Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, the largest pipeline for female leaders in North Texas, celebrates the grand opening of The Rees-Jones Foundation Welcome Center and The Hoglund Foundation Girl Program Center at the new STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Whispering Cedars April 8 with a ribbon unknotting. This event marks the start of a series of renovations to convert the property into a living laboratory for science, technology, engineering and math. The center will offer girls a progressive way to experience STEM education and careers, conduct on-site experiments and explore and learn in a unique girl-centered outdoor leadership environment.
“This redeveloped campus aims to equip the 21st century Girl Scout with the knowledge and skills to be successful now, as well as in future STEM careers,” said Jennifer Bartkowski, CEO, GSNETX. “With specially designed curriculum, the STEM Center of Excellence is poised to provide girls with the inspiration and experience needed to be leaders in their respective fields. We also hope to stimulate a lifelong love of STEM education with the uniquely girl-centered experience the camp provides.”
To date $8.4 million has been raised toward the $13 million capital campaign launched in 2012 to transform a 100-acre pre-World War II camp property into a 21st century STEM Center of Excellence. By exposing girls to new opportunities and mentors in the field of STEM, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas is changing the workforce pipeline in STEM careers.
“By providing opportunities for girls that instill confidence, build character and develop leadership skills, Girl Scouts is playing a pivotal role in preparing young women to be active and productive contributors in their communities,” said Jan Rees-Jones, Rees-Jones Foundation. “We are excited about the opportunities for growth that will be offered through the STEM Center of Excellence and all of the other enriching activities at Camp Whispering Cedars. Through its work, Girl Scouts is helping change the course of these girls’ lives.”
The Girl Scout Research institute study indicates 74 percent of teen girls are interested in the field of STEM – of these girls, 81 percent are interested in pursuing a career in this field, but only 13 percent say it’s their first choice (Generation STEM, 2012). The new STEM Center of Excellence will offer a portfolio of activities that will drive girls toward STEM education and careers. Geared for all girls in K-12 grades, the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Whispering Cedars is just 20 miles from downtown Dallas.
“The Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas has a longstanding history of measurable impact in our community. We know this investment is catalytic in connecting girls with leadership experiences in STEM that will inspire their aspirations,” said Kelly Compton, Executive Director at The Hoglund Foundation. “The Hoglund Foundation Girl Program Center is designed for girls to connect in real ways to their world – and see math, science and technology not only as part of their everyday lives, but something they can transform into a lifelong passion and career.”
Phase Two construction is set to begin this spring, and will include numerous learning opportunities such as a nature trail, geology trail, sports field, exploration center and more.
About Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas
Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization and is the largest pipeline for female leadership. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas serves more than 26,600 girls and 12,500 adults in 32 northeast Texas counties. For information, call (800) 442-2260 or visit www.gsnetx.org.