Outdoor Program and Property Assessment

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Oakland Office Assessment • Outdoor Program & Camp Property Assessment • Twin Canyon Update • Tents & Trails: Help the Camps You Love • 2010 Camp Property Survey Results • 2010 Service Unit Input • Usage & Cost Data • 2009 Outdoor Program Survey Results • Maps • Property Rental • Summer Camp • Work Parties

$2.86 Million Conservation Easement Purchases by Sempervirens Fund Save Redwoods, Camps!

The Girl Scouts’ 100^th anniversary celebration theme, “Forever Green,” now rings more true thanks to the purchase by Sempervirens Fund – a nonprofit land conservation organization – of conservation easements on two Girl Scout properties in the Santa Cruz Mountains that will protect redwood forests and habitat from subdivision, development, and commercial timber harvest while enabling Girl Scouts to continue camp operations on the properties.

On March 1, 2012, Sempervirens Fund purchased conservation easements in the amount of $2.86 million for two Girl Scout properties: the 270-acre Skylark Ranch near Año Nuevo and the 142-acre Camp Butano Creek near Pescadero.

A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values. It allows landowners to continue to own and use their land and also sell it or pass it on to heirs. The easement remains in place even if the owner of the land changes, thus assuring that the resources on the land are protected in perpetuity.

Both properties have very high conservation resource values and contain large volumes of redwoods, including over 1,420 old-growth trees that will be permanently protected under this easement. The properties are located in high priority conservation areas, with streams and old-growth redwoods that provide habitat for the marbled murrelet, an endangered sea bird that nests in old-growth trees. Butano Creek, which runs along the Camp Butano property, is a designated critical habitat for the endangered central coast Steelhead trout, as is Skylark Ranch, which contains part of the headwaters of Whitehouse Creek.

The conservation easements will ensure permanent protection of the forests and other natural resources on the properties by stripping the properties of their development rights while at the same time allowing Girl Scouts to retain ownership of the land, fund the upgrades and maintenance of camp facilities, and continue camp operations.

Click here for a map that shows how this conservation easement purchase will add 412 acres onto an expansive network of connected protected lands that total 34,000 acres. Camp Butano Creek adjoins Butano State Park on two sides and shares a third side with a property already protected with a conservation easement. Skylark Ranch shares its western border with Año Nuevo State Reserve and is only 500 feet from directly adjoining with Big Basin Redwoods State Park. More ...

Girl Scouts NorCal Properties

Girl Scouts of Northern California operates 29 properties: 6 offices (staff, retail shops and meeting space); 2 service centers (staff, meeting space and no retail shop); 9 program centers (meeting/program space only) and 12 camp/outdoor program properties.

Click here for a map that shows the location of each property.

Oakland Office Assessment

The council’s Oakland office includes many of the council's headquarters functions and also includes a retail shop, museum and meeting areas. The Oakland office lease expires in 2013. During March and April 2011, GSNorCal adult members were invited to participate in a survey to give input regarding what’s important to them about a Girl Scout office/service center. 1,106 members participated in the survey, and their responses will help GSNorCal develop a plan for the 2013 expiration of the Oakland office lease. Click here to see results from the survey, and click here for a summary of these results.

Outdoor Program and Camp Property Assessment

In the summer of 2009, the Property Task Group toured camp properties, conducted a member survey about outdoor program and conducted girl focus groups at 4 camps: Deer Lake, Sugar Pine family camp, Hidden Falls and Skylark Ranch.

Information about this Outdoor Program and Property Assessment has been shared with members through email updates in "Notes from the CEO" (click here to subscribe). This page contains additional information for those interested in getting a more in-depth look at this process.

In August 2011, the Property Task Group shared an update with preliminary recommendations for member input via email and at September town hall meetings. The Property Task Group recommendations are aligned with the proposed 2012-2014 Strategic Plan – a link to the Strategic Plan Update also is included below:

Message from Marina Park, GSNorCal CEO, Regarding Twin Canyon

Background: In September 2011, I shared with members the Property Task Group’s draft recommendations for Girl Scouts of Northern California’s camp properties, and Michelle McCormick (Chief Program and Membership Officer) and I met with members in Walnut Creek on September 21, to discuss the Task Group’s recommendations.

The Task Group’s initial recommendation included Twin Canyon in the group of Tier 3 camps – camps at risk of sale or mothballing if we are not able to reduce losses on the Tier 1 and Tier 2 camps. Tier 1 camps are the three most used residential camps: Bothin, Butano and Skylark. Tier 2 camps are the camps the Task Group thinks we have a realistic opportunity to get to a break even operation: Deer Lake, Two Sentinels and Sugar Pine.

