Clara Kinsey Interpretive Trail Reopens at
Belmot Preserve and Outdoor Education Center
July, 24 2007

The Girl Scouts of Troop 444 have completed the restoring of the Kinsey Interpretive Trail at Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, Inc. Belmont Preserve and Outdoor Education Center.  Wendy Kinsey-Corning past board member and grand-daughter of Clara Kinsey was present for the ribbon cutting ceremony held on July 24, 2007 to officially reopen the trail. The trail is named in honor of Clara for the more than 37 years of volunteer leadership with Girl Scouts, directing day camps and teaching about plants and birds.

Cindy Carini, Adult Troop Leader and members of  Girl Scout Troop 444 participating in the culmination of a four-year troop community service project  are Arianna Carini active for 13 years and daughter of Cindy and John Carini; Meehan Lenzen active for 12 years and daughter of Peter Lenzen and Kyung-Hee Mun;  Jaleesa Wells  active for 6 years and daughter of John Wells and Thelma Young-Bolden; Jesille Drost active for 5 years and daughter of Susie and Keith Drost;  Morgan McClement active for 13 years and daughter of Deborah and Arthur McClement and Kate Satterfield active for 12 years and daughter of Debbie and Mike Satterfield.

Morgan served as spokeswoman during the ribbon cutting ceremony expressing gratitude to Dale Day, ranger for Belmont Preserve and Outdoor Education Center who taught the troop members skills and safety for use of an electric saw, router, sander and post-hole digger and the cordless screwdriver. Kate reported the troop members found the trail in bad shape with moldy interpretive trail booklets; booklet boxes to be home of spiders and wasp, missing interpretive and directional signs and so began the plan for its renovation. Arianna noted the members reviewed the  Kinsey Interpretative Book designed to be a self-help book when hiking the trail, the new book included pictures of plants and trees and edited  for a third grade Brownie Girl Scout reading level. Jesille’s strongest memory of Girl Scout experience is camping at Belmont Preserve in the Bridge House, learning to cook and work better with people and felt the renovation of Kinsey Interpretive Trail is a way to give back to the Girl Scout council that has helped her build asset character traits.

Wendy Kinsey Corning said she remembers speaking at the original opening ceremony for the Kinsey Interpretative Trail in honor of her grandmother Clara Kinsey. Her fond memories of her grandmother included many hikes, learning about geodes and cracking them open as well as making crustacean jewelry.

Belmont Preserve and Outdoor Education Center located in Brown County and bordering Yellowwood State Forest offers meeting space, camping and nature programs to organizations and businesses in the surrounding area. A special highlight is the partnership program with The Adventure Center team building opportunities through challenge course experiences.  Individuals may also hike the various trails but are required to contact the ranger for safety reasons. Contact Girl Scouts of Tulip Trace Council, Inc. at 812-336-6804 for information regarding programs or rental of Belmont Preserve and Outdoor Education Center.