Memories from Camp Hickory Hill, Wild Rose Program Center, and Camp Norwesco

Camp Hickory Hill, 1929-1964

In 1929, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fredrick Loesch purchased a track of land that was originally a land grant signed by President Martin VanBuren.  It is in Edgerton, WI, located on Rice Lake.  In October of 1931, the land was deeded by the Loesch’s to the Des Plaines Girl Scout Council and the Girl Scouts of America (GSUSA), Region 7, and became Girl Scout Camp Hickory Hill.  Mrs. Loesch was the first commissioner of the Des Plaines Girl Scout Council, and Mr. Charles Fredrick Loesch was the maintenance director of Hickory Hill for many years. Miss Marian Hodgins was the first camp director of Hickory Hill. The first building on the property was the dining room/kitchen, named Loesch Lodge. “Grigsby,” a recreation building donated by Mr. and Mrs. B. J. Grigsby, was the second one built; the last two were the staff house and office building. These buildings were built with dollars contributed by former campers. Outpost, the pioneer unit, was formed in 1935.  The camp had five units: Merriwood, Hilltop, Outpost, Trails End, and Sea Scouts.   All campers lived in platform tents except Outpost. 

The camp was transferred to Girl Scouts of Northwest Cook Girl Scout Council when the Des Plaines Girl Scout Council merged with Illinois Prairie to form Northwest Cook Girl Scout Council. Deeds were finally recorded in Dane County, Wisconsin, on January 26, 1956.

Barbara Coyle attended Camp Hickory Hill in the late 1940s.  Her favorite memory is the songs the Merriwood Unit sang every day, and she still sings them today.

Wild Rose Program Center, 1952-2012

Camp Lindenwood, located in Thatcher Woods, was returned to the Forest Preserves in 1945. The Forest Preserve tore it down in 1949. The Finance Committee of Lone Tree Area Girl Scout Council recommended to the Board of Directors that a savings account be set up to purchase a permanent campsite for day camping, overnight camping, and Brownie camping.  In March of 1952, Lone Tree Area Girl Scout Council purchased 80 acres of land that was part of the Crane Estate, which was formerly called Wild Rose Farm.  The council originally named the property Camp Wild Rose.  The first house built on the site was in 1953 and named Ridgetop House, but many referred to it as “the Brownie House.”  In 1975, Lone Tree Area sold their camp in Three Lakes, WI, and Wild Rose became their resident camp. 

Strawberry Lodge and the caretaker’s residence were built in 1958.  Strawberry Lodge was later converted into an administrative building. Also, two platform camp areas named Aspen Grove and Tall Oaks were built, and two advanced campers’ sites were developed, Happy Hollow and Hawthorne Trail.  In 1967, a storage house and workshop were built.  In 1969, an octagonal lodge was built, and Westchester Troop 493 had the honor of being the first troop to use the lodge. 

In 1979, Lone Tree Area Girl Scout Council saw a need for many renovations to Camp Wild Rose and a task force led by Marge Gray converted the camp into Wild Rose Program Center where activities for girls and leader training could be held year-round.  Major changes were the building of Blueberry Patch Lodge in the shape of a cross so it could house three troops at a time. 

Sandy Cervenka remembers taking her Junior troop to Wild Rose and going to the marsh to do water sampling for their badge work.  Among the girls on the steps is Sandy’s sister, Bobbie Krivanek.

Sandy also remembers being one of four counselors in the Tall Oaks unit during a 4-day resident camp experience.   “Two of us wore glasses and two hearing aids.  We were sleeping soundly with all the tent flaps up when the site manager came up in her car to wake us.  There was a storm coming with possible tornadoes.  None of us heard the walkie-talkies go off.  Being blind or deaf, we had to get the girls from their tents and take them to the unit’s shelter.  We had to drag some girls asleep in their sleeping bags through the rain and mud to the shelter,” said Sandy.

Debbie Kidd shares memories of taking her Troop 1750 camping for the first time in 1995, and it was at Wild Rose.  “It has become a cherished memory for the girls and me.  We hiked, made tie-dyed t-shirts outside, made homemade ice cream in a “coffee can,” played sticks, cooked our meals, made napkin rings from nature, sang gracefully around the campfire, made s’mores, and sang songs.  One of the girls on that campout, Jenica Janos, told Debbie that Girl Scouts didn’t just teach me to build a fire; it taught me to untangle challenges, navigate the wilderness of life with confidence, and always leave the campsite better than I found it,” said Debbie.

Camp Norwesco, 1958-1983

In 1955, the Northwest Cook Council saw the need for another established camp since Camp Pine and Camp Hickory Hill always had waiting lists.  A committee was formed to investigate properties in Wisconsin. The committee decided on a 700-acre site on Herde Lake adjacent to DuPage County Council’s Camp Chippewa Bay on Long Lake.  The Board approved the purchase of the property on October 23, 1957. During July 21 – 31, 1958, 12 girls were chosen to primitive camp on the property.  They were accompanied by two leaders and a camp nurse.  Road construction began in June of 1959.  The remainder of the camp was completed in 1960.

Copied from the log of July 21-31, 1958, primitive camp: Friday, July 25 – Tuft’s (leader) turn to town.  Girls dug another latrine – still not satisfied! The third one, finally deep enough, was considered satisfactory, so girls lashed a seat.  I took down the damaged tent, replaced it, and decided to add one more tent so that all tents would house just two girls.  The girls continued during the day on various chores – peeling bark for the flagpole, splicing the rope, and rigging the pulley.  Some of the girls lashed a table near the baker’s tent for use in getting meals and doing dishes—more clearing and shopping.  The new beach spot started near Cotton’s (leader) tent, and steps cut down the hill.  A better path cleared to the boat – stones removed, bean holes for Sunday dinner were dug.  Two girls lashed a table near their tent to hold a washstand and personal gear.  At the campfire, the girls sang us their completed camp song:

Michele Herman spent the first of seven summers at Camp Norwesco in 1970.  The first year, she went for one session that was two weeks long. After that, Michele insisted she attend two sessions. Her first five years of experience included swimming, boating, hiking, crafts, flag ceremonies, and morning watch.  The following year, Michele was in the mounted unit (horseback riding), which is what Michele calls the crème de la crème. “Boundary Waters spending ten days in the Quetico Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada, canoeing for hours, portaging between lakes, carrying packs heavier than she was, digging holes to make a toilet, securing food so bears would not get it, and keeping pie pans handy to scare off bears.  We sang quiet songs around the campfire and knew no one was within miles of us.  It was filled with majestic views of nature.  I often told my daughters I would still go if they let me!  Camp Norwesco is my happiest place on Earth,” said Michele.

