Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (March 10, 1957)
o o Legion Auxiliary Organized First Girl Scout Troop Here Girl Scouts ol this area can be at a full time director and served i proud of the fact that a small the council for several years, group of civic minded women of in the early years many well- j the valley understood what the ; known Medford women became I Girl Scut program could mean : interested, serving as commis- i to girls here. I sioners, committee chairmen and I P. was early in 1927 when a I leaders. A leaders club also was i group of well-kiown women of formed. Among those who con Medford became concerned with , tributed time and energy in the the structure of forming a per- early years were Mrs. Alberta manent organization of Girl ! Morrow. Mrs. William Hollowav. Mrs. Reese Braley, Mrs. Myron Root. Mrs. John Boyle. Mrs. H. N. Hogan, Miss Helen Bullis, Mrs. Charles Thatcher, Mrs. O. A. Eden. The latter four are still active today. The late Mrs. Porter Neff and Mrs. Raymond Driver also were among the first workers. Day Camp Sit In 1935 through the efforts of Mrs. Green, Mrs. Carpenter and Mrs. Vorheis, a Day Camp site was made possible with the cooperation of the Medford city council. Many well-known wo men have served as Day Camp chairmen, unit leaders, (with the help of the older Girl Scout as aides,) at the site on the Bear creek for two-week, day camp sessions. This has kept up through the years and is well at tened. After losing the established camp site on the Applegate, the Semite liurA ' Mrs. R. E. Green, oj Medford, and the late Mrs. Earnest Scott were the first two registered commissioners (now called pres idents). Mrs. Leonard Carpenter, Mrs. Gordon Vorheis, Mrs. H. Wilson, Mrs. Ethel Latham and others were committee members working with the president on the organization and were call ed a community committee. First Troop The first troop was organized In May, 1927, and was sponsor ed by the American Legion auxi liary. Troop 1 was led by Mrs. Catheryn Belcher, then called captain, and trained by Mrs. Helen Wilson with the help of t'&. Val Stark from regional heac;uarters. The troop met at the Baptist church Friday even ings. As leaders and girls became aware of the program, other . r , . " r ' -ft n uuops were lu.u.ea ana a p-. 1 1 Medford Girls Scouts were for nine uiicnui was urtutu. aits- ..j , -nj - ,. r oo O Mabel Sims was hired. In 1927 the first camping pro gram was undertaken at a site on the Applegate river near Rush, which was donated by Mrs. Leonard Carpenter and cal led Camp Willpen Pines. It was used successfully for several years. There was a large cain furnished by Mrs. Carpen ter, and a mess hall was built by theAmerican Legion and Boy Louts. Boy Scout equipment was used and the American Leg ion nd Lady Lions gave camp- The camp continued until 1933 fri mining interests in the Qlr made the camp site un desirable. Mrs. Charles Bate- in served as the first camp director and at different per iod from 1932 until 1939. Jjiitered Scouts 'Xhere were only 25 registered Scouts in 1928. but by 1930 there were 173 girls and adults act ively interested in Scouting. Mrs. Gordon Vorheis donated the fee to incorporate the or cauizatiun which was completed Feb. 2. 1928, to be known as Medford Girl Scout Council. Inc. I for one summer session in Aug ust. 1935. In 1935 a contract was made with the Boy Scouts to lease their camp for a two-week per iod each summer. The arrange ment worked well until 1945, when the registrations of both organizations grew so large there was not sufficient camping wea ther remaining after the Boy Scouts closed their camp to handle needs of Girl Scouts. There were then enough requests to have a four week camping period each year. Officers serving at this time in vestigated a permanent camp site and worked on this with Karl Janouch and Mr. Mercer of the forest service. Mrs. Scott Davis, then serving as commis sioner with Mrs. Harold Reich stein, vice commissioner, and Allen Perry and Mrs. Marjorie Hopkins formulated plans with Janouch. respresenting the for est service, to acquire a camp site. Sit Accptd Recommendations to the Med- Girl Scout Council to enter into a Inn0 trm Birrenmant , , -i t K (ha Since the council had been oper- forest servjc(, o eaje ating with only a part time di- of ,anH of f. Wn. rector, Mrs. Marjorie Pena Hop kirW was hired in January, 1937, Brownie Revel Is Annual 'Playday' The Brownie Revel is an an nual "get together" for Brownie Scouts. It is known as a "play- dW and is planned by the pro- j