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The Girl Scouts Chico Program Center
A group of Girl Scouts and their families sit around a large fire pit on a crisp December evening. It’s been a full day, complete with a holiday craft fair, songs, hot cocoa, and skits. The warm glow of tiki lights shines over a large lawn, covered picnic tables, a stage, and a barn. Inside, girls from troops in Chico, CA, and the surrounding areas proudly share their handmade crafts. This community outreach event welcomed Girl Scouts, their families, and community members to the Girl Scouts Chico Program Center. Acquired and developed over 2020-2023 with the support of the Girl Scouts of Northern California council, the Girl Scouts Chico Program Center is the fruition of volunteer Teresa Gisske's vision and unwavering dedication.
What started as a small seed of an idea has materialized into a beautiful representation of both the vibrant community of Chico as well as the courage, confidence, and character of Girl Scouts. As a dynamic hub for learning and growth, the center provides a rich environment where Girl Scouts can develop crucial life skills and leadership qualities while fostering connection and cohesion. Nestled in the culturally diverse and naturally beautiful city of Chico, CA, the center embodies our council's commitment to nurturing young leaders. It stands as a beacon of positive change, enriching not only the Girl Scout community but also the broader fabric of Chico's society.
A dedicated Girl Scout at heart, Teresa Gisske has enjoyed a long and deep connection with Girl Scouts, filling various roles over the years and culminating in her service as a board member of the Girl Scouts of Northern California. It was her transition to overseeing property matters that marked a significant turning point in her involvement. This crucial shift led Teresa to play a pivotal role in the establishment of the Chico Program Center, a testament to her enduring commitment and passion for the Girl Scouts' mission and values. As Teresa shares, “Girl Scouts of Northern California has offered so much richness to my life, so it was only natural that I wanted to give back to the organization that means so much to me.”
While the Center today stands as a symbol of resilience and community spirit, it did not come without its challenges. The vision for a dedicated Girl Scout village materialized around 2017 amidst discussions of outdoor and indoor spaces, including a barn. However, the sale of an initial building and the devastating Camp Fire posed major challenges. Teresa, undeterred, secured a property that had been a native plant nursery. In the face of chaos and a shortage of contractors due to the fire, she persevered, planning to donate flexible and fun prefabricated buildings that could provide space for troop and service unit meetings and program activities and workshops.
Despite these hurdles, Teresa, with the assistance of Council staff and local and surrounding area Girl Scouts and volunteers, transformed the property. Key players like George Parker, a semi-retired construction company owner and grandfather of his own Chico Girl Scouts, were instrumental in obtaining permits and managing many of the projects at the center. The Chico Program Center, with its varied facilities including a main building with two meeting rooms, an office, and kitchen, “Maggie’s Barn” for storage and easy indoor-outdoor space for managing cookie pick-ups and other program supplies and activities, stage, landscaping, fire pit, and picnic area, has become a cornerstone for the development of young girls in the region. But of course, Teresa is not planning to stop there.
Her vision extends further, with plans for a rock climbing area, camping, sports and team-building activities, outdoor spaces, an art arbor, visiting petting zoo, and a merchandise shop. Keeping girls at the forefront, the focus remains on developing self-confidence and leadership skills. With residential zoning, the center adapts, planning for a fence, girl-made sign murals, and a pollinator garden. The center's growth parallels the increasing membership and engagement of the Girl Scouts in the region, showcasing its vital role in the community. “Teresa’s commitment and dedication to bringing this dream to life is truly inspiring, and I know it will continue to be a place where girls and the community can learn, share, and grow together,” says Bri Seoane, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California.
The impact of the center extends beyond the Girl Scouts to the Chico community. It's a testament to the power of collaboration, with contributions from various local entities like Soroptimist International of Chico, The Foor Foundation, North Valley Community Foundation, Women in Construction and many additional local businesses, and dedicated individuals like the aforementioned George Parker and a group of dedicated volunteers on the Girl Scouts Service Units’ and Site Committee teams. The center not only serves the Girl Scouts but also fosters a sense of community pride and involvement, inspiring and empowering young girls and shaping them into future leaders. Teresa Gisske's generous donation of time, buildings, and her efforts in establishing the Girl Scouts Chico Program Center have created a lasting impact on both the Girl Scouts and the Chico community. Her vision has not only provided a welcoming space for learning and growth but also a sense of place, identity, and community that is felt by all who experience it.
March 12, 2024
