Pool Dedication at Camp Burke's Mill Pond

Girl Scouts dedicate the new pool

On Tuesday, June 30, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast hosted a dedication for a new pool at Camp Burke’s Mill Pond in Gloucester. Girl Scout alumnae and friends from the community gathered to dedicate the new pool, tour the camp and share Girl Scout memories. A group of Girl Scouts also attended to conduct a flag ceremony and try out the new pool. Girl Scouts were able to add the pool, as well as a deck around the pool, thanks to generous donations by Marion S. Kaurup and A. Kenneth Scribner, Jr.

For over 40 years, Girl Scouts from southeastern Virginia have been going to Camp Burke’s Mill Pond to enjoy the outdoors and participate in a variety of activities, including canoeing, archery and swimming. Lorna Wass, a Girl Scout volunteer who was instrumental in obtaining the camp property for the Girl Scouts, was just one of the Girl Scout alumnae who attended the pool dedication.

Lorna Wass

In the 1970s when Wass was volunteering at a Girl Scout day camp down the street from Burke’s Mill Pond, she met Fred Mason, the owner of the property, who had retired in Gloucester with his wife after a career as the owner of a candy manufacturing company in New York. Mason’s wife had passed away and he told Wass that he was in the process of making decisions about his estate and wanted to find a way for the community to be able to enjoy his land. He invited the Girl Scouts to come swimming at Burke’s Mill Pond and Wass brought them the very next day.

“Right away, Mr. Mason saw how much the girls enjoyed the pond,” Wass said. “Pretty soon after, he decided that he would leave his property to the Girl Scouts.”

By 1973, Burke’s Mill Pond was open for troop camping and Girl Scouts ran summer camps at the property as well.

Today, Camp Burke’s Mill Pond has 11 camp sites, a nature trail and Treakle Cabin for indoor activities and camping. Girls still enjoy the pond for swimming and canoeing. The camp facilities, including the new pool, are also available for members of the public to rent. For more information, visit www.gsccc.org.

View more photos from the day here.