Descriptive SummarySan Antonio Area Council of Girl ScoutsSan Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts Records, 1926-2000
Materials are in English.MS 80
18.5 linear feet (approximately 14,000 items)
Founded in 1924, the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts serves girls in twenty-one counties in the San Antonio area. The records of San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts document the organization through correspondence, minutes, reports, photographs, scrapbooks and printed materials, including several issues of the group's magazine, Scout About. The materials present a glimpse of general business activities carried out by board and committee members. In this respect, the records show major changes that occurred within the organization over time. The collection also offers information on the council's programs and activities, which include events in San Antonio, and camp activities in the surrounding area.
Archives and Special Collections Department, The University of Texas at San Antonio Library
Historical Note
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 know by its current name, 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.
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. As of 2001, the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts continues to grow.
Scope and Content Note
The records of the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts document the organization through correspondence, minutes, reports, photographs, scrapbooks and printed materials. The materials present a complete picture of administrative activities carried out by board and committee members. In this respect, the records show major changes that occurred within the organization over time. The collection is strong in offering information on the Area Council’s programs and activities, which include events in San Antonio and camp activities in the surrounding area. The bulk of the events covered occurred from the 1970’s to 1990’s. A number of the events in San Antonio were concerned with public outreach and with raising awareness of the organization within the community. Also present are details of the organization’s properties acquired over the years through purchase and bequests. The collection is separated into five series: Administrative Records, Committees, Printed Materials, Scrapbooks and Photographic and Sound Materials.
Administrative Records document the everyday operation of the organization. These materials identify the organizational transitions of the Area Council throughout its history. The Committees series contains records produced by various council committees, which report directly to the Board of Directors. Committees are concerned with specific functions of the council such as budgeting and staffing, and with organizing camp activities and other events such as the annual cookie sale. Newsletters represent the bulk of Printed Materials. The most complete run is Scout About, covering the years 1948-1990. The rest of the newsletters tend to be specialized for a particular age group, and represented by no more than a few years each. The Scrapbooks document various activities of the council from soon after it’s founding in 1924 until 1990. The decades between the 1950s and 1980s are best represented. Most of the materials contained in the scrapbooks are local newspaper clippings, but also include programs, photographs and ephemera. While the bulk of the materials document local council events, there is some coverage of council participation in national events. The Photographic and Sound Materials contain photographs of council publicity shots, staff and officers and annual meetings, most of which date from the 1940’s and 1950’s. Also present are slides of the 1983 Round Up, a local picnic event for members and their families, and other undated slides of assorted activities.
ArrangementThe papers are arranged as follows:
- Administrative Records
- Committees
- Printed Materials
- Scrapbooks
- Photographic and Sound Materials
Acquisition Information
All the materials in this collection were donated by San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts in 1999 (Acc. #1999-002, 1999-006, 1999-028).
Access RestrictionsResearchers are required to wear gloves provided by the Archives when reviewing photographic materials.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish from San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts Records must be obtained from the UTSA Library, Archives.
Preferred Citation
San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts, 1926-2000, MS 80, Archives and Special Collections, University of Texas at San Antonio Library.
Processing InformationProcessed by Dale Sauter, Processing Archivist, February 2001.
Index Terms
Persons:
Camp, John F.
Camp, Martha L.
OrganizationsGirl Scouts of the United States of America--History.San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts--History.TopicsGirls--Texas--San Antonio--Societies and clubs--History.
Youth--Texas--San Antonio--Societies and clubs--History.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Administrative Records
Administrative Records document the everyday operation of the organization. These materials identify the organizational transitions of the Area Council throughout its history. Several topics covered in the Administrative Records are also discussed in records generated by committees found in the Committees series. As a result, the materials in both series often complement and correspond to each other, particularly concerning camp properties and financial records. Administrative Records offer strong insight into early development and funding of the Area Council’s first established camps. Purchases and bequests of council headquarters and other properties are also well documented. Of particular note is evidence of changes that occurred in policies and organizational structure of the Area Council, mostly during the 1980’s.
