VERNON — Camp Sugarbush, which for 65 years has provided a place for Girl Scouts across Northeast Ohio to take part in a variety of outdoor activities, is getting a new look.

Work has taken place in recent weeks to enlarge the fishing pond and add other items, including new pavilions.

“It’s the buzz in Trumbull County right now,” said Mary Jeanine Pipino, who co-chaired the revitalization and expansion capital campaign project with Shelley Taylor. Both have been involved with Girl Scouts over the years.

Jane Christyson, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, said the improvement project includes tripling the size of the pond, making it much larger and deeper. This will help sustain a healthy population of fish, which the Scouts stock in the pond.

She said the pond also allows for canoeing, kayaking and corkles, which are rounded boats modeled after Vietnamese fishing boats in which people can stand or kneel.

The planned expansion will create a horseshoe-shaped pond to provide more opportunities for girls to learn boating maneuverability and other water skills.

Camp Sugarbush is 200 acres located off state Route 88, a half-hour drive from Warren and Youngstown, and serves Girl Scouts in Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

Officials said Camp Sugarbush hosts more than 2,000 Girl Scouts every year.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Christyson said while camping and hiking has taken place this summer at Camp Sugarbush, canoeing and kayaking can’t be done as work takes place on the pond.

“There are a lot of other things that can be done. In September, we will have an open house, and in October, there will be a tree-related family event where everyone will be planting trees. The Girl Scouts will do their part and will be planting trees in the next two years,” she said.

Christyson said Wilson Excavating of Cortland is doing the work at the pond, which will cost $100,000 and also includes replacing a dock, providing storage buildings for boats and building two pavilions.

“By making these slight but impactful upgrades to the camp, we’re contributing to the future of Girl Scout outdoor education. Boating helps girls build confidence in themselves and strengthens teamwork skills as they learn to paddle canoes, kayaks, and rowboats with certified facilitators,” Pipino said.

BIG PLANS

A grand opening / ribbon cutting for the pond is planned for October. Pipino said the extra dirt from the excavation will be made into a sled hill for winter activities since the camp land is very flat.

“We have never had that before here,” Christyson said.

Christyson said the projects will help the camp continue to offer the Scouts diverse and challenging experiences and outdoor activities.

Doug Shaulis, camp manager, said the pond will be done by mid-July and then rain will have to fill it. He said the pond in some areas will be 10 feet deep.

Pipino said one of the two pavilions will be used for registrations near the entrance of the camp. The dock also will be handicapped accessible.

Christyson said they hope to have the other projects completed by the fall.

Pipino said 10 years ago, there was concern the camp would close, but today money is being put into the camp.

“This camp is a hidden gem in Trumbull County. These projects are going to affect our area girls, and it’s going to bring other people to this hidden gem,” she said.

Taylor said three generations in her family have been at the camp, including her mother, herself and her daughters.

“I came here as a child in the 1970s when my mother was a Scout leader. I have a granddaughter who will come here,” Pipino said.

The camp includes a low-ropes course, archery range, astronomy building, sports court and the pond for introductory canoeing.

“Outdoor education is one of the four pillars of Girl Scouts.We know that outdoor experiences can build a lifelong love of the environment, teach healthy habits and foster strong leadership skills,” Christyson said.

FUNDRAISING

Among ongoing fundraising efforts is a brick campaign to place bricks in honor or memory of someone or groups by the pavilions.

Money from the fundraising campaign also will be set aside for volunteer and staff training and member events.

Taylor and Pipino’s fundraising also will cover costs to have training at the pond for watercraft, and also a facility for archery and marksmanship indoors. There also will be funds set aside for scholarships for scout troops who want to come to the camp, but can’t afford it.

For more information, visit www.gsneo.org/sugarbush or call 330-219-7287 or 330-503-1165.

Checks should be made payable to Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, 1 Girl Scout Way, Macedonia, OH 44056, Attn: Fund Development Department.

In addition to the campaign at Sugarbush, seven AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps members will be living and working at Camp Sugarbush until July 12. The team will assist Shaulis in upkeep and maintenance, such as trail maintenance, forestry and building repair, to ensure the camp remains a safe and fun environment for girls.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com