For the past four years, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland (GSOH) has been Dreaming Big for girls’ futures. This is through a project called the Dream Big Transformational Initiative. 

Through this project, Camp Ken-Jockety in western Franklin County will become a STEM and In-Demand Jobs immersive campus. With access to cutting-edge programs, a safe place to learn new skills, and mentors encouraging them along the way, girls will have hands-on programs designed specifically for them. This is providing the skills and confidence needed to be our leaders of tomorrow.

Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland officially launched Dream Big in May of 2022. Some highlights will include: 

  • A new STEM Leadership Center with community space, science and technology labs. 
  • A Maker Space to learn trade skills like welding, mechanics, and carpentry. 
  • A new greenhouse for gardening programs including hydroponics.  
  • Renovations to the Environmental Center will include the addition of a teaching kitchen for farm-to-table programming. 
  • Outdoor learning spaces including a low ropes course. 
  • Renovations to existing buildings.

Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland are community leaders and know “sharing is caring.” We will make sure others can enjoy the new facilities, too. Schools, other non-profits, and community partners will utilize these facilities. The immersive campus is designed to be a true community resource for youth and community stakeholders. What is key is its proximity to downtown Columbus.

We expect to start renovations and break ground on the new STEM Leadership Center in the Spring of 2023. 

The facility is slated to open in the Fall of 2024. 

This is all part of the bigger picture. Dream Big is the local commitment supporting the Girl Scouts of the USA’s bold goal of putting 2.5 million girls in the STEM pipeline by 2025. 

You might be surprised to know that women make up nearly half of the U.S. workforce. Yet they are drastically underrepresented in many fields. These include STEM, in-demand jobs, and leadership roles. For example:

  • Just 18 percent of STEM leadership roles are held by women.
  • Women represent 15 percent of engineers and architects.
  • Only 12 percent of computer science degrees are earned by women.

But we are not tackling this challenge alone.

Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland is currently working with community partners to make the $16 million Dream Big project a reality. More than 70 percent ($11,225,000) of the goal has been raised to date. Battelle is the lead funder of Dream Big with a transformational investment of $3 million. GSOH has secured additional lead gifts from several local companies, including American Electric Power Foundation, Nationwide Foundation, and Corna Kokosing. The project has also received state capital funding. This all thanks to the support of The Columbus Partnership, Ohio Legislators, and many local leaders.

Dream Big Honorary Co-Chairs include Lou Von Thaer, president and CEO, Battelle; Yvette McGee Brown, partner, Jones Day; and Lori Gillett, CEO, Corna Kokosing. Additionally, dozens of business and community leaders have committed their support as Dream Big Honorary Champions.

Dream Big is all about investing in the future of girls who will become tomorrow’s leaders. The program will provide experiences that develop skills and build the confidence of girls from across central Ohio so that they can fully embrace new opportunities and build a better world.

Von Thaer, Dream Big Honorary Co-Chair

To learn more about Dream Big and find out how your organization can get involved, visit https://gsohdreambig.org/

Learn more about this in this episode of the Looking Forward Our Way podcast.

We can’t wait to share our progress with the Looking Forward Our Way community!

Our thanks to Tammy Wharton, President & CEO, Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland for this update!