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Girl Scouts Soar to New Heights with ADA Accessible Zipline
Fort Collins troop fundraised to help build zipline in memory of troop member Taite Pugh
Girl Scouts of Colorado is excited to announce the opening of a new ADA accessible zipline at the Meadow Mountain Ranch camp property in Allenspark, near Rocky Mountain National Park. The inspiration behind this zipline stems back 13 years ago when a Northern Colorado Girl Scout troop took a group trip to Costa Rica.
The Girls Experiencing Camping, Canoeing, and Cycling Outdoors (GECCCO) are a Northern Colorado-based Girl Scout troop that focuses on outdoor adventures. One of the troop members was Taite Pugh. Taite experienced seizures and other physical disabilities from a young age. But she didn’t let that stand in her way of living life to the fullest. The summer of 2007, the GECCCO troop took a trip to Costa Rica with their earned troop funds. Taite’s favorite part of the trip was flying down the zipline.
Taite passed away in December of 2011. The GECCCOs wanted to find a special way to honor Taite’s memory. Former GECCCO Troop Leader Jean Beucler says, “When Girl Scouts of Colorado came to us with a list of ideas, we knew right away that a zipline would be the perfect way to honor Taite’s legacy.”
The GECCCO troop was very inspired to raise the funds for the future zipline. The troop hosted “Give Me 5” fundraisers where 5% of any money earned by the troop during Fall Product Program and Girl Scout Cookie Program was designated for the Zipline for Taite fund. They also hosted fundraisers specifically for the zipline, as well as received matching gifts, local grants, and individual donations.
After more than a decade of working toward their goal, the time has finally come for the opening of the zipline. On Tuesday, June 18, from 9 a.m. to noon, Girl Scouts will get to soar down the new ADA accessible zipline for the very first time. Girl Scouts will get to climb or ascend over 40 feet in the air to a platform, then ready themselves for a 1200 foot zipline experience over an aspen meadow, with views of Mount Meeker in the background.
Taite’s mom, Cheryl McDonald-Pugh, says, “It brings tears to my eyes to know that Taite’s zipline will be an integral part of activities for future Girl Scouts of all abilities up at Meadow Mountain Ranch. My hope is for people to remember Taite’s spirit for adventure and the positive effect she had on so many others.”
Troops can visit www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/properties to learn more about making a reservation at Meadow Mountain Ranch and look for the opportunity to add the zipline to their property stay through the activity request form in the near future.
June 11, 2024
