Long-Range Property Planning

In 2019, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama started work to identify the facilities and resources needed to provide the Girl Scout experience desired by our Girl Scout members. This work, being carried out by the Long-Range Property Planning (LRPP) Task Group, provided a data-driven report that assisted in setting priorities for future investment in facilities and resources.

GSSA’s Board of Directors has utilized this research, analysis, and recommendations to make long-term property decisions that will support girl programs and experiences while ensuring the sustainability of our organization.

LRPP Announcements

Long-Range Planning Survey Email 6/22

Long-Range Property Planning Updates 4/27

LRPP Task Group Charge

The LRPP Task Group is comprised of three committees:

Membership & Marketing
Programs
Facilities

The members of the LRPP Task Group include community experts, volunteers, girls, board members, and staff.

The goal of the LRPP Task Group is to ensure GSSA properties and resources meet the needs and interests of existing and future girls. The work and recommendations of the three committees will be consolidated by the LRPP Task Group into a spreadsheet identifying the property and resources needed to provide future programs and experiences.

Task Group Composition:

The LRPP Task Group is comprised of community experts, Girl Scout volunteers, Girl Scouts, board members, and council staff, with input gathered throughout the process directly from girls.

Market and Membership Charge

This committee, through surveys, will look into the future and answer the question “What experiences and learning opportunities do Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama need to provide?” This committee will support its answers with market research, taking into consideration the span of ages of Girl Scouts, demographics, regional preferences, and affordability.

Program Charge

The Program committee will identify and develop the types of programs needed to provide the experiences and opportunities identified by the Membership & Marketing Committee. This committee will categorize the programs by type, age appropriateness, and the facilities and resources required to deliver the programs.

Facilities Charge

This committee will identify the availability and need for facilities to provide the programs identified by the Program Committee. This committee will develop a database of programming facilities and resources available at existing Girl Scout and third-party properties.

LRPP Timeline*

Membership & Marketing Charge
June-July 2020 Market Research
August 2020 present results

Program Charge
June-September 2020 Identify and develop Girl Scout programs
based on Membership and Marketing results
September 2020 present results

Facilities Charge
June-September 2020 Inventory of GSSA & third-party facilities & resources
September 2020 evaluate facilities & resources
based on Membership and Marketing and Program results

LRPP Task Group
November 2020 Compile results from committees and create a report
December 2020 Present report to Board of Directors

*Timeline might be delayed because of COVID-19.

LRPP Results

In 2019, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) started work to identify the facilities and resources needed to provide the Girl Scout outdoor experience desired by our Girl Scout members. This work, carried out by our Long-Range Property Planning (LRPP) Committee, a committee of long-time Girl Scout volunteers, and GSSA member (adult and girl) survey results, has provided data-driven information to assist in setting priorities for future investment in facilities and resources.

GSSA’s Board of Directors has utilized this research, analysis, and recommendations to make long-term property decisions that will support girl programs and experiences while ensuring the sustainability of our organization. We are excited to announce that our Board has approved the following plans that will see our properties into the future!

Camp Sid Edmonds, Bay Minette
Over a period of five years, Camp Sid Edmonds will transition to a resident camp facility. The future Camp Sid will provide a wide range of exciting programming opportunities for our girls in an environment that is modern and provides for their individual needs as they progress in Girl Scouting.

Our improvements at Camp Sid, including the construction of a Dining Hall/Recreation Center, three campsites, two bathhouses, a recreational pavilion, and an equine facility, will entice more girls to get outdoors and enjoy camping and nature.

Scoutshire Woods, Citronelle
Scoutshire Woods will remain open for camping and events, and we will work with the Mobile County School System, from whom the property is leased, to maintain this historic property. Projects that will be completed by summer 2021 include renovation of the bathhouse and replacement of tents at the High Winds Unit. We are excited to continue to offer opportunities for fun and learning at our beloved SSW.

Kamp Kiwanis, Eclectic
Kamp Kiwanis will remain a resident camp facility and continue to welcome troops for camping and events. Priorities at this camp include a new bunkhouse (formerly the Pioneer unit house) in the Pioneer Unit, which will be completed by June 2021. This bunkhouse will sleep 18 and be a completed renovated facility for our girls. GSSA will also make upgrades throughout the camp property to enhance the experience of our girls and volunteers when they visit.

Camp Humming Hills, Elba
Camp Humming Hills will continue to provide facilities for council events and troop outings on a limited basis throughout the year. This property provides our girls with an oasis of serenity in the beautiful southern Alabama forest.

GSSA’s priority is to continue to provide the best outdoor and camp programming opportunities for girls and to ensure Girl Scouting remains strong for future generations. We are deeply committed to using our resources wisely, and evaluating the ability of our camp properties to enable our council to better serve girls with the 21st-century leadership programming they want today.

LRPP FAQs

Long-Range Property Planning Frequently Asked Questions