The Girl Scout Law calls its members to do their best — and to make the world a better place.
Soon they’ll be free to live it out under a canopy of trees, in their own special backyard in San Antonio.
On Thursday, the City Council voted in favor of a $100,000 funding agreement with the youth leadership nonprofit that will go toward turning four acres of vacant green space into a “Backyard for All Girls.”
The project is planned for the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas headquarters, the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center at 811 N. Coker Loop in the North Central part of the city.
“[The funds are] going to help with the public aspect of the road at North Coker Loop and a lateral sewer tie-in because we’re going to be adding more restroom blocks to the Backyard for overnight camping for our girls and our adults,” said Stephanie Finleon Cortez, chief development and communication officer at Girls Scouts of Southwest Texas.
A groundbreaking is planned for early next year and construction is expected to be complete by December 2026.
Freedom to explore
Thousands of girls in Southwest Texas don’t have a backyard of their own, or much access to the outdoors, according to a video promoting the project.
“Here, girls will have the freedom to explore the outdoors and have fun,” it says.
The Girl Scouts work to provide opportunities for girls to get outdoors, learn about the environment and have adventures that build confidence.
Citing Girl Scout Research Institute reports, a case statement for the backyard project states that 79% of Hispanic girls and 71% of Black girls first tried an outdoor activity in Girl Scouts. More than 60% of the membership in the local Girl Scouts is Hispanic.
“Back in the day, I was a Girl Scout for about a year, and my parents were super protective, so I didn’t get to go to the overnight camps,” said District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, who thanked District 9 Councilman John Courage for bringing the project forward. “[The backyard project] gives you the opportunity to have this experience when you have worrisome, overprotective parents.”
The backyard will feature trails and camp training space, a treetop deck, a boardwalk and treehouse, a 2,400-square-foot amphitheater, tent camping space, adventure course, archery range, outdoor classroom and more.
The city is funding the project through the Council District 9 Neighborhood Access and Mobility Program in the fiscal year 2025 budget.
The total project is $8.5 million, said Stephanie Finleon Cortez, chief development and communication officer at the Girls Scouts of Southwest Texas.
‘Important lessons’
Donors to the project include Margie and Bill Klesse of the Klesse Foundation, Valero Energy, the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, Harvey E. Najim and the Greehey Family Foundation.
The design team is led by Dallas-based landscape architect StudioOutside with Creo of San Antonio as architect.
“I, too, was a Girl Scout,” said District 7 Councilwoman Marina Alderete Gavito. “I know all the really important lessons you learn through being a Girl Scout, and also … through camping and through overnight stays.”
To the Girl Scouts attending the meeting, Gavito said: “So just keep doing the great work and we look forward to seeing you on the dais one day.”
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