Dear Girl Scout members, families, volunteers, donors and alums,
From the beginning of the Girl Scout Movement, Girl Scout camp has been a place where girls connect with nature, build courage, and grow as leaders. From learning to paddle a canoe to building lifelong friendships around a campfire, outdoor experiences play a powerful role in helping girls discover who they are and what they can achieve.
The Girl Scouts – Diamonds board of directors and leadership team have carefully studied both the emotional and practical value of each of our outdoor-focused properties. Through town halls, surveys, usage reports, revenue modeling, and real estate assessments, we evaluated how today’s Girl Scouts and volunteers use (and hope to use) camp.
As we look ahead, it is clear that to honor our mission and meet girls’ needs for the future, we must focus our resources on the properties that can deliver the most dynamic outdoor experiences. While our hearts are deeply connected to every camp, the financial reality is that we cannot maintain underused properties at the level of excellence girls deserve.
After an extensive review and with a commitment to the outdoor experience at its core, the board of directors has voted to close and sell Camp Cahinnio and Radford House. We know these spaces hold treasured memories, and this news may be difficult. Please know this decision was not made lightly; it reflects our responsibility to use our council’s resources wisely so we can continue empowering girls for generations to come.
Proceeds from the sales will:
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Support renovations at Burnham Woods, Camp NOARK, and (pending feasibility) Camp Crossed Arrows.
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Strengthen our endowment.
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Ensure a vibrant, financially sustainable future for Girl Scouting.
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Closing ceremonies will be held at Camp Cahinnio and Radford House this fall, after existing reservations are honored, so that girls, alums, and volunteers may gather to celebrate these beloved places together.
Camps of Excellence Plan
The plan calls for renovating and maintaining Burnham Woods and Camp NOARK, and spending 90 days evaluating the feasibility of renovating and reopening Camp Crossed Arrows.
Expanding STEAM Opportunities in the Outdoors | Burnham Woods
Diamonds day camp and weekend encampment programs weave STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) into the heart of the outdoor experience. In-progress renovation and construction of decades-old buildings will open the door to greater access for hands-on learning, leadership development, and creative exploration, including:
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A new woodshop where girls can explore the art of design and engineering.
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Flexible learning spaces for troop meetings and activities ranging from robotics to environmental science.
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Expanded arts education areas nestled next to nature, inspiring creativity in the outdoors.
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Kelley Cabin updates that will allow for more comfortable indoor overnight opportunities.
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Poised for Growth in Outdoor Participation | Camp NOARK and Camp Crossed Arrows
With increased participation and engagement on the horizon, Camp NOARK and Camp Crossed Arrows must be prepared to fully deliver the Girl Scout outdoor experience. However, both properties face critical infrastructure challenges that limit their ability to provide modern and high-quality programs.
Planned renovation and new construction projects include:
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ADA-compliant upgrades throughout each property to enhance safety and accessibility.
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Renovated bath houses for improved comfort and functionality.
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Modernization of dining hall kitchens to meet health and safety standards and expand meal capacity.
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Upgraded cabins designed for comfort during extreme weather conditions.
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Expanded activity infrastructure such as aquatics programming, a climbing wall, ropes and challenge courses, and an archery range.
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These projects will be implemented in phases, with renovation, new construction, and camper readiness dependent on the success of a significant capital fundraising campaign currently in the feasibility stage. In addition, opportunities to reenergize volunteer ranger groups and fully engage alums will emerge in the coming months, creating a broad base of partnership and momentum.
Saying Goodbye | Camp Cahinnio and Radford House
Closing ceremonies, with a traditional final campfire and other activities, at Camp Cahinnio and Radford House will be held in the fall, following the fulfillment of existing reservations. Note: If you have an existing reservation at Radford House, our customer care team will reach out to you. Our cutoff date for use of the Radford House property will be November 2, to allow us to schedule a closing ceremony.
We recognize that any change with a property is often felt emotionally by our volunteers and girls, however, we are dedicated to living by the Girl Scout Law and using our resources wisely. We take seriously our obligation to ensure we are here for today’s girls as well as be stewards of our resources for the next generation.
Girl Scouts has always been about building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. By concentrating our resources where they can do the best, we are investing in a stronger future for outdoor leadership, ensuring our camps are not just maintained, but thriving spaces that inspire girls today and tomorrow.
Thank you for your continued passion, partnership, and trust.
Yours in Girl Scouting,
Mary Grace Herrington
President and CEO
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Join the Conversation
Virtual Q&A Session on Property Updates
September 9 | 7-8 pm (CST) | Virtual
Registration Required
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We invite you to submit questions in advance using the form linked below so we can group similar topics and make the most of our time together. To ensure we have time to review all submissions, the questionnaire will close on Monday, September 8 at 10:00PM. Every question and comment will be reviewed by our leadership team, even if we don’t have time to answer it live.
Following the session, we will share an FAQ email summarizing key questions and answers.
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