Mississippi

Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi, GSGMS
  • Camp Meridale, Meridian
To be sold per board decision August 16, 2013. 
Board of Directors report posted to council website August 16, 2013.
http://gsgms.org/index.php/about_us/letter_from_the_board/
The Board of Directors determined that Girl Scouts of Greater Mississippi has more camp property than needed based on usage trends. Given the cost of maintaining its properties, the council simply cannot afford to keep three camp properties in operation. All three camps were closely evaluated, and it was unanimously determined that Camp Meridale must be sold. Issues surrounding Camp Meridale were safety issues including hunters trespassing on the property and costs related to boundary problems that had to be resolved.
Girl Scouts to Sell Camp Meridale
http://meridianstar.com/local/x250197571/Girl-Scouts-to-sell-Camp-Meridale/?state=taberU
 "It was a difficult business decision, but one we had to make for the safety of Girl Scouts and the camp's ongoing financial constraints," said GSGMS Chief Executive Officer Becky Traweek. "Managing properties is a very complex and expensive proposition, and it is important that our council has the ability to maintain our campgrounds to ensure we continue to give the girls the best possible experience," Traweek said.

Camp Meridale is located on 160 acres in rural Lauderdale County, seven miles southeast of Meridian in Causeyville. Over the years, it has served thousands of Girl Scouts, leaders and volunteers.

 "In the current economic downturn, the council simply cannot afford to keep three camp properties in operation," Traweek said. The decision came after a two year-long evaluation of its camps to analyze usage trends, needed repairs and ongoing safety issues. The Board utilized independent property consultants and real estate and property experts in gathering data used to make the decision.

Girl Scouts Heart of the South

  • Camp Cedar Point, Grenada Lake, MS
To be divested per board decision June 29, 2012
Long Range Property Planning 
http://www.girlscoutshs.org/longrangepropertyplanning
This property has always been leased from the Corps of Engineers. This property has not operated a Girl Scout summer resident camp program since 2010. GSHS would prefer to reduce financial burden by becoming the secondary lease holder to retain use of the property for our members. GSHS will work to find another organization to assume the lease, manage the camp and work with them to allow Girl Scouts to maintain access for weekend events and troop camping – Grenada, MS