August 29, 2023

The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) will soon be the proud owners of a new STEM Center of Excellence at Camp Ledgewood, thanks to the generous contribution of $500,000 from the FirstEnergy Foundation.

The project, which is set to cost $7 million, will feature an impressive 8,000 square-foot building that will be seamlessly integrated with the 350-acre outdoor camp.

The STEM Center, expected to open in fall 2024, will include an 8,000 square-foot building and will be integrated with the 350-acre outdoor camp. It will house a wet lab; workshop space, including tools needed for prototyping and invention; a tech space; podcast booth; observatory; weather station; and more. Outside, the building will include other experiences, including a meadow with honeybee exhibit, an outdoor pavilion with bat houses, rain garden and an outdoor classroom.

The STEM Center’s primary goal is to inspire young girls to pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while also promoting collaboration with local educators to reach a wider audience of young people.

“Empowering young women through Girl Scouts’ activities paves the way for a diverse and strong future in STEM fields, ensuring local companies like FirstEnergy shine brighter together,” said Lorna Wisham, vice president of corporate affairs and community involvement at FirstEnergy and president of the FirstEnergy Foundation. “The FirstEnergy Foundation’s donation toward a green roof at the STEM Center of Excellence is also a testament to FirstEnergy’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and supporting environmentally conscious projects throughout the communities we serve.”