500 per month would help keep the camp afloat, and with more funds, they would be able to continually make improvements to the property.

To prove to the council that the camp is needed, a monthly donation and community volunteers are a must.

"We also need people that have trades, like plumbers and electricians, to sign up to just volunteer. If we do that it shows community support," she said.

The 16 troops scattered throughout Garland County use Radford Little House and its surrounding 14 acres of land several days each week for the majority of their operations. It is also open to traveling troops and the public for meetings, retreats and events.

If the Diamond Council closes the camp, nearly 300 young women in Girl Scouts would be without a facility where they can learn everything from camping and survival skills to STEM education, MacPherson said. The facility is also the location where troop leaders complete their training and scouts attend summer camp.

"It builds confidence. It's girl-led, so these girls get together and learn how to be leaders in their community and they learn the skills that they need to improve their community. I've just seen girls become confident in themselves and then strive for more," she said.

The property committee meets again in June to evaluate the camp's situation. MacPherson says they will not know the camp's future until later on this fall.

Email MacPherson at [email protected] for information on making a donation, or to volunteer.

Local on 05/02/2018

Upcoming Events