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History of the Friends of Crowell Hilaka



​Summary:  
We started as an online group promoting Crowell Hilaka within Girl Scouting after GSNEO announced they were closing the camp.  (June 2009 ) 
We developed work parties, activity programs, research, camping "scholarships", and encouraged participation in GS governance process.  ( June 2009-April 2011 )
Then we worked with other Camp Friends groups trying to save camping and democratic process as a basic part of Girl Scouting.  ( April 2011- early 2013 )
Then we held a pledge campaign to buy the camp ourselves through Western Reserve Land Conservancy.  ( late 2013 )
Then we worked with WRLC, Richfield Historical Society, Richfield Village council and Richfield Township trustees to promote formation of the RJRD. ( early 2014)
Then we worked with the Richfield Together campaign to promote purchase of the camp by Richfield citizens. ( late 2014)
Now we are working for the citizens of Richfield with RJRD to protect, preserve, enhance and promote Richfield's beautiful new Heritage Preserve.  ( 2015- present) 


​

Timeline 

2021 FoCH projects and events 

2020 FoCH projects and events
​ 
2019 FoCH projects and events
 
2018  FoCH projects and events 

November 2017 - installation of Kirby historic signboards. Donated by FoCH with assistance from Questers.     

April, 2017 -  Partnership agreement with RJRD signed.   The work rolls on. 

August 14, 2016 - KIrby's Mill parade float by Jim Gremba makes its first appearance at Richfield Community Day

May 7, 2016 Assisted with OHC Derby Day 

May 5, 2016 - work plan presentation to the new RJRD Governance Committee  

April - July,  2016  working with the Buckeye Trail Association to re-route the Trail through Crowell Hilaka 

March 14, 2016 - contract negotiations with RJRD continue

2015 summary  

September 27, 2015 - FoCH hosts Kirby Birthday Party   

August 24, 2015 - RJRD grants permission for FoCH to raise funds for the restoration of Kirby's Mill, pending detailed plans    

​July 13, 2015 - RJRD issues proclamation of appreciation to FoCH. Resolution 08-2015

February 2, 2015 - FoCH obtains 501c3 designation
​
January 2015 -  FoCH submits proposal to RJRD outlining what we can contribute.  Early projects include tree protection

November 4, 2014 -  Issues 10 and 11 pass!  Richfield Joint Recreation District to purchase and operate Crowell Hilaka. 

September & October 2014 - FoCH coordinates four open houses at Crowell Hilaka,                                                                                                                               which are presented by the Coalition for a Greater Richfield.

​October 11, 2014 - Music for the Millwheel

October 3, 2014  - FoCH notifies supporters that previous pledges are released:   encourages contributions to                                                                                                  Coaltion for Greater Richfield  

September 7, 2014 -  FoCH organizes a property clean-up day

July 10, 2014 -  First meeting of the Richfield Joint Recreation District is held. The very packed “get it done”                                                                         agenda:  http://www.richfield-twp.org/files/07-10-2014rjpd.pdf,  A report of the meeting is here. 

June 2014  -  Richfield Joint Recreation District formed.

June 2014 -  Campaign to support formation of Joint Park District between Richfield Township and Richfield Village                                                                  for acquisition of Crowell Hilaka

April 2014  -  Buckeye Trail Association pledges $33,600 for preservation & public access  

March 2014 -  GSNEO grants Conservancy nine month extension to raise funds 

February 2014 -  New logo, tag line, promotional brochures developed.  Website updated.  Goals clarified:                                             Community Heritage, Science Education Programs, Outdoor Recreation, Nature Activities, Arts and Cultural Events

January 2014 -  FoCH renews it’s mission to preserve Crowell Hilaka.   We began compiling a list of possibilities

December 20, 2013 - Richfield Village Council asks Conservancy if they can request a contract extension from GSNEO

October 20, 2013  -  FoCH hosts Crowell Hilaka Open House with Conservancy sponsorship

October 1, 2013  -  Richfield Village endorses FoCH purchase of Crowell Hilaka

September 19, 2013 -  Richfield Township endorses FoCH purchase of Crowell Hilaka

September 6, 2013 -  Summary judgement sent back to lower court for correction.  Re- appeal funded by individual Girl Scout members                                            ( not through FoCH ) 

September 2013 -  Richfield Historical Society endorses FoCH purchase of Crowell Hilaka

August 30, 2013 -  FoCH launches publicity / fund-raising campaign

August 27, 2013 -  FoCH meets with the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.   Funds in excess of $4,000,000 are needed to secure                   the urchase of the property from GSNEO when contract expires between the Conservancy and GSNEO in November 2013.

