Property Update 10/19/22 – We are happy to share, except for the Collier Girl Scout House which remains closed for the foreseeable future , council properties have been assessed and are beginning to reopen. If a location is available, the property reservation system will allow booking through the standard process. Anyone who had an existing reservation has been contacted by customer care with updates. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our members as we ensured that properties were safe and ready for use.
10/13 Council Update: We are still currently in the process of assessing our Girl Scout properties to determine damages caused by Hurricane Ian. GSGCF will be closing our properties for the foreseeable future to facilitate repairs caused by the storm. It is unsafe to be on property until we complete these repairs. Thank you for your patience as our property management team works to get you back to camp safely. Contact has been completed by Customer Care to all with reserved usage and follow up communication will continue as updates are known. If you have any further questions, please contact our Customer Care team at customercare@gsgcf.org.
10/6 Council Update: All of us at Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida wish to express our gratitude to GSUSA and the GSUSA Board of Directors who have lifted fundraising restrictions which enables councils to raise money for members and communities directly impacted by Hurricane Ian.
As of October 6, 2022, through the end of December 2022 Girl Scout councils, troops, and members can assist as follows:
Financial Support: Council members can make financial donations directly to an affected council. All money will be allocated to council scholarship funds at the affected council(s) to assist girls with current membership year dues and replacement uniforms, credentials, and materials, or future opportunities.
Troop-to-Troop Support: Troops can allocate part of their own funds to an impacted council scholarship fund or to support a remote sister troop doing a service project or a sister troop in direct need.
Direct Work with Relief Projects: If girls are able to safely travel to an affected area or relocation areas and permitted to do so, consider helping with on-site relief activities or local activities that benefit the impacted areas.
In response to this news, a Facebook Group has been established to connect sister Girl Scouts from across the movement who wish to support the efforts of local Girl Scouts and our council. See below about how to join the Hurricane Ian Action Team.
The rebuilding process for some will take much longer than for others, however with this support from GSUSA and our sister Girl Scouts, Girl Scouting in Gulfcoast Florida will continue for those who need the support our program provides now more than ever.
10/4 Council Update: Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida is currently open, with staff working remotely and office hours by appointment only. We will update this page as necessary for the operations of Girl Scout camps, activities, and facilities. For any immediate inquiries, please contact our customer care team at customercare@gsgcf.org.
Camp Update – We are currently in the process of assessing our Girl Scout properties to determine damages caused by Hurricane Ian. Thank you for your patience as our property management team works to get you back to camp safely. Contact has been completed by Customer Care to all with reserved usage and follow up communication will continue as updates are known.
Ways To Help
This category 4 hurricane came ashore along the southwest coast of Florida and has greatly impacted Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida families and council staff. We appreciate the outpouring of offers for support and compassion from our sister Girl Scout councils, troops, and community. However, we are still assessing the impact and will share updates and information about how you can support recovery efforts as they become available. Donations towards recovery can be made at made via our website. For any additional questions or inquiries, please contact us at customercare@gsgcf.org.
Girl Scouts Can Help
We will have more information in the near future about how you can help sister Girl Scout troops within our council who have experienced the most devastating impact from the hurricane. Stay tuned.
Join the Hurricane Ian Action Team
Earn a Hurricane Ian Action Team Patch. Take action with the recovery from Hurricane Ian and then fill out the Hurricane Ian Action Team Story Form to share the impact you made for others. Include photos or video that we can use to highlight your efforts. Within a month of submitting your story, you will receive a 2022 Hurricane Ian Action Team Patch at no cost to you or your Girl Scouts.
Here are some age-appropriate ideas for your Girl Scout to consider:
| Take Action Idea | All Girl Scouts | Older Girl Scouts |
| Join Clean Up Efforts | Help your family, neighbors, place of worship, sports field or other community location to clean up leaves, branches, and debris from storm. | Explore opportunities to volunteer for organizations like Volunteer Florida, Salvation Army Ft. Myers or other environmental protection organizations in your area. |
| Support Relief Services | Put together disaster recovery kits for organizations like Metropolitan Ministries or Feeding Tampa Bay. Collect non-perishable foods that can be eaten without power: granola bars, cereal, juice boxes, water, etc. | Donate Blood. Gather and donate non-perishable foods to Feeding Florida. Register as a Hurricane Ian volunteer at COAD in Port Charlotte. |
| Care for Animals | Collect items shelters need like blankets, food and toys. Put together foster kits that shelters can deliver to foster pet parents. | Volunteer at shelters walking dogs and cleaning kennel spaces. Learn about ways to help local animal shelters by donating supplies or fostering animals. |
| Show Gratitude & Kindness | Paint a gratitude poster and drop it off to a local firehouse, sheriff’s office, hospital, etc. Put out signs in your windows thanking emergency workers. | Organize a first responders’ night at a local restaurant. |
Highlight Our Hurricane Ian Action Team
Every time you see GSGCF highlight one of our Hurricane Ian Action Team members, share the post and spread the word that Girl Scouts makes a transformative difference in the lives of girls.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Thank You!
During a natural disaster like Hurricane Ian, Girl Scouts courageously step up to help others in their community and beyond. Everything that Girl Scouts teaches and stands for, prepares us for moments like these. Through unimaginable hardships, Girl Scouts strive to make a difference and make the world a better place.
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. 