NOTE: The Love for Camp Ilchester Coalition is NOT currently collecting donations. The donation prompt associated with this petition supports change.org and its charities.
If you haven’t already, please sign this petition and share it to support the effort to keep Camp Ilchester green! Thanks to all those who have supported this effort already.
UPDATE: Girl Scouts of Central Maryland (GSCM) decided to pursue the sale of Camp Ilchester. It is imperative that we continue to loudly and clearly send the message to the GSCM Board of Directors that Camp Ilchester MUST be preserved as green space if it will not remain a Girl Scout Camp.
Please continue to share this petition and help us raise awareness of this issue so that GSCM feels compelled to sell Camp Ilchester ONLY to a preservation buyer and not to a housing developer!
The potential razing of Camp Ilchester by residential developers will negatively impact the environment, the Ellicott City and Elkridge communities (prone to catastrophic flooding), local youth, and Girl Scout members.
What has transpired since this petition was created...
On 22 April 2021 the voting members of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Council (which includes members of the Board of DIrectors and Nominating Committee along with delegates representing membership) voted against the sale of Camp Ilchester in a non-binding vote.
On 12 May 2021 - GSCM shared that Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Inc. had approved pursuing the sale of Camp Ilchester, subject to the Board’s final approval of price, terms, and conditions of a potential sale. However, the Board did say that prior to soliciting bids from developers, the Camp Ilchester Committee (a special Board committee) will commence discussions with groups interested in preserving the property as green space, including but not limited to local and/or state government.
Also on 12 May 2021 - Howard County Executive Calvin Ball shared that "Promoting green infrastructure and preserving open space are priorities of our administration. As such, we have been closely monitoring discussions by the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland regarding the sale of Camp Ilchester.
While we are concerned about the prospect of the sale of Camp Ilchester and its 19-acres of green space, we are encouraged that the Girl Scouts have committed to exploring preservation options as part of its considerations for the future of the property.
We are supportive of the preservation of this property as green space and are looking forward to working with the Girl Scouts and other community stakeholders to that end."
Also on 12 May 2021 - came this Statement on Decision of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland By Senator Katie Hester and Delegate Courtney Watson "We are disappointed in the news that the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland (GSCM) has decided to sell Camp Ilchester which has been a haven of the natural world in Howard County for thousands of Girl Scouts over the years. Losing this beautiful property would be a terrible blow to the community.
However, we are heartened that the GSCM is open to, and may even prioritize a buyer that would preserve the land.
We have spoken to County Executive Calvin Ball and pledged our full support in developing an offer from the county to purchase the land for community use. A plan like this is dependent on many factors including agreement on value, identification of funding from different sources, and whether the GSCM would accept a higher offer from a developer willing to pay above appraised value, something the county is prevented from doing.
We will work urgently with the County Executive to do everything within the government's ability to try to secure this property for future generations. We are keenly aware that once a natural property is gone, it is gone forever.
We ask that there be realistic expectations of this effort given all the factors involved. Thank you to the GSCM for their willingness to consider a preservation buyer, and to the supporters of Camp Ilchester whose advocacy now and moving forward is greatly appreciated."
Also on 12 May came this Press Release from the Office of County Council Chair Liz Walsh
"Today Girl Scouts of Central Maryland announced its decision to sell Camp Ilchester, a 19 acre site along Ilchester Road in Ellicott City. This beloved green space is among the last remaining wooded lots along Ilchester Road, otherwise consumer by residential development.
I are relieved to see that girl Scouts of Central Maryland is open to prioritizing preservation of the property as green space and an outdoor education center - not only because that preservation will protect existing woodlands and the watershed, but also will ensure that people of all ages can continue to use the park as it was intended. While selling this property to a residential developer would exacerbate overcrowded schools, overburdened infrastructure and flooding, investing now in its preservation is certain to avoid taxpayers' after-the-fact subsidy of the true costs of overdevelopment.
I very much appreciate the statements by County Executive Calvin Ball confirming the County's shared interest in preserving the property, as well as State Senator Katie Hester and Delegate Courtney Watson for their continued commitment to this special place. This D1 office remains dedicated to identifying every available resource to ensure this property remains in preservation. We thank the supporters of Camp Ilchester for their swift and steadfast advocacy, and we stand with you, and hope with you, as we continue to seek and achieve the best outcome here for all. "