The Friends of Camp Louise continue to work toward its goal of reopening the Girl Scout camp that closed in 2016.
Volunteers are there every weekend working to improve the site so it can host events, said Sarah Fountain, the organization’s secretary.
An anonymous benefactor bought the property and signed a year lease for the camp section to the Friends of Camp Louise, Fountain said. The organization is cleaning up the site. The camp now has electricity and running water, and organizers are working to get the water tested.
More work remains, but the goal is to have events there this year that don’t include overnight lodging.
“We could have people out tomorrow to use it,” Fountain said. “We have bottled water and composting toilets. We just need volunteers to help do stuff with us.”
The organizers plan to open the site to anyone who is interested and have some of their own ideas for activities, such as a “Halloween trail” for October. They are also looking for volunteers to continue helping with the refurbishing of the camp.
The 240-acre camp, in Briar Creek Twp. in Columbia County, served Girl Scouts from Northeast Pennsylvania for many years until it was shuttered.
As organizers continue their work, they also plan several fundraisers to raise money for needed repairs.
Those events include:
- Fernville Festival — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 3, Fernville Family Park, Fernville, Columbia County.
- Hazleton Area Children’s Festival — 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aug. 25, Hazleton Community Park.
- Annual gala — Oct. 12, Genetti Ballrooms Inn & Suites, 1341 N. Church St., Hazleton. The Friends of Camp Louise annual gala will include dinner, dancing, games and a raffle.
Bill Wellock is a staff writer for The Citizens’ Voice in Wilkes-Barre. Contact him at bwellock@citizensvoice.com.
