Chuluota Girl Scout Camp reopens after massive brush fire

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Just two and a half months after a brush fire destroyed half of its camp, the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council has reopened Camp Mah-Kah-Wee in Chuluota. 

A 165-acre brush fire, believed to have started from a lightning strike, torched a large portion of the camp in April.

Sleeping cabins and structures were lost on the west side of the camp, but much of the east side was untouched.

The brush fire left summer camp in jeopardy.

However, it was the community that stepped in to make sure kids had a place to go this year.

Board chairman Fred Kosiewski told Channel 9's Angela Jacobs they were overwhelmed by the community's response. The Girl Scouts of Citrus Council received public and private donations to partners who discounted beds and provided a military-grade sleeping unit.

Firefighters with the Seminole County Fire Department helped put the sleeping units together.

“We could not have done this without them, and it really just brings a warm spot to your heart,” Kosiewski said.

The camp will soon have five tiny houses to host a record 700 girls through July.

“I was very scared, upset. I didn't know if I was going to be able to come this year,” said camper Jessica Barauskas.

Campers told Eyewitness News it means a lot to them to be able to come back this summer and keep up the Mah-kah-Wee mission of learning courage, confidence and character.

“I have tons of fun. It's like my home away from home,” Barauskas said.

"Whether it's been their first time or their seventh time, they always enjoy it. Camp Mah-Kah-Wee is a place that all girls and Girl Scouts just love so much,” said camper Emma Fitzgerald.

The Girl Scouts hope they can start rehabbing the west side of the camp later this year.

Cox Media Group