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Media Contact: Mona Tolbert
Office: 713-292-0361
E-mail: mtolbert@sjgs.org

 

Girl Scouts develops and expands Camp Pryor in Nada, Texas

Council to continue growing membership with excellent outdoor experience

 

HOUSTON (November, 2012) - Since the economic downturn, many camps across the country have been forced to close due to rising costs. However, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC), the second largest Girl Scout council in the U.S., is developing and expanding its Camp Myra S. Pryor property in Nada, Texas to accommodate its growing membership and expansion of programs.

"For 100 years, Girl Scouts has utilized outdoor education and exploration to teach girls to become courageous and confident leaders," said Mary Vitek, GSSJC CEO. "Our camp program is an intrinsic part of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and we believe Camp Pryor has the greatest potential for development as we move forward into the second century of Girl Scouting."

In October, GSSJC held a groundbreaking ceremony to commence the construction of Camp Pryor's Ranch Site, one of three distinct sites that will maximize the camp's vast and varied terrain. Camp Pryor's 277 acres will be utilized to develop a Ranch Site, Lake Site and River Site that will offer a myriad of diverse programs with the goal of educating girls on the importance of conservation.

The Ranch Site will focus on environmental education. It will include a horse trough for the camp's growing equitation program, a windmill and a western-themed building to house program activities and training. The Lake Site will include an amphitheater, library, bike barn to allow girls to cycle and explore the property, and archery and riflery ranges. The River Site, located along the Colorado River, will be home to a top-notch canoeing and kayaking program and a 1,000 square foot nature observatory tower that will allow girls to admire the beautiful panorama of south Texas and nature, including the migratory birds "highway."

Currently, Camp Pryor's eco-friendly design and river-side location make it an ideal destination for 3,800 girls and adults each year. Updates to current and the addition of new cabin clusters, will allow Camp Pryor to serve more girls. GSSJC hopes to complete the expansion of the camp in five years.

Donors of the Camp Pryor expansion include: Ellen DeSanctis, The George Foundation, Gulf Coast Medical Foundation, The Hamill Foundation, George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation, Key Energy Services Inc., Madison Charitable Foundation Inc., Marathon Oil Corporation, Ed Rachal Foundation, Schlumberger Oilfield Services, The Vivian L. Smith Foundation, TLL Temple Foundation, The Trull Foundation, Valero Energy Corporation.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's preeminent organization for girls, with a membership of more than 3.2 million girls and adults. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Chartered by GSUSA to provide Girl Scouting locally, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is the second largest Girl Scout council in the country serving more than 70,000 girls and 19,000 adults in 26 southeast Texas counties. Girl Scouts celebrates its centennial in 2012.

 

GSSJC | Communications Department
3110 Southwest Freeway  Houston, TX 77098