Family Ties: Chester and Read Families Keep Girl Scouting Strong Through the Generations

The Chester and Read families represent one of the strongest examples of the Girl Scout legacy. In 1921, Alice Chester organized the first Girl Scout council in Milwaukee. Her daughter, the late Marion Chester Read, and granddaughter, Alice Read, provided strong leadership to Girl Scouts on local, national, and international levels. Alice Read served as her daughter’s troop leader, and she now eagerly awaits the day when her three-year-old granddaughter - the family’s fifth generation in Girl Scouts - can join as a Daisy.

“Girl Scouts has enriched our family’s lives in so many ways, from the people we have met and the experience itself,” Alice Read said. “Individually, it helps girls learn to be strong.”

Two aspects of Girl Scouting have been embraced by the family through the generations: a love of the outdoors and a commitment to help others in need. Alice Chester so loved the outdoors that in 1924 she used birthday money given to her by her father to help purchase the beautiful property that is now known as Camp Alice Chester, a property that has been enjoyed by thousands of Girl Scouts through the years.

The family’s commitment to service has resulted in significant volunteer and financial support to grow and develop Outreach Girl Scout troops, making Girl Scouts accessible to more girls. In addition to laying a strong foundation, valued partners, like the Chester and Read families, continue to make it possible for Girl Scouts to turn their dreams into realities through Girl Scouting.

Thanks to the generosity of the Chester and Read families, thousands of Girl Scouts have enjoyed Camp Alice Chester through the years.