Friends of Timbercrest is a new volunteer group formed to preserve, care for, and promote Girl Scout Camp Timbercrest in Randolph, N.Y. Pictured here, some Friends are creating a viewscape of beautiful Keyser Lake.

RANDOLPH — Twenty-three members of the Friends of Timbercrest held their first event at the Girl Scout camp in Randolph recently.

Friends of Timbercrest is a new group whose mission is to preserve, care for and promote Girl Scout Camp Timbercrest. The formation of the Friends group coincided with the camp’s 50th anniversary of residence camping in July 2017.

Camp Timbercrest opened for day camp in 1963 and for residence camp in 1967 and serves the Girl Scouts of Western New York, a council that spans nine counties: Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Erie, Wyoming, Livingston, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee and Monroe.

Participants at the July celebration noticed the camp is need of care and worked with the staff of the Girl Scouts of Western New York to schedule and plan the October work weekend. Work parties painted the infirmary and the waterfront buddy board, cleared trails, picked up trash, and cleared trees and shrubs from the Strawberry Hill camping unit.

The group is also working with the council staff to identify and prioritize other projects and determine which projects are most suitable for the volunteer group to tackle. Some projects have been identified that would make great service projects for troops.

“We are excited about the formation of the Friends of Timbercrest group and their contagious enthusiasm to promote the long-cherished Camp Timbercrest,” said Judith Cranston, Girl Scouts of Western New York CEO. “This is a volunteer group led by Girl Scout alumnae. We thank them for their willingness to utilize their time, talent, and treasure to work on some much needed camp projects that will help to preserve Camp Timbercrest for years to come.”

A fundraising campaign is under way to replace the bridges on the Lake Trail. To contribute, go to gswny.org/donate. In the section labeled “I would like to designate my donation to,” select “Other” and type “Timbercrest Bridges.”

Those interested in becoming a part of the Friends of Timbercrest can send an email with contact information to FriendsofTimbercrest@gswny.org. Another work weekend is being planned for the spring.

Those attending from out-of-state included Pennsylvanians Dawn Cicchini and Sara and Rob Thompson of Pittsburgh and Kathy and Dave Moller from Russell, plus Allan and Natasha Patchen from Knoxville, Tenn.

New York members were Barb Conklin, Falconer; Amy Jo Dorler and Wayne Dorler, Stockton; Anita Gaston, Penn Yann; Cristie Herbst, Westfield; Jude Klock, Middleport; Danay Marsh, Little Valley; Mary Beth Mazzone, Ashville; Bill McIntyre, Fredonia; Paulette Morein, Dunkirk; Terry Saye, Bemus Point; Jennifer Schlick, Jamestown; Betsy Vinton, Rochester; Dee and Megan Wilson, Mt. Morris; and Ro Woodard, Coeyman’s Hollow.

The workers’ contributions to the food fund were supplemented by donations from New Yorkers Carol Barnes, Tioga Center; Amy McElhinney, West Charlton; and Erica Tener, Mt Tremper. Rick Lundquist of Jamestown loaned equipment.

To learn more about Camp Timbercrest and the Girl Scouts of Western New York, visit gswny.org.