Camp Letico Renovation
Posted by Robert Zeglarski
on Feb 11, 2016
Rotarians, hoping for a role in Camp Letico's rebirth, meet with Girl Scout CEO Patricia Carroll
Patricia Carroll, CEO of Girls Scouts Heart of New Jersey (center rear), meeting with Roselle Roselle Park Rotary members talking about a role the club can play in Roselle's Camp Letico's rehabilitation. Rotarians include (clockwise) Denise Garry, Robert Zeglarski Sr., Don Olivaria, Don Guarriello, Milt Woodruff and Scott Wands.
Few people know there is a 61 year-old Girl Scout Camp in Roselle and it is still in use! Fewer people know the Rotary Club of Roselle - Roselle Park established the camp in 1953 and has helped with its upkeep all those years. Nestled in a wooded area next to Morses Creek near Independence Drive in Roselle, the camp is a stones throw from Roselle Catholic High School and Roselle Shopping Center.
Camp Letico is its name. And it is home to the Roselle Girl Scouts. According to Leslyn Chung, a former Girl Scout Leader for 10 years and current Camp Letico Coordinator and troop treasurer, Roselle Girl Scouts used the facility extensively last summer for outdoor and indoor activities as well as doing a little interior painting. She also credited the Roselle Department of Public Works with helping to keep the sight fit for safe use.
As the story is told by senior Rotary Club of Roselle - Roselle Park Club member Jim Simmons, around 1954 former Roselle Mayor and Rotarian Frank Pittman got together with another Rotarian John Kliner who was also President of Roselle Savings at the time to have an abandoned house moved from where ever it was to its current location. Of course, the whole club got involved and this became one of many community service projects of the Rotary Club of Roselle - Roselle Park. Thus, Camp Letico was born.
Since that time, the club has kept its connection to Camp Letico and the Roselle Girl Scouts by helping to maintain the building. Members have lent their plumbing, electrical, carpentry and engineering know how to keep it up. Saturday club outings for painting and roof repair were common.
Every year the club meets for a luncheon prepared by adult girl scout volunteers. At that time scout leaders report on the activities that took place at the camp as well as other Scout functions. It is also the time for the Rotary Club members to reconnect with Girl Scout volunteers usually discussing the future of the site.
See more photos in our photo album - Lunch at Camp Letico - on our Home page.