In November 2017, the Girl Scout camp known as Camp Golden Pond in Petersburg saw its last scouting activities.
The camp was closed by the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Board of Directors. Golden Pond and other council-owned camps were sold in an effort to re-evaluate property and assets, as the board explained it.
A group called Friends of Golden Pond has been working tirelessly to find a way to reopen the spot at 5126 Eberle Road, which cover 290 acres and provided memorable camp experiences to many girls. The girls now must travel to other camps that are much further away and lack the extra features of the Golden Pond experience.
The 7-acre Lake Louise, for example, was an invaluable site for canoeing, kayaking, fishing and swimming.
John Sabella bought Camp Golden Pond for $885,000, according to the group that has been trying reopen the camp. Friends of Golden Pond hope to buy back the property, but it will take all their efforts, and that of many groups and community members, to achieve that.
Megan Roberts, president of Friends of Golden Pond said, “We are holding a reception and tours of the camp on Feb. 24, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Refreshments and light fare will be served. If you camped at Golden Pond and wish to speak at the reception, please email a two-minute video to contact@friendsofgoldenpond.org along with a signed photo release.”
The reception is being held at Legacy Lodge at Camp Golden Pond. It will be a time for the Friends of Golden Pond to update the public on the negotiation process and, in the case of former campers, to renew friendships and reminisce.
A GoFundMe page has raised more than $27,000 for the capital campaign for the camp and provide a special camping experience for the daughters and granddaughters of those who enjoyed the camp over the last 30 years.
$50,000 will fully lease the property for one year.
‘This lease will give us unrestricted access so that we can ensure that nature does not reclaim the property,’ according to Friends of Golden Pond. ‘It will let us open the camp to rentals. It will let us plan and execute outdoor programs on the property. But most importantly, it will also prevent the camp from being sold piecemeal while we raise capital for our final purchase.’
Visit www.friendsofgoldenpond.org for more information.
