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http://www.omniture.com --> Email Story to a Friend June 27, 2006 Girl Scout camp short on help, canceled By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Camp Low Echo, a decades-old tradition for young Girl Scouts, was suddenly canceled Monday morning with just a week's notice because the local Winema Girl Scout Council was unable after months of searching to find a camp nurse and waterfront safety director. "I'm devastated," said Candace Bartow, the Council's chief executive officer, who had just notified 120 girls and their families of the cancellation of five weekly sessions that were to have started next Sunday. The cancellation does not signal any question about the camp continuing, Bartow said, noting it "absolutely" will go on next summer — and the Council is already searching for next season's key safety personnel. Camp Low Echo operates in a lodge and cabins at the south end of Lake of the Woods. It maintains a 20-year lease with the U.S. Forest Service with nine years left on the present lease, according to the Council's Web site. It began a 10-year renovation in 2001. "I'm really disappointed. I've been going since I was 8 and I really can't think of spending my summer anywhere else," said Amanda Greenstein, 16, of Ashland, who just trained to be a counseling assistant. "It's too bad because now I don't have a job and won't see the girls who've been going there for years." The Council advertised for months for a nurse and lifeguard in regional newspapers and colleges, but got only two responses and they were either under 21 or didn't have specialized qualifications for open-water lifeguard duty, said Bartow. Parent Bill Greenstein of Ashland said he found that "really hard to believe," adding "they didn't get the story (of staff needs) out very well." Another assistant counselor, Tori Lipski, 16, of Ashland, said she was "really disappointed because we were really excited and had just gone to an all-day training. They had all year to get ready and should have known this earlier." Winema Council board Chairman Ron Elsmore made the decision to scratch camp along with Bartow. He was "really sad this had to happen" but they had advertised since March and contacted all the nonprofit organizations in the local five-county region, but "no one came forward with the proper training." Cindy Wolf of White City, recently retired camp director the last five years, said many camps have a problem finding qualified lifeguards and medical staff, "especially since we're on the lake, open water, not a pool. I feel very sorry for the girls, but hope it will be different next year." Cancellation will have no impact on the organization, said Bartow, because it operates the camp at a loss, seeking donations and grants for low-income families. The camp is financially stable, added Elsmore. The council does hope to "put the pieces together" to have a one-week camp in late July, said Bartow, who has been involved with Girl Scouts since she was in second grade. Parent Karen Greenstein said she is "shocked and disappointed" and is "scrambling to find something to fill the time," though most other camps seem full now. "I had no idea there was a problem and if we'd known, I feel we could have networked with parents and counselors from previous years and rallied support (to fill the jobs) here or in Klamath County," said Karen Greenstein. The camp, said Elsmore, is bound by safety rules, not just that would make families feel secure, but also by the rules of their insurer, camping association and the Girl Scouts. John Darling is a freelance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected]. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations --> online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Entertainment Guide --> Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Casino Reviews