We are very excited to share our Long Range Property Plan for GSOFCT!
This plan will help the Council deliver its mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character through a sustainable and realistic property strategy. The Long Range Property Plan (LRPP) will capitalize on current market opportunities while supporting the current and future needs of all girls.
In 2020, GSOFCT hired Newmark, a third party firm, to evaluate all thirteen camp properties owned by GSOFCT. The evaluations looked at the physical conditions of each camp and membership numbers in the area. The results of the evaluations determined how many camps are needed to serve the state of Connecticut, and which properties can be expanded and modified to be ADA compliable.
Many of these properties are well-loved and have served girls for many years, but we have not always invested in them as we should. GSOFCT would need to spend nearly $5M in deferred maintenance costs to bring all thirteen properties up to modern standards.
In order to best support girls and future membership, we developed the Long Range Property Plan to determine how to create the best outdoor experiences possible.
The Long Range Property Plan focuses on serving all girls in Connecticut by investing in camps aligned with projected population growth. Through this plan, we will reach girls in underserved communities and serve our membership for decades to come.
The Council will invest in properties that are easier to access for most of our members, and provide transportation from population hubs to our camp properties.
GSOFCT properties will offer experiences that promote the four pillars of Girl Scouting, inspire healthy risk-taking, and offer a safe place for exploration and friendship. Amenity upgrades include modernizing bathrooms, new yurts and sleeping accommodations, pools for girls of all abilities, pavilions, ropes courses, and more!
In March 2021, GSOFCT hosted information sessions to share details of the plan and answer questions. We will continue to share opportunities for members and girls to help us make important choices when investing in our properties.
Property Plans & Upgrades
We hope you are as excited as we are for the future of camping and outdoor experiences for all girls in Connecticut! For detailed updates, click on each property name below.
An-Se-Ox 
Camp An-Se-Ox
The goal for Camp An-Se-Ox was to create spaces that can accommodate girls of all abilities. GSOFCT surveyed members, volunteers, and most importantly Girl Scouts to understand what they are looking for out of their camp experiences. Given the information, we were able to create a plan to renovate, upgrade, and reimagine Camp An-Se-Ox; which was our largest construction site for the Long-Range Property Plan!
Master Plan Rendering (May 2022)
New Pool and Pool House
Replacing the current pool at Camp An-Se-Ox was a high priority project for GSOFCT! The old pool was demolished in May 2022, and the new pool will be completed in April 2024. The new pool has different entry points to accommodate girls of all abilities.
The year-round pool house is heated and includes showers, changing areas, and bathrooms.
Take a look at the photos below to see the construction progress!
Archery Range & Slingshot Range
In 2023, the archery field was relocated so that a new platform and stand could be added. The slingshot range was completed in June 2022.
Thanks to the 140 students from the Hopkins School in New Haven who helped out as part of their Senior Service Week! The students painted tables for the picnic area, helped build the slingshot range, and designed and built components for the new music area.
Check out the photos below!
Nurses Station
The nurses station at the rear of the camp office - aka The Hub - was completed in 2021. The new addition allows for the camp nurse to be near the main office, provides campers with more privacy, and allows for more program space in the main lodge.
Yurt
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 29, 2022 to celebrate the opening of the new yurt at camp An-Se-Ox! GSOFCT worked with a woman-owned company to purchase the yurt, and it was delivered on May 16, 2022. The yurt has air-conditioning, electricity, is ADA compliable, and has enough bunk beds and mattresses to sleep 20 people. A paved path was also added in fall 2022 to provide equal accessibility.
As of September 2022, members can now reserve the yurt!
Thank you to Chris Chadwick and his team from Edgewell Personal Care, who came out to camp to assist with building and staining the wood for the deck!
Access Road
A new crushed stone service road was constructed in the spring of 2022 as a way to reroute traffic away from the center of camp.
New Cook Shelter
Our hired architect, Patriquin, designed plans for a fully accessible cook shelter. The cook shelter features an open fireplace and cooking surface, built-in sink and counter space, and storage areas at both ends of the shelter. It is also ADA compliant and has an accessible bathroom. Crews finished up construction in late 2023 and the cook shelter will be open for camp in 2024!
Take a look at some photos of the construction process below.
