How You Can Help

Become a FoCH member by joining our discussion group on Yahoo!
Simply by joining you add to our "strength of numbers".  Joining the discussion group automatically makes you a member of the Friends of Crowell/Hilaka!

In an E-mail discussion group, whenever you send a message to the group's E-mail address, everyone in the group receives it.  The discussion group lets us exchance updates on camp information, volunteer opportunities, and FoCH-sponsored programs for girls.  The group is our main way to exchange ideas and make plans.  We can share memories, report the results of historical research, and more.  It's the fastest way to stay informed. 

There are two ways to join the discussion group.  The easiest is simply to send an E-mail to friendsofcrowellhilaka-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.  The subject line and body can both be blank.  If you have a Yahoo ID, you can also join the group from the group's home page, which is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/friendsofcrowellhilaka.

Once you are a member, all you have to do to join the discussion is to send a message to friendsofcrowellhilaka@yahoogroups.com, and every FoCH member will receive it!

If you think receiving each message from the group would be too much for your inbox, there are other options.  For more information, contact FoCH's webmaster at interrobang@yahoo.com.

Go camping at Crowell Hilaka!
Nothing says "keep this camp!" like girls using it!  Troop camping is available at Amity, North and Coach Houses, as well as the Adirondacks and Faraway Pines platform tent unit.  And check Faces And Places for council-sponsored programs at Crowell/Hilaka!

Join a work crew!
If you, your troop, alumni group, or family want to work on a repair/ maintenance project at camp, contact Kim Janikovics. Kim is the FoCH volunteer projects coordinator for current info on what needs done and what the priorities are.  She is in close contact with Stan Polo (CH camp manager ) and Jim Kananen ( GSNEO properties manager).  

The invasive plant species removal project is on-going.  Current focus is removal of buckthorn and barberry along Pine Lake Trail.  All uprooted plant material must be bagged and taken to dumpster.

Firewood can be cut, split and stacked.

Clear debris and perform maintenance on existing trails.

Clear debris at Paddler unit.

Remove low hanging branches or invasive branches from FarAway Pines and Adirondacks.

Clean out the rain ditch on the east side of the road from Coach to Last Chance.

Dust and remove cobwebs in all buildings, concentrating on those areas typically out of reach without a ladder.

Clean windows and woodwork in all buildings.

The following possiblities are awaiting approval from GSNEO:

Be a messenger!
Every now and then FoCH needs paper folding, sorting, stapling, stuffing, etc.  If you want to know when these chores are needed, let Susan know at susannanin@yahoo.com.

Donate your old stuff to the FoCH rummage sales!
The sales will be held as part of the Richfield Community garage sale in June and the Hinkley Community Garage sale in the fall.  If you have anything you can donate, please contact Lucy at lhanigosky@cox.net

Fund raising!
We're building up money in our general fund to support girl programming at Crowell/Hilaka. If the GSNEO board decides to keep the camp, we hope to finance small repair and improvement projects on the grounds.  Contact Lucy Hanigosky with your fundraising proposals.

Organize a Sunday afternoon funday!
Pick a theme, let the office know, and set up stations.  This is a great leadership opportunity for girls!  Contact Sarah if you would like to learn about how FoCH has organized past Sunday Fundays.

Advocate!
If you have a strong belief - such as the value of outdoor play for children, fighting childhood obesity, the need for safe camping places available for all girls, keeping all of Crowell/Hilaka open as a Girl Scout camp, etc., send a "letter to the editor" about it. Write to whatever publications you read. Educate yourself on the issue. Talk about it at organizations you belong to. Contact political leaders at every level. Spread the word!

Submit a Crowell Hilaka memory or experience.
It doesn't need to be lengthy or have brilliant writing style. Just email a note to the group about what you did at camp, or what you liked, what you didn't like, something you learned - anything!!!!  All campers are encouraged to submit, regardless of age!

Volunteer to be a camp buddy! 
New leaders can request an experienced, trained adult camper to go with them. 


The FoCH Research & Development Department

Learn millwheel operation!
If camp survives, FoCH will immediately enroll in the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills, which will entitle us to resource material that will help the mill commitee become mill experts!  We will begin investigation on restoring the mill to its original purpose of hydroelectric power generation.  We will learn the best ways to make the mill a historic and educational focus.

History, PI 
Our current research is on the Oviatt & Kirby families.  We need reseachers to take on the Gargetts, the Neals, and the Freemans, and also the northern farm operations.  We need people who can investigate information on the underground railroad in Oberlin. We need a California division to check old records from the 1849 gold rush.  Heading out to Sacremento for vacation?  Contact Lynn Richardson to be deputized for this mission

We ain't got horses, but.....
Survey results show animal care is a major girl interest. How can we find a way to develop an animal-centric program at camp that won't break the bank?