The Great Escape began as a Patriots’ Trail Council volunteer 'thank you' event. Times changed and as they did, attendance
slid. After discussion with PTGSC staff
member Mary Strom, a group of dedicated Escapers met in the winter of 2005 at
Camp Wabasso to discuss how to revive this once popular event. The result was the revamped and renamed “Great
Escape”, first held on September 16-18, 2005. In order to be financially responsible and
decrease the physical, financial and staff burden on Girl Scouts of Eastern
Massachusetts, it was decided in 2008 that the committee would become
financially independent.
From
the earliest days when it was “The Leaders’ Great Escape” the mission has been
and continues to be “Gracious Living in the Out of Doors.” The event offers a retreat experience to
Ambassador and adult Girl Scouts. Committee
members believe that volunteers who spend relaxed time with new friends and old
in a safe, fun, rewarding environment will return home renewed and energized to
work with girls.
Great
Escape is a workshop weekend that strives to be low cost, requiring that
presenters donate their expertise and services, only being reimbursed for
supplies. All presenters (including campus GS, GSEM facilitators and
professionals) are vetted by committee members to ensure that any workshop
presented includes GS values and if activities are taken back to a troop, that
they would be (or could be made) safe for girls.
The
committee seeks to live up to the principles of Girl Scouting by welcoming all
who are interested, including Ambassador Girl Scouts. Committee members have included former and
current camp staff, recently graduated campus Girl Scouts, GSEM facilitators,
senior citizens, those currently working with troops and those who are not, as
well as women from outside GSEM, affiliated with other councils. Attendees have included women and men from
Florida, New York, New England, Washington State, Pennsylvania, Canada and beyond! Camp Wabasso was chosen as a location for the
event because it offers inclusion for those who are
differently-abled in sleeping accommodations as well as workshop accessibility.
Attendees have included those who are
physically challenged, vision and hearing impaired and those with other needs. We have accommodated participants with
walkers, canes and have had a guide dog regularly attend with her owner. GE camperships are given with no questions
asked, so that we can truly be “sisters to every Girl Scout”.
Finally,
as Girl Scouts, we believe strongly in leaving things better than we found
them. This means that not only does the committee seek to be financially
responsible, it also seeks to support the council (and the greater GS community.) Since Great Escape has been keeping records
of fees and donations, the Committee has paid over $11,000 for the use of the
camp during under-utilized time periods. Great Escape, by running a
fund-raising auction each year, has raised and donated more than $10,750, most
of which has been earmarked for Camp Wabasso. The committee collaborates
with site managers, rangers, summer camp directors and others to determine need
and accept recommendations for donations. Our donations have been used by GSEM
to buy new tables and windows for the Dining Hall, chairs and a new chair rack
in the Lodge and to purchase mildew-resistant paint, a dehumidifier and a new
stove for the basement of the Lodge, making it cozier and more user-friendly.
Also, more than 25 new mattresses were purchased for the camp cots. In 2013, money was donated to help buy new
ceiling fans/lights for the theatre so that it can be used more often. In 2014, $1500.00 was earmarked for reconstruction of the Adventure course.
In
addition to our monetary donations, Great Escape has also provided hands-on
service to the wider Girl Scouting movement through several projects. At
the end of each annual Great Escape Weekend, participants break down the cots
in the tent units at Wabasso, saving the Council the cost of hiring help to do
this. A handmade quilt was created by Committee members and donated to
the American Room at Foxlease in England. Several Committee members
collaborated to make curtains for Camp Laurel Wood in Spencer.
