Girl Scout Lanie Allred, of Glenwood Springs, can’t wait for summer! She’s going on an epic quest, where she will have adventures and make memories that will last a lifetime. As the first recipient of the Mary Jo Jacobs, M.D. Memorial Girl Scout Adventure Fund, Lanie will attend “Epic Quest,” which is one of the many camp sessions at Sky High Ranch, a Girl Scouts of Colorado camp in southeastern Colorado.
Girl Scouts of Colorado announced Lanie’s selection on Jan. 11, 2015. 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 will provide 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.
The awarding of this new scholarship comes just as registration for Girl Scout camp begins. It starts Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 9 a.m. on the Girl Scouts of Colorado website at girlscoutsofcolorado.org.
For summer 2015, Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to announce girls will be able to attend sessions at Sky High Ranch! Overnight camp is returning to this beautiful rustic camp near Manitou Lake and Woodland Park for the first time since 2012. For many Girl Scouts, attending camp at Sky High Ranch is a family tradition. Their mothers, grandmothers, and even great-grandmothers, in some cases, have fond memories of their summers at Sky High Ranch. Girl Scouts of Colorado will also offer overnight camp at perennial favorite Tomahawk Ranch near Bailey, southwest of Denver. Some of the activities at camp 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 25,000 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.