Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois Receives $95,000 Grant from Edwardsville Community Foundation
(L-R): Sara Berkbigler, ECF Executive Director; Caryn Mefford, ECF Board Member; Rich Walker, ECF Board Chair; Amy Truit, GSofSI Development Manager; Heidi Koehl Weaver GSofSI Director of Development
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) is pleased to be the recipient of a generous $95,000 grant from Edwardsville Community Foundation (ECF). This grant will enhance the organization’s property, Camp Torqua, by providing a second storm shelter on the 70-plus acre property.
Girl Scouts not only enjoy Camp Torqua during the summer, but they also build memories there year-round. Prior to the ECF grant, Camp Torqua’s only designated storm shelter was on the southern side of the property. In situations where time is of the essence, it was known a storm shelter needed to be quickly accessible for all, no matter where they were on the camp property. “Safety of our girls – and all of our visitors at Camp Torqua – is of the utmost importance,” said Heidi Koehl Weaver, Director of Development for GSofSI. “We are extremely thankful to Edwardsville Community Foundation for funding this great safety resource.”
Camp Torqua recently added an additional unit of cabins, The Pines, to the property. The new storm shelter, in the final stages of completion, will be near these cabins and will also serve as a showerhouse for the northern side of Camp Torqua. This new feature is scheduled for completion later this month, with a ribbon cutting in the near future.
“Edwardsville Community Foundation funds initiatives that directly impact the quality of life of the local community. They recognize the need for Girl Scouting in our community, and the need to support a safe outdoor experience for our members,” said Loretta Graham, Chief Executive Officer for GSofSI. “Their support allows us to continue our mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, while keeping safety our top priority.”
Learn more about Camp Torqua!
Photos of the new storm shelter at The Pines under construction.
October 01, 2025
