GSNEO History | Girl Scouts of North East Ohio

The History and Archive committee will be having a Girl Scout memorabilia sale at A.L.E. Remix: Camp Timberlane. Find a piece of Girl Scout history! Browse unique memorabilia, including vintage clothing, accessories, books, patches, pins, fabric items, and more.

Saturday, November 7, 2026
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Please note: Cash and check payments only.

Since 1912, Girl Scouts have been a part of Northeast Ohio communities, with local troops and councils forming and merging through the years. In 2007, five councils across 18 counties merged to form Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO). GSNEO was formed on October 1, 2007.

Want to learn about the history of the Girl Scout Movement?

The History and Archives Committee of GSNEO welcomes all Girl Scout items for donation. You can send or bring donations into any of the GSNEO Service Centers with the attached form.

Find service center locations here.

The items will be accessioned and put in their correct areas. You will be asked to sign a gift agreement.

We thank you for helping keep our Girl Scout traditions alive.

Museum Tours - If you or your troop would like to have a tour of the Macedonia Girl Scout Museum, contact Linda West-McBride at lindawestmcbride@gmail.com. To visit Memory Hall in North Canton, contact Jan Hart at janhart127@yahoo.com.

Click on each Legacy Council below to learn its history.

Girl Scouts of Lake Erie Council (Cleveland, OH) toggle arrow

1912

A group of girls in Bay Village, Ohio organized what was probably the first Girl Guide troop.

1914

The first Cleveland troop, known as the Pansy Patrol, was organized.

1918

The Cleveland Girls' Council was organized, encompassing Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Girl Reserves, Girls' City Club, and other Cleveland groups.

1920

The Cleveland Girls' Council received its charter to become the Cleveland Girl Scout Council.

1963

The Cleveland and Lake County Girl Scout councils merged to form Lake Erie Girl Scout Council, covering Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties.

1964

Council purchased additional Lake County property and named the new site Camp Cheraga. The camp was later renamed in honor of Mary and Frank Lejnar.

1976

The millhouse, a part of Camp Crowell-Hilaka property, was made into a Museum of the History of Girl Scouting in Cleveland and is on the National Registry of Historic Buildings.

1981

First airing of "Brownie Smiles," which was a weekly television show featuring twelve Girl Scout Brownies who met in the ViaCom Studios at Severance Center Mall.

1997

Camp Margaret Bates in Macedonia was sold.

2007

Girl Scouts of Lake Erie Council merged with four other Northeast Ohio councils to form Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.

Girl Scouts Lake to River Council (Niles, OH) toggle arrow

1965

Mrs. Kurt Forsythe: First President. Council was formed by merger of Massasauga, Warren, Youngstown, and Niles councils. Events included Dolly Derby and Round 1965.

2007

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

Girl Scouts of Erie Shores Council (Lorain, OH) toggle arrow

Erie Shores was born from GSUSA's Project 13, which was called the Green Umbrella. Its 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 Lorain area council headquarters, the council service center on South Broadway Avenue. Since its formation, Erie Shores has undergone many changes and some of the most important events are highlighted below.

1916

First troop formed in Sandusky, Ohio with a membership of (four) girls.

1919

First troop formed in Fremont, Ohio.

1923

Bellvue Girl Scout Council formed but disbanded in 1925. The first troop was formed in Lorain, Ohio.

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 was replaced by Green Meadows cabin (named by troop in Grafton).

1979

Ground breaking for new council service center on South Broadway in March. An Open House was 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.

2005

Camp Timberlane was remodeled. Lakeview Cabin becomes a 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.

Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve, Inc. (Akron, OH) toggle arrow

In the beginning from 1918 until 1938, Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve had many titles, from Akron Area Scouts to Summit City Council of the Girl Scouts. By 1962, Medina, Portage, Summit, and Northern Wayne Counties consolidated to become Western Reserve Girl Scout Council. You will discover Girl Scout history and the evolution of Girls Scouts of the Western Reserve as it happened in Greater Akron.

In fact, did you know that Franz Schumacher (founder of Quaker Oats Company) in 1840 built the Victorian-style house that was located at 108 Fir Hill? This building was known as the "Cookie House" because it was bought and maintained with cookie program profits. The street got its name from the fir trees. The property later became a part of the University of Akron.

1918-1919

Akron Area Girl Scout organization was formed, and Troops #1-#6 were organized.

1920-1921

The Akron Area Girl Scout council's first headquarters was located in the Metropolitan Building in downtown Akron.

1921-1922

Council chartered as Summit County Council of the Girl Scouts, and Girl Scouts camped at Akron Mayor's, F.S. Myers, Rex Lake.

1921-1926

Moved to new and larger headquarters located at 114 E Market Street (C.W. Seiberling home).

1923

Camped at Comet Dam, when it flooded, the girls helped collect farm animals. First known Girl Scout troops in Barberton.

1924

Camp was held at Camp Chanote until Mrs. Laursen presented the Girl Scouts permanent use of the Laursen Estate as Day Camp in 1932.

1925

Cookies baked by girls and sold for $.25 per dozen.

1926-1927

The Guth Building caught fire and headquarters were temporarily moved to Yager's Department Store.

1928

Council renamed to Akron Area Council Girl Scouts and five day camps were started, which included Perkins Park, Gorge, and Forest Lodge.

1930

The Bankers Building, 191 S Main St, became the headquarters. Akron's first 7,750 dozen cookies sales netted $480.

1932

Camp Ledgewood opened, campers were given blimp rides by Goodyear, and girls attended Day Camp.

1939

Troops #7- #10 were started at Grant, Lincoln, and Broad Schools.

1943-1975

The "Cookie House" (the house bought with cookie program money) located at 108 Fir Hill became the new headquarters.

1949

Jessie Mae Fageol Campground was presented to the Ravenna Girl Scout Association.

1962

Western Reserve Council is formed to combine Summit, Portage, Medina, and Northern Wayne Counties.

1971

Senior Girl Scouts held an all-night Cookie "Bake-in" at Low Lodge. Cookies were mailed to solders in Vietnam.

1980

The Girl Scout Gold Award established as highest award. First Gold Award in WRGSC earned by girls.

1981

Camp Ledgewood celebrates its 50th anniversary with a party at camp. Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors buried a time capsule to be opened in 2031 at the foot of Camp Ledgewood's main flagpole during the Cadette/Senior Roundup.

1994

345 White Pond Drive becomes the Headquarters.

2000

Name changed to Girl Scouts of the Western Reserve, Inc.

2002

Western Reserve Council 40th Anniversary. Ledgewood 70th Anniversary Open House Celebration: May-Peace Pole dedication. 72 girls received their Silver Award.

2007

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

Great Trail Girl Scout Council (North Canton, OH) toggle arrow

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 Oaksc, 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.

1917

First troop began in Massillon.

1918-1942

Lone troops formed in Orrville, Canton, Minerva, Uhrichsville, 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.