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Girls in grades K-12 have the opportunity to develop values, leadership skills, self-confidence, and a sense of community in the Girl Scout program. Activities are girl driven and include: career exploration, sports and fitness, technology, and personal finance. Girls work together, explore their unique interests and talents, and have fun in an environment “Where Girls Grow Strong.”

For almost 46 years, Girl Scouts – Foothills Council, Inc. has helped girls develop to their fullest potential and become competent, resourceful women by providing Girl Scouting opportunities for over 4,700 girls from all of Herkimer and Oneida Counties, most of Madison County and parts of Otsego, Lewis, and Hamilton counties, encompassing 3,125 square miles.

The first troop in the presently known Girl Scouts – Foothills Council, Inc. was Troop # 1 of the Sadaquada Council, established in Utica in 1920 by leader Emma Howe. A lone troop was formed in Richfield Springs in 1930 and the Mohawk Girl Scout Council followed in 1936. By 1946 the Herkimer and Ilion Girl Scout Councils were active, holding events and training.

In 1947 the National Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of the USA drew up a blueprint to ensure a quality program for all girls called the “Council Coverage Plan”, and this was the beginning of consolidations. By 1953 a Rome Council was active and day camps were being held at Camp Minnetoska in Cooperstown and the Eliza Cole Smith Camp in North Utica on Herkimer Road.

It was in 1957 when the local councils met to implement the National plan for consolidation. The Girl Scout Development Committee was formed to study the merger of councils and lone troops. It became known as the “Green Umbrella”. In 1961 after numerous meetings the following councils and lone troops agreed to join together into a new council: Frankfort, Herkimer, Ilion, Little Falls, Madison County, Mohawk, and Sadaquada (Utica).

The charter was issued on November 9, 1961 and the named changed to Foothills Council. On October 1, 1961 Miss Jean Hawthorne became the first Executive Director for the merged Council totaling 9,376 girls ages 7 to 17. Finally in 1962 Foothills Girl Scout Council was incorporated and covered 1,325 square miles including Madison, Oneida and Herkimer Counties, and parts of Lewis, Hamilton, and Otsego Counties. The Rome Council joined Foothills Council in 1963.

From 1962 through 1966 various Day Camps were held around the area: Stoneledge on Route 12, New Hartford, Chickadee in Herkimer at Brookwood Park, Camp Kiwanis in Ilion at Russell Park, and Parker’s Peak in Bouckville. Camp Glengarra with its 650 acres was purchased at the junction of Panther Lake Road and Hillsboro Road in Camden, NY from the Presbyterian Church, April 30, 1965. Camp Glengarra was dedicated with Scottish Pageantry on July 28, 1966.

Today, The Girl Scout program, which is girl-driven, reflects the evolving needs and interests of girls, and provides a variety of opportunities. The program focuses on skill development and responsibility, while promoting the development of strong leadership qualities. Activities are age appropriate and have the Four Program Goals at the core: to develop self-potential, relate to others, develop values, and contribute to society. Girls who take part in Girl Scouting are not only making a difference in their schools, families, and communities today, but are also learning the skills that will make them strong women and fully involved citizens in their communities tomorrow. The Girl Scouts – Foothills Council, Inc. serves over 4,700 registered Girl Scouts and over 1,400 adult members annually.