Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida uses grants to protect Camp Mahachee.

Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida (GSTF) is the Girl Scout council overseeing all the troops in the Miami area.  They offer girls a chance to grow their leadership skills, collaborate and gain confidence through experiential learning. One way they do that is through participation at Camp Mahachee. 

Both the council and the camp have long, rich histories, each serving the community in its own way, just like Publix. That’s why Publix Super Markets Charities is proud to support GSTF and its efforts to maintain the camp and its natural environment.  

“We are grateful for Publix Super Markets Charities’ long-standing partnership with Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida, ensuring all girls can have access to this incredible leadership development experience,” said GSTF CEO Chelsea Wilkerson. “We could not do this without our charitable partners. Supporting Camp Mahachee in its 75th anniversary will help ensure Camp Mahachee remains a beautiful, safe space for girls to experience the outdoors for another 75 years to come and more.” 

The camp isn’t the only one celebrating a birthday. GSTF turned 100 in 2023 and is continuing to introduce girls to nature. Publix Charities recently made a donation to dedicate a cabin at the camp. That donation will be used to remove invasives throughout the 11-acre property and enhance the current buildings so the camp remains a safe place for girls to learn about the natural environment, enjoy outdoor activities and make new friends.  

The year-round camp offers “a pristine natural area where Girl Scouts can explore and immerse themselves in the outdoors while developing their love of nature,” said Ana Mantica Berger, director of marketing and communications. “For many girls, a Girl Scout camping experience is their first close-up experience with Florida’s natural environment.”  

Mantica Berger explained that the experience includes staying the night in the cabins, which maintain – along with the camp – the rustic charm they have held since the park was dedicated in 1948. The cabins continue to be upgraded and touched up, replacing roof tiles, being painted and the like to better serve the girls. 

While there, girls also have access to the air-conditioned main lodge, which houses a commercial kitchen and a bathhouse. Girl Scout troops in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties use Camp Mahachee for overnight camping and outdoor adventures throughout the year. 

“The camp captures a moment in time and has served as a place for ecological study. GSTF is working to maintain this treasured property,” Mantica Berger said. 

When Girl Scouts participate in outdoor programming, they: 

• Learn to engage safely and responsibly in a range of outdoor activities. 
• Develop a love of nature.  
• Gain confidence in their ability to take on new challenges. 
• Understand how their behaviors impact the environment. 

Instilling a love and respect for nature is one of the many ways that GSTF achieves their mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.