Severe weather impacts western Pennsylvania and GSWPA Camp Redwing

Thursday, June 13
Camp Redwing Clean-Up Day: Thank you for your patience and support in regards to Camp Redwing! Find more details about the day in this update, and email clizik@gswpa.org to volunteer.

The Camp Redwing Clean Up date is Sunday, June 23 from 1-5 p.m. In response to the overwhelming support of our Girl Scouts, volunteers ages 5 and up may now sign up to help.

We have assessed the damage, and here are some of the tasks where we will require your assistance. Please plan on mucky/wet conditions, and note that there is currently no hot water.

Post-Flood Building Clean Up – cleaning out silt from flood waters:
Corral & storage shed
Amphitheater
Orchard wash station

General Grounds: 
Leaf raking around tents/buildings
Wood chipping at amphitheater
Tree and brush removal, includes cutting fallen trees
Log Splitting
Weeding Trimming

Road Clean Up/Reconstruction:
Digging out culverts and filling washout on blowhorn hill

General Cleaning:
Help sweep, clean, and stock shower houses and building as needed

What to wear:
Grubby clothes, Long sleeve pants, t-shirt and long sleeved over shirt
Sturdy boots/shoes, muck boots may be useful
Work gloves

What to bring:
Water bottle, sunglasses, sunscreen, bug spray
Rake
Shovel
Cleaning gloves
Wheel barrow
Push broom
Cleaning gloves

Please email clizik@gswpa.org to volunteer.

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Thursday, May 30
Update from Ranger Jonathan: From the storms that passed through on Tuesday night, the worst of the damage was to the footbridge that crosses the Connoquenessing Creek, which will require repairs. Other affected areas include the camp's amphitheater area and corral, which remained underwater late Wednesday morning. As of this morning, there’s nothing new to report from last night, but we’re not in the clear yet. The flash flood watch has moved to today, from 11 a.m. through this evening.

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Following severe storms, our Camp Redwing in Butler County experienced flooding, and we are bracing ourselves for more storms; the nearby borough of Zelionople was declared to be in a state of emergency.

At Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, safety is our top priority. The road to Camp Redwing is currently open, but we ask that no one visit the camp at this time. We will provide updates regarding usage of camp facilities and plans for cleanup and repairs as information becomes available.  We are committed to making Camp Redwing safe and ready for a season of summer fun and adventure as soon as possible.

Girl Scouts always ask how they can help their communities in times of need.  Here are some ways Girl Scouts, our families, and neighbors can step up to help Camp Redwing and the affected communities:

• Help your Girl Scouts research local disaster relief organizations that provide support to families affected by the storms.  Girl Scouts can volunteer, donate items, or give troop proceeds to organizations helping those in need.\
• Soon, we will be coordinating a cleanup day to make GSWPA Camp Redwing safe and ready for summer. Please use this form to let us know that you're interested in lending a hand! 
• Gift online or by check to Camp Redwing: You can make a gift to help Camp Redwing at http://gswpa.org/donate

We will provide additional updates here as information becomes available. If you have any questions, please contact us at 800-248-3355 or customercare@gswpa.org.

A Weekend of Service to honor Girl Scouts

From May 17-19 Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes (GSNWGL) created A Weekend of Service in honor of the lives tragically lost in Troop 3055 last November.

Girl Scouts in their council and across the country are encouraged to participate in a service project as a way to continue the work that the troop began. Girls who participate in a service project through this program are able to order the GSNWGL Weekend of Service Patch. The patch must be ordered before June 15.

For ideas and more information about A Weekend of Service, review the patch guidelines.

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A Message from Robin Kelley, Leader of Troop 3055:

Everyone in our troop here in beautiful Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, enjoys the many activities we do each year, especially the outdoor activities. We value nature and the beauty of the outdoors and it is a lot more enjoyable when there isn't garbage everywhere. This is why, on November 3rd, 2018, our troop decided to participate in an Adopt-a-Highway program. We knew that this service project would make a difference and once we got out there, we couldn't believe the trash we found! In my group alone, we found lots of cans and plastic bottles, and even an old fishing pole and a tire.

Unfortunately, our activity ended tragically when a driver crossed the centerline and went in the ditch at full speed killing three of our Girl Scout members, one being my daughter. We lost one adult helper who was the mother of one of the girls we lost. One girl, an older sister of one of my troop members, was seriously injured and survived miraculously. She continues to amaze everyone with her recovery every day.

We are devastated but know that one of the best ways Girl Scouts across the nation can honor these four beautiful people that we lost, is to continue the work we began. All service projects that help our environment are so important because this is our earth to take care of and you can make a difference! Help us honor the memory of those we lost by continuing their work and thank you for all that you do in Girl Scouts.