Since the Task Group’s preliminary recommendation, we heard from many members who would like to work with us to get Twin Canyon to a break even operation. As a result, at the November 5 Board meeting the Task Group recommended, and the Board agreed, that Twin Canyon be moved to the Tier 2 category. Our goal is to work with members during the 2012 fiscal year – now through September 2012 – to develop a realistic plan to get Twin Canyon to a break even operation. We also are continuing our work to reduce losses on the Tier 1 camps – and have made progress towards that goal this fall, with the dedication of a new donated adventure course at Bothin and a $1 million grant from the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation to support our camp improvement plan (to increase capacity and sustainability) at Camp Butano Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

January 18 Twin Canyon meeting topics:

We answered questions about and developed a list of further information members would like to have. You can click this link for information that responds to the question: Why does Girl Scouts of Northern California need to reduce its losses on camp properties?
We shared information and exchanged ideas about different “levers” we can use to get Twin Canyon to a break even operation. These included:
- A fee increase paid by Diablo Day Camp participants – The Day Camp committee is exploring this
- Increase membership, family giving and / or cookie sales: Currently, there are about 11,000 girl members in Service Units that are the primary users of Twin Canyon. These charts show the impact of achieving council averages for the cookie, fall sale and family giving in these Service Units and the impact of membership growth assuming that girls’ rate of participation in product sales and family giving remains the same
- Establish a reserve goal – We can explore ways to include Twin Canyon as part of the 5 year 100^th Anniversary Campaign. A $1 million Twin Canyon fund, would for example, generate about $40,000 per year for Twin Canyon (using a 4% spending rate) – that would be one way to build a secure future for the camp. This would, however, require a significant effort by members willing to work with us on a campaign.
- Explore a conservation easement on the property
Next steps: A broad community of members uses Twin Canyon in different ways – school year troops, service units and summer day camp. What is the best way to collaborate to make sure we can get things done and develop a plan the community supports?

Tents & Trails: Your camp memories may last forever, but our sites need your help.

The reality of bringing camp magic to you translates into loads of behind-the-scenes labor to keep our sites maintained and repaired. The very thing that draws you to our camp properties - that remote beauty, the sense of escape into nature - means we have to work extra hard to keep up with the toll that Mother Nature takes on our constantly-aging properties. Help keep our campfires burning for years to come.

Click here to donate, and if you'd like to lend your skills to volunteer to help at our sites, email camppropertyvolunteer@girlscoutsnorcal.org. Click here to learn more.

2010 Camp Property Survey

This survey focused on camp properties (as distinct from programs, which we explored in the survey described below). 658 members started this Survey and 554 members completed this Survey, which GSNorCal conducted from March 16 – April 15, 2010. Survey participants offered lots of ideas about ways to increase resources needed support to camp properties and outdoor program experiences. The Survey also provides helpful information about members’ views on future trends, factors that are most relevant in evaluating different camp properties and priorities for resources generated from camp properties.

Downloadable summary of survey results (data only)

Link to complete results, including all comments

2010 Service Unit Input on Vision and Goals

As part of the Outdoor Program and Property Assessment process, Regional Delegates were asked to discuss a few key questions with members regarding the role that outdoor programs and camp properties play in supporting the Council’s Mission and Vision. Below are the responses received by the Property Task Group representing various Service Units. This input will inform what our Council’s vision and goals will be for outdoor program and property and will set the stage for the next level of discussion regarding the future of our outdoor programs and camp properties.

Usage and Cost Data

Download this PDF for the following charts, which show how and when our 12 camp properties are used and the costs to operate and maintain camp properties.

Outdoor Program Survey Results Summary: Summer 2009

Respondents

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Number	183	575	280
Position		Troop Helper 97%	Troop Leader 74% Asst. Leader 15% Service Team 37%
Age Level	Daisy 1% Brownie 21% Junior 45% Cadette 25% Senior 6% Ambassador 2%	Daisy 7% Brownie 25% Junior 34% Cadette 25% Senior 5% Ambassador 4%	Daisy 15% Brownie 34% Junior 44% Cadette 43% Senior 25% Ambassador 16% Adults 21%
GS Exp.	1-2 years 3-4 years 31% 5-6 years 35% 7-9 years 13% 10 + years 5%	1-2 years 25% 3-4 years 35% 5-6 years 21% 7-9 years 13% 10 + years 6%
Camping Exp.	Family 76% Troop 76% Day Camp 68% Resident Camp 57% Travel 10%None 4%	Family 75% Troop 66% Day Camp 69% Resident Camp 43% Travel 4%None 4%	Family 89% Troop 81% Day Camp 60% Resident Camp 52% Travel 15%None 1%
GS Camp	Day Camp 59% Resident Camp 56%	Day Camp 58% Resident Camp 43%	Day Camp 54% Resident Camp 56%

Reasons That Girls Do Not Attend Camp:

