PHOENIX, Ariz. – Jan. 17, 2022 - Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust recently awarded $125,000 to Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC) to support outdoor experiences for girls in central and northern Arizona over the next two years.
“We are deeply grateful to the Trust for their partnership over the years. This gift will help us create more opportunities for girls to bolster their confidence as they challenge themselves to take on outdoor adventures,” Christina Spicer, Interim Co-CEO said.
“This grant will give us additional resources to expand access to our outdoor programming through family engagement, volunteer-led outdoor experiences, community events, and specialty programs like climbing, archery, and mountain biking.”
After almost two years of disruptions to programming due to the pandemic, GSACPC is ramping up their in-person programs at their four camp properties located in Phoenix and in northern Arizona. “Technology and structured activities leave less time for girls to get outside and connect with the outdoors. However, girls who attend Girl Scout Camp or participate in an outdoor program benefit from a shared-learning experience and an all-girl safe space that offers plenty of opportunities to create their own outdoor adventures” says Spicer.
“Girl Scouts supports girls as they take healthy risks to try new things and achieve their ambitions. And when they reach the finish line, we’re there to cheer them on to the next challenge. We encourage girls to see failure as just another opportunity to get better at something so they can move ahead with determination to succeed. Our outdoor programs provide these confidence-building experiences, whether girls are putting up a tent for the first time, hiking to the top of a mountain, or scaling one of our climbing towers.”
GSACPC plans to address barriers and increase girls’ access to programs so they may benefit from unparalleled leadership opportunities in the outdoors that will help them build self-confidence, laying the foundation for a meaningful and successful future.
“These outdoor Girl Scouts programs help young women develop a more confident sense of self, which will serve them throughout their lives. We’re pleased to support programs that promote girls’ healthy development,” said Trust Senior Program Officer Laura McBride.
The Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust was established upon the death of Nina Mason Pulliam in 1997 to support the causes she loved in her home states of Arizona and Indiana. The Trust seeks to help people in need, protect animals and nature, and enrich community life in metropolitan Indianapolis and Phoenix. Since its inception, the Trust has distributed over $353 million to 1,006 organizations. For more information visit www.ninapulliamtrust.org.
We Are Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.
About Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus-Pine Council (GSACPC)
In partnership with 6,000 adult volunteers, GSACPC serves over 11,000 girls grades K-12 in more than 90 communities across central and northern Arizona. Since 1936, GSACPC has helped girls develop leadership skills and tools for success in a rapidly changing environment. We know that given the opportunity, every girl can become a leader, act confidently on her values, and connect with her community. For more information, visit www.girlscoutsaz.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram.
