Camp Friends

Guy Renkert's Letter

2011-10-22T10:35:00.000-07:00

October 21, 2011

Mr. Dan Bragg

Chair of the Board of Directors

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio

One Girl Scout Way

Macedonia, OH 44056-2156

Dear Mr. Bragg:

I am writing you to express my profound concern and outrage with the Girl Scout council’s decision to close Great Trail Camp in Carroll County.

I am the President and CEO of Ironrock Capital, Inc., located in Canton, Ohio. I represent the fifth generation of our family brick and tile business which was previously known as the Metropolitan Paving Brick Company. Back in the late 1940’s, our company, under my grandfather’s leadership, donated the original land that is known today as the Renkert Ranch, or Great Trail Camp. My grandfather was an avid sportsman, conservationist and lover of nature. It was his wish to donate the property to the Girl Scouts so that girls in our area would be able to learn about nature, experience the outdoors and grow into strong, confident women. Following his lead, additional land went to GSNEO in 1966 when my father was the head of the company and again in 2003 when I donated another 20 acres. Generation after, generation, we have seen the benefit of outdoor experiential learning in our area and we are devastated by what looks to be a short-sighted and irresponsible decision.

To close or sell the Renkert Ranch is absolutely counter to the intent of our family’s gifts. None of the gifts were restricted nor did we establish any specific demands about what should be done with the property because we trusted that GSNEO would act in good faith and would preserve this special place for generations to come.

Since learning of the board’s decision, I have been in communication with many area families and business leaders who share my anger and frustration. The girls of NEO need more places to go where they can immerse themselves in nature, not fewer. Strength, courage, empowerment, memories and lifelong friendships are not built in computer labs and new LEED certified buildings. They are built around a campfire having had a fun and challenging, if not a little muddy, day in the woods away from home.

We believe the board of directors of GSNEO is not acting in good faith and urge you to stop any and all plans to close or sell the Great Trail Camp. Instead, every effort should be made to preserve and maintain this camp for the continued use by the Girl Scouts. Any action to the contrary constitutes, at best, a bad decision or, at worst, fraud.

Future support for GSNEO by my family, our company and countless others in our community will hinge upon your actions. It is my opinion and that of many other family, business and community leaders, that if you can’t respect the gifts that were made to the organization in the past then there is no reason to support GSNEO in the future.

Sincerely,

IRONROCK CAPITAL, INC.

Guy F. Renkert

President & CEO

cc: GSNEO Board, Staff and Delegates Members

Any NEO families and business owners/leaders who I believe need to hear about this

All of my contacts at NEO charitable foundations

Letter About Great Trail Camp from Guy Renkert

2011-10-21T15:03:00.000-07:00

Ongoing Fundraisers to Support Great Trail Camp

2011-02-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

Camp Friends Offers Rental Subsidies at Great Trail Camp

2011-01-24T22:10:00.000-08:00

Camp Friends is once again offering rental subsidies for South Service Region Girl Scout Troop Leaders and Service Unit Directors when they rent Great Trail Camp. We will reimburse you one-half of your rental fee based on the terms below. Please click on the jpg's below to access the forms and print them. After you have clicked on the jpg's below, use "zoom" or your computer's magnifying tool to enlarge the forms. Or contact us at campfriends09@gmail.com.

Partners with Second Hand Treasures

2011-01-23T00:14:00.000-08:00

Camp Friends continues to partner with 2nd Hand Treasures, a consignment shop located at 4701 Eagle Circle, NW (behind Home Depot in Jackson Twp. and near Microtel). Camp Friends has formed a new partnership with 2nd Hand Treasures, a consignment shop located at 4701 Eagle Circle, NW (behind Home Depot in Jackson Twp. and near Microtel). The owner is a former Girl Scout and she remembers the wonderful times she had at Great Trail Camp.

Camp Friends has a consignment account at 2nd Hand Treasures. This is an ongoing fundraiser. You may donate your items throughout the year. All you have to do is take in any of the items listed below, tell them you would like to consign the items under Camp Friends, and Camp Friends will receive 40% of the selling price. Another opportunity to raise funds for Great Trail Camp!

Home Decor
Tabletop
Furniture
Hardware
Clothing
Jewelry
Holiday
Sports
Kids
Vintage Fashions

Consignment items are accepted on Tuesday, Thursday, or by appointment.

Contact information for 2nd Hand Treasures: 2handtreasures@gmail.com or 330-497-7970.

Hours: Weekdays 9 am to 4 pm
Saturdays 10 am to 2 pm

Camp Friends

Our mission is to support Great Trail Camp.

Second Annual Campfire Cuisine

2011-01-23T00:01:00.000-08:00

Join us for the Second Annual Campfire Cuisine to support Great Trail Camp.

Watch this blogspot for updates.

If you are interested in helping at the event or working behind the scenes, please contact us at campfriends09@gmail.com.

Membership Brochure

2010-01-29T23:13:00.001-08:00

Our membership brochure is designed to be printed as a booklet. Please contact us at campfriends09@gmail.com if you have any questions about our organization or if you would like to become member. New members are always welcome.

GoodSearch/GoodShop

2010-01-29T22:33:00.001-08:00

Cans for Camp and Acme Receipts

2010-01-29T22:31:00.000-08:00

Cans for Camp is an ongoing fundraiser. We have raised $42 with the aluminum cans donated to date. Please continue to save your aluminum cans. Contact us at campfriends09@gmail.com for information on the drop-off location.

Community Cash Back through Acme will end in February. All receipts must be turned into Camp Friends by February 28, 2010. Contact us at campfriends09@gmail.com for information on where to drop off your Acme receipts.