Summer 2013 -  Camp Lejnar and Great Trail Camp sold.  Recognizing that Crowell Hilaka cannot return to Girl Scouts, FoCH                  withdraws from the legal effort to give GS members a voice.  

May/ June 2013  Uncertainty and hope  

April 2013  - Partnership offers submitted to GSNEO board

January 8, 2013 -  Appeal filed

December 8, 2012 - FoCH and Camp Friends hold Christmas cookie sale to pay for appeal

September 26, 2012 - Case dismissed via summary judgment

Sept 23, 2012 - FoCH distributes black armbands outside Crowell Hilaka during GSNEO-sponsored closing ceremony

August 2012  S'more Enchanted Evening Fundraiser for legal fees

June 2012 -  Injunction denied. Case to proceed to trial

March 12, 2012 -  Request for injunction on camp sales filed on behalf of GSNEO membership  

February 2, 2012 -  Crowell Hilaka promotional video posted on YouTube.  Produced by Kerrin Winter-Churchill, featuring                                                            Emma's Revolution singing "Swimming to the Other Side".

December 2011 -  Request for arbitration denied. FoCH and Camp Friends begin raising money for court costs to                                                                          give members a voice in GSNEO

October 29, 2011 - General Assembly votes for resolution to re-evaluate the property plan. GSNEO board dismisses resolution.

April 16, 2011 -  Announcement that GSNEO intends to sell Crowell Hilaka along with 4 other camps.  Begin coordinating with other                                    camp Friends’ groups to call for re-evaluation of property plan.   

March 3, 2011 -  FoCH offers to help with repairs / Board response

February 2011 -  Richfield Historical Society becomes FoCH's fiduciary sponsor

July 18, 2010 - Billboard at south entrance to correct address glitch

January 5, 2010 - Grants for camping at Crowell/Hilaka

December 13, 2009 -  FoCH meeting

December 2009 -  Letter sent to people living near Crowell/Hilaka

November 9, 2009 - FoCH volunteers to sell cookies

November 2, 2009 - FoCH begins Sunday Fundays to showcase the camp 

October 19, 2009 -  "Kaleidoscope" TV show appearance

October 8, 2009 -  Hikes and a geocache

September 28, 2009 - questions sent to BZ and others at GSNEO, and BZ's response

September 27, 2009 -  FoCH meeting at Amity House porch

September 15, 2009  Partial reopening of Camp

September 3, 2009 -  Agenda for 9/27 meeting at Amity House

September 2, 2009 -  GSNEO board response to the posters

Fall 2009  -  GSNEO forms Vision 2012 to give members input into camp decision:                                                                   http://www.trefoilintegrity.org/news--documents.html for survey results

August 21, 2009 - FoCH proposals to maintain Crowell/Hilaka after shutdown

August 19, 2009 - Promotional posters designed by artist Lisa Dabramo: Poster A, Poster B and Poster C. Design “C” was chosen to be printed by FoCH. Distributed by volunteers to libraries and community gathering places in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Summit counties

August 10, 2009 - FoCH incorporated

August 4, 2009 -  Visit by Glen Chin, GSUSA properties specialist
                                   Proposal to GSNEO Board of Directors for initiatives to help Camp Crowell/Hilaka

August 1, 2009 - Friends of Crowell/Hilaka web site  on line.  This was our first Frequently Asked Questions page.

September 20, 2009 -  Council-sponsored meeting at GSNEO's Macedonia office to discuss the suspension of usage                                                                       of Crowell/Hilaka and the repairs the camp needs.

July, 10, 2009 - Officers, committees and membership

July 1, 2009 -  Follow-up meeting called by GSNEO to meet with Friends groups.

June 30, 2009 -  FoCH's mission statement

June 25, 2009 - first FoCH meeting

June 18, 2009 - Rob Richardson creates  Friends of Crowell Hilaka E-mail group

June 15, 2009 -  Information meeting about the fate of CrowellHilaka

Projects

Kirby's Mill Restoration
Historic Home Stabilization
Native Species Restoration
Picture

Contact

Friends of Crowell Hilaka
100 Wandle Avenue
Bedford, OH 44146
contactus@friendsofcrowellhilaka.org

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