The Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road have opened a Girl Scout Service Center in Erlanger. Girl Scout staff, its Board of Directors and supporters, city officials, and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce gathered January 17 to officially dedicate the innovative center.
The new Girl Scout Service Center is located at 12 Price Avenue in Erlanger. In addition to serving as a future cookie distribution center, the building is now a venue for events, STEM education and volunteer gatherings. Girls will be able to purchase scout-related items there. It will even have space for an onsite cookie cupboard for volunteers.
“This Service Center is a unique facility for Northern Kentucky Girl Scouts,” says Susan Douglas, president and CEO of the 67-county Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road. “It will soon be buzzing as a major gathering place for education and leadership development. We thank those who have already donated to this worthwhile project and look forward to others stepping forward to support the mission of Girl Scouts. Our intention is to create an expansive campus that will cater to all aspects of a Girl Scout’s journey, including outdoor skills.”
The Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road serves over 8,000 girls and young women in 66 Kentucky counties and one Ohio county. According to Douglas, it advocates creativity and free choice, encouraging Girl Scouts to explore their passions and cultivate change through a focus on life skills, STEM, entrepreneurship and outdoor experience.
Several Northern Kentucky leaders have stepped forward to recall how involvement in Girl Scouts shaped who they are today.
Jane Herms, President/CEO, Family Nurturing Center and named 2023 Non-Profit Executive of the Year by Horizon Community Fund
I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout and even a Girl Scout leader when my daughter was young. I went to Catholic schools that required uniforms, and it was always a big treat on meeting day when we could wear our Brownie/Girl Scout uniform instead. I remember my mom sewing on the patches—well before the days of iron-on.
The Girl Scouts help girls grow strong and they certainly empowered me, provided a chance to gain mastery of skills, develop self-confidence and leadership, and gave me a heart for service that I carry with me today!
Amy Spiller, President, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky
There is no doubt that the importance of giving back was engrained in me at an early age and I attribute that, in part, to my participation in Brownies.
Candace McGraw, CEO, Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and the first female to chair the World Governing Board of ACI World-Airports Council International
I was both a Brownie and a Girl Scout. I have fond memories of the year my mom was the cookie mom chair. We had many crates of cookies in the house. I think we ate a box every day! We also had a big cookie picture that was 2X3 feet in our front window so troop mates knew where to pick up their cookies.
I learned how to embrace new skills, be more independent—and that I didn’t like camping!
Nancy Grayson, President, Horizon Community Fund
I was both a Brownie and a Girl Scout when I grew up in Lexington, KY, as part of the Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road.
Girl Scouts helped me to develop the leadership skills and confidence that I needed to succeed both professionally and personally. Whether through a badge activity, an overnight experience, or a visit with a local company/organization, Girl Scouts helped me to explore areas of interest and foster my aspirations of being a female community leader who could make meaningful impact.
Donna Salyers, Founder, Donna Salyers’ Fabulous Furs; Named to the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in 2023
Of course I was a Brownie and a Girl Scout! I loved earning badges and even learned to chop onions to make sloppy joes in a giant pot over an open fire. I taught our grandkids some of the songs we learned at day camp in Devou Park. In fact, I created “Granny Camp” for our grandchildren based on Girl Scout tradition. Thanks to scouting, I’ve had plenty to share.
For additional information visit www.gskentucky.org –