1
Agendas
1
1
Annual Meeting, 1953-1993
1
2
Association Chairs, 1985-1990
1
3
Board Meeting, 1975-1989
1
Bylaws
1
4
1948-1991
1
5
Amendments, 1949-1985
1
Camp Proposals and Development
1
Kids With Individual Differences
1
6
Agreements, 1982, 1987
1
7
Articles, 1982
1
8
Correspondence, 1982-1988
1
9
Pamphlets, undated
1
La Jita
1
10
Correspondence, 1945-1949
1
11
Financial Records, 1946-1952
1
12
Pamphlets, 1946, undated
1
Mira Sol
1
13
Announcements, undated
1
14
Correspondence, 1948-1949
1
15
Financial Reports, 1948, 1949, undated
1
16
Petitions, 1948, 1949
1
17
Reports, 1948-1969, undated
1
18
Rosters (Fundraising Workers), undated
1
Correspondence
1
19
General, 1959-1996
1
20
Letters of Resignation, 1972-1990, undated
1
21
Memorandum, 1955-1988, undated
1
Donations and Bequests
1
Norma Friedrich Ward Property
1
22
Correspondence, 1974-1990
1
23
Deeds, 1972-1990
1
24
Lease Contracts, 1975-1982, undated
1
25
Maps, 1973, undated
2
Photographs
2
1
[1976], 1988
2
2
undated
2
3
Reports, 1976, 1982, undated
2
4
Resolutions, 1979
2
5
Wills, 1971
2
Other
2
6
Correspondence, 1969-1986
2
7
Petitions, 1969, 1971
2
8
Wills, undated
2
Financial Records
2
Financial Statements
2
9
1935-1972
2
10
1973-1977
2
11
1977-1985
2
12
1986-1994
3
Headquarters
3
Gulfdale
3
1
Announcements, 1984
3
2
Correspondence, 1983
3
3
Maps, undated
3
4
Photographs, undated
3
Martha Manor
3
5
Contracts, 1981
3
6
Correspondence, 1980-1981
3
7
Invitations, undated
3
8
Maps, 1973, 1978, undated
3
9
Ordinances, 1958
3
10
Photographs, 1957-1971, undated
3
11
Programs, 1957-1977
3
12
Reports, 1977, 1981
3
13
Resolutions, 1981
3
14
Transcripts, 1977, undated
3
15
Wills, 1957
3
16
Histories, 1956-1966, undated
3
Membership Records
3
17
Registration Forms, 1985, undated
3
Reports
3
18
1935-1984
3
19
1984-1986
3
20
1987-1988, undated
3
Meeting Attendance Records
3
21
Board of Directors, 1952-1988, undated
3
Minutes
3
22
Annual Meeting, 1955-1992
4
1
Association Chairs, 1988-1991
4
2
Assorted, 1935-1985
4
Board Meetings
4
3
1949-1973
4
4
1973-1977
4
5
1977-1980
4
6
1980-1983
4
7
1983-1988
5
1
Council Meetings, 1953-1982
5
2
Day Camp Director's Conference, 1962-1971
5
3
Senior Spectrum Rally, 1975-1977
5
Policies and Procedures
5
Affirmative Action
5
4
Member and Staff Profiles, 1980-1984, undated
5
5
Program Description, 1973
5
6
Board Member Guidelines, 1981-1991, undated
5
7
Camp Staff Manuals, 1982-1988, undated
5
8
Committee Purposes, 1975-1987, undated
5
Council Guidelines
5
9
1959-1983
5
10
1983-1993, undated
6
1
Leader Handbooks
6
1
1990-1996, undated
6
2
undated
6
3
Organizational Charts, 1955-1990, undated
6
4
Profiles Study, 1995
6
5
Staff Manuals, 1954-1986, undated
6
Properties
6
La Jita
6
6
Agreements, 1952-1971
6
7
Correspondence, 1951-1980
6
8
Maps, 1947, 1956, undated
6
9
Ephemera (Postcards), undated
6
10
Photographs, 1963-1976, undated
6
11
Resolutions, 1950
6
Lago Vista
6
12
Correspondence, 1971-1983
6
Mira Sol
6
13
Photographs, 1975, 1976
6
Other
6
14
Correspondence, 1951
6
15
Lease Agreements, 1975-1986
6
16
Maps (Properties Overview), 1987, undated
6
17
Photographs (Early Camps), 1926-1931
6
18
Reports (Summary of Properties), 1980-1989, undated
7
Reports
7
1
Annual Reports, 1951-1997
7
2
Annual Meeting, 1986-1988
7
3
Assorted, 1931-1988, undated
7
4
Council Evaluation, 1980-1987
7
5
Council Goals, 1976-2000
7
6
Management, 1982-1990
7
7
Market Analysis, 1987, 1988
7
8
Plan of Work, 1973-1991
7
9
Recommendations, 1988-2000, undated
7
10
Year-end Review, 1987-1991
7
Rosters
7
11
Assorted, 1972-1990, undated
7
12
Board of Directors, 1953-1993, undated
8
1
Delegates, 1982-1989, undated
8
2
Staff, 1984, 1987, undated
8
3
Troops, 1929, undated
8
4
Wider Opportunities, 1970-1978, undated
Committees
The Committees series contains records produced by various council committees, which report directly to the Board of Directors. Committees are concerned with specific functions of the council such as budgeting and staffing, and with organizing camp activities and other events such as the annual cookie sale. Most information on the camps document changes in and evaluations of various camp properties and programs. The bulk of the records in this series are from the latter half of the century.
