Katoya Property
● Membership Planning Meeting - GSOFCT is hosting a meeting for
the adult Milford membership to discuss the proposed sale of the
Katoya property on Thursday, Sep. 30, 2021 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at
Fowler Field Rotary Pavilion, 1 Shipyard Lane, Milford, CT. Please
bring a chair with you. Families welcome. To RSVP, please call 800-922-2770.
● The Katoya property consists of three parcels, one of which is
deed restricted. Sale of the deed-restricted parcel requires approval
by a 2/3 majority vote by the adult membership in Milford.
● To date, several meetings have taken place with Milford
volunteers and the Mayor of Milford to share details of the LRPP and
to answer questions from membership.
● The Katoya property sale would help fund planned improvements
to GSOFCT properties, including AnSeOx, Aspetuck, Merrie-Wood and
Yankee Trails, as part of the Long-Range Property Plan. The goal of
this plan is to provide properties that are well maintained, with
newly constructed areas such as amphitheaters, cooking shelters, new
sleeping areas and updated program areas for archery, boating and
swimming activities. Proceeds from property sales will also support an
Innovation Fund to provide outdoor programming throughout the state,
especially in areas where GSOFCT are centrally located, and a
Transportation Fund to help girls reach properties throughout the year
including for service unit events, troop camping and summer camp. The
capacity for each property will increase, allowing members access to
year-round facilities.
Website Questionnaire
● We want to hear from our membership! Please take the time to
fill out the online
questionnaire
before the property survey closes on October 15, 2021 and share your
thoughts on the future of all GSOFCT properties including An-Se-Ox,
Aspetuck, Merrie-Wood and Yankee Trails.
Property Investment Plan
● GSOFCT is committed to being transparent throughout the
execution of the approved Long-Range Property Plan and to share
financial information and allocation of the funds generated from
property sales.
● The GSOFCT Board of Directors has approved the 2021-2022
operating budget including the use of sale proceeds.
● Approx. 1/3 of the total proceeds from properties sold during FY21
will be invested back into properties throughout FY22
● The remaining approx. 2/3 will be invested to fund future
Improvements along with annual maintenance, additional transportation
and innovation
By investing a portion of the property proceeds we are planning for
a future in which the properties we operate are maintained,
accessible, and used for many years to come.
● SLR, our Master Planners, is in the process of creating site plans
for the future of the AnSeOx, Aspetuck, Merrie-Wood and Yankee
Trails. The following are actions currently funded:
● A new accessible pool at AnSeOx, including showers/changing rooms
● New yurt at AnSeOx
● New Amphitheater at Aspetuck
● New Cook Shelters at AnSeOx
● Update the Inges Haus Pavilion at Merrie-Wood to provide a cooking area
● Expansion of the Archery area at AnSeOx
● Purchase two 4-wheel drive camp vehicles to assist in maintaining properties
● Convert Yankee Trails to a resident camp.
● Funding for future property investments in 2023 and beyond will
come from additional planned property sales, improved results from
ongoing business, other revenue generation ideas and expected returns
on the portion of property sales that will be invested in the Endowment.
● Our overarching goal for these investments is to continue to
support GSOFCT properties and membership in years to come rather than
covering operating expenses in the short term and to increase spending
in transportation, innovation and programs as we move forward in the
long-range property plan execution.
Candlewood Property
● Sale Closing - The previously announced sale of Candlewood was
finalized on September 7, 2021. The $8.3M in proceeds generated by the
sale will be allocated to priority projects and property improvements
as outlined in the Property Investment Plan above and according to the
master plan for all GSOFCT properties.
● Closing Campfire - The closing ceremony for Candlewood was
held on Sunday, August 29, 2021. Thank you to all who attended and
shared camp memories, s’mores, and songs at this special celebration.
Master Planning Membership Engagement
-
Fireside Chats - A total of sixteen virtual and on-site
Fireside Chats were offered throughout June and July 2021 to discuss
the Long-Range Property Plan. Unfortunately, GSOFCT received very
low registration from membership resulting in the cancellation of
all but two of these programs.
-
Summer Outreach - GSOFCT gathered feedback during in-person
workshops with Camp Laurel resident campers, day campers and staff,
Camp An-Se-Ox day campers and staff, plus a virtual session with the
CEO Advisory Board in July and August 2021. The input received from
these sessions is being used to further establish priorities and
develop the master plan for all GSOFCT properties.
-
Upcoming Engagement Opportunities - Laurelei’s Letterboxing
Weekend at Camp Laurel on September 25 and the Volunteer Development
Conference at Camp AnSeOx on October 2 will offer additional
opportunities to offer feedback on the master plan. Mark your
calendars now. Members are encouraged to share their thoughts and
ideas for the future of these camps - we want to hear from YOU!
-
Website Questionnaires - An online questionnaire is
available for An-Se-Ox, Aspetuck, Merrie-Wood and Yankee Trails. If
you can’t make an in-person session please take the time to fill out
the questionnaire. The questionnaires will close on October 15,
2021.
Camp Candlewood
-
Closing Campfire - Girl Scouts of Connecticut will host a
closing campfire to honor the legacy of Camp Candlewood on Sunday,
August 29th, 3:00-5:00 PM. Please join us on this special day to
share memories and reconnect. This is open to Girl Scout troops,
individuals and families. RSVP by
noon on August 26th via Doubleknot. Everyone is encouraged to
carpool as limited parking is available.
-
Reservations - The anticipated closing date for the sale of
Camp Candlewood is August 30, 2021. Once the buyer takes ownership,
they plan to survey the property in greater detail and will develop
a scheduling system for reservations that will be available to
GSOFCT members sometime in 2022. Once the reservation system is in
place, that information will be posted here.