January/February Change for Charity Partner: Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland

Over a century ago, Girl Scouts Founder Juliette “Daisy” Low brought a group of girls together in Savannah, Georgia, to explore new possibilities and activities together while supporting each other through it all. Since its founding in 1912, that small group has grown to include nearly 2 million members and more than 50 million Girl Scout alums.  

The Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (GSOH) Council serves over 20,000 girls and adult volunteers in 30 counties around the state of Ohio. Its girl-centric and girl-driven environment works to empower girls to truly aim for the stars. Whether it means pursuing her dream of being the first female President of the United States, or starting her own animal shelter — if she dreams it, she can do it.  

How do the Girl Scouts create such an empowering environment? It’s much more than cookies. 

Fun, friendship, and new adventures are what Girl Scouts is all about. Girls make new friends, challenge themselves, write their own stories, and take action to change the world for the better. 

Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, the girls lead their fellow Girls Scouts through hands-on activities, and cooperative learning that focus on four key areas: Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); Outdoors; Life Skills; and Entrepreneurship. And with the help of supportive adults and troop leaders, Girl Scouts discover who they are, how to connect with others, and how to make the world a better place.  

How will the Change for Charity Program help support the important work of the GSOH? 

In 2018, the Girl Scouts of the USA committed to putting 2.5 million girls into the STEM pipeline by 2025. To support this commitment, GSOH launched the Dream Big Transformational Initiative. 

The Dream Big Initiative will reimagine the 220-acre Camp Ken-Jockety, just west of downtown Columbus, and create a STEM-immersive campus right here in Franklin County. The new campus will provide girls with the necessary tools to create pathways to in-demand careers and bridge the gender gap in the STEM fields. The campus will be open to all students in the community.

“With access to cutting-edge programs, a safe place to learn new skills, and mentors encouraging them along the way, girls will have hands on programs designed specifically for them, providing girls the skills and confidence needed to be our leaders of tomorrow,” said Tammy Wharton, president & chief executive officer of GSOH. 

What kind of programming will be offered at the new campus? 

The campus will include several new spaces and renovated existing spaces. Specifically: 

• A leadership center with community space, science, and technology labs.  
• A maker space to support learning in-demand trades like welding, mechanics, and carpentry. 
• A greenhouse for learning hydroponics, ecology, and conservation. 
• An environmental center with a kitchen. 
• Outdoor learning spaces, including a low ropes course to help girls gain confidence. 
• Cabin updates, which will include a girl-led remodel project. 

While the project will be led by GSOH, the immersive campus will be a true community resource for youth and community stakeholders. The camp’s proximity to downtown Columbus allows it to be used by schools, nonprofits, and community partners.  

You can support this important work by simply parking at one of the Change for Charity parking meters here at Easton, paying an Easton parking ticket, or making a donation directly to the organization.  

Short-Term Parking. Long-Term Impact.  

Our Change for Charity Program designates a new organization every two months to receive a portion of the meter proceeds and ticket revenue generated at Easton, allowing us to donate over $2 million to over 85 organizations across Central Ohio. Check out our list of past recipients here.