8
Assorted
8
5
Attendance Records, 1954-1972
8
6
Financial Reports, 1952-1988
8
7
Minutes, 1954-1989
8
8
Rosters, 1965-1989, undated
8
Camp Cookie
8
9
Contracts, 1990
8
10
Histories, 1956, undated
8
11
Invitations, undated
8
12
Maps, 1947-1982
8
13
Photographs, 1957-1988, undated
8
14
Reports, 1986
8
Camping Services
8
15
Agendas, 1981, 1982
8
16
Attendance Records, 1956-1980
8
17
Financial Reports, 1952-1986, undated
8
18
Invitations (La Jita), 1982, undated
8
19
Lease Agreement (Mira Sol), 1982
8
Minutes
8
20
1953-1972
8
21
1974-1982
8
22
Programs (La Lita), 1982
8
23
Reports, 1975-1985, undated
8
24
Rosters, 1967-1982
9
Cookie
9
1
Contracts (Cookie Production), 1973-1992
9
2
Financial Reports, 1957-1988
9
3
Minutes, 1954-1985
9
4
Reports, 1972-1985
9
Field
9
5
Attendance Records, 1966-1980
9
6
Minutes, 1953-1983
9
7
Reports, 1973-1981
9
KIDS Camp
9
8
Announcements, 1982, 1983, undated
9
9
Financial Reports, 1987, 1988
9
10
Minutes, 1986
9
11
Reports, 1986-1987, undated
9
La Jita
9
12
Financial Reports, 1946-1967, undated
9
13
Histories, 1972, 1983
9
14
Minutes, 1956-1972
9
15
Reports, 1985, 1987, undated
10
Lago Vista
10
1
Agendas, 1978, undated
10
2
Deeds, 1978
10
3
Contracts, 1977-1983
10
4
Financial Reports, 1979
10
5
Minutes, 1978-1983
10
6
Pamphlets, undated
10
7
Photographs, 1983, undated
10
8
Reports, 1979-1982, undated
10
9
Rosters, undated
10
Membership Nominating
10
10
Attendance Records, 1957-1972
10
11
Minutes, 1955-1976
10
12
Rosters, 1956-1990, undated
10
Mira Sol
10
13
Histories, 1966, undated
10
14
Invitations, 1972
10
15
Minutes, 1956-1972
10
16
Reports, undated
10
Other
10
Agendas
10
17
Market Research, 1988
10
18
Officer's Team, 1984-1990
10
19
Program Research, 1988-1989, undated
10
Minutes
10
20
Adult Education, 1978-1982
10
21
Finance, 1972-1986
10
22
Functional, 1956-1977, undated
10
23
Gift of Water, 1982
10
24
Junior Camp, 1957-1964
10
25
Property Development, 1974-1980
10
26
Senior Planning, 1972
10
27
Senior Roundup, 1961-1965
11
1
Troop Camp, 1955-1972
11
Reports
11
2
Employed Personnel, 1973-1975
11
3
Headquarters, undated
11
4
Property Development, 1973-1989, undated
11
Program Services
11
5
Agendas, 1982-1986, undated
11
Minutes
11
6
1974-1978
11
7
1978-1987
11
8
Reports, 1973-1986, undated
11
9
Rosters, 1977-1983, undated
11
Public Relations
11
10
Minutes, 1974-1984
11
11
Reports, 1973-1982
12
Supporting Service
12
1
Agendas, 1982-1985
12
2
Minutes, 1981-1984
12
Training
12
3
Minutes, 1974
12
4
Reports, 1973-1982
12
Training Calendars
12
5
1951-1992
12
6
1993-1997
12
Volunteer Personnel
12
7
Agendas, 1979-1985
12
8
Minutes, 1978-1985
12
Reports
12
9
(Awards), 1967-1981, undated
12
10
1975-1982
12
11
Rosters, 1982-1987, undated
Printed Materials
Newsletters represent the bulk of Printed Materials. Newspaper clippings and press releases from the 1930’s to 1980’s, and transcriptions of local radio broadcasts from the 1940’s to 1980’s are especially helpful in offering insight into the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts’ local events and activities, as well as its relationship with the local community. This series offers insight into how the San Antonio Area Council of Girl Scouts was portrayed in public media.