Elise Gould said, “Camp Norwesco was my happy place for me! For many summers during my childhood and teenage days, I would go up there and find peace, friendship, and fun with other girls my age.  It was magical!  With the sale of Camp Hickory Hills, units were added, and some unit names changed. The new unit for older girls was called Marion. It is here that I became a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) and then a full-time counselor.  Memories are abounding when it comes to Norwesco.  The counselors, the girls and future friends, and the fun activities kept me coming back summer after summer.  I am still friends with many of the girls and counselors.  There were several reunions where we gathered to reminisce and sing songs as if we were kids again.”

Camp Juniper Knoll Stories Over the Years

This year, we’re celebrating 100 years of Camp Juniper Knoll (JK). In honor of recognizing this legacy camp, former campers, current campers, camp staff, and friends of Camp JK have shared some of their favorite memories. Read on to explore how this camp has impacted Girl Scouts throughout the years.

To submit your Camp JK story, click here.

To register for our Camp JK Birthday Party on September 7, click here.

Debbie M., former camper, current camper, and volunteer, shared:

“My first memory of JK was in 1972 when my troop went there for the first time. We were in Voyager (gone), and it was dark, the leaders couldn’t find all the tents, and it was raining most of the weekend. We learned to cook on an open fire in the rain. We burnt our spaghetti but ate it anyway. Stan made us clean out every pot before we could leave, even if we knew we didn’t use it. And some of us continued going there after that for years. I still do and plan on it for a long time. My family has had four generations attend JK, and three generations will be at the 100th. It’s one of my Happy Places.”

Denise U., former camper, shared:

“In the Summer of 1986, my troop, Troop 433 of Illinois Prairie Council, camped for a weekend at Juniper Knoll. It was memorable for the friendships that were solidified as it was the first camping trip this Girl Scout Senior Troop was taking. It also became memorable as it was during that trip in the late hours when we all squished into one platform tent that we decided we wanted to visit the Juliette Low Birthplace in Savannah. After a year of planning and fundraising, our troop made that dream happen by traveling to Savannah in August 1987. That dream would not have been possible without Juniper Knoll!”

Denise added, “Troop 40172 grew up at Juniper Knoll. I was the leader of this troop, which traveled from Girl Scout Daisy to Girl Scout Ambassador, spending many outings at the Promise Center. After spending time in the spring on weekend outings, sometimes with all the troops from Fairview School in Hoffman Estates, we started spending weekends during winter break cooking, baking, watching movies, and decompressing from high school.”

Natalie S., former camper, shared:

“So many trips to, and great memories from Camp Juniper Knoll. My first camping trip ever was to Camp Juniper Knoll with Brownie Troop 762 led by Peggy and Katie. I was born and raised in Chicago, new to Girl Scouts and camping. That first trip opened up a whole new world and I was hooked for life.

Happy Birthday, Camp Juniper Knoll!”

Katie N., former camper and camp staff, shared:

“My favorite camp memory was meeting my life long best friends there. We met one summer and as campers and have continued to grow into young adults while enjoying many summers together at JK. We always cherish the moments and memories together and look back on all of it fondly.”

Tracy B., volunteer, shared:

“I’ve been a Girl Scout leader since 2012, and was a Girl Scout as a kid who loved to go to Girl Scout camp in the summer. I have a deep understanding and appreciation for what a special place like JK is. I have fond memories of taking my troop to Juniper Knoll over the years, from Spring time “mom and me” trips with our service unit, where one year it got down into the 20s overnight as we slept in Yurts, to winter trips when the troop was older and we stayed in Promise in January.

The winter trips are most memorable, as we cooked and baked to our hearts content in the sun-filled kitchen at Promise. We had an Iron Chef type of competition of sandwich making and shared/baked family cookie recipes. We snowshoed among the barren trees and made snow angels on the icy lake after a snowstorm–simply magical. We earned badges through activities like book making and wood carving, painting winter scenes with watercolors and making friendship bracelets. We made s’mores by a campfire despite the bone-chilling cold. One of my warmest memories is when one of my scouts, who has a medical condition that confined her to a wheelchair and a breathing machine–and who also couldn’t speak, went sledding. A few of the girls (with the help of the other girls’ mom) gingerly placed her in a plastic sled and pulled her around the gently rolling hills in the front of Promise. Even though she couldn’t speak, you could hear her unmistakable squeals of joy as the girls ferried her around the snow. The freedom and friendship of that moment are seared in my mind, and was probably one of the most rewarding things I experienced as a leader. This was a time when cell phones were owned by just a few of the girls — and attention was being challenged. The opportunity to just “be” at camp, have a safe social space to interact with pre-teen/teen peers, and try new things and spread the wings of independence were priceless.

My two daughters also have special memories of JK as campers over many summers the past decade. My oldest, Winnie, went full circle this 100th anniversary year as a first-time counselor–one of the youngest at 18. I’m so proud of her, and thankful to JK and Girl Scouts for providing the opportunity for her to grow as a person and give back to others in her latest role. I appreciate how camp allows her to develop her independence (even now as a young adult) and share her knowledge and love of nature with the next generation of campers. JK has been a big part of her life–a comforting constant as she has grown up and the world changes.

