Girl Scouts of Erie Shores Council – Lorain

Erie Shores was born from GSUSA's Project 13, which was called the Green Umbrella. It's intent was to merge small councils and build greater capacity. After two years of dedicated work, Black River Girl Scout Council and Western Gate Girl Scout Council joined together and formed Girl Scouts of Erie Shores. Tiffin Girl Scout Council was later added to the family in 1968, and by 1979, ground was broken for the place we called "home", the Council Service Center on South Broadway Avenue.

Since it's formation, Erie Shores has undergone many changes and some of the most important events have been highlighted below.

Timeline of Events

1916

First troop formed in Sandusky with a membership of (4) girls.

1919

First troop formed in Fremont, OH.

1923

Bellvue Girl Scout Council formed, but disbanded in 1925. The First troop was formed in Lorain, OH.

1925

Oberlin Girl Scout Council organized (first council chartered in Lorain County).

1927

Elyria Girl Scout Council organized. Lorain Girl Scout Council chartered.

1935

Willard Girl Scout Council was organized. Bellvue became a Local Council and Tiffin Girl Scout Council was chartered.

1936

Elyria Girl Scout Council was chartered.

1953

Black River Girl Scout Council was organized. Chartered in 1954.

1954

Oberlin and Lorain merged into Black River Girl Scout Council.

1955

Western Gate Girl Scout Council was formed. First office of Western Gate in Norwalk.

1956

Purchased Camp Timberlane property. Columbia Township joined Black River Girl Scout Council. Williard and Sandusky Girl Scout Council joined Western Gate Girl Scout Council.

1957

First primitive camp at Camp Timberlane. Sandusky Council merged with Western Gate Council.

1958

First established camp at Camp Timberlane. First handicapped troop organized.

1964

Erie Shores Girl Scout Council chartered-office in Oberlin. Western Gate and Black River merged into Erie Shores Girl Scout Council.

1968

Tiffin Girl Scout Council merged with Erie Shores.

1970

Fire at Maplegrove.

1971

Maplegrove replaced by Green Meadows cabin (named by Troop in Grafton).

1979

Ground breaking for new Council Service Center on South Broadway in March. Open House held in October.

1994

Fire at Camp Timberlane destroyed Pinecrest cabin.

1996

Pinecrest cabin rebuilt and rededicated.

2002

Erie Shores Girl Scout Council changed name to Girl Scouts of Erie Shores Girl Scout Council.

2005

Camp Timberlane was remodeled. Lakeview Cabin becomes new Welcome Center. Replaced Tall Timbers tent unit with year-round structure; remodeled Stocker Lodge; new roads and parking implemented.

2007

Girl Scouts of North East Ohio formed through merger of Erie Shores, Great Trail, Lake to River, Lake Erie and Western Reserve.