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What's in a Name at Camp Agnes DeWitt |
Agnes DeWitt was a rare person, the key to much progress made in the Council. She was the
original leader of Somerville Troop One, and was a powerful influence in proposing a new
council merged from several separate ones.
Through such activities as a play, bingo party and dance, and a very successful and well planned variety called "Marine Night" cruise dance held in the Somerville High School auditorium, Agnes DeWitt's "girls" earned the $2000 paid for the first 27 acres of what has become Camp Agnes DeWitt. With garden tools and wheelbarrow, Mrs. DeWitt took on the job of site beautification. She always had a crew of girls who begged to be on her work crew. They will never forget her nor will any who shared her Girl Scouting. 
The Steve Kiss SiteOne of the campsites at Camp Agnes DeWitt is appropriately named the Steve Kiss Site. Steve Kiss epitomized the early "Do-Dad" spirit, as he spent uncounted evenings, weekends and holidays digging, cutting, mowing, painting, constructing, doing what was needed at Camp DeWitt He laid the first log steps to the Hawley Site, reinforced the Engleman Site Building, built the Hawley Wash House and set-up the bell house and bell donated by Manville Girl Scouts. The site at Camp DeWitt, dedicated July 23, 1974, has virtually become the Kiss family site. Steve's wife, Edith, was camp director at DeWitt for six years. Also the pool house has a plaque on the door in memory of Steve and Edith's daughter, Linda an enthusiastic, accomplished, active Girl Scout. 
Hawley SiteDirect and to the point, quick to accomplish the necessary, Eleanor Hawley was very active in the early Somerville Girl Scout Council as "Commissioner" and as organizer and director of the day camp held at Boro Park in Somerville. She was also the first director at Camp Agnes DeWitt when fees for girls were $3.00 for two weeks, every staff member was a volunteer and transportation to camp was provided free by Somerville Civic League members. Mrs. Hawley was one of the organizers of the new Rolling Hills Girl Scout Council, serving as Vice-President of Field Services until her death. Her granddaughter helped to dedicate the cabin named in her memory in 1964. Engelman Site Many years of dedication and community leadership for Girl Scouts and adults made Mary Engelman's name mean Girl Scouting in Middlesex. The Engelman site at Camp Agnes DeWitt honors Mrs. Engelman's interest and activities in the out-of-doors as well as her warmth and concern for others. The beauty of the site, and girls' joy in its use, stand as a symbol of the love and regard Girl Scouts of RHGSC held for Mary Engelman. Campership Memorials are not only made of cement and two by fours. Every year girls experience the joy, fellowship, and growth of day or resident camp, or find a place as a Girl Scout member in a troop, because of the Rolling Hills Campership-Scholarship Program initiated in 1972 and directed by Mrs. Edward Chandler. A quiet, gentle woman, Marguerite Chandler had been a troop leader, member of the board of directors of the Somerville Council, president of Rolling Hills Council. She believed firmly in the principle, "A Girl Scout leaves a place better than she found it." Scores of girls have found Girl Scouting and Girl Scout Camp a better place because of Marquerite Chandler's concern for them. Mrs. Chandler's family established a campership fund in her memory to insure continuing benefits to girls through camping and Girl Scouting. |
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