In the beginning...September 1963

Prior to the formation of Peacepipe Girl Scout Council, Mr. Ralph Gunn of Redwood Falls served as president of the Southwest Minnesota Council Organization Committee. Members of several small councils and lone troops began meetings to discuss the formation of a new council. The registered membership in 1963 was 3,624 girls.

The following councils were listed:  Litchfield (53), Peacepipe (950), Red Rock (945), and Blue Earth (945)

The following lone troops were listed:  Canby (107), Clinton (46), Dassel (16), Dawson (55), Gaylord (34), Hutchinson (239), Madison (95), Minneota (34), and Ortonville (89)

Mr. Homer Steeg was elected president of Peacepipe Girl Scout Council on April 28, 1964. The Council Board agreed to meet in January, April, August and October. The newsletter, the Piper, was to be mailed out 10 times during the year. Mr. Tom Jones was hired as the first Executive Director. The Council Board established a Program Services Committee and appointed Mrs. Laurie Robertson as Chair. The Personnel Committee was established and required a two hour orientation for the Board, and two consecutive five hour days of training for leaders. Five names were considered for the Council: Hiawatha, Siouxland, Arrow, Peacepipe, and Southwest Minnesota.  Mr. Robert Pflueger of Ortonville was named the Council Attorney. The first Annual Meeting was held on October 27, 1964, at First English Lutheran in Redwood Falls. The GSUSA registration was $1.00 per member in 1964. Mr. Tom Jones resigned on August 31, 1965.

The membership in March of 1965 was 3,309 girls and 625 adults. This included 1,190 Brownie Girl Scouts, 1,439 Junior Girl Scouts, 477 Cadettes, and 203 Seniors. 43 towns were organized, and three Area Associations were operating. On December 31, 1965, the cash on hand was $9,794. On January 25, 1966, Laurie Robertson left her position as volunteer Field Vice President to become a Field Director. Cash on hand in March, 1966, was $19,300. 1966 Established Camp records showed 299 girls participating. 50,000 boxes of cookies were sold by girls in 1966. Board meetings were held at various places throughout the Council. On January 1, 1967, Laurie Robertson was hired as Executive Director. Membership in March, 1967, was 3,639 girls and 859 adults. Twenty day camps were held in 1967.

In 1968, two Field Directors were hired to serve the volunteers. On October 22, 1968, the West Central Girl Scout Council, including the counties of Kandiyohi, Swift, Renville, and Chippewa, joined Peacepipe Girl Scout Council. The Board of Directors established four committees: Finance, Personnel, Public Relations and Program. The Council budget was at $43,000 in 1968. The GSUSA National Convention Delegates were Mrs. Edward Peterson, Mr. Homer Steeg and Mrs. Max McLaughlin.

In 1979, Peacepipe Girl Scout Council registered 6,734 girls and 1,469 adults. 2,476 girls went to day camp and 837 went to troop camp. In 1971, the GSUSA membership dues increased to $2.00, the first increase in dues in 20 years.

In 1972, Mrs. Jo Thompson of Spicer became President of the Council. Laurie Robertson, Executive Director, resigned on March 4, 1975. Leslie Drake was appointed Executive Director on September 23, 1975. The price of the cookies in 1975 was $1.75.

Mr. Elden LeBert of New Ulm was elected President in 1975. The Board of Directors adopted the Service Program Support System on April 27, 1976. On June 1, 1976, the Council purchased an office building at 611 S. Halvorson in Redwood Falls. In April, 1977, the Council returned a piece of land near Fairmont to the county. Maryanne Danforth was hired as Executive Director on May 17, 1977.

Mrs. Edna Warren of Windom served as President from 1977-78.

Mrs. Betty Lowther of Willmar served as President from 1978-1982. Day camp subsidies were established in February, 1979. In March of 1979, the main lodge at Camp Sanderson fell down under the weight of the snow. The Council changed their cookie supplier from ABC to Little Brownie Bakers in 1979. The cookie sale price in 1979 was $1.50, with 21 cents as troop profit. In September of 1979, Mr. Richard Engan was hired as an architect for the building at Camp Sanderson. In 1980, the Council became a member of the statewide Joint Council Legislative Committee.

Mrs. Eleanore Halverson of Madelia served as President from 1982-1988. In July of 1984, the Juliette Low Society was created to establish an endowment for the Council. The Honor Troop program was established in 1984. The first clivus multrum was built at Camp Sanderson in 1985. Maryanne Danforth, Executive Director, resigned in April 1986. Sharon Gordon (now Hollatz) was hired as Executive Director in May, 1986. In March, 1986, the Council purchased the building on Hwys #19 and #71 East at a cost of $110,000. On November 29, 1986, the Council sold the former office building for $11,500.

Mrs. Bonnie Elfering, Bird Island, served as President of the Council from 1989-1994. In February of 1989, the Council paid $10,000 to reduce the mortgage on the Council Service Building. In 1989, the Girl Scout nut sale was established. A security system was added to Camp Sanderson in November, 1989. The price of cookies for 1990 was $2.00 per box. In November, 1990, the building at Camp Sanderson was named the Ande Warren Center. In 1991, the roof on the Council Service Center was replaced.

In 1991, a renovation of the kitchen at Camp Sanderson was completed. A toll-free number for the Council was established in 1991. The price of cookies was raised from $2.00 to $2.25 in 1992.

In 1993, 17 new tent cabins were built at Camp Sanderson. In June 1993, the Board approved a motion that each troop should have a least one registered leader at Basic Leader Training within the first year a assuming the position. In September of 1993, the price of the cookies was raised from $2.25 to $2.50. Troop profit was at 38 cents.

Mrs. Karen Brinkman, Windom, was elected President in 1994. A new subsidy program for day camp was established in June, 1995. The Council's By-laws were revised in September, 1996. A Facilities Committee was appointed in September, 1996, to study the space needs of the Council staff and volunteers. The Service Unit Program Support Subsidy process was revised in 1997. The GSUSA dues increased to $7.00 per member for the 1997-1998 membership year. 

In September 2000, the Girl Scouts Redwood Falls Service Center Board of Directors purchased the Food Gallery Building in Redwood Falls and began renovation in January 2001. The building was completed in September 2001. A new science center was created within the headquarters. Girl Scouts Redwood Falls Service Center launched a capital campaign to raise $340,000 for the building renovation. Science programs are offered throughout the year for all Girl Scouts. Girl Scouts Redwood Falls Service Center has satellite offices in Mankato and Camp Sanderson. Girl Scout summer swim teams have been conducted in 24 towns for the past six years. 400 girls participate in these teams every summer.