For Her Future...For Her Daughter's Future Part 1

A personal account by Alexis Webb Bechtold.


Going through the attic at my Mom's house a few months ago, we stumbled upon her "Camp Fire Memories" scrapbook. Of course I took immediate interest in anything that was Camp Wakahni related. My mom was one of the first campers at Wakahni. She enjoyed many happy summers there as a camper, then a CIT (Counselor In Training), and finally a counselor. Clearly it made an impact on her--so much so, that when she had daughters, she made sure that we too attended Camp Wakahni & were involved in Camp Fire. 

Printed in 1960 - Front of brochure

But the story doesn't actually begin with Mom. In our family, the Camp Fire story begins with Granny & Gramps (Dale & Nita Allmon - my Mom's parents). They were on the board when the Ozarks Council bought Graydon Springs & renamed it Wakahni. They were there when the dreaming began to build a distictive bridge across the creek (Gramps actually designed that bridge!). They were there when the capital campaign committee designed the brochure that I found in my Mom's scrapbook 50 years later. They held that piece of paper that talked of their 10 year old daughter & her friends. They found an amazing place in Polk County where their daughter could "learn by doing". They obviously were thinking of her future...but they were also thinking of me & my sister! No really! Look at the front of the brochure! My grandparents looked at that property & thought of me almost 20 years before I was born. That hit me hard. Mom just laughed & said, "Who would have believed back then that we would be doing essentially the same thing now!?" She is right. We are back to almost the same spot, almost exactly 50 years later. Even though that can make me a little sad, it also invigorates me! 


On this Mother's Day I shout, "Thank you!," to all of the grandmothers that led Camp Fire to bring up the great women at Camp Wakahni. Those women had daughters of their own & showed us the magic of Wakahni/Graydon Springs. With their help & your help, we will proudly continue the declaration seen at the bottom of the brochure, "Tomorrow is built today."

Logo-riffic = Susan Gill!

Have you noticed something different on our blog? You are right! We have a logo!!!!! A HUGE thank you goes out to Susan Gill!

Susan Gill volunteered her skills to bring us to the next level in our journey. She has incorporated the nature of Graydon Springs, the old Craft Hut & even the flowing springs into one beautiful logo. She welcomes commissioned designs. If you are in need of a great logo or other graphic design services, please contact Susan!


designs by susan gill
susangill@susangill.us
www.susangill.us
573-289-1460

Give a High 5 to GSOL!

You just thought the days of "High 5-ing" someone to celebrate, encourage or welcome were in the past! It is time to give a big High 5 for on behalf of Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy!


5 FAQs:

• #1: Why 5? There are many reasons, here are 5:
1. 5 Goals
1. Education
2. Recreation
3. Community building
4. Ozarks History
5. Sustainability
2. A $5 donation won't put a burden on most budgets.  
3. There are 5 Founders of GSOL.
4. Anyone can be involved, babies to college students to the wiser generations!
5. A High-5 is a really fun way to start out a grass-roots organization!
• #2: What is a GSOL High 5? Simply put - $5 donations (or more in $5 increments) from as many people as possible. 
• #3: How can I be involved? Send in a donation of $5 or more to our shiny new PO Box
• Graydon Springs Outdoor Legacy, PO Box 834, Ozark, MO 65721
• ***CORRECTION ALERT! At original posting of this blog the PO Box was incorrect. The correct PO Box number is above!***
• #4: Is there an online donation option? Great question! Not yet, but it is coming soon. Keep your eye open for that awesome announcement!
• #5: Where do I direct questions about the High-5 fundraiser? email GraydonSprings@gmail.com, on facebook, or by leaving a comment here!

I'm So Excited - for Next Tuesday's meeting, that is!

In case you haven't heard, we are holding our first Public Discussion Meeting next week! Consider the blurb below the "theatrical trailer" for the meeting:


We wanted to tell you about something we're pretty excited about... do you remember Camp Wakahni? The property is up for sale again and we are creating an interest group to find a way to purchase the property and make it usable to the community for a variety of purposes. The property is a little run down, but has excellent potential for a variety of Educational, Recreational, Historical, Sustainable and Community uses. It is just too much of a gem to let go! Right now, we are just gathering ideas from various groups and community members with the hope that together we can make this happen. We are meeting to discuss ideas next Tuesday night, October 19 at the Shewmaker Center at Drury at 7pm. We would love for you to join us!


You know you are excited! You just can't wait to get involved at the very beginning of this AWESOME legacy project! Thus, you should come!!!


If you cannot make it, do not fret! We will be posting minutes of the meeting soon after. Read them. Love them. Feel like you were actually there...then respond to the info. YOUR participation is desired! This is a legacy for everyone - including YOU!


Lastly, if you know someone who you think would be interested in hearing more about GSOL, please pass this along to them. THANK YOU!