Zoning board approves riding
academy at Girl Scout camp
HOWELL — The zoning board has voted unanimously to grant permission for the Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts to construct a riding academy, activity center and two multi-purpose athletic fields on its Camp Sacajawea property on Route 524.
According to a press release, these three new facilities will comprise the largest expansion project in the 40-year history of Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts.
The proposed riding academy at Camp Sacajawea will be a 12,480-square-foot facility which will include a stable, indoor arena and corral area. Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts will offer therapeutic riding programs at Camp Sacajawea in conjunction with its partner, Manchester-based Chariot Riders. This partnership will enable Girl Scouts to participate in equestrian programs while having the opportunity to perform community service on behalf of the challenged individuals and those with special needs who are served by Chariot Riders.
"Year in and year out, horseback riding programs are one of the most popular offerings of the summer day camp program at Camp Sacajawea. By having a riding academy on-site at our headquarters, Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts will be able to expand the number of girls whom we serve and encourage them to assist challenged individuals who are, themselves, learning how to ride a horse. The riding academy will provide a wonderful venue for expanding our Girl Scouts’ horizons and giving them a program that they truly want," said Sue McClure, executive director of Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts.
In addition to the proposed riding academy, a new 11,520-square-foot activity center will serve as the main program facility at Camp Sacajawea. Currently Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts rents indoor program space at other facilities throughout Monmouth and northern Ocean counties. Through the proposed activity center, Monmouth Council will be able to centralize its program offerings and serve Girl Scouts at Camp Sacajawea year-round regardless of inclement weather.
The two multi-purpose athletic fields which will be built alongside the activity center at Camp Sacajawea will be used for sports programs such as field hockey, lacrosse and soccer which currently are not facilitated through Monmouth Council because of the lack of appropriate playing space, according to a press release.
In approving the Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts’ application, members of the zoning board noted the expansion of Camp Sacajawea will be beneficial to the area and a "win-win situation" for local Girl Scouts and members of the Monmouth and northern Ocean County communities at large.
In her public testimony, Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts President Judy Kramer issued a reminder that a key mission of the Girl Scouting program is to use resources wisely.
"At Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts, we’re often accused of being invisible in the community," Kramer said. "Through our riding academy, activity center and athletic fields, we want to bring girls onto our beautiful property and foster their learning while protecting our property. We love our property and can’t wait to put it to good use."
Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts serves more than 11,600 girls throughout Monmouth and northern Ocean counties in conjunction with a team of 4,500 adult volunteers. The expansion project comprised of the riding academy, activity center and athletic fields is a representation of Monmouth Council’s commitment to offering innovative programs to girls of all ages, with a broad range of interests.
"Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts is about so much more than cookies and camping," McClure said. "I hope our expansion project demonstrates that our Girl Scouts are clamoring for programs related to animal care, community service, health and fitness, horseback riding, sports and so much more, and we’re thrilled to be able to meet their expectations."
The property currently owned by Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts spans 143 acres. Approximately 6 of those existing acres will be used for the riding academy, activity center and athletic fields. The board of directors for Monmouth Council of Girl Scouts is in the process of evaluating the estimated costs for the proposed expansion project and will announce its fund-raising plans in the next few months.