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Too Busy	37%	26%	62%
Not Ready	36%	43%	57%
Too Expensive	34%	41%	68%
Friends Don’t Go	25%	29%	64%
Too Far Away	18%	17%	24%
Not Interested	13%	5%	13%
No Transportation	8%	4%	16%
Don’t Like Facilities	6%	4%	4%
Don’t Like Outdoors		3%	14%

GSNorCal Camps Attended

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Arequipa	4%	8%	25%
Bothin	42%	37%	77%
Butano Creek	23%	18%	50%
Deer Lake	6%	6%	7%
Hidden Falls	26%	16%	42%
Rainbow’s End (Camp Metro)	16%	10%	27%
Skylark Ranch	48%	31%	48%
Sugar Pine	14%	11%	21%
The Cove	3%	3%	11%
Twin Canyon	21%	21%	48%
Two Sentinels	7%	4%	18%

Ranking of Favorite Activities:

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Outdoor Cooking	1	5	1
Swimming in a Pool	2	2
Creative Arts	3	1	5
Horseback Riding	4	4
Winter Sports	5
Performing Arts		3
Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing			2
Hiking			3
Adventure: Ropes, Climb			4

Girls also “Really Like”: Hiking, Field Trips and Service Projects. Combining Favorite and Really Like activities, Field Trips come out on top for girls!

Ranking of "Don't Like" Activities:

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Martial Arts	1	1	2
Field Sports	2	3	4
Orienteering	3
White Water Rafting	4	2
Court Games	5
Health & Fitness		4	3
Backpacking		5
Indoor Recreation			1
Sports on Wheels			5

Ideal Length of Stay at Camp:

		Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Day Camp	1-2 days	8%	12%	10%
	3-5 days	66%	67%	77%
	2 weeks	26%	21%	13%

Resident Camp	4 days	27%	41%	17%
	7 days	31%	39%	48%
	11 days	16%	10%	11%
	2 weeks	13%	9%	19%
	1 month	14%	2%	4%

Ranking of Most Important Factor in Selecting a Camp:

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Having Fun	1
Activities	2	2	4
Making Friends	3
Learning New Things	4
Safety & Security		1	1
Cost		3	3
Type of Location		4	2

Least important for girls: returning to same camp and distance from home.

Offer opportunities for girls to:

	Parents	Volunteers
Have Fun	---	99%
Make new friends	68%	84%
Learn new skills	77%	79%
Gain independence/self reliance	86%	93%
Increase her self-esteem	81%	91%
Learn to get along with others	71%	89%
Improve teamwork skills	73%	85%
Gain leadership skills	77%	81%
Develop character	75%	85%
Appreciate differences in others	72%	84%
Learn ways to respect and care for the environment	67%	81%

Would Pay on a Sliding Scale:

	Parents	Volunteers
Yes	65%	56%
No	35%	44%

Willing to Drive:

	Parents	Volunteers
15-30 min.	17%	---
1 hour	20%	10%
1-2 hours	31%	35%
2-3 hours	12%	24%
3-4 hours	4%	9%
Don’t care	14%	22%

Activity Schedule Preferred:

	Girls	Parents
Half & Half	59%	62%
Unit Stays Together	42%	31%
Sign Up	29%	37%
Drop In	25%	21%

Sleeping accommodations Preferred:

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Cabins	50%	57%	26%
Dorms	36%	34%	18%
Platform Tents	35%	31%	34%
Camping Tents	22%	14%	31%
Teepees	17%	10%	13%
No Tents	24%	9%	19%

Bathrooms/Showers Preferred:

	Girls	Parents	Volunteers
Central for Each Unit	57%	44%	42%
In Cabins	46%	47%	29%
Bathroom in Unit – no shower	16%	23%	26%
Central for Entire Camp	14%	9%	17%

Food Preparation Preferred:

	Parents	Volunteers
Cooking in Units - fire	34%	40%
Cooking in Units - BBQ	26%	29%
Use of a Basic Kitchen in Unit/Cabin	27%	21%
Use of Full Service Kitchen and Dinning Hall	32%	24%
Food Service Provided by Camp	43%	25%

Provide camp sites for:

	Parents	Volunteers
Troop Camping	70%	81%
Service Unit Camporee	51%	66%
Day Camp	66%	62%
Resident Camp	67%	74%
Trainings	33%	38%
Council Events	33%	36%
Family Camp	33%	21%

Deciding Factors When Renting a Site:

	Volunteers
Cost	82%
Location	76%
Distance	70%
Type	63%
Size	57%
Features	45%

Add to Camps:

	Parents	Volunteers
Program Features	68%	55%
Better Bathrooms	51%	34%
Better Cooking Facilities	39%	33%
Indoor Housing	42%	28%
Cell Phone Coverage	44%	37%
Wi-Fi	13%	10%
Expand to Serve Large Groups	26%	31%

Program Features mentioned in comments from girls included ropes courses, climbing walls, and archery ranges.