gram committee. The Revel is usually planned in the spring and is held in each district once a year. McLoughlin Junior High has been successfully used for Q the Revel, but last year the Med ford district held its Brownie Revel at Toy Velle park on the Rogue river to give more va riety in the program. It was at tended by 289 Brownie Scouts. A treasure hunt was part of the program and an Indian theme was used with approxi mately 40 girls assigned to each "tribe." They all wore Indian headdress and Senior Scouts of district planned and lead each "tribe" in activities, which in cluded crafts, games, folk dances and songs. The Brownie Revel for the Grants Pass district will be held Wednesday, March 13, at 1:30 p.m. at Highland school. Plans have been made for 27 troops of q second and third grade Brownies to do new crafts and songs and games. The Grants Pass Senior Scouts will assist in teaching and serving refreshments. across from the Boy Scout camp were accepted. A larger committee was form ed to discuss and plan needed facilities to allow opening camp on a primitive basis for the first ji diiu avug itri ill yiidii for permanent structures on a 10-year plan. Mrs. Leonard Carpenter, the late Mrs. Everett Faber, Neil Collins and M. N. Hogan were added to the committee. Tents, stoves, cooking utensils, carts and other- supplies were pur chased from army supplies in 1945 at Camp White. Mrs. Carpenter was the first contributor to the camp, having worked to secure a camp of a permanent nature. Officers serv ing at that time secured permis sion from the Community Chest, whose president at that time was Otto Frohnmayer, to conduct a solicitation for more funds and materials necessary for the long term project. Chairman for Funds Chairman for funds was M. N. Hogan, ana he found the re sponse from business men high ly commendable. Word spread of the need and interested cit izens gave generously of their money, materials and labor. Transportation needs were met by Medford firms. The camp was named "Low Echo" after the founder of Girl Scouting. Juliette Low, and an echo of the work she began in Savannah, Ga., In 1912. Low We Know What Service Means! We take the opportunity to acclaim the Outstanding Service of the Girl Scouts of this valley and their volunteer Adult Leaders Happy Birthday Fred Gatter Ins. Co, You Can Rely on F. G.-l 30 North Oakdale Avenue Echo was opened for a three week period within six weeks of the time work started. Since 1946 longer camping periods have been necessary to take care of the growing mem bership and expanding jurisdic tion of the Girl Scout organiza tion. The camp building pro gram was kept separate from the camp operating program. The operation of a Girl Scout camp is expected to be self-supporting and must keep high stan dards for health and safety of the girls. This can only be ach ieved by increasing the fee as necessary and by gifts from in terested and civic-minded cit izens and fraternal groups of which there have been many through the years, helping with campships and providing equip ment and materials. Building Chairmanship Under the camp building chairmanship of workers such as John Boyle, Mr. and Mrs. Rol lin Jones, Col. Charles Stafford, O. A. (Zeke) Eden, Roy Boyd and at present Maurice Hitchey, who is serving his second term, and fathers of "Scouters," civic groups, interested organizations and business men who have com bined their efforts. Camp Low Echo has been made one of the most outstanding camps on the Pacific Coast. Proceeds from the Girl Scout annual cookie sale and the an nual doll project of the Kiwan ian Dames have a 1 so given money to provide improvements and lasting additions to the camp each year, such as shelters, infirmary, staff house, kitchen, boats and equipment needed in the kitchen to meet standards of the national organization and the American Camping associa tion. The council was known as a "traditional council" up to 1945 and during that year was changed to the "association" type council, making it a more democratic unit allowing every registered adult a vote on mak ing policy, which was definitely an improvement and which gave a better vision for training on the job with better understand- ing of each person's responsibil- i ity within the organization. ! Jurisdiction Extended During 1948, Girl Scouting in 1 the valley extended its jurisdic tion to include Josephine county i and all of Jackson county and I became known as the Rogue j Valley Area Girl Scout Council, ; Inc. Mrs. M. N. Hogan was elect ed the first council president