Parking Lot Expansion
A new gravel parking lot was added behind the new cook shelter.
Aspetuck
Camp Aspetuck
The goal for Camp Aspetuck was to renovate and improve the site so it can be used year-round. This included upgrades to existing infrastructure, replacing and repairing old structures, and installing new signage around the camp. Since day camp is only 6 weeks in the summer, troops will now be able to rent out the camp for different uses throughout the year.
Master Plan Rendering (May 2022)
Electrical System Upgrades
In April 2022, crews began working on moving the power lines underground at Camp Aspetuck. The purpose of the project was to eliminate overhead connections and wiring on old and rotting trees. As of May 13, 2022, electric and phone service are now completely underground.
New Driveway & Paving
In August 2022, the driveway from the entrance parking lot up to the pool area and Conway Cabin was replaced and repaved.
New Amphitheater
An amphitheater is currently being built behind the pool area. As of October 2023, the construction site has been cleared out to begin work in the spring.
New Cabins
Six new cabins were built at Camp Aspetuck in 2023! Troops can rent out the cabins during the year.
Take a look at the pictures below!
Pool Repairs
Minor pools were made to both pools at Camp Aspetuck. New fencing will be going up to separate the pool area from the amphitheater.
New Archery Platform
Work began to relocate and build a new archery platform in fall 2023.
Merrie-Wood
Camp Merrie-Wood
As part of the Long-Range Property Plan, Camp Merrie-Wood received some much needed TLC! This included roof repairs, new siding on buildings, and other cosmetic upgrades.
Roof Repairs
In 2021, roof repairs were completed on four shelters at the Merrie-Wood property, along with necessary structural repairs to several pavilions.
Yankee Trails
Camp Yankee Trails
After carefully evaluating our properties, the decision was made to relocate our sleep-away camp from Laurel to Yankee Trails for the 2024 season. We sent out surveys to our members, hosted information sessions, and studied the results of the Newmark property evaluation closely. It was determined that the current infrastructure at Yankee Trails has the expansive growth potential needed to build the modern facilities our members have requested. Additionally, Camp Yankee Trails is located in Tolland, which is more centrally located for our members.
Yankee Trails sits on 300 acres of trees and wetlands, and features the beautiful Sweetheart Lake.
Fun fact: Rumor has it that Albert Einstein ate lunch alongside the lake!
Widening Road & Building New Parking Lot
In order to better accommodate traffic, we have widened the road and are building a large parking lot behind the dining hall to accommodate staff, visitors, and deliveries.
Reconstructing the Waterfront
We are constructing an all-new waterfront concept at Sweetheart Lake! This will include a sand beach area with terraced seating and picnic tables. We will also be installing new floating docks.
Expanding the Dining Hall & Building a New Kitchen
We are adding onto the dining hall to increase the capacity from 150 to 250 diners.
The old kitchen was demolished in January 2024 so that crews could begin constructing our new state-of-the-art facility! The new kitchen will also include accessible restrooms for campers.
Check out the construction pictures below. More updates coming soon!
New Shower & Laundry Facilities
We are building a new shower house with laundry facilities inside!
Upgrading Camp Units
We ordered six wood-walled yurt cabin kits in lieu of traditional cabins that will be built in the spring. We will also be cleaning up our platform tent spaces. These projects will allow us to increase the property capacity, and create more comfortable spaces for our girls.
Thank you to our work groups!
Thank you to our partners, including Voya Financial and the Hopkins School, for helping us with spring clean-up efforts each year. The work groups have built new picnic tables, cleaned up camp units and entryways, and stained and painted various projects all over our properties.
In the Works
Katoya
Laurel
Rocky Craig
Property Sales
Candlewood
Iwaktwa
Maria Pratt
Wilton Service Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are we doing this, and why now?
Who is the Newmark company that conducted the study?
Which properties are affected?
When will a decision be made about Rocky Craig? How can I be involved in this decision?
What is the timeline for the improvements being made? What specifically are the improvements?
Why are we moving sleep-away camp from Laurel to Yankee Trails? When will this take place?
Will there be closing ceremonies when the properties are sold? How can I find the event information?
Past Presentations & Meetings
Long Range Property Plan Meeting | Thursday, March 11, 2021
Long Range Property Plan Meeting | Thursday, March 18, 2021