It’s also been a place where my youngest daughter has grown up as a camper. She learned to canoe, kayak, and now sail. She’s gone to camp without knowing anyone and has made new friends. She’s learned so many life skills–socially, emotionally, physically. JK has given both my girls, and also my troop, the space to develop their confidence, character, and courage. It is a special place — and I’m truly grateful for it, and all the people who make it possible for it to continue to thrive for the next generation. We need a place like JK now more than ever. Happy 100th Juniper Knoll!”

Roxanne K., former camper, shared:

“I went to JK many times while I was in Girl Scouts from age 8 to 17. It was my favorite place to go in summer, and I spent many weekends there too. I learned swimming, canoeing, sailing, and so many more skills. JK will always have a special place in my heart.”

Barbara S., former camper, shared:

“Over the many summers I spent at JK in the late sixties and early seventies, I learned many things about friendship, teamwork, diversity, strengthening myself, etc. I loved camp songs, campfires, s’mores, open fire cooking, swimming, boating, sailing, quality time being in and listening to nature. Hearing the gong at 7am. Singing taps at night. Gaining pen-pals from different places in Chicago than from where I lived.
One of my biggest camp accomplishments was overcoming my fear of water and eventually becoming a white cap swimmer, earning all my advanced red cross swimming cards. I also treasure my canoeing and sailing skills learned at JK. All the water safety skills developed me to later become a lifeguard at North Avenue Beach for a few summers and a competitive swimmer in high school and college. But to this day I still sing the camp songs we sang around campfires and in the dining hall.

Happy 100, Camp Juniper Knoll!!”

Wendy J., former camper and camp staff, shared:

“My first memory is of boarding the Greyhound buses in downtown Chicago for the ride to camp. After that it was swimming (many years a red cap), yachting (rowing), campfires, cookouts, hiking, games, kapers, trading post, singing on the steps before meals and lifelong friends.

Later there was canoeing and then sailing as my swimming improved. The dreaded tip tests. A canoe trip down the Fox River, camping at Scuppernong and Nataqua, and more friends.

The staff were energetic and fun. Foreign staff added a new perspective. Camp director Ness pulled it all together to deliver a high quality traditional Girl Scout camp program.”

Carol M., former camper and camp staff, volunteer, and council historian, shared:

“As a Senior Girl Scout, I attended Metro Planning Board’s Senior weekends (1962-1965). At one, we were taught a song “The Ink is Black, the Page is White” written by Senior Girl Scout Tracey Polk, who later sold it to Three Dog Night. Our song fests were on the beach are at JK with a floating campfire out in the lake. Friendships made across the city that I still cherish.”

Come and Explore Girl Scout History

Written by council historian, Jane Doyle.

The Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Historian Team invites you to come check out their new Program Space in the Vernon Hills Gathering Place. The atrium area was selected by the council as the best spot to showcase the displays of historical items and provide some self-directed programming for troops and individuals. The team has storage and workspace in this building as well as the annex in Joliet.

Each of the council’s gathering places has a display case – more than one in some locations – but only Vernon Hills offers activities and hands-on items every day.

As you enter the building, you are invited to come upstairs and begin your journey. At the top of the stairs, turn to your right and look for the table in the center of the room.

On the table will be a binder with information to help you explore the space.

The displays in the three cases will change at least twice a year, so you are encouraged to come back to learn something new. We have provided a scavenger hunt to guide you through the displays. Currently, the cases on the south wall feature Juliette Gordon Low, and some of the dolls in the collection. The large case around the corner currently showcases some of the wonderful scrapbooks that Girl Scouts and troops put together after their time at camp. Other shelves are highlights from the varied items donated to the collection. Did you know there were official Girl Scout cameras to take those camp photos?

You’ll notice four mannequins wearing uniforms featuring the varied choices – and changes – Girl Scouts has produced throughout our 112-year history. These are for looking only, but under the windows you will find bins of uniforms to try on and pick your favorite! Each bin is sorted by level and has a binder with photos to help you put together all the pieces.

The three large black bookcases hold the book collection. The largest number of books are, of course, the handbooks that have shaped our Girl Scout program through the years. But you will also notice storybooks, guides for outdoor activities, songs, games, and in the right-hand case, books specific to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS). The bookends are official and serve a decorative as well as utilitarian purpose.

If you circle back to the north side of the space, you will find a case that holds books you can take out, read and use. Check the binder for suggested activities.

The wire baskets currently have large puzzles to assemble, camping gear and clothing to investigate, some dolls to play with, and paper dolls that can be dressed in historic uniforms.

There’s a Girl Scout trivia game on an easel, another easel holds a display of troop crests, and there is an opportunity to learn a bit about cookies and measure yourself in cookie boxes in the south corner of the space.

Before you leave, take your picture with Juliette and two girls who earned the Golden Eaglet. Learn more about the Girl Scouts Highest Awards in the binder.

We hope you will stop by our program space – bring your troop, bring your family, bring your Girl Scout friends. All are welcome.

The History of Camp Butternut Springs

In 1955, Dr. Axel Nogard, a retired dentist, owner of Butternut Springs, and nature-lover, wanted to sell 40 acres of his land near Valparaiso, Indiana, to Girl Scouts. The camping committee of Girl Scouts of Chicago saw this property as a perfect troop camping site with woods, hills, a creek, and several lakes that fed from a number of springs.  Ultimately, Dr. Nogard sold his entire 129 acres for $70,000, with negotiations completed in March 1956.  An additional 65 and 110 surrounding acres were added in 1963 and 1964. 

The house at the camp, built in 1918, became known as Spring House; with renovations inside, one room became the Infirmary.  An A-frame building became the Pack Out Kitchen (replaced in 1963), where summer campers came to get food supplies for their units, carrying the provisions in large baskets that fit on their backs.   

Another small building became known as Treasure Hut for its nature center (long gone now).  By the time of the camp dedication on June 11, 1957, three of the five planned unit houses had been completed.  The Wieboldt Foundation’s large donation supplied the name for that cabin unit.  A new caretaker’s home was ready in 1959, with a garage workshop in 1966.  By this time, more construction had brought sewers, water, and electrical lines into the camp, as well as a pay phone!  