i and served for two terms with j representatives on the board of'j directors from Grants Pass, Ash land, Medford and Illinois Val- ' ley. A field director also was added to the staff. i With the expansion of the Ju risdiction business men and in dividuals from Grants Pass and Ashland made contributions of materials and efforts to the camp each year. - Girls from the council Ju risdiction camp at Low Echo. Among the gifts from Grants Pass was a new Chevrolet Sta tion Wagon presented to the council by the Kelt Chevrolet company in May, 1955, which has been used for groups of Girl Scouts for program, conferences, training and many camp and staff needs with great apprecia tion. Present Reiteration There is now a registration of more than 2,300 Brownies, In termediate and Senior Scouts in 175 troops with 800 adults in the council. Adults are from Med ford, Ashland. Pinehurst, Grants Pass, Rogue River, Wolf Creek, Murphy, Wonder, Wilderville, Elk, Trail, Illinois Valley, Talent, Phoenix, Central Point and Jack sonville. They work in various capacities so the program will expand to greater success. With the jurisdiction of West Siskiyou being added this year, plans are bing made to give limit ed service to 150 girls in 16 troops from Yreka, Hilt, Ft. Jones and Happy Camp. Swimming Privileges Extended Scouts by Y Girl Scouts accompanied by adults are given the privilege of swimming at the Medford YMCA without charge, when clearing through the Girl Scout office by their leader. Adults cannot enter swim area in street clothes but must wear swim'suit, show er and be with the girls, scout officials said A qualified life guard is always on duty. This courtesy from the Y gives Girl Scout the opportunity to earn requirements for the swim mer badge before camp opens. Only those with these require ments completed are allowed in the boats and canoes at Camp Low Echo, the Girls Scouts" camp at Lake of the Woods. United Fund Groups Provide Scout Budget The Rogue Valley Area Girl Council, Inc., is one of several organizations which received funds from the Ashland-Talent Youth Fund drive, the Josephine County United Fund, the West Siskiyou County Girl Scout Fund campaign and the Rogue River Girl Scout fund. : Sunday, March 10, 19S7 MEDFCRD MAIL TRIBUNE FIVE Activities of Scouts Seen on Seven Days Major Girl Scout activities and interests are demonstrated in the seven days of Girl Scout Week. The week opens with Girl Scout Sunday. Other activity days are Homemaking Day (Mon- BROWNIE TROOP Shown above is Girl Scout Troop 1, the fourth grade Brownie troop at Jefferson school. The 15-member troop is led by Mrs. C. J. Fox Jr., and Mrs. Ralph Bross, and two Intermediate Girl Scouts, Loria Beth Buonocore and Layne Gal braith, are assisting Brownies to learn Scout ing songs. The troop has several projects for holidays during the year. Last Christmas members made and decorated styrofoam pic ture frames, they made baskets for Valen tine's Day, and, after a tour of a local candy store, they made candy for the baskets. Mem bers of the troop are Sharon Bross, Madelyn Buonocore, Vickie Clark, Darlene Flass, Su san Fox, Susan Gordon, Libby Ann Ivester, Ann Jensen, Darcy Johnson, Billie McKesson, Pamela Newland, Mary Lee Rhodes, Karen Schulz, Nancy Taylor and Patty Malott. . day), Citizenship Day (Tuesday), Health and Safety Day (Wednes day), International Friendship Day (Thursday), Arts and Crafts Day (Friday), and Out-of-Doors Day (Saturday). We Salute You . . . Girl Scouts (JlL La- FASHK3N CENTS Upon Your 45th . Birthday And Fine Youth Activities! We are happy to join with the people of this community in greeting Rogue River Valley Girl Scouts upon the occasion of the 45th birthday. Girl Scout Week MARCH 10 to 16 A CALL R ADD.. THE Medford Council of Girl Scouts, Inc., needs help. It is currently conducting a drive to recruit adult women in our city for the important role of assisting in several ways in the Girl Scout movement. HELP IS URGENTLY NEEDED. There are not enough leaders for the number of girls ready and anx ious to become part of this outstanding activity. Can WE afford to let these youngsters down? As a Medford public service institution we are pleased to join in this important effort to emphasize affirmative value for our children. Medford has always responded to worthy appeals. This one is direct ed to the time, talents and energy of women in the community. There is no doubt, too, that a call for their help will bring results. Published In Cooperation With The GIRL SCOUTS by The Bakers of-- FIN PA im 4
