Blast From The Past

Blast From The Past

Where were you in 1992?  I was awaiting the birth of a baby with great anticipation, hoping for a girl and hoping to become a Girl Scout leader.  Who knew that I would find such a wonderful and happy Girl Scout community as the people I've met through the Great Escape.

Even if you were not at the 1992 Great Escape, take a look at these photos (link below) and see if you recognize anyone.  If you do, email the number of the photo and the identifications to:

gsgreatescape@yahoo.com 



http://gsgreatescape.org/photographs/?album=1&gallery=7

New Photos on the Website

There are new photos on the website - photos of Wabasso and of the 2011 Great Escape.  Go see them at

http://gsgreatescape.org/photographs/?album=1&gallery=8

 

 

Bring Your Daughter to Camp Day!

 

GE Committee member Kathy has a challenge for us!

 

"For the past few years I have repeatedly asked my daughters (all Girl Scouts) if they would come and join in the Great Escape, but there have been weddings, friends' babies being christened, life in general that got in the way. A few years ago my oldest daughter and her friend did manage to attend for the day and they had a blast.  This year both my oldest and youngest girls are coming and they can't wait, as I have been bragging about the fun,the camp, the laughs and the delicious food, plus the people that attend.  

 

So all of you who have girls old enough to attend - are you bringing your daughters with you this year???"

 

More Great Escape Recipes

Happy New Year everyone!   The committee is hard at work preparing for our retreat on the weekend of January 11 - 13.  We hope to have lots of fun things to tell you about afterwards. 
In the meantime here are some more recipes.  I find at this cold time of year, my tastes turn to warm and satisfying dishes; but at the same time we've all resolved to eat healthy!  These should help satisfy both impulses.
Once again thanks to the kitchen crew, headed by Sarah/Fluke who sent me these links.  Since they took over cooking, they have worked so hard to try to satisfy everyone's different dietary requirements while making sure participants are sent home replete with yummy, tasty food!

Minestrone Soup - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/jamies-minestrone/detail.aspx

Broccoli Cheese Soup - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/broccoli-cheese-soup/detail.aspx

Vegetarian Chili - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-best-vegetarian-chili-in-the-world/detail.aspx

BBQ Tofu - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/crispy-barbequed-tofu-slices/detail.aspx

Collard Greens - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/kickin-collard-greens/detail.aspx

Baked Beans - http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pats-baked-beans/detail.aspx

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Antipasto Kabobs and other musings......

As the holidays approach (oh wait, they are here!) my mind returned to those tasty antipasto kabobs that we had at the last Great Escape.  Sarah/Fluke graciously took a minute out of her busy day to send me the link to the recipe.  Here it is!

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Antipasto-Kabobs

I hope you make them for someone special this month.

In January the committee will be 'retreating' to camp where we are going to work on some new and different ideas we've had for the next GE, which will be October 4 - 6, 2013.  If you have any ideas, why not leave a comment for us?

And if you liked the lasagne at GE this year, here are links to those recipes.  Hope your 2013 is filled with food and friends and family and fun - gosh, I just described Great Escape!

White Lasagna: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/easy-spinach-lasagna-with-white-sauce/detail.aspx

Meat Lasagna: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/alysias-basic-meat-lasagna/detail.aspx

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