Mary White, founder of the first Girl Scout camp in New Mexico, will be honored with a historical marker on Highway 24 this year.
The camp, however, seems to have died with White, and her relatives and friends are trying to bring it back to life.
White established the camp in the Sacramento Mountains, about four hours south of Albuquerque, in the 1920s as a place for young women to learn about nature and themselves. It was last used in 2003.
"The previous owners let it fall into disrepair, so it's not safe for the public," said Susan Travis, vice president of the Friends of Camp Mary White Inc.
Travis is among the 157 members of the nonprofit organization trying to renovate the area and bring campers back to it.
"There's quite a large group of us that are working with the owners to put together a plan to revitalize it and get the property back in shape and then market it and make sure it's available," Travis said. "The plan is to get it up and going so that we can offer it, not only for young girls, but also have it open for retreats and for the public to rent out."
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Linda Hockett, president of the organization, said the camp would be a wholesome retreat for people of all ages.
"We hope to build a rope challenge course and use it not only for kids but for corporations and business to use in the off-season to do some team and leadership-building skills," she said. "The money from that we could also use to continue upgrading it."
The property was bought by a couple from Nevada about a year ago, Travis said. The new owners are willing to work with the Friends of Camp Mary White to renovate it. Both parties are rallying help and money.
"We're going up there twice a year and preserving what's there," Hockett said. "It's a lot of elbow grease, free labor and people who donate equipment."
Paula Homer, former president and active member of the organization, said volunteers get help from girls who used to go to the camp.
The organization also holds fundraisers, such as the annual reunion held during the first week of June, Homer said.
"While we're at the reunion, people give money," she said. "We've got auctions and memorabilia that we sell, and all the proceeds go directly into our savings for the restoration of the camp."
Homer hopes the Friends of Camp Mary White will be allotted grants that will help them reach their goal.
"Our desire is to keep working with youth - teaching them about preserving nature and the environment," Hockett said.
She said she hopes the camp will be renovated soon so a new generation can enjoy it as she did.
"I had the ability to try things that I never would have done, which I think built up my self-confidence," she said. "You learn to believe in yourself more and try new things."
To volunteer or donate, visit campmarywhite.com