During the early years, swimming and boating took place in the largest lake, which had been drained, dredged, and provided with a beach.  Eventually, a pool was built and dedicated on July 18, 1978, paid for by the Girl Scouts, selling over 300,000 boxes of cookies!  A new pool and pool house now replace it.

Butternut Springs, with its butternut tree near mineral springs that provided healing powers, is steeped in Native American lore.  Trail Tree’s path leads up to the unit house and passes the great deformed oak tree that marks a chief’s grave.  Legend has it that ill and injured Native Americans drank the spring water and were able to ride away on their horses; thus, the saddle formation was created by tying down the sapling oak.  Additionally, the land was used by Native Americans for burials, with 36 identified mounds, underscoring the camp’s rich cultural heritage.

Trail Tree

Other units had names related to their locations: Hickory Unit was named for the hickory trees; Running Water for the creeks that flow around it; Rock Road for the gravel roads that ran by it; and Primitive on the top of the hill where one might find arrowheads.  

In 1965, Mr. Roger Anderson and his wife Sis (a longtime Girl Scout leader, troop consultant, and advisor to Senior Girl Scouts) became the caretakers. The lake near the Ranger/Caretaker’s house was renamed Anderson Lake in 1984 to honor their dedication to Girl Scouts and 15 years overseeing Camp Butternut Springs. This continued the focus on nature and the outdoors that Dr. Nogard nurtured. 

Butternut Springs continued to grow. Beckoning Woods (Becky) was named in a contest because the woods are beckoning to campers, and McCormick Lodge (Mac), named for the McCormick family’s donation, was built in 1975.  A Gathering Place, program and troop center, and Trading Post now reside in place of Rocky Road. On the hill in the primitive area, Friendship Cabin was built with more units, and the outdoor spaces have also grown. The oval track and fitness field has areas for soccer, softball, volleyball, archery, a sledding hill, and a zip line.  A high ropes course and a climbing wall add to the challenges.  Four marked trails provide year-round adventures. To end an active day, a site for Girl Scout campfires awaits with the peace and quiet (and s’mores) of the night.

Camp Juniper Knoll turns 100 years old!

Click here to join us at this historic birthday party celebration for Camp Juniper Knoll. Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Council Historian Carol Macola shares with us the early history of the camp.

On June 19, 1924, Camp Pleasant in Wisconsin opened for summer sessions for 620 girls, utilizing tents in two units and a huge waterfront for swimming and boating. It took two years of negotiations, with assistance from Board of Directors member Augusta Rosenwald’s husband, Julius Rosenwald, for the forty acres on Pleasant Lake to belong to Girl Scouts of Chicago and Cook County Council. As the result of a contest, the camp was renamed Camp Juniper Knoll (JK) for the 1925 summer sessions, along with an expansion to three units: Sunny Ridge, Sleepy Hollow (later Gypsy Hollow), and Frontier. That year, Juniper Knoll was also selected to host a National Training Camp for Region 7 (Great Lakes Region).

The camp grew rapidly, with the dining lodge (now Low Lodge), kitchen, storehouse, more sleeping tents, and a hospital tent in 1926. An annual camp scrapbook was put together, a tradition that continued for over fifteen years, with photographs, artwork, news columns, and poetry. By 1928, Book Nest was completed, along with a new boat landing for canoes, rowboats, and later sailboats.

An exciting guest came to Juniper Knoll during the summer of 1926 and helped with the waterfront: Olympic swimmer Johnny Weismuller, who went on to play Tarzan in the movies. (Second from the left in photo two.)

With more units, Girl Scouts were placed in units based on age, experience, and interests. Girl Scouts could be pirates in Treasure Island, Scotsmen in Bonnie Highlands, pioneers in primitive Frontier, Native Americans in Shining Waters (renamed Shonghela), or Robin Hood’s merry men in Lone Cedar (later Greenwood).

By the late 1930s, Treasure Island suffered erosion and had to close; the new Clippership took on the sea-faring concept, with a small lodge nearby named Clipper’s Cabin. A gong was hung in the meadow near Book Nest to call the girls to meals and to various all-camp events.

While swimming, boating, and outdoor cooking were scheduled activities, treasure hunts, song contests, dramatics, and nature arts were also routine. By the 1950s, a Camper Council with representatives from each unit planned a “backward day,” water carnivals, progressive dinners, circuses, an all-camp birthday party, and the last campfire for the session. Different units had hikes around the lake, canoe trips, overnights, truck trips (to Yerkes Observatory in Williams Bay), and horseback riding at Horseshoe Bar Ranch. Some units put on puppet shows for other units; one built a seesaw, one lashed a swing, and others prepared games for camp participation. The ten-day sessions at camp were full of adventures!

In 1952-1953, property adjoining Juniper Knoll was purchased, originally with the idea of a second camp. Named Acorn Hill, it became part of JK, with its units: Wilderness, Citadel (for Counselors-In-Training –CITs), Natnaquwa (primitive unit), and Waterfront Primitive.

In 1963, Juniper Knoll hosted eight Canadian Girl Guides as part of a camper exchange. In 1968, the camp hosted three camping institutes for GSUSA and Region VII.

Juniper Knoll has changed over time. Voyager and Chalet were added to the units; Scottish Highlands was absorbed into another unit. By 1962, Sunny Ridge and Wilderness had been moved, and then Sunnyridge (new spelling) had been renamed Shonghela, as it was no longer on a ridge. Gypsy Hollow and Voyager succumbed to erosion problems. Embers was built as a staff house, but it was lost to a fire in more recent times. The waterfront was also moved from its location to Acorn Hill’s swimming and boating area, again due to erosion. Health Center replaced Growing Well. Promise Lodge was built, truly allowing for camping all year round. The old dining hall was named Low Lodge with the building of Bensinger in 1962, which has since been replaced with our beautiful new dining hall.

