by
GSSJC Facilities Director
Bob Spaeth
Girl
Scout Camps
Agnes Arnold, Aranna,
Camwood, Casa Mare,
Misty Meadows, Robinwood,
Silver Springs, Whispering Pines
Readers can contact the Facilities
Department by calling Director Bob Spaeth at 713-292-0208
or
e-mail bspaeth@sjgs.org.
Grandpa Bob’s Brain Teasers
What is the Gulf Stream? The Gulf
Stream is the most famous ocean current of all.
It is like a river that flows through the sea
instead of on land. The Gulf Stream is so vast
that it is larger than all the rivers in the world
put together!
The Gulf Stream comes from the movement
of the surface waters near the Equator in the
Atlantic. It actually becomes what we call the
Gulf Stream when it starts moving northward along
the east coast of the United States.
Since the Gulf Stream starts in
the warm part of the world, it is a current of
warm water. It has a clear, indigo-blue color
and it can be seen clearly where it contrasts
with the green and gray waters that it flows through.
The Gulf Stream also affects the weather in some
strange ways. Ask me about it the next time we
see each other or better yet, look it up for yourself
in one of the many resources you have at your
fingertips.
Here’s another question:
If the rivers drain into the oceans, why don’t
the oceans fill up and overflow? |
Troop #5096 is a star
Troop #5096 recently developed a fantastic
resource for girls going to Camp Robinwood
who are interested in observing stars
in the night sky. They have provided PVC
tubes with various constellations punched
in metal ends that attach to the tubing.
The tubes allow folks to identify what
they are looking at when gazing skyward
at camp.
The ends are arranged by constellation
and the month in which you might expect
to observe them at camp. It is all contained
in a box that is keep with Ranger Lance
Feldman. It may be made available to those
who are serious stargazers and who will
take good care of this valuable resource
while at camp |
and return it in good order.
There is a guide book included which was
developed by the troop as part of its Silver
Award project. Many thanks for a terrific
job, and Ranger Lance has guaranteed that
it will be well taken care of.
GSSJC receives
$500 grant from
Texas Society of American Foresters
Henry Steitz, Council forester, successfully
procured $500 from his professional organization
TSAF. Steitz submitted a proposal to benefit
the Shadow Lake Nature Trail at Camp Agnes
Arnold.
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“This grant, originating from the
TSAF Koontz Educational Fund, will help
the Girl Scouts complete a wooden bridge
(or trestle) on the Shadow Lake Nature Trail.
This trail encircles the 40-acre Shadow
Lake. The 314-foot bridge will be midway
on the trail crossing the lake’s backwaters.
Shadow Lake Trail features 24 natural points
of interest, included are many tree species,
wildlife (Girl Scouts saw 300 wild ducks
one January weekend.), wetland plants, and
the girls can learn about natural phenomena
of plant, air, and water. It’s a fun,
educational adventure! Girl Scouts of San
Jacinto Council expressed its appreciation
of TSAF participation,” said Steitz. |
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Fishing
village update
Readers can clearly imagine the finished
product now. Cabins are framed, the shower
building looks like a shower building,
and the project is causing people to ask,
“How can I get a date for this unit?”
It will be ready for resident camp and
the Program Department is dreaming up
some fun and exciting opportunities for
those who will be assigned to the new
unit.
It’s time to think about what kinds
of activities your troop could do when
they spend a weekend in the fishing village.
Troops will be able to begin using the
fishing village this fall. If your troop
is one of the lucky troops drawn to spend
a weekend here you will enjoy the fishing
pier where you can, of course, fish. Perhaps
you will canoe to your unit instead of
walk or just sit on one of the many porches
or benches and enjoy being away from main
camp and just a little farther out where
it is peaceful. Whatever your preference,
it will be a neat place to stay and we
are thrilled and appreciative that it
is part of one of Council’s camps.
Of course, everyone will take good care
of it so it will be a “memory maker”
for all who stay there both now and in
the future. |
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