12
Articles
12
12
Magazine, 1985-1986, undated
12
13
Newspaper, 1935-1984
13
1-2
Newspaper, 1984-1992, undated
13
Biographies
13
3
Agnes Gattfried, undated
13
4
Mrs. John F. Camp, 1966, undated
13
Camping Guides
13
5
1971-1988
13
6
1989-1998
13
7
Certificates, 1962
13
8
Ephemera, 1931-1937, undated
13
9
Invitations, 1983-1990, undated
14
1
Journals (Senior Roundup), 1959
14
2
Maps (Service Area), undated
14
Newsletters
The most complete run of newsletters is Scout About, covering the years 1948-1990. The rest of the newsletters tend to be specialized for a particular age group, and represented by no more than a few years each.
14
3
Catholic Committee on Girl Scouting, 1980-1982
14
4
Cypress Trails, 1968-1980
14
5
Destinations in Girl Scouting, 1991-1997
14
6
Field Notes, 1980-1982
14
7
Maverick, 1936
14
Newsletter
14
8
1983-1986
14
9
1986-1989, undated
15
Scout About
15
1
1948-1952
15
2
1952-1965
15
3
1965-1980
16
1
1980-1990
16
2
S'mores, 1991-1998
16
Obituaries
16
3
Mrs. John F. Camp, 1982, undated
16
4
Pamphlets (Assorted), 1976-1984. undated
16
5
Press Release Photos (copies), 1984-1985, undated
16
Press Releases
16
6
1982-1985
16
7
1985-1987
16
8
Proclamations, 1936
16
Programs
16
9
Assorted, 1952-1987, undated
16
10
Recognition Dinner Meeting, 1972-1983
16
11
80 Years in San Antonio History, 2004
16
Program Guides
Program guides reflect changes in member activities from the 1970’s to 1990’s.
16
12
1976-1992
17
1
1993-1998
17
Publications
17
2
85 Women of Distinction, 1997
17
Scripts
17
3
Today and in Spirit (A Girl Scout Golden Anniversary Pageant), 1962
17
Speeches
17
4
Girl Scouts United Way Allocation, undated
17
Transcripts
17
5
Radio Broadcasts, 1943-1985, undated
Scrapbooks
The Scrapbooks document various activities of the council from soon after it’s founding in 1924 until 1990. The decades between the 1950s and 1980s are best represented. Most of the materials contained in the scrapbooks are local newspaper clippings, but also include programs, photographs and ephemera. While the bulk of the materials document local council events, there is some coverage of council participation in national events. One example is a scrapbook containing photographs and ephemera of the 1965 Round Up event held in Idaho. Also of interest is a scrapbook of articles, photographs and programs commemorating purchase of the Martha Manor headquarter in 1957.
21
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1928-1934
21
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1930
22
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1936
23
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1945-1946
24
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1945-1948
25
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1948-1950
26
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1950-1951
27
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1951-1955
28
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1952-1957
19
Scrapbook, 1954-1959
29
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1956-1958
20
Scrapbook, 1957
19
Scrapbook, 1957
20
Scrapbook, 1962
30
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1962-1963
31
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1962-1972
32
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1964-1966
33
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1965
34
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1972-1974
35
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1972-1981
36
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1976-1979
37
Oversize: Scrapbook, 1985
20
Scrapbook, undated
Photographic and Sound Materials
This series contains photographs of council publicity shots, staff and officers and annual meetings, most of which date from the 1940’s and 1950’s.
17
Photographs
17
6
Officers and Staff, 1926-1955, undated
17
Publicity
17
7
1929-1965, undated
17
8
1970-1992, undated
17
9
1973
17
Slides
Slides document the 1983 Round Up, a local picnic event for members and their families, and other undated slides of assorted activities.
17
10
Round Up event, Castroville, Texas, 1983, undated
17
Sound Recordings
17
11
Singing Memories Of Blue Cedar, 1958
18
Videotapes
Of particular note in this series are six videotapes containing recollections of Camp La Jita and Mr. and Mrs. John F. Camp by past members and officers. Three of the tapes were recorded in 1989, and the other three in 1991. Participants on the tapes include Elizabeth Smith (early camp director), Dinny Phelps Jahant (former council president), B.J. McClain (former council president), Kathleen Rollow (former volunteer), Elmira Ferris (early La Jita counselor) and Terry Walters.
18
Recollections of Camp La Jita and Mr. and Mrs. John F. Camp
18
1
Tapes 1, 2 and 3-With Dinny Phelps Jahant, Elmira Ferris, Kathleen Rollow and Elizabeth Smith, 1989
18
2
Tapes 4, 5 and 6-With Dinny Phelps Jahant, B.J. McClain and Terry Walters, 1991