One hundred years later, the Low Lodge, Clipper’s Cabin, Book Nest, and the staff cabins still remain reminding us of where we started. Yurts and cabins are taking us forward along with tent camping and outdoor cooking. Pleasant Lake continues to be our prize as we add more water vessels, such as sailing paddle boards. Juniper Knoll has a historical past and an exciting future.

Girl Scout World Centers

It was at a World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) meeting in Holland in 1929 that the group decided they needed a permanent World Center where girls from many countries could meet and learn how much their lives were the same. American troop leader, Helen Storrow of Massachusetts agreed to finance the construction of the center on the condition it be built in Switzerland. With the help of Swiss Girl Scout, Ida Von Herrenschwand, or Falk as she was known, Storrow found a lovely, peaceful place in the Alps and Our Chalet construction began in 1931. It opened in 1932. The flat roof with stones on it prevents large sheets of snow from sliding off in the winter.

A trip to Our Chalet is enjoyed by older Girl Scout troops who have planned and saved for it for much of their Girl Scout lives. Visitors stay in the original building or the newer Stöckli. In summer they can camp in the woods. Skiing is a popular sport in the winter. Tours of the area include a visit to the woodcarver for handmade souvenirs and to the chocolate factory for a tour and wonderful Swiss chocolate. Evenings are filled with songs, games, and programs prepared by the staff. A birthday at the Chalet is celebrated at dinner with ‘Happy Birthday’ sung in the languages of the multi-national staff.

Girl Scouts visiting Our Chalet as part of their international travel trip to Switzerland in 2023.

Though Our Chalet was the first, WAGGGS now operates five world centers. In addition to Our Chalet there is:

Our Cabaña in Cuernavaca, Mexico
Pax Lodge in London, England
Sangam in Pune, India
Kusafiri, which doesn’t have a permanent home, but rotates hosting duties among several African countries.
Our Ark in London, England

Our Ark was established in London, England in 1939. It became a refuge for Guides forced out of Europe during World War II. In 1959, a new building was bought with a request for a penny from “Every Brownie, Guide, Ranger and Old Guide and every Leader and Commissioner.” In 1963 it was renamed Olave House for Olave Baden-Powell. The Olave House closed in 1991 and was replaced by Pax Lodge.

In the pictures above are many items from the woodcarver including a music box with “Our Chalet” and the WAGGGS emblem carved on the top, a Chalet scene on a coaster, a pin with the Chalet scene and dates 1932-2007 for the Chalet’s 75^th anniversary.

Girl Scout Volunteer Awards

Girl Scout volunteers show commitment, dedication, and share their time to help girls benefit from the Girl Scout program that Juliette Gordon Low started back in 1912.

Girl Scout volunteers are appreciated, and don’t look to be recognized. Many go above and beyond to help the Girl Scout organization continue its mission. It’s nice to recognize them for their dedication and to show them that they are a valuable asset to the organization.

One way to recognize Girl Scout volunteers is to nominate them for one of the many different Adult Girl Scout Awards. Some of the awards are Girl Scouts of the USA awards, and some are our own council’s awards.

One award, the Years of Service Award, doesn’t require a nomination. It is handed out at a service unit recognition event, or at a council wide recognition event. The council sends out lists to each service unit every year with the names of people that are eligible for a Years of Service pin that year. Years of Service pins are awarded in five-year increments.

Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) Board Approved awards include the Appreciation Pin (instituted by GSUSA in 1976), the Honor Pin (instituted in 1987), the Thanks Badge (instituted in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low), and the Thanks Badge II (instituted in 1987). Each of these awards have different requirements as to how many service units or program delivery areas that the nominee has provided service to, in a way that furthers the council goals. Thanks Badge and Thanks Badge II require exceptional and outstanding service to the total council or the entire Girl Scout Movement.

The President’s Award is a group award for a service unit, who through the efforts of the service delivery team or committee, has made a significant impact toward the council goals and achieved one or more of the service unit goals and met the criteria listed.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) also have some awards created by our council.

The Hall of Fame award is for an adult member with 25 years or more of service that exceeds expectations for the service that the person had given and has a lasting impact on the Girl Scout organization.

There’s also the DAISY award (Dynamic and Incredible Staff of the Year), for people on staff that work for council and go above and beyond to meet the goals set by council to further the Girl Scout Movement.

Service unit awards include the Volunteer of Excellence (for partnering directly with girls in any pathway to implement the Girl Scout Leadership Experience or for service of the councils mission delivery to girls and adult members), the New Found Treasure (for a registered Girl Scout adult with less than two years of service and has “hit” the ground running as they began working with a troop or service unit), and the Shining Star (formerly known as Hidden Hero), for someone who helps where they are needed and keeps accepting assignments to keep Girl Scouting thriving.

Our council also has community awards, that can be presented to people or businesses that provide space or other things to help promote the Girl Scout Movement.

The Girl Scout Enthusiast award is for people or businesses (eg. schools, stores, or park districts) that provide space for Girl Scout activities. This award is approved by the Adult Recognition Committee. The Girl Scout Hero award is for service provided at the council level for Girl Scouts. This award is approved by the Girl Scout GCNWI Board of Directors.

Nomination submissions are accepted year-round for these two community awards.

For more information on what is required to nominate someone for any one of these awards, go to Girl Scout GCNWI website here.

Remember, each award has different requirements and numbers of endorsement letters required before submitting an application. The website explains each award and what the requirements are, and there are examples as to how to choose a person to nominate and for which award. It also has answers to the frequently asked questions that may be on your mind.

Nominations have different deadlines, so be sure to check the dates that the forms are due. Then plan to attend, next fall, one of the Adult Recognition Ceremonies where you or someone that you nominated can receive their award.

Written by Girl Scout GCNWI Historian, Veronica Pradelski

An Enchanting Recap from 2023’s National Council Session and Girl Scout Convention.

