Great Trail Girl Scout Council – North Canton

Great Trail Council began in 1924 when the Canton Council was first chartered. Prior to the first area charter, many single troops were formed in communities across Carroll, Tuscarawas, Stark and segments of Wayne, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

Since 1917, Girl Scouts across this region have served their communities in many ways from Victory gardens during WWII to participating in large recruitment efforts in the Canton area.

The Canton area Girl Scouts opened their first camp, named The Oaks and then changed to Camp Sandoneida in 1924, located by Oneida and Malvern. This wooded 20-acre tract of land provided Girl Scouts a primitive camping experience. The number of Girl Scouts camping at Camp Sandoneida soon outgrew the capacity for this camp. In June 1948, almost 68 acres of land by an old Indian trail and overlooking the Sandy Valley was gifted to the Girl Scouts by the Metropolitan Paving Brick Company. Great Trail Camp was opened and saw its first season of Girl Scouts in 1953.

Timeline of Events

1917

First troop began in Massillon

1918-1942

Lone troops formed in Orrville, Canton, Minerva, Uhrichville, North Canton, New Philadelphia, Bolivar, Navarre, Dennison, Dover, Alliance, Louisville, Hartville and Salem.

1924

First Charter received for Canton Council of Girl Scouts. First Commissioner of Canton Council was Mrs. H.H. Timken, Sr. First established resident camp - Camp Sandoneida

1930

First cookie sale

1958

Canton Council merges with Tuscarawas and Carroll county to become chartered as Great Trail Council.

1962

First Council Round-up at Stark County Fairgrounds

2007

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