The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1951-11-02

have always been able to use It
since its establishment, about 4
Years ago. In 1949 the camp was
IN good condition, and troops OF
our girls had splendid camping
experiences there. This year, Que
to neglect and hurricane Damage,
the camp does not meet Girl Scout
requirements, and we do have, in
our treasury, funds obtained
through cookie sales in which all
/ troops participated, and funds
inherited from a former council,
Most of this money is designated
! for camping equipment and
! buildings to be accessible to all
troops, and controlled by our or
ganization.
This year, for the first time, our
! Leaders Association is sending
representative to Camp Juliette
Low for the two weeks leadership
training courses in June. Mrs.
Neil Saunders. the leader oldest
in service in this county, will re-
present us, and will have all ex-
penses paid by our organization.
/ Key West is unique in its loca-
ton and character. II is located
l56 miles South of Miami, and go
miles, airline, from Havana,
Cuba. The Overseas Highway, fol-
lowing the chain of islands from
Key West to the mainland, is a
toll road. Travel to the mainland
is quite expensive.
For Key West Girl Scouts to
be under the jurisdiction of
Dade County would be dreadful
misfortune. Geographically we
are too far from Miami to have
even occasional council commit
tee meetings. We could not send
representatives to meet with
their council. Our scouts could
not possibly afford transporta-
ton necessary to use the camp
ing facilities in Dade County.
Telephone toll charges are great
for that distance, and our only
communication could be by mail.
It would be just about as CON
venient to be under the iurisdic-
ton of the New York concil.
We do want our own council
in Monroe County, to embrace
the troops on the Keys, and func-
ton as an individual council.
Those of us who have lived here
even a few years understand the
natural conditions of climate and
weather in the Florida Keys.
There are seasons in the year
when mosquitoes make camping
impossible unless all buildings
are adequately screened, and
frequently sprayed with insecti-
eide. In those seasons it is almost
impossible to sit about an eve-
ming conpfire on the Keys.
Therefore, we are eager to es-
tablish camp where we may
have large screened building to
permit us to have evening pro-
grams with comfort, and ade-
quate sleeping facilities for the
girls.
The hurricane season permits
only weekend camping on the
/ Keys, and there must be a radio
available at camp to get storm
warnings in time to return all
girls to their homes before the
storm. AT certain times during
! the winter months ocean breezes
are cold, and camping would be
unpleasant, for the younger girls,
/ particularly. BY understanding
all these characteristics in wealth
er the camping experiences of
f, our troops have been pleasant and
safe. Therefore, jurisdiction of
scouting in this area must be adj
ministered in the locality by
those who understand the topo-
graphy and climate.
Since the Leaders Association
did not approve the camping fa-
cilities available last summer, Of
ficials of the Navy granted the
Association permission to use a
swimming pool on the Naval
Reservation once each week. All
4 girl scouts were permitted to
swim under the direction of
/ leaders, assistant leaders, COM
/ mitee members. and life guard
provided by the Navy.
The Girl Scout Week program
with all troops participating was
splendid experience. Outstand-
ing was the program presented
by representatives of all troops,
to which community and civic
leaders and parents were invited.
/ The program was held in the
National Catholic Community
Service center, a large auditor
ium with stage, which has side
porches. 1t is ordinarily used as
a recreational center for service
men. The night Of the Girl Scout
program II was crowded, with all
seating space taken, and many
persons standing. Enclosed are
newspaper clippings from "The
Key West Citizen the local
newspaper, which gives US out
standing cooperation and pub
licity.
Key West is over populated at
the present time. There are more
than $4,000 people living on this
small island, according TO the