This past July in Lake Buena Vista, FL, Girl Scouts from across the country and world gathered at Walt Disney World Resort for the 2023 National Council Session (NCS) and Girl Scout Convention, Phenom. With excitement and magic lingering in the air, nearly 10,000 Girl Scouts, National Council Delegates, volunteers, and visitors eagerly awaited their chance to celebrate our movement. A magical few days were about to take place in what could be described as one of the most magical places on earth.

Taking place once every three years, this event is both a business meeting, where important issues and topics that affect the future of our movement are discussed and voted on by the National Council, and a celebration of our movement with inspiring stories, new friendships, and of course, lots of sing-a-longs taking place.

National Council Delegates are elected by local councils and serve in these roles for three years. They represent local councils in the business meeting portion of convention known as NCS. The Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) National Delegation is made up of adult members and Girl Scouts who are at least 14 years of age at the time of election. Some GCNWI Delegates have attended numerous NCSs while others were attending for the first time!

While their experience varies, all delegates share a passion for Girl Scouting, a desire to serve our council, and have a dedication that is unmatched as they spent countless hours preparing to attend NCS by meeting both virtually and in person. National Delegate Pamela shared that while she had so many memories from NCS, one of her favorites was GCNWI’s Delegation meeting up at the airport. “I could feel the positive energy of the group. We each knew we had a purpose to represent our council and we were ready.”

Upon arrival and ready to kick off the festivities, GCNWI’s National Delegation gathered with other GCNWI council members who were in town to attend the convention. Together, they had a spectacular evening full of laughter, friendship, and wonder as they looked ahead to the exciting events that were to come.

During the 56^th NCS, which lasted three days, delegates participated in debates and voted on seven proposals that direct the future of the Girl Scout Movement. Four of these seven proposals were passed. While some proposals were passed or defeated quickly, others went through hours of debating before a vote was taken. First time GCNWI National Delegate Rebecca reflects that, “It was so exciting to be a part of the debates and witness the voting/passing of various proposals. I was surprised by how quickly things could move – and how slowly they could crawl. The most surprising part of NCS may have been the girl delegates. They spoke so passionately and thoughtfully with a perspective I no longer have personally. I’m so impressed and inspired by all of them. The future is bright.”

GCNWI National Girl Delegates and chaperone strategizing before NCS.

GCNWI National Girl Delegates Madalyn, Maddie, McKenzie, Hazel, Katharine, and Annabel.

While reflecting on her favorite part of NCS, GCNWI National Girl Delegate Madalyn shared, “I loved the entirety of the democratic process. Seeing such passionate females making their voice heard and being powerful was such an inspiration and an experience I will never forget. Even the little moments when I would talk with the other girl delegates across the table, and we would discuss the proposal at hand was so meaningful because open-mindedness is something that always should be present in democracy but is rare.”

Additionally, GCNWI National Girl Delegate Hazel shared, “It was really cool to be surrounded by so many powerful women and intelligent girls. It’s so rare to be in a room where important decisions are being made by only (or mostly) women, and it was a really amazing experience.”

GCNWI National Girl Delegate Annabel reflects, “I was definitely nervous about knowing all of the information and nuances of the proposals being discussed, but as we all were able to have in depth discussions from members of our and other delegations, I learned some really fascinating insight and was able to deepen my understanding of Girl Scout governance. This was one of the things I was also excited about, being able to talk to many people from all over the country, as well as the opportunity to grow closer to those in my delegation. I think Girl Scouts is truly one of the most inclusive places, and everyone I’ve met wants to listen to and learn from what others have to say, even if they disagree.”

GCNWI National Girl Delegates McKenzie, Madalyn, Hazel, Maddie, Annabel, and Katharine with new National Board Member Scott Saunders and GCNWI Board Member Janet Hulet.

GCNWI Delegate Lindsay shares that, “The best part of NCS was listening to passionate, informed, and courageous girl members from around the country make their cases to a room of 1000. Their voices were excellent reminders of why Girl Scouting is more important than ever.”

One of the more important pieces of business at this year’s NCS was the consideration of the Girl Scout Gold Award Scholarship. During the 2020 NCS, GCNWI’s National Delegation proposed the formation of a task force to examine the feasibility of creating a national Gold Award Scholarship Fund, which was passed. After the passing of that proposal, a task force was formed and made recommendations for the creation of a Movement Gold Award Scholarship. The passing of the 2023 proposal puts the existence of the fund into the Blue Book of Basic Documents.

GCNWI National Delegate Karen, who was instrumental in the creation of the 2020 proposal and served on the Gold Award Scholarship Fund Task Force, shared that her favorite moment of this year’s NCS was wrapped around the passing of this proposal. “After many years of advocating for the creation of a national scholarship program for Gold Award recipients, I was thoroughly delighted when the proposal passed and that my dream will now come to fruition.”

Proposals were not the only topic on this year’s NCS agenda. Delegates had a busy schedule and participated in a discussion on Movement Governance, elected the new National Board and National Board Development Committee, and had a great time meeting and networking with Girl Scouts of the USA’s (GSUSA) CEO Bonnie Barczykowski, members of the National Board, and new National Board President Noorain F. Khan.

After NCS wrapped up, it was time for Phenom, the convention portion of the week! During Phenom, Girl Scouts had the chance to continue networking with others from across the movement, explore the expo hall, workshops, and even hop on over to the parks! Some of our members also volunteered or participated in a 5k that took place around the convention center.

GCNWI National Alternate Delegate Tina has attended convention multiple times as a visitor and shared, “I love going to convention. There is so much energy when you put so many Girl Scouts in one place. It’s amazing to see the girls become so engaged, socializing, and networking with other girls and adults from all over. It’s equally amazing to see so many adults who are so passionate about our movement and what it provides for the girls. It’s a perfect cure for burnout! I always leave reenergized and proud to be a lifetime member of GSUSA.”

GCNWI National Delegate Tresa joined her troop after NCS to take in convention. “I loved meeting other delegates from other councils along with having my troop of 5 girls there for Phenom. It was an amazing and inspiring event that they got to witness while using their money they had raised to make it a better world in the future.”

