What is SoCA?

Learn more about Supporters of Camp Archbald, our history, and what we do.

Our Mission & Vision.

Supporters of Camp Archbald (SoCA) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that future Girl Scouts, along with alumni, supporters, families and the surrounding community, have access to the amazing opportunities and resources that camp has to offer. We exist to ensure that Camp Archbald remains the beautiful and historic property it is today.

SoCA started through grassroots efforts when news spread in January 2018 that there was a possible sale of Camp Archbald. Since then, SoCA has worked with Girl Scouts to ensure the future success of the camp and build programs to support Scouts. Now, the two organizations are strong collaborators, aligned by a common mission — promoting Girl Scouting in Northeast PA.

Read about it.

Our 2023 Annual Report is out now, read it to learn more about our work this past year.

Our Goals.

  • To collaborate with Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA (GSHPA) and Girl Scout members on matters related to Camp Archbald.

  • To encourage, promote, and provide increased quality programming at the camp.

  • To conserve and maintain Camp Archbald's property for continued and future Girl Scout use.

  • To help maintain camp facilities and buildings.

  • To reach out to alumni and Scouts for assistance in supporting Camp Archbald.

A wooded autumn landscape featuring a gravel path leading to a small brown house surrounded by trees with colorful fall foliage in yellow, orange, and green hues.
A group of children and a camp counselor sitting and standing around a campfire in a wooded area during the daytime, with a tent in the background.
A small brown wooden shed elevated on concrete blocks surrounded by green trees in a forest.
A group of people hiking through a fall forest scene with colorful autumn leaves, rocks, and trees.

Our Vision.

  • A world in which all Girl Scouts have equal access to outdoor education opportunities and programming.

  • A strong alumni base of Camp Archbald supporters and volunteers — aligned on a common mission.

  • A future in which Camp Archbald is preserved as the beautiful and historic property it is today, and can continue to be used for generations to come.

Meet the Board

  • Black and white photo of a woman with wavy hair, glasses, and a big smile showing her teeth.

    President

    Jamie Puchalski

  • A woman smiling outdoors with trees in the background.

    Vice President

    Pat Acker

  • Close-up black and white photo of a smiling woman wearing glasses near a body of water, with a dock and boats in the background.

    Secretary

    Kate Crowley

  • A black and white photo of a woman with straight, shoulder-length hair, wearing a checkered shirt, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.

    Treasurer

    Ann Biernacki

  • A woman in Girl Scouts uniform smiling in front of a stone wall and metal fence.

    Member at Large

    Holly Legate

  • Black and white photo of a smiling woman with dark hair, glasses, and earrings, standing in front of tree branches and leaves.

    Member at Large

    Eileen Head

  • Black and white portrait of a smiling woman with her hand resting on her neck, wearing earrings, a ring, and a bracelet, with a blurry window in the background.

    Member at Large

    Emily Loder

  • Black and white close-up of a smiling person with short hair, pierced lip, and earrings, looking directly at the camera.

    Member at Large

    Veronica Head

  • Black and white photo of a middle-aged man with glasses, a beard, and mustache, wearing a collared shirt and tie.

    Member at Large

    Merritt Pedrick

  • Young woman with long, curly hair smiling at the beach in black and white.

    Member at Large

    Amanda Edwards

  • Black and white photograph of a young woman with long wavy hair, smiling and wearing a distressed denim jacket, standing outdoors in front of blossoming trees.

    Member at Large

    Dani DiMemmo

  • An elderly woman with light curly hair and glasses, smiling, standing outdoors next to a brick wall, wearing a polka dot shirt and a black cardigan.

    Member at Large

    Virginia Goodrich

  • Black and white photo of a woman with short, styled hair, smiling at the camera. She is wearing a sleeveless jacket with various pins and patches, standing indoors with a door in the background.

    Member at Large

    Jenn Betts

Our Commitees

  • Marketing and Communications

    Manage and maintain all social media outlets including but not limited to the website, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

    To monitor, record and share important news features about Camp Archbald and SoCA

    To create promotional materials for distribution

    Responsible for drafting communications, official correspondences, and public statements on behalf of SoCA for distribution to the public

    Responsible for the SoCA logo and use of branded materials

    Email

  • Research and History

    To obtain historical information about Camp Archbald, the camp’s connections to the purpose and growth of Girl Scouting, and the overall place of Camp Archbald in the broader history of the Girl Scout camping movement

    Provide support to other committees in obtaining documents that demonstrate the reasons the camp was founded, the aims of the original council, Scranton Pocono Council, in growing and maintaining the property, and the value of preserving that property for future generations of girls

    Create a digital archive preserving copies of documents and photographs that relate to Camp Archbald

    Email

  • Property

    In conjunction with GSHPA, volunteers and contractors, develop a multiyear maintenance plan based on conservation and sustainability principles

    Pursue future conservation easement alternatives

    Work towards the creation of a an adopt a unit maintenance plan

    Work towards the creation of a camp welcoming committee for those who rent camp

    Email

  • Events & Programming

    To maintain the partnership with GSHPA to increase programming held at Camp Archbald

    To create/implement/support any and all programs that will benefit Camp Archbald, including camporees, events, overnights, summer camps, etc.

    To find and manage volunteers for SoCA led programs and events

    Email

  • Membership

    To maintain the membership directory of SoCA

    To assist SoCA by attending events for enrolling new members

    To complete data entry of information gathered at in person events

    Research and secure alumni and former campers

    Help maintain the Facebook group membership list

    Email

  • Fundraising

    To create and execute fundraising plans for the long- and short-term financial goals of SoCA

    To organize and oversee campaigns and solicitations

    To create and maintain fundraising forms and policies

    Help to designate and oversee funds brought in from fundraising events

    Email

  • Resident Camp

    To create and execute all aspects of a two-week resident camp

    Email
A young girl in a blue tank top and denim shorts speaking to another girl with a pink and purple backpack, while four other children sit on a green bench in the background at an outdoor pavilion with trees and parked cars visible.

Interested in joining the board or a committee?

Support Us.

Help support our mission. Become a member of SoCA, volunteer your time, or help us with a donation. Learn more about how you can help advance our mission and support kids in Northeast Pennsylvania.