Council History

Girl Scouts in Independence are part of the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council , based in Wichita. It includes 80 counties in Kansas. This is only the second year we have been part of the Council. Until June 2008, we were part of the Bluestem Council with Northeastern Oklahoma, and had been since 1995, when Meadowlark Council was absorbed into Bluestem. The Little House has been a symbol for Girl Scouting in Independence since its acquisition in 1946 from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Many generations of girl scouts have used the facility, have fond memories of events held there and are saddened by the flood damage and gradual decay of this local landmark.

Kansas Heartland Council owns 21 Girl Scout houses throughout Kansas. They only have limited funds to provide insurance and basic utilities. All the houses rely on local support for upkeep, lawn care and maintenance. Troop members, volunteers, and civic organizations are vital to their upkeep.

Little House in Need of Repair

In recent years, despite efforts to improve and provide a home for Independence troops, ADA accessibility, aging wiring, roofing, plumbing and other concerns have been bigger projects than volunteers are able to provide. The GS house here in Independence has remained un-improved and essentially becoming less and less desirable as a meeting place.

Then came the Flood of 2007. All the insurance monies available went to removing the soaked materials and treatment for mold. The flood was 5.4 feet higher than any previous flood on record, at 52.4 feet. In 1986 the waters reached 47 feet, filling the lower level, and subsequent renovation downstairs restored use of that space, but troops could not rely on storing anything but durable camping equipment down there, risking another flood. The same can be said for flooding in 1961, 1951 and three years in the 1940's.

The Little House was being used by two troops regularly at the time of the flood, and those troops lost all of their camping supplies and several troops were using storage space there and lost most of their supplies, due to the delay in being able to access the building and retrieve their property.

Renovation of the Little House would be extensive. Improvements needed include a new roof, in two parts, insulation, new wiring and upgraded electrical for fire suppression, emergency lighting and increased load usage for appliances. New flooring, wall repairs, new kitchen cabinetry, tables, chairs and storage cabinets, exterior and interior painting, masonry work in basement, new window framing and panes, an ADA compliant entrance, new bathroom plumbing, drainage and fixtures, appliances, shelving, etc.

Girl Scouts Today In Independence

Presently we have almost 100 girls involved in scouting, organized into six troops, a great group of leaders providing services, and enthusiastic parents. When changes occur in leadership councilwide, it is known that recruitment falters, and for being only the second year working with Kansas Heartland, we have made a remarkable recovery. Last year there were 58 girls in Girl Scouts here in Independence, Kansas.

Girl Scouting Yesterday and Tomorrow

Recovery of our program is steady. Girl Scouting in enduring. Throughout the history of Girl Scouting since 1912, we have survived national depression, world wars, cultural revolution, have remained strong in our values and courage, reaching out to preserve the work of those who have gone before, reviving the traditions of the past, drawing on female strength and perseverance. Carrying values on to younger girls, tomorrows younger leaders. Girl Scouting continues to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

I became a girl scout leader when my daughter was old enough to join, after being a scout as a young girl in Parsons. I was eager to get involved, to see her enjoy some of the same experiences, opportunities and challenges. Our leadership model is still and will remain based on the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Discover, Connect and Take Action is our current Three Keys to Leadership. Girls are still involved in earning badges, learning new skills and engaged in caring for our world.

There are plans to build a new elementary center for 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th graders on 13^th and Mulberry, behind and to the north of Eisenhower Elementary School. It has been considered that the surrounding neighborhood would be a prime are for locating a new Girl Scout House. Farmland is being purchased to expand the housing area to the west and north of that location.

If the survey was favorable for that option, we could begin to search for a property within walking distance from the schools for afterschool meetings. This would reduce the transportation barrier that some families face, and provide space outdoors for flag ceremonies, day camp activities, environmental projects, gardening and nature study.

Our Local Vision

We have the responsibility to reach out to as many residents as we can in Independence, to determine the fate of the GS Little House. We have been asked to find out what the citizens think about the present structure, and possibilities for a future structure.

What do the citizens of Independence want for their daughters and granddaughters? If we begin fundraising in the community, will the exercise be "in line" with the community vision for the future? Will fundraising garner enough money to support minimal change or ultimately create a place with adequate storage, access for all, and a community meeting place for the next generations of scouts?