While we reflect on all of the wonderful memories created at this year’s NCS and Girl Scout Convention, we’re excited to share the next NCS and Girl Scout Convention will take place in Washington, DC, July 20-25, 2026! Those interested in attending as visitors should stay tuned for more information that will be released from GSUSA.

GCNWI will be seeking applications for our next class of National Delegates in Fall 2024. These delegates will serve from Spring 2025 to Spring 2028. More information will be available on the GCNWI Democratic Process page.

If you or a Girl Scout you know is unsure about applying to be a GCNWI National Girl Delegate or attending Girl Scout Convention, check out what some of our GCNWI National Delegates had to say!

“Apply! Attend! Be part of the remarkable experience! I hope to again in 2026. Once you are there you can see Girl Scouts in action. It is a place where you are surrounded by people who are passionate about the movement, and it shows. The positive energy at the convention is contagious. You need to experience for yourself firsthand. I wish every Girl Scout could attend.” —GCNWI National Delegate Lisa

“Enjoy the journey! You will get to learn more than you imagined about the history and origins of Girl Scouts, and how change happens in this amazing organization.” —GCNWI National Delegate Jen

“I would tell them to go for it. It is such an amazing experience to be able to express your voice & the voice of other Girls and volunteers in your area. You will make close friends with your fellow delegates, meet people from all over, have in-depth conversations about governance and general life. Girl Scouts is such an inclusive and loving space, and it is really reflected in the people you meet. Being able to help better it is such a joy.” —GCNWI National Girl Delegate Annabel

“I cannot recommend this experience enough. YOU can make an impact on our mission. YOU can help guide the future of our organization. YOU should do it (and get ready to have loads of fun on the journey)!” —GCNWI National Delegate Rebecca

Want to learn more? The GCNWI National Delegation is happy to come speak to Troops or Service Units about being a National Delegate and the 2023 National Council Session and Convention. If you would like to request a Delegate to come speak at your meeting, please email Alaina Greene, Delegate Liaison, at agreene@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Gone, But Not Forgotten – Girl Scout Cookies That Have Left Us

By Karen Schillings, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Council Historian

At the beginning of the Girl Scout phenomenon known as “The Cookie Sale,” the troops baked the cookies themselves. Then, in 1934, the Greater Philadelphia Council contacted the Keebler–Weyl Company, requesting their assistance. The company agreed to bake and package vanilla Girl Scout cookies in the trefoil shape, making Keebler-Weyl the first official commercial baker of Girl Scout cookies. By 1937, commercially baked Girl Scout cookies were sold nationally by 125 Girl Scout councils. At one time, as many as 29 bakers supplied cookies for Girl Scouts. With so many bakers providing the sweet treats, a good number of varieties were also being produced. Over the past eight-plus decades, we have seen more than 60 flavors of Girl Scout cookies being offered. So, let’s go down memory lane to recall some of the hits and misses in the world of Girl Scout cookies.

Although the iconic trefoil-shaped cookie was the first type to be commercially baked, the licensed bakers started developing other types of cookies for Girl Scouts to sell. Some of the most iconic were the Vanilla and Chocolate Sandwich Cremes offered by Burry Biscuit Corporation from 1949 to 1973. However, the same cookie was rebranded in 1974 as Van’Chos and continued until 1983.

Another memorable cookie variety is the Scot-Teas that were made by Burry from 1959 to 1980. This was a shortbread cookie with sugar sprinkled on top. It’s possibly the longest seller of any of the discontinued cookies, whose name is immediately recognizable as a Girl Scout cookie.

An unforgettable cookie name is the Kookaburras, which was another one of the Burry Biscuit Corporation offerings. This cookie was similar to a Kit Kat bar and featured wafers layered with caramel and coated in milk chocolate. Although it only lasted from 1983 to 1986, it is still one of the most popular for cookie connoisseurs from that era who long for its return.

Throughout the 1980’s, Burry provided Golden Yangles for the annual cookie sale. It’s unclear why this product was considered a Girl Scout cookie and should be marketed as such since it was basically a triangular cheese cracker. After the discontinuation of the Golden Yangles, our organization has avoided savory snacks for the cookie sale, offering those food items during the fall product sale instead.

Then there were the cinnamon-flavored cookies, which didn’t seem to be very popular with Girl Scout customers. ABC Bakers tried to entice the public with the Five World Cinnamon cookie, which lasted the longest, from 1996 to 2001. A future endeavor with Cinna-Spins in 2008 found that flavor was being replaced the very next year, in 2009, with another cinnamon cookie, the Daisy Rounds. That cookie was gone by 2011. Each flavor was dropped for lack of sales. The only cinnamon cookie that achieved some success was Little Brownie Bakers’ (LBB) Apple Cinnamons, which were available from 1997 to 2001.

Sugar-free cookies also seemed to be unpopular with consumers. The first try was with the Sugar-Free Lemon Chalet Cremes. Introduced by Little Brownie Bakers in 1997, they were gone after 1998. However, LBB made another attempt in 2007 with the Sugar-Free Chocolate Chip cookie, but that too lasted only a year. Not being discouraged, LBB tried again in 2008 with the Sugar-Free Little Brownies, which didn’t fare any better, leaving the cookie lineup after one year.

Although the cinnamon flavor and sugar-free cookies proved not to be very popular, there were other varieties that had a much larger fan base. While the Sugar-Free Lemon Chalet Cremes didn’t garner much support, other lemon-flavored cookies performed much better. Besides the five permanent varieties made by both current cookie companies, Lemonades by ABC Bakers is the only cookie currently sold that has lasted for more than a decade. It’s a shortbread cookie with tangy lemon-flavored icing. Lemonades started in 2008 and have proven to be the most successful cookie of any of the 21st-century lemon flavors.

