Girl Scouts ranch to expand opportunities
The Girl Scouts of San Gorgonio Council were beneficiaries of a grant to
help renovate their 190-acre Skyland Ranch Camp, north of Pine Cove
along Highway 243.
courtesy of Aguilar
California Congressman Peter Aguilar (D-33) secured the $875,424 federal
grant this year.
In his letter to the House Appropriations Committee, he wrote, “The
funding would be used for improvements to their Skyland Ranch Camp
facilities. The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because
the funding would improve and expand several building structures at
Skyland Ranch Camp that hosts outdoor and environmental education
programming for Girl Scouts and co-ed schools in the 33rd Congressional
District.”
On Wednesday, April 24, after Aguilar presented the Girl Scouts with the
check, Cynthia Hayes Breunig, president and CEO of the council said on
her X post, formerly Twitter, “Today, we’re celebrating a major win for
our local youth! … This investment will empower us to expand our
programs, welcoming more students to experience the wonders of nature
and environmental education. Together, we’re nurturing the environmental
leaders of tomorrow!”
Skyland Ranch has evolved from a private apple ranch through the
dedication of the property to use as a Girl Scout camp beginning in
1951. Currently, the property can house a little over 100 guests in a
variety of rustic cabins. Campers can participate in archery, summer
horseback riding, ropes, fencing and much more, according to the
council’s website.
Future plans include capacity growth for guests and staff and dedicated
program areas such as a horse barn and riding area, native garden, music
garden, visual and performing arts center, ranch house, leadership
training center, museum, nature center and a canoeing and kayaking lake.
“This is an extraordinary investment and will benefit generations to
come,” Breunig added with joy.
