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“The work of today is the history of tomorrow,
and we are its makers.”
Juliette Gordon Low
Founder of Girl Scouts
The first Girl Scout Troop was formed in
Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low. The U.S.
Congress chartered the organization on March 16, 1950 and today
Girl Scouts of the USA
has 3.7 million members throughout the United States, including U.S.
territories, and in more than 90 countries through USA Girl Scouts
Overseas.
In 2004, Girl Scouts USA began a process to assure the future
success and growth of Girl Scouts in the 21st Century.
The Core
Business Strategy includes a nationwide realignment of Girl
Scout councils.
As part of the realignment process,
Abnaki Girl Scout
Council, and
Girl Scouts of
Kennebec Council, announced their merger to become Girl Scouts
of Maine, effective October 1, 2007. Our new, high capacity council
serves over 14,000 girl and 4,000 adult members statewide and offers
an expanded list of programs and resources.
History of Abnaki
Girl Scout Council
History of
Girl Scouts of Kennebec Council
History of Abnaki Girl Scout Council
(1962 – 2007)
The Abnaki Girl Scout Council was formed in May, 1962 from the merger of four existing
councils (Bangor-Brewer, Central Penobscot, Presque Isle and
Houlton) and many lone troops. The council encompassed the six
northern and eastern counties of the state (Aroostook, Washington,
Hancock, Waldo, Penobscot, Piscataquis) and the eastern portion of
Somerset County.
Over the years, council headquarters were located in both Bangor and
Brewer and have been at its current location in Brewer since 1990.
There is a small office and shop in Presque Isle that serves
Aroostook County.
The council has owned several camp and program properties over its
45-year history. Camp Natarswi was established 26 years before the
Abnaki Council was formed. The camp was established in 1936 on land
that was originally leased from Great Northern Paper Co. In 1975
Abnaki Girl Scout Council obtained title to the property for $1.00.
Alumnae celebrated the 70th anniversary of the camp with a reunion
in August, 2006.
The council has hosted four Wider Opportunities: Acadian Sea Hunt,
1969; Celebrate with Me, 1985; Science by the Sea, 1994; and Maine-ly
Adventure Y2K, 2000.
Abnaki Girl Scout Council served 4,500 members and employed eighteen
full-time and 18-24 seasonal camp staff. Liz O'Donnell served
as the final CEO of Abnaki Council and Karen Hadley Keim was the
Chair of the Board of Directors.
History of Girl
Scouts of Kennebec Council
(1963 – 2007)
Girl Scouts of Kennebec Council was chartered in October 1963 – the
result of a merger of eleven councils and sixty-eight lone troop
communities in the ten counties of southwestern Maine. The first
troops on record in this area were active in Augusta circa 1917.
Located in South Portland, the current administrative office, the
Ekdahl Center, was dedicated on October 27, 1991 in memory of Ingrid
Ekdahl (1997 – 1991). Ekdahl, was instrumental in the design and
location of the new center and served as Executive Director of
Kennebec Council from 1981 to 1991.
Kennebec Council’s jurisdiction covered approximately one-third of
the State of Maine including Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin,
Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset and York
counties.
Kennebec Council employed 40 staff who served approximately 15,000
girl and adult members. Seasonal staff supports the council's camp
programs.
In addition to the administrative center, the council owns three
camp properties. Camp Kirkwold, in Readfield, encompasses 100 acres
and is located on Lovejoy Pond. Facilities include seasonal tent
sites, a lodge, and small cabin. Camp Pondicherry is located on
Adams Pond in South Bridgton. The 700 acre property includes a
year-round chalet, farmhouse, lodge, seasonal tent sites and
primitive sites. Camp Scelkit sits on five acres near a tidal river.
Located on Gerrish Island, Kittery Point, facilities include a lodge
and tent sites.
Joan McDonald served as the final CEO of Kennebec Council and
Natalie Burns was President of the Board of Directors. |
