Camp Girard (Summer 2006) Begins June 26th and IS open to 'the surrounding community'. It's an opportunity for kids to get a taste of what life at Girard College is like. It's "Day Camp" not residential, but it runs from 8am until 530pm. Meals are included, about $80 a week. campgirard@yahoo.com or 215-787-4496 before June 15th.

Admissions to the school are based on "Academic capability" (nothing lower than a "C" for two school years and Income eligible) [Federal Poverty Guidelines] www.girardcollege.com click on admissions or call 215-787-2600 and listen to the prompts for "Admissions" department. admissions@girardcollege.com

Girard is about 83% African American now, and more female than male. The school is addressing "Diversity" and multiculturalism through the Washington DC based National Multicultural Institute www.nmci.org

RELATED ARTICLE: http://www.citypaper.net/articles/2006-04-27/cb3.shtml David Jackson, Class of 2006 (accepted to Dartmouth) David is an African American student and in the National Honor Society. He was also on the staff of the High School Newspaper the Girard News.

BACKGROUND: Stephen Girard's will [...a school for poor, orphaned, white boys] was challenged since the 1930's by Philadelphia attorney William Pace Alexander. In the turbulent '60's and beyond, attorney and later city councilman Cecil B Moore was successful in the courts and Girard's 'complexion' began to change. African American boys were admitted, then, later, others and females. (See the historical plaque outside the gates at Corinthian and College Avenues).

Founder's Day each Spring is an opportunity to see the grounds, and the Girard Collection in Founder's hall. RELATED INFO: http://phillyfuture.org/blog/769

The gymnasium is in the "Armory" building and is a gift of a Girard College alum, as is the soccer field, the broadcast communications center and several other locations inside the wall. www.girardalumni.org is located inside the Cheeseman A Herrick Armory Fieldhouse at the school.

LINK: www.ushistory.org/girard Buy the book The Stone Cocoon by Michael R Dimeo at Amazon.com an interesting read. Not in the "Girardiana" collection.

The Girard JOURNAL is the result of the G-SAP (Girard Student After-school Program) at the school http://GirardJOURNAL.blogspot.com it will be the recognized campus newspaper, on-line for Camp Girard '06 and next year's G-SAP offerings. For now, the internet blogosphere is our only connection to the outside and the surrounding community's only link to the inside--unless you are successful in getting a child admitted. Job openings are few and far between, because no one leaves! It's too good behind the wall to go anywhere else. (Despite certain 'unhappy' folks rumblings and grumbling).

I hope this is enough about Girard College. (I'm not even an alum. I got my position there only this year...from a post on craigslist oddly enough! But, I love the place.) I guess I'm an "Adopted" 'son' of Stephen Girard!?

__________________
LOGAN NEWS GROUP
The Logan TIMES~Independent
"Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one" --H L Mencken
http://www.xanga.com/Mencken
http://www.watchfuleye.com/mencken.html

I hate the historical registrar (I think that is the group) plaque in front of the college. Stephen Girard was the richest American citizen in his time. Part of his will endowed Girard College to take care of orphans and such. A great humanitarian work. Yet, it is remembered, historically, due to a civil rights case in the 60s? It makes it sound more like it was a racist establishment instead fo the charitable foundation it was.

http://www.ushistory.org/more/girard.htm

For this man of greatness, a plaque, in front of one of his greatest gifts to humanity, reads how the civil rights movement overcame and forced in non-white students. A shame that is how an unknowing passerby will know of Stephen Girard.

Yes, let's do give it up. Reducing pressure on the city will not cause it to act more quickly.

"Quickly"? When does Philadelphia or any major metropolitian city work quickly?

What has been the progress thus far? The city's willingness? A time table?

I woud agree to drop it if the issue were on the verge of being resolved with the city, but I don't know how far it has progressed or if it is considered realistic by them or if there is money in their budget.

I think that any pathway to bring about a recreational facility for our kids should not be ignored.

I frankly don't see the harm in discussing this with Girard College.

I'd like to see results sooner than later.

I've never argued that Philadelphia worked quickly. I'm still waiting for big city Philadelphia to get mid-20th century technology we had in the little Illinois corn town where I grew up.

But the failure of the people of Philadelphia to hold the city government accountable for the level of services it provides does not create a responsibility on the part of private organizations like Girard College.

I don't see harm in talking to Girard, unless the neighborhood enters the discussion with the attitude that Girard has some obligation to provide public access.

That set off a chain reaction that also forced the board of the Milton Hershey school to go to court and break his will so that they could retain control of the school instead of some outside party or the gov't from suing and taking over. He started a school because he and his wife could not have children. He wanted sons so he made it specifically for white male orphans (or fatherless) and left ownership of Hershey Foods Corp. to the school.

http://www.mhs-pa.org/

I find it both interesting and telling that we must resort to websites to find out about Girard College.

It is only a few blocks from us, yet it is so insulated and isolated that even we, its neighbors, know so little about it.

I could have done a post to tell you about it, but I figured it was better for you and others to read about it. More empowering.