Joanne E. Nelson
Inducted onto the Wall of Fame on May 20, 2023
Joanne "Jo" Nelson is a force of nature. If she can't "git-r-done" herself, she'll find those who can and support them. She states her personal mission: "to continue to make a difference in our community by doing whatever I can to ensure that people's needs are met."
After earning her Bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport, Jo landed a job at Frewsburg Central School where she taught health and physical education to grades 4 through 12 and ran the inter/intramural programs from 1965 through 1968.
A 1970 Master's degree in Health Education from the University of Buffalo led to a position there as physical education instructor, coach of women's swimming, and coordinator of intercollegiate athletics for women.
Jo stayed at UB from 1970 through 1973, at which time she took a position at the Chautauqua Area Girl Scout Council as Assistant Executive Director / Director of Camping Services. During this time, she earned a second Master's degree - this one in Outdoor Teacher Education from Northern Illinois University.
From 1980 through 1984, Jo was Director of the Chautauqua County Youth Bureau. And from 1984 through 2005, Jo served as Executive Director for the Chautauqua County Blind Association.
Jo may have stopped "working" in 2005, but it is misleading to say she "retired." She has continued to be very active in her community - through her church, by teaching exercise classes, and with the Girl Scouts of Western New York.
Jo set up a fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to help fund maintenance at Horton Hill and Timbercrest. Learn more on our Donate page.
She has been a loyal member of the Friends of Timbercrest since its inception, and used it as inspiration to form the Friends of Horton Hill (FOHH). Through FOHH, she has begun to restore the 49-acre property's trail system and day camp gathering spots. In 2022 Jo served as director for the first Girl Scout Day Camp in the Jamestown area in approximately 15 years. Thank you, Jo, for bringing Day Camp back to our region!
The Friends of Horton Hill honored Jo with the Thanks 2 Badge at their Do It Day on May 13, 2023.
Click an image below to start a slideshow of images of Jo - hard at work and having a blast!
Inducted onto the Wall of Fame on May 20, 2023
Joanne "Jo" Nelson is a force of nature. If she can't "git-r-done" herself, she'll find those who can and support them. She states her personal mission: "to continue to make a difference in our community by doing whatever I can to ensure that people's needs are met."
After earning her Bachelor's degree from SUNY Brockport, Jo landed a job at Frewsburg Central School where she taught health and physical education to grades 4 through 12 and ran the inter/intramural programs from 1965 through 1968.
A 1970 Master's degree in Health Education from the University of Buffalo led to a position there as physical education instructor, coach of women's swimming, and coordinator of intercollegiate athletics for women.
Jo stayed at UB from 1970 through 1973, at which time she took a position at the Chautauqua Area Girl Scout Council as Assistant Executive Director / Director of Camping Services. During this time, she earned a second Master's degree - this one in Outdoor Teacher Education from Northern Illinois University.
From 1980 through 1984, Jo was Director of the Chautauqua County Youth Bureau. And