Stewardship in Action: Aligning our Assets with our Mission to serve all Girls
February 02, 2026
As CEO, my responsibility is to ensure our resources are aligned to serve all girls across Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails—supporting camp where it has the strongest potential while also expanding outdoor and leadership experiences that meet girls where they are, across our entire footprint.
As Girl Scouts, we take an oath to be sisters to every Girl Scout. That commitment—not to a place or a single program, but to girls—guides this work.
Pursuing the potential sale of one camp property in my first year as CEO was not a decision I anticipated or hoped to make, and it is not one that the Board or I take lightly. It is a decision rooted in stewardship: ensuring the long-term viability of Girl Scouting in New Mexico, fully investing in one camp rather than under-resourcing two, and expanding outdoor experiences so more girls can participate in ways that fit their lives today.
I believe we can create extraordinary experiences for girls and operate a sustainable organization at the same time.
Corner-to-corner means designing multiple pathways for girls to engage, grow, and lead—regardless of geography, transportation, or time constraints. Through real-time feedback at Town Halls, girls and families shared two clear priorities:
- Bringing Girl Scout experiences directly into communities—schools, parks, libraries, and neighborhood spaces—and increasing mobility to reach more girls across our vast state.
- Offering more choice in how girls participate, including interest-based clubs and themed groups that reflect girls’ passions and keep older girls engaged.
As we move forward, we are deeply committed to strengthening communication and partnership between Council staff, volunteers, and Service Units. Delegates, Troop Leaders, Service Unit teams, and volunteers are the backbone of our movement, and we are investing in proven models—roundtables, listening sessions, and town halls—that build trust, connection, and shared problem-solving.
As we approach the 110th anniversary of Girl Scouting in New Mexico, this moment is not about abandoning camp or the outdoors. Camp remains core to who we are. What we are being called to do is invest wisely—strengthening the camp with the greatest potential while expanding access to outdoor and leadership experiences for more girls.
Honoring our past does not mean preserving every structure exactly as it was. What endures is our purpose: helping girls build courage, confidence, and character. The world has changed, and girls’ needs have changed. One path does not fit every girl today.
My commitment—and the Board’s commitment—is to preserve the heart of Girl Scouting while refining how we deliver it, so more girls across New Mexico can see themselves reflected, supported, and empowered.
This is about stewardship.
It’s about growth.
And it’s about ensuring Girl Scouting in New Mexico thrives for generations to come.
Celia Tellez
CEO
Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails
At its January 31 meeting, the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails took two actions intended to support the long-term sustainability and growth of Girl Scouting across New Mexico:
- Suspension of the Council Service Fee for Membership Year 2027 (MY27)
- Authorization to sell one camp property
Below you will find FAQ's and Background and Context on these actions.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
BACKGROUND & CONTEXT
What decisions did the Board make? 
What does suspending the Council Service Fee mean for families?
Why is the Council Service Fee suspended?
Will the Council Service Fee return or be increased in MY28?
Why did the Board decide to sell a camp property?
Why was Rancho del Chapparal selected?
Does this mean Girl Scouts is moving away from outdoor experiences?
How many girls currently participate in council camp programs?
Why is this happening now?
Will this decision affect current camp programs or reservations
What happens next?
What changes can volunteers expect in communications and engagement?
Who should I contact with questions?
Recent Board Actions
How this work began
What we learned
Camps in context
Why action now?
Governance and decision-making
What this decision enables
Looking ahead
