For the week ending Aug. 13, 1961
BREATH OF FALL GREETS GIRLS EMERGING FROM SLEEPING BAGS
TODD LAKE — Girl Scouts here from all parts of the United States for their 1961 wilderness encampment in the eastern Cascades sensed a breath of approaching fall in the air this morning as they emerged from their sleeping bags.
Smoke from campfires drifted over Todd Lake. Bachelor Butte was dramatically clear in the southeast. In coves around the lake edge were thin sheets of ice. There was not a cloud in the sky.
The 115 girls, including three Girl Rangers from Canada, reached their base camp at Todd Lake Tuesday afternoon, were segregated in troops and patrols reported to their leaders, then set up their individual camps close to the shore of blue Todd Lake.
Tonight, the Girl Scouts and leaders will join in their first general session around a campfire overlooking the lake, at 7:30 p.m.
Last night, the Girl Scouts slept under the stars as summer constellations wheeled over firs and hemlocks. Two giant planets, Jupiter and Saturn, were beacons over Bachelor Butte.
Three Trailways buses brought the girls to camp from Portland, rendezvous point, with one major stop en route. That was in Bend’s Drake Park, a spot that amazed the girls, who watched water fowl cruise over the river. The girls ate sandwiches in the shade of tall pines.
This was Orientation Day at camp. U.S. Forest Service men talked to the girls about woods and trail lore and the great danger of fire. Heading foresters aiding with today’s program was Dale Rasmussen, who serves as Deschutes snow ranger in the winter months.
Tuesday was Incoming Day at the GSA camp. Leaders were on the site several days in advance of the arrival of the girls, to make preparation and complete plans for the 1961 wilderness encampment that will last until August 23.
One phase of the encampment will take the Girl Scouts into the Three Sisters Wilderness area, where they will camp in widely-separated units for five nights. The girls will be alone, but should there be an emergency, aid will quickly be available.
Persons greeting the girls on their arrival in camp Tuesday afternoon included not only their unit leaders, but Mrs. Mary Welch of Boston Mass., who is chairman of the GSA national camping committee and is also a member of the national GSA board.
This morning, a great stack of mail for the girls was brought to camp.