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 makes dew appear on grass? Dew appears not just on early-morning grass but also on cold pipes and ice-filled glasses in hot weather. Dew happens when water-filled air comes into contact with cooler surfaces. Air has what scientists call a “dew-point temperature.” That simply means that at a particular temperature and pressure, a bunch of air is holding all the water vapor it possibly can. The air is saturated, like a washcloth full of water just before it begins to drip on your bathroom floor. Cool air, which is more tightly packed, can’t hold as much water vapor as warm air. So it quickly reaches its dew point, when it is as full of water as it can be without “spilling.” When the air, overfull of water vapor, touches a cool blade of grass it turns into a liquid and drips onto the grass. Those droplets combine with water naturally evaporating from the blades of grass and soon the whole lawn is covered with drops, which will glisten and shine when the sun rises in the morning. We call this dew.

Here’s another question for you: What causes the different shapes of clouds?

Camp Robinwood and the Gator Speedway

     The Gator Speedway is still operating about a mile from camp. Of course, with racing comes noise – a lot of noise. We would prefer that the speedway was somewhere else but it is not. I’ve spoken with several folks who are understandably not pleased with its presence and proximity to our camp and thought it might be a good idea to provide an update to you as well.
     First, and foremost, the raceway is legally operating and in compliance with all city, county, and state regulations that apply to it. Lance Feldman (Facility Mgr. Camp Robinwood) and I have met with the county commissioner, sheriff, previous mayor of Willis, and several other interested businesses about the track. There is currently no legal recourse available that would result in the track just going away as much as we might like it to. We have also spoken with the owners of the Gator Speedway to be sure they know and understand our concerns about the operation and the noise it generates.
     They have been very cordial and indicated that they would like to be the best neighbors they can be given the nature of their business. They have agreed to begin their racing at 6 p.m., one hour earlier, in order to finish an hour earlier. They are also requiring that all cars be equipped with mufflers in order to participate in races and have turned some away who refused to comply. The noisiest class of cars, known as bombers, will not be part of the racing schedule this year.
Racing is still noisy and both Gator Speedway and the Council monitor the decibel level while the cars are running. To date the levels have not registered on the scale as being unhealthy. It is most certainly a nuisance but not dangerous to your health. We will continue to monitor these levels.
     Does this mean a good camp experience cannot be had at Camp Robinwood? Some have expressed this opinion but I know many more who have had a great time. The Council has been in Camp Robinwood for many, many years and has plans to invest in its improvement i.e., new lodge and a new camp unit. We have replaced the old electrical service and are in the process of replacing the water service throughout the camp. Camp Robinwood is a great place and a favorite of many.
     In the meantime we will continue to stay on top of the situation with the Gator Speedway management and community leaders in order to ensure that every legal requirement for its operation is fully met.

Another Baby Horse Believe it or not yes, we have another baby horse – a BIG BABY! Brandy, one of our Belgian draft horses has given birth to a bouncing baby girl. She is over waist high at the withers and was running stride for stride with her mother around the pasture the same day. She is black with a white blaze on her face. She has not yet been formally named, but is affectionately called “OOPS” because she was not expected. The vet has checked her out and she is a fine, healthy filly. You’ll be able to visit her when you come to Camp Misty Meadows at the Big Horse Barn located behind the wrangler’s house. Do you have an interesting tidbit or piece of information that might be of interest to our readers? If so, send it to me and I’ll share it in the Around Camp Column. I’ll be sure to mention your name too.