About The Great Escape Committee

There are some very special people I want you to meet.  No, I NEED you to meet:  the Committee that has been incredibly supportive and continues to have vitality and enthusiasm since this adventure began many years ago. 

Some recall the original Great Escape days on the Cape; others' special memories are of Camp Wabasso in New Hampshire.  We are from communities across the Council (and other councils), have varied backgrounds and family stories, work (or not) in different organizations, drive SUVs or school buses, and enjoy hiking or swimming, knitting or woodworking, but make creating a weekend in the woods of New Hampshire one you will long remember a priority.

This year, like all others, the committee was a group of people who know that their collective efforts will make for an experience unlike any in Girl Scouting.  A "working" committee:  where everyone contributes time and talent to ensure others are able to relax and rejuvenate while meeting new friends and sharing a laugh. Thank yous should start no where else but with food. 

This year, we had an amazing group in the kitchen:  Sarah, Andrea, Jess, Katie and Beth.  Each plays a significant role, from planning the budget and menu, raiding extra supplies from camp stores (with Council's permission, of course!), arranging recipes and general oversight of the kitchen prep staff. 

Hospitality was chaired this year by "Jump in with Both Feet" Lois, assisted by early-birds Lou Ann, Ginny & Mel.  Thanks for the delightful centerpieces and gracious table settings as well as the ever popular Kaper chart and assignment plan!  (Many hands make light work!)

We have a Thursday Night Crew who sets about creating the "gracious living" ambiance you found when you arrived at Camp Wabasso.  Donna's group plans dinner first (who wouldn't) and then gets down to the business of checking each site and delivering supplies, setting up the "Welcome" table for check-in, moving chairs and tables for workshops, and generally preparing for your arrival!  Thanks to Kaye, Sue, Betsy, Lesley, Louise, Laura and Kathy (did I forget anyone?) for all they do both on site and behind the scenes to make our stay pleasant and fun. This year's special decorations really made the dining room look more homey - nice job!  Who knew a Girl Scout Birthday party could be so colorful!

Tech-savvy Deb has become an indispensable member of our Committee for setting up (and getting us to use) the GE Yahoo site, working with Mel on our Great Escape Facebook page and GsGreatEscaper Blog and generally keeping us in touch with each other and with all participants.  She was responsible for our new mugs.  If you didn't get one in New Hampshire, they'll be at the next event.

Many thanks to those who wear many hats including Louise, our photographer, Linda , Janine, and Danielle, who passed up the weekend this year to get married!!  Don’t forget Pat who keeps me on the straight and narrow:  my hat’s off to all of you for making our stay incredibly wonderful!  If only the weather could cooperate!  We still enjoy each other’s company, meeting old friends and new, and breathing in the fresh fall air.  Thanks to all.

When will we see you again?  When will we share precious moments?  As Pat has already told you, next year’s date has been set.  Join us at Camp Wabasso October 4-6, 2013.  We’ll be there, how about you?

by Paula

I'm Letting the Secret Out!

Quick! Get your calendars ! The date for Great Escape 2013 has been confirmed for October 4-6, 2013! Some of the workshop ideas being tossed about include mosaic stepping stones, paper bag baskets, a variety of jewelry making, Waldorf stars, singing in harmony and lashing.

Perhaps you've attended workshops before, maybe at GE, maybe somewhere else and thought, "I could do that." And then perhaps you thought, "NO! I'm not good enough/smart enough/knowledgeable enough/fill-in-the-blank enough!" I'm suggesting that perhaps you are enough. There's something that you do…that you are good at. Or there's a game you know how to play that you think is great fun.  Other people always say, "Wow! Can you show me how?"  Give this some thought. Maybe this will be the year you give it a try and offer a workshop, eh?

Pat

Another Great Escape Is Over

...but planning for next time has already begun ! Your committee had a wrap-up meeting at 12:30 on Sunday afternoon-gobbling up yummy leftovers-thank-you Sarah, Andrea, Jess, Beth and Katie!! (Did you know we always send some to a shelter program? Nothing is wasted.)

 But I digress. We can talk about food another time. Actually, tell you what. If you're interested, let us know and we'll ask one of our fair cooks to tell us a bit about our menus and food.

Watch for next year's date to appear real soon now. We're awaiting confirmation. We KNOW the date, but can't tell you yet!

Fun stuff is already in the works. Workshops and presenters, next year's menu, the new, new, new GEAA and a special event to celebrate it, product sales and more! Watch our website, Facebook page and this blog for more news over the next few weeks.  You never know what all these creative minds are up to!

BTW…are you a guitar player? Contact me if you are. We need to talk to you!!

Special thanks to all of you who have come to Great Escape. We can make plans until the judgment day, but unless you come, we've got no real party. You are the ones who make it happen. Thanks for the fun!

Happy Trails,

Pat G.

The 30th Anniversary Great Escape Was Fabulous!

Back from the Great Escape and here's some of the highlights -

The cupcakes - lots of different kinds with amazing frosting - the one with coconut, caramel and chocolate was my favorite.

Cannolis - two different fillings - and leftover vanilla filling on my oatmeal Sunday morning.

The synchronized swimming - you had to be there!

The formation of the Great Escape Alumni Association - more about this later - but if you have ever attended GE you are a member!

The closing ceremony - so wonderful, I think I'll hang up my hat as ceremony queen and let those ladies do it again.

The singing - especially the song after the last one when the fabulous Kaye taught a new song in harmony!

The auction was fab - later we'll tell you how much and what improvements to our camps we are going to make with the money....remember it's all about helping out!

The number of mother/daughter teams there this year - we'll count later....What's your favorite GE memory?