Acquiring masonry skills and learning to bake in an early 19th-century squirrel-tail oven may not come immediately to mind when you think of Girl Scouts.

But Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA)  members of Lancaster Troop 70356 were learning this and much more while connecting to local history at Camp Furnace Hills and its historic Foxfire House.

“This will definitely help me get out of my comfort zone,” said 15-year-old Amber, talking about whitewashing walls in the 213-year-old house on Girl Scouts-owned property in northeastern Lancaster County. “This is an opportunity I don’t want to waste.”

Providing new opportunities and confidence to tackle different situations are two goals of the program to restore the historic Foxfire House, which was being done under the guidance of deGruchy Masonry Restoration of Quakertown. The company specializes in historic church and landmark building conservation.

July 17 through 19, the Girl Scouts and volunteers involved in the project were coordinated by the Foxfire House Team, a volunteer group headed by Kathy Ledzinski. She believes and hopes the girls will understand from these experiences that they have wider career horizons, including in the sciences and trades, because of this experience.

“That they further understand that trades aren’t limited by sex, that girls can do anything they want to,” she said.

“Girls can do anything! Girl power,” beamed Troop Leader Amanda Lechner. In addition to new practical skills, Lechner believes the Girl Scouts are gaining confidence and leadership ability. She also feels it’s important for girls to connect to the history of where they live.

“It’s important to see where their heritage comes from,” Lechner said. “Seeing how people once lived, let them get their hands dirty, see how life was once before is important.”

The Foxfire House, built about 1810 on land purchased from the Penn family in 1769, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Girls Scouts have history here, too, owning the property for 54 years.

Girl Scout Bryanna said she didn’t find the restoration work very difficult, but she understands that over a century ago, life wasn’t easy. “Basically if you were 13 or older, you were working hard every day,” she said.

Volunteer Stacey Irwin helped to renovate the bake and spring houses at this site as a Girl Scout, and was back to help today’s Girl Scouts understand the benefits she did.

“It was more like 40 years ago that I helped to shingle the roof here and the bake oven … it’s just really gratifying,” Irwin said. “I’m loving helping the girls who are getting involved today and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Now is the perfect time to join Girl Scouts as the new Girl Scout year begins on October 1. At Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, we believe in encouraging girls to follow their passions and interests to make the world a better place. Where will Girl Scouts take your girl? Join now to find out!