To fulfill the mission of Juliette Low for all girls to experience a healthy lifestyle including nature study and outdoor activities, this council searched for a location appropriate for a camp.
Other work included astronomy, boating, child care, nursing, house-keeping, hiking, pioneering, and public health.
The stated purpose of the camp experience was to provide a cheerful friend to every girl scout, to celebrate with campfires and singing, to learn responsibility by seeing through kapers without shirking or complaining, but by sharing and having fun; to experience and appreciate nature with respect, causing no harm; to be helpful and courteous; and to have both old and new friends.
The original building was an inn, also called Bonnie Brae, and was owned by Loring P. Lane.
Edith Sinnett, first director of the Springfield Girl Scouts, and her friend, Edith G. Newell, wished to see the organization establish a summer camp, and in the summer of 1919 they rented Bonnie Brae from the Lane family and gave public notice that Girl Scouts could apply to attend.
The success of the 1919 camp season made certain the continuation of the project, so accordingly the Girl Scout Council bought the 227 acres of land, the building, and the furniture from Mr. Lane for $10,000.
In 1921, several troops of the Springfield Council donated money for scholarships so that girls who lacked the fees could attend.
Also in 1921, the waterfront program at Camp Bonnie Brae was reorganized by an instructor from the American Red Cross.
The guest of honor was Eleanor Roosevelt, and during her visit she spoke with the girls about democracy, proper nutrition, the bases of a post-war peace, and international cooperation.
The camp has expanded its facilities over the years to include more campers and offer more activities.
A feast known as the Nature's Bouquet was the closing feature of the camp season, which was a great success.
As time went by, the end of program ceremonies became an important tradition in which girls created a skit, decorations, formations, poems and songs that were sung and played on instruments.
Music and creativity continue to be a traditional component of girl scout camping.
In 1933, the camp store held emblems, cards, stamps, flashlight batteries, bathing caps, films, knives, ink, kotex, ties, notebooks, belts, toothpaste, stationery, pins, and many other useful items.
In 1937, Miss Sinnett begins to develop a long range plans to meet the needs of both the younger and older girls at camp.
A new unit, Enchanted Forest, was established, with its own base a mile hike from the camp.
During the 2nd Western Hemisphere Encampment in the same year, scouts from across the United States and more than 14 other countries exchanged recipes, camping ideas, customs and costumes.
In 1949, a new dishwashing system was developed with advice from the Cornell School of Home Economics.
[1] By this time, In the late 1940s, the original inn burned down and was replaced by a building called Big House.
The Big House held the camp store, art area and offices.
The campers earned special camp letters and awards by doing activities and quests.
Braids were established as the official camp hair-do, and if you did not behave, your supper would be destined to be prunes!
Their sport field program included: track, golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball and baseball.
Tyro was originally the counselor training unit, until Green Horizons took its place.
Over time the Springfield Girl Scouts Became the Pioneer Valley Girl Scouts with Chicopee, Agawam, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Hampton, Monson, Wilberham, Palmer, Ware, Belchertown and Ludlow troops.
In that year, Camp Bonnie Brae occupied 250 acres of land and had 120 campers.