San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts

San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts was formed in 1924 as an atmosphere of openness, freedom and trust, in which its members could increase self-awareness, improve relations with others, develop meaningful values and contribute to the betterment of society. The organization was created after a meeting in the Menger Hotel in San Antonio between a group of representative citizens and Miss Pauline Wherry, a representative of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. At this time there were four Girl Scout troops in San Antonio, the minimum number required for the organization of a council. Mrs. A.F. Leifeld made the initial contact with the National Headquarters regarding the formation of a council. The first official name of the Council was Bexar County Council of Girl Scouts, which changed in 1949 to San Antonio & Bexar County Council of Girl Scouts. Finally, in 1966 the council became know by its current name, and expanded its jurisdiction to include the counties of Kerr, Atascosa, Bandera, Frio, Kendall, Medina and Wilson.

From the description of San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts records, 1926-2000. (University of Texas at San Antonio). WorldCat record id: 46822881

In 1924, Mrs. A. F. Leifeld made the initial contact with the National Headquarters regarding the formation of the Bexar County Council of Girl Scouts. The organization was created after a meeting in the Menger Hotel in San Antonio attended by interested citizens and Miss Pauline Wherry, a representative of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. At this time there were four Girl Scout troops in San Antonio, the minimum number required for the organization of a council. The council of Girl Scouts was formed to provide a supportive environment for its members to increase their self-awareness, improve relations with others, develop meaningful values and contribute to the betterment of society. The name changed in 1949 to San Antonio & Bexar County Council of Girl Scouts. In 1966 the council became known as the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts, and expanded its jurisdiction to include the counties of Kerr, Atascosa, Bandera, Frio, Kendall, Medina and Wilson. In 2007, 4 councils joined together to become the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, which serves 21 counties. The new jurisdiction includes the following counties: Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Frio, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson from the San Antonio Area jurisdiction; Edwards, Dimmit, Kimble, Kinney, Maverick, Real, Uvalde, Val Verde, and Zavala from El Camino Council jurisdiction; Comal, Gonzales, and Guadalupe from Lone Star Council jurisdiction, and; and Karnes from Tip of Texas Council, now Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas jurisdiction.

Starting in 1926 summer camps were held in the Texas cities of New Braunfels, Boerne, Bandera and Comfort. The first permanent camps were not created until the late 1940's. Camp La Jita (Utopia, Texas) was created in 1947 after Mr. and Mrs. John F. Camp donated the land to the Area Council. In 1949, Camp Mira Sol (Waring, Texas) was purchased with the help of public donations for use as a camp for African-American girls, the first such camp in the Southwest. In 1952 Camp Cookie (Helotes, Texas) was purchased from that year's cookie sale profits. The property of Norma Friedrich Ward was willed to the council in 1971, and used for the creation of an activity center, which opened the following year. In 1982 Camp Mira Sol closed and later reopened as KIDS (Kids With Individual Differences) Camp. This became the first residential camp in the San Antonio area without restrictions on girls and boys with mental or physical disabilities.

The San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts’ early headquarters was located in the Houston Building at 6146 Garfield. In 1957 the headquarters moved into the historic Groos Home at 335 King William Street, which was purchased with cookie sale funds. The new headquarters was renamed Martha Manor in honor of Mrs. John C. Camp’s granddaughter. Amid considerable resistance from some members, Martha Manor was sold in 1981. In 1984 the headquarters was moved to 10433 Gulfdale, its current location.

The San Antonio Council of Girl Scouts caters to girls aged seven to seventeen, and includes several annual events in their program. Rallies are held every year in an attempt to increase membership and establish positive public relations with the community. These rallies usually include educational seminars attended by the girls and their parents. During the annual Fiesta holiday in San Antonio, local troops produce floats for competition in the Shoe Box Floats Parade and participate in a pilgrimage to the Alamo. During the annual charity event, Helping Hands Day, members collect items door-to-door to benefit the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center of San Antonio.

Various administrative changes occurred within the Area Council during the 1980's, due in part to major transitions within the national Girl Scouts Organization. Nationally, council policies and procedures were examined and changed to accommodate existing Affirmative Action regulations and a more corporate-oriented system. These actions in turn caused similar changes in the local council.

From the guide to the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts Records, MS 80., 1926-2000, (University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections)