The STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Whispering Cedars

At the STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Whispering Cedars, Girl Scouts develops both hard and soft skills critical for STEM, college, and career readiness. The STEM ecosystem that has developed around our first-of-its-kind STEM Center of Excellence includes corporations, universities and other non-profit organizations. These groups are passionate about builing the workforce pipeline in North Texas, in STEM Careers, or wheverver a girl's confidence can take her.

Girl Scouts are the next generation of scientists, engineeres, innovators and leaders who will break the glass ceiling and soar beyond.

On its 92-acre campus near Downtown Dallas, The STEM Center of Excellence provides girls year-round opportunities in robotics, computer coding, botany, chemistry, the science of music and more through field trips, council-led workshops, DIY activities, Resident Camps, STEM Center day camps, and weekend programs.

Click here to find summer camp experiences at Camp Whispering Cedars, home of the STEM Center.

Our Impact

We are changing the workforce pipeline in STEM to meet the urgent need for female voices, engagement and leadership in the fastets growing sector of the U.S. economy. Girl Scouts is cultivating STEM by:

Exposing young women to educational and professional opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and math
Broadening her world-view of what is possible for her future
Developing her confidence and addressing gender parity in STEM careers

Photos of the Camp Property
Workshops and Events
Field Trips
Resources for Educators

History of Camp Whispering Cedars and the STEM Center of Excellence

Girl Scouts began in Dallas in 1920 with two troops of girls. Girl Scouts of the USA chartered the Dallas Council in 1924. In the same year, Ms. R.M. Hammond donated 20 acres of land and Mr. Alex Sanger donated 13 acres of land to form a camp for girls in southwest Dallas.

1926: The Kiwanis Club built a lodge and bath house on the camp property and the property was named Camp Kiwanis.

1927: The Kiwanis Club built the first pool and first version of Tanglewood cabins on the camp property.

1930: The Dallas Girl Scouts bought an additional 13 acres of property at the camp, bringing the total acreage, including some leased acres from the Dallas Community Chest, to 53.

1950: The site was renamed Camp Whispering Cedars.

1954: Tents were replaced with cabins for Cedar Lodge and Glen Oaks. Tanglewood cabins were replaced.

1963: The Dallas Council and the Chisholm Trail Council merged to form the Tejas Council.

1975: Camp Whispering Cedars was refurbished.

1991: Tejas Lodge was rebuilt after the building was destroyed by a fire in 1988.

2007: Tejas Council, Cross Timbers Council and Red River Council merged to become Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas (GSNETX).

2015: Construction began on The STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Whispering Cedars

2018: Grand Opening of The STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Whispering Cedars

History of Camp Whispering Cedars/STEM Center in Photos toggle arrow

Girl Scouts meeting together outdoors in 1930

1930 - Girl Scouts meeting together outdoors

1954 - Girl Scouts tidying the front stoop of their cabin

Girl Scouts toasting marshmallows at a campfire in 1963

1963 - Girl Scouts toasting marshmallows at a campfire

1970s - Girl Scouts at flag ceremony

1970s - Girl Scouts clearing a trail

Girl Scouts gather for flag ceremony in 1991

1991 - Girl Scouts gather for flag ceremony

GSNETX leaderships breaks ground for the STEM Center of Excellence in 2015

2015 - GSNETX leaderships breaks ground for the STEM Center of Excellence

More About The STEM Center toggle arrow

The Case for STEM toggle arrow

Imagine her taking on some of the biggest challenges and problems our planet faces—and helping solve them. Or having a career that’s engaging and well paid. Imagine her teaming up with others to invent the future. That future can be a reality, thanks to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Research shows that girls are keenly interested in STEM and excel at it. Yet, for a variety of reasons, girls often don’t pursue STEM—starting as early as elementary school. The proof is in the numbers, and when they graduate from school, the numbers are even more telling. But we can change that! Let your girl see that STEM can help her make the world a better place!

To put it simply, there aren’t enough women in STEM despite the fact that STEM careers are the fastest growing sector of the U.S. economy, and often the highest paying opportunities.

To be competitive in the global market, over the next decade the U.S. will need an astounding 1 million more STEM professionals than it’s on track to produce. Where will they come from? With your help, they’ll come from Girl Scouts! Reports show that STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) occupations are growing at double the rate of other professions, and we’re committed to filling the STEM workforce pipeline.

"At the end of the day, we want to change the workforce pipeline for north Texas. We want more girls to eventually become STEM professionals especially focusing on careers where women are really underrepresented."

- Jennifer Bartkowski, CEO of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas

STEM Center Property Overview toggle arrow

Property Sustainability toggle arrow

The STEM Center of Excellence gives girls the opportunity to explore the sciences and the outdoors in a 21st century living laboratory. We also believe it's important to build facilities that reflect this mission. From the landscaping, to the pool deck, our exterior and interior features keep the sustainability of the earth in mind, as well as the learning experience and building efficiency.

Exterior Sustainability Strategies

High efficiency multi-pane-sealed glass windows are emphasized throughout the facility to provide daylight, natural ventilation in cabin areas and to maximize energy efficiency.
Clerestory windows in the Hoglund Girl Program Center and Crystal Charity Ball Girl Exploration Center provide additional natural daylight to these program facilities.
Solar tubes are incorporated into the Leadership Center and the Butterfly Pavilion to provide and amplify daylight.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels produce electricity on-site at the Crystal Charity Ball Girl Exploration Center.
Solar thermal panels produce hot water for faucets and showers at the Aquatic Center.
Rainwater is collected in barrels above grade for landscape irrigation at the Crystal Charity Ball Girl Exploration Center.
A vegetative roof is installed on the Crystal Charity Ball Girl Exploration Center to showcase sustainable roofing, help the structure blend into the landscape, and provide learning opportunities about environmental stewardship and energy efficiency.
Landscaping materials in the Boone Family Foundation Courtyard are 90 percent Texas native heat-resistant plants representing different natural areas in the state, including deserts, prairies, and grasslands.
Roofing on the Moody Foundation Observation Tower viewing deck and all new buildings is reflective material to keep the building cool in the summer.
Tyvek sealing used minimizes water penetration/damage to all buildings.
The Aquatic Center pool deck consists of a reflective cool deck material that defers heat around the facility.
Key roadways are constructed with recycled gravel and Geogrid to provide sustainable natural support for emergency vehicles and permeable roadway material to maximize drainage and runoff efficiency.

Interior Sustainability Strategies

All lighting at the site is LED, and HVAC units are high SEER-rated to maximize efficiency.
Toilets are dual-flush fixtures. All plumbing on-site is low flow and Water Sense-certified to conserve water.
Interior materials used for paint, coatings, adhesives and sealants have low VOC levels.
Walls, floors and ceilings are insulated with spray foam, foam board and high R value batting insulation to minimize air infiltration, protect plumbing fixtures and maximize energy efficiency.
Recycling bins and dumpsters are provided to minimize waste. All appliances are EnergyStar-rated for high efficiency.
Quick-start, water-heating units are used throughout the camp where feasible for efficient water heating.
Homosote panels are used in the Welcome Center and Girl Program Center to lower sound levels.
A construction waste management plan was required and followed to keep recyclable waste and debris of over 75 percent from landfills.

STEM Seal of Approval Patch Program toggle arrow

We are committed to building girls’ interest, awareness, and competence in STEM. Your girls can join the fun by working on special GSNETX Council STEM patches. The black, center patch, and State Farm patch are free and will be earned after completing the online reporting form. Please allow 2-3 weeks to receive an email about pick-up details.

Seal Requirements
Career Card

Looking to host a STEM event where girls can earn their STEM Seal of Approval patch or have any questions regarding this program? Contact stem@gsnetx.org.

GSNETX will provide handouts at STEM events that explain which portion of the STEM Seal of Approval will be earned.

STEM Advisory Committee toggle arrow

The STEM Advisory Committee is composed of community leaders, educators, STEM professionals, and advocates who are leading the charge
in helping Girl Scouts provide the best STEM experiences for girls across northeast Texas.

Plan your STEM adventure.

Workshops and Events

Pursue Girl Scout "journeys" and badges in cybersecurity, eco-camping, robotics, college prep, space science, and more.

FIND EVENTS

We’re always evaluating—and enhancing—what girls do, how girls connect, and how girls grow as Girl Scouts. We listen to what girls, parents, and volunteers tell us about what they like most, and we take action to keep our program relevant and engaging.

We recently added new journeys and badges in STEM and the outdoors.
Combined with existing STEM and outdoor programs, as well as programming that addresses life skills and entrepreneurship, these new Journeys and badges help girls empower themselves to take the lead like a Girl Scout as they accomplish amazing things.

Select journeys are available for purchase in our shops.

Field Trips

Developed and presented by our expert STEM staff, our co-educational field trips are open to students K-12.

INQUIRE HERE

Through the STEM Center of Excellence, we are changing the workforce pipeline in STEM to meet the urgent need for female voices, engagement, and leadership in the fastest-growing sector of the U.S. economy. By providing a space where students, especially girls, can thrive in an environment rich with various STEM experiences, we are poised to ensure this mission will become a reality. For more information about field trips, costs, and the booking process, please send an email to our team at campwhisperingcedars@gsnetx.org.

Field Trip FAQs toggle arrow

What is the STEM Center? toggle arrow

The STEM Center is a beautiful 92-acre facility located in South Dallas at our Camp Whispering Cedars property. The center has acres of woods and trails as well as climate-controlled cabins and lodges for overnight accommodation, an outdoor pool archery range, zipline, and a number of different indoor and outdoor educational classrooms including MakeHER Space.

What happens on a field trip? toggle arrow

The day starts with an opening ceremony and students are then broken into smaller groups and rotate through a variety of hands-on/minds-on activities, experiments, and outdoor adventures designed around the topic the school has chosen for the field trip. After a break for lunch, students continue through their final rotation and review their experience in a closing ceremony prior to getting on the bus.

Are the field trips TEKS aligned? toggle arrow

Yes, the STEM activities the students participate in during all of the field trips are TEKS aligned to support classroom instruction.

Are boys allowed? toggle arrow

Boys and girls in grades K-12 are welcome to participate in field trips and overnight educational programs. There are separate sleeping areas for boys and girls.

How long is a field trip? toggle arrow

Schools generally arrive between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. and leave around 2 p.m. We will work with your school if you need to adjust your arrival or departure time.

Is lunch included? toggle arrow

No, students and chaperones need to bring a nut-free sack lunch.

What is your cancellation/ rescheduling policy? toggle arrow

Field trips are non-refundable and take place, rain or shine. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, we will work with you to reschedule your visit to an alternate date.

Resources for Educators

More learning. Bright outcomes. Find useful assets for building the women leaders of tomorrow.

RESEARCH

Girl Scouts complements the great work you do at school every day. Our programming introduces and opens girls up to so many things—like science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); entrepreneurship; life skills; financial literacy; and outdoor experiences—that are vital for a successful future and that enable girls to build social and emotional skills; exemplify anti-bullying behavior; and develop confidence, resiliency, and leadership skills.

Have interest or questions? Please send an email to cwc @gsnetx.org.

Resources for Educators toggle arrow

TEKS Alignment for Grades 6-8 toggle arrow

Click here to download information on TEKS alignment for grades 6-8.

National Girl Scout Studies toggle arrow

The Girl Scout Impact Study summarizes findings from a nationally representative sample of Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts, and shows that Girl Scouts are more likely to be prepared for a lifetime of leadership.
How Girl Scout STEM Programs Benefit Girls illustrates the benefits Girl Scouts receive when they participate in STEM programming, particularly in relation to social and emotional effects.
Linking Leadership to Academic Success: The Girl Scout Difference describes the positive correlation between being a Girl Scout and attaining academic success.
Five Ways Girl Scouts Build Girl Leaders In 2016, the Girl Scout Research Institute in collaboration with Tufts University’s Institute for Applied Research in Youth Development revised its outcomes model. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) now focuses on five outcomes, with validated measures that are closely connected to the to the Girl Scout mission and program activities and reflect competencies the youth development field have determined are crucial to helping youth thrive. To learn about the outcomes revision process and why these outcomes matter, download the fact sheets below.

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Girl Scout Research Institute.

Camp Whispering Cedars

Outdoor adventures galore are hers to uncover at Camp Whispering Cedars.