Junior Girl Scout Mya D. of Eagle is headed to Girl Scouts of Colorado summer camp after receiving the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund. Mya is excited to attend “Penthalon” at Sky High Ranch in July 2017. While she has been on many camping adventures with her troop, this will be Mya’s first time away from home to attend a week-long camp. Read a portion of Mya’s scholarship essay:
“Girl Scouts is important to me because it teaches me stuff that I wouldn’t normally get taught at school. Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs’ story was inspiring to me for many reasons. I like that she never stopped learning and that she helped people and that she always tried to do her best. Dr. Jacobs was a true leader herself and I think that Girl scouts help her with that too.
What I really like about Dr. Jacobs is that she kept going to school to get more knowledge. I like that because she is trying new things and that is courageous. It also takes strength and that is part of the Girl Scout Law.
Another thing that I like about her is that she helped make Eagle a better place by becoming one of the first doctors here. I live in Eagle so that means a lot to me to know that she helped a lot of people here.
Girl Scouts has taught me to be a leader and to trust each other. It teaches us to be kind, caring, loyal and responsible. It means to be a sister to every Girl scout. Some of my favorite memories are of rifle shooting and sleeping in teepees and a “cat eye” hike we did as a troop last year. I love to be outdoors just like Dr. Jacobs.”
Mary Jo’s four children established the scholarship in December 2014 to honor their mother’s extraordinary legacy. As an 8-year-old girl growing up in 1937, Mary Jo wanted a new pair of roller skates. She wanted them more than anything in world— until she learned her Brownie troop was going to be able to go to summer camp. Mary Jo had to make a choice: spend the $8 she had worked so hard to earn on roller skates or Girl Scout camp? For Mary Jo, the decision was simple. She was going to Girl Scout camp. Mary Jo’s mother walked her to the local Girl Scout office, so she could be the first to register. A reporter for the Artesia Daily Press in New Mexico even wrote a story about Mary Jo and her decision.
After returning home from camp, Mary Jo continued to participate in Girl Scout activities, including going to camp. Eventually, she became a doctor and worked tirelessly to serve the people of Eagle and Garfield Counties, Colorado.
The Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund provides Girl Scouts from Eagle and Garfield counties in Colorado with a scholarship so they can experience the learning opportunities, joy, and camaraderie of attending Girl Scout Camp. “Our hope is that that many girls will have the same positive experience, education and adventure that mom had through her involvement in Girl Scouting and her opportunity to attend Girl Scout camp,” said Dr. Patricia VanDevander, daughter of Dr. Mary Jo Jacobs.
Registration for Girl Scout Camp is now underway on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website at girlscoutsofcolorado.org. For summer 2017, girls can attend overnight camp sessions at Sky High Ranch near Manitou Lake and Woodland Park or perennial favorite Tomahawk Ranch near Bailey, southwest of Denver. Activities include archery, backpacking, photography, and rock climbing. Overnight camp runs from 3 to 12 days for girls ages 6 and up. Girl Scouts of Colorado will continue to offer day camping adventures throughout the state. The summer camp schedule is live on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website (girlscoutsofcolorado.org). Girl Scout summer camp programs are open to all girls throughout Colorado, whether they’re in a troop or not, and new campers get a 10-percent discount.
Girl Scouts has been helping girls shine for more than 100 years. Girl Scouts of Colorado is proud to serve more than 20,000 girls across the state with the help and support of 10,000 adult volunteers! Learn more how you can be part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience by visiting girlscoutsofcolorado.org, calling 1-877-404-5708, or emailing inquiry@gscolorado.org.