Savannah Smiles was another popular variety of lemon cookies that Little Brownie Bakers produced. These cookies were lemony wedges coated with powdered sugar and were available from 2011 to 2019. The precursor to Savannah Smiles was the Lemon Coolers, a reduced-fat bite-sized cookie that lasted from 2003 to 2006. When Savannah Smiles was discontinued, Lemon-Ups took their place and are still sold today. This is a crispy lemon cookie with a layer of sweet glaze on one side and one of eight positive messages, such as “I am a leader” and “I am an innovator” on the other. Only time will tell if this cookie has the longevity of ABC’s Lemonades.

The Burry Biscuit Company’s original Lemon Cremes, a vanilla sandwich cookie with lemon filling, also had a long-staying power. They were introduced in 1973 and morphed into Cabana Cremes in 1989 under the Little Brownie Baker moniker. However, a box of Cabana Cremes included cookies with two different fillings: lemon filling and vanilla filling. They were sold until 1995.

Another popular cookie was the ABC Bakers’ Thanks-a-Lot, 2006-2021, which replaced a similar cookie, Animal Treasures, that started in 1995 and became extinct in 2005. Animal Treasures was a rectangular cookie with endangered animals stamped on it. In contrast, the Thanks-a-Lot cookies were round and imprinted with the words “thank you” in five different languages.

Both were shortbread cookies with a fudge bottom. Little Brownie Bakers offered a similar cookie from 2001 to 2008 called All-Abouts. The LBB version featured a message that proclaimed what Girl Scouts were “all about,” such as respect, friendship, confidence, and courage. The shape of All-Abouts changed to circles before being discontinued in 2008.

During the 2016 season, both bakers rolled out their versions of the Girl Scout S’mores. The ABC Bakers (left cookies) variety featured a graham cookie, double dipped in marshmallow creme icing and chocolate. Whereas the Little Brownie Bakers (right cookies) offering is a graham sandwich cookie with chocolate and marshmallow filling. ABC has discontinued its s’mores cookie, but LBB continues to offer it.

There have been many other cookie flavors along the way. Some of them you might even remember, or wish would return.

Little Brownie Bakers has had:
Golden Nut Clusters (1971-1973)
Golden Nut Clusters, version 2.0 (1974-1976)
Forget-Me-Nots (1979-1981), forgotten after just three years
Chocolate Chunks (1979-1981)
Medallions (1983-1984)
Pecan Shorties (1985-1987)
Le Chips (1996-1999)
Aloha Chips (2000-2004)
Ole Ole (2001-03)
Double Dutch (2003-2005)
Dulce de Leche (2008-2014)
Rah Rah Raisins (2014-2016)

ABC Bakers has also had a plethora of cookie offerings. You might recall these varieties:

Praline Royals (1992-1993)
Friendship Circles (2002-2003)
Iced Berry Pinatas (2003-2005)
Shout Outs! (2010-2012)
Mango Cremes with Nutrifusion, an infusion of nutrients from a number of vitamin-rich foods and not the greatest selling point (2013-2014)
Cranberry Citrus Crips (2013-16)
Trios (2015-17)

Girl Scout cookie flavors will continue to come and go as long as there is a Girl Scout cookie sale. However, the two current officially licensed bakers, Little Brownie, and ABC, maintain the five standard cookies offered yearly, although each company has its own names for these cookies. The exception is the classic Thin Mints, the name used by both companies for this cookie, which has existed under various names, such as Cooky Mints, Chocolate Mint, Thin Mint-Teas, and Mints, since 1940!

Do you know Juliette Gordon Low?

Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon was born in Savannah, GA, on October 31, 1860. Nicknamed Daisy by an uncle, who said she looked like a Daisy, she retained that nickname throughout her life.

Juliette’s father served in the Confederate Army, and the family took in relatives, which strained the family’s resources. Her Northern grandparents sent packets of food to assist the family. After the surrender of Savannah, GA, during the Civil War, Juliette and her family traveled to Chicago to stay with her maternal grandparents, Juliette Magill Kinzie and John Harris Kinzie. Mr. Kinzie was well known in Chicago and very politically active. Their home was on the north bank of the Chicago River across from Fort Dearborn.

Juliette Magill Kinzie wrote the book Wau-Bun which described their life in Portage, WI, where John served as the Indian subagent at Fort Winnebago.

As a young girl, Juliette enjoyed artistic pursuits – writing, drawing, painting – and, at sixteen, created the Helping Hands Club, a sewing club that made clothing for the less fortunate in Savannah. She was brought up to be a proper Southern lady, Juliette attended boarding school in Virginia and finished school in New York City. 

An infection in her ear led to partial deafness when she was just 25 years old.

In December of 1886, she married William (Willie) Mackay Low. At the wedding, guests threw rice as a good-luck tradition, and a grain of rice got lodged in her ear and left her with total hearing loss.

Beginning in 1887, Juliette and Willie traveled to England and spent many years entertaining and being entertained by royalty. They had homes in Warwickshire (Wellesbourne House) and Lude (Scotland). At Wellesbourne House, there were pets and horses but no children of Willie and Juliette. She loved her nieces and nephews and friend’s children, though. Juliette would invite them to visit her home and take them on adventurous trips.

Following Willie’s death in 1905, Juliette remained in England in the summer and returned to Savannah in the winter. She traveled, became a proficient sculptor, and continued to meet new friends, including Lord Baden-Powell, and the rest, as they say, is history. In 1912, Juliette started the first Girl Scout troop in Savannah, which, over the years, ignited a movement across America where every girl could unlock her full potential, find lifelong friends, and make the world a better place.

Juliette Gordon Low died from breast cancer on January 17, 1927, in Savannah, GA. She was buried in her uniform with the following note in a pocket: “You are not only the first Girl Scout but the best Girl Scout of them all.”

Juliette’s story has been told by many authors through the years. Pictured are a few of the biographies that share more of her “Crazy Daisy” antics, as well as her work to establish Girl Scouting as the premier organization for girls in the United States. In 1925, she wrote in her birthday message, “Truly ours is a circle of friendships, united by our ideals.”