Girl Scout Property Planning: National to Local Strategies
Regional Southwest & Utopia, Texas

The biggest challenge the Girl Scouts organization faces today is remaining relevant in the twenty-first century. Starting with a national analysis of trends, the Studio Outside worked at the regional scale to introduce site experience as a primary determinant in property evaluation, portfolio strategy, and program offerings. This shifted the organization’s perception of how mission, site, and program work together across a system of sites to delivery dynamic experiences for girls. Through this process, the team was engaged to create a mission-driven master plan for Camp La Jita at the heart of the regional study. The plan reconnects the historic Girl Scout camp program to the dynamic landscape of Texas’s Hill Country. The theme, “where I live, is where I learn,” creates engaged programing and girl leadership through each intervention. Innovative programming and resource allocation addressed these national trends and shifted focus into program resiliency and engaging experiences for the modern girl. Tying this process to a rich landscape and cultural heritage, the camp now yields connected camp experiences for future generations.

 

Awards:
2019 Honor Award
Planning & Analysis
National ASLA

2019 Honor Award
Planning & Analysis
Texas ASLA

Publications:
2019 Landscape Architecture Magazine

 

Client: 
Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Council


Photography:
Courtesy of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas Council

 
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