Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama is seeking support to bring awareness to the need to replace the main entrance bridge at Camp Coleman in Trussville.The bridge is the property of Jefferson County, and the main access to Camp Coleman, the 85 year-old Girl Scout camp located at 4010 Camp Coleman Road, Trussville, Alabama.

We are seeking the support of Commissioner Bobby Humphryes and the Jefferson County Commission. We have invited Commissioner Bobby Humphryes, the Jefferson County Commissioner for District 3 to attend a brief informational meeting at 6:00 PM on April 5 at Bluff Park United Methodist Church to hear our concerns about the bridge. As the Commissioner responsible for Roads & Transportation in Jefferson County, Commissioner Humphryes’ support is vital to replace our bridge.

Please plan to attend this important meeting AND SIGN THIS PETITION to voice your support of Girl Scouts and Camp Coleman. Background information on the Girl Scouts bridge at Camp Coleman For 85 years, the Girl Scout council has partnered with communities across the state to provide outdoor education programs at Camp Coleman for thousands of campers every year. Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama remains steadfastly committed to providing this important service to the community.

On May 11, 2007, county bridge inspectors closed the wooden bridge at our main entrance- and the only way to access our property at the time- citing structural concerns. The bridge has now been closed for almost 3 years. At this time, the ONLY access to Camp Coleman is by a provisional easement granted temporarily by the City of Trussville. The closing of the bridge has significantly impacted the Girl Scouts’ ability to provide quality services to girls and their families.

Prior to the closing of the bridge in 2007, Camp Coleman routinely provided outdoor program opportunities to over 15,000 visitors per year. After the bridge was closed, some programs were eliminated and the capacity of others reduced in order to maintain safe conditions for participants. In spite of these challenges, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama remains committed to providing quality outdoor experiences at Camp Coleman.

Replacement of the main entrance bridge with a new, safe structure will: 1) ensure that Girl Scouts are able to continue to offer these important services to the community 2) benefit thousands of children being served at Camp Coleman 3) restore access to adequately support the high-volume traffic of vehicles passing through year-round without impacting the activities

Time is of the essence, as Girl Scouts is in the process of planning Camp Coleman’s 85th anniversary, October 9, 2010. The future of the services being offered at Camp Coleman depend upon the security and proper access provided through the replacement of the bridge. Thank you!! If you have any questions about issues resulting from closure of the bridge, please call Laura Elliott, Camp Coleman’s onsite Director, at (205) 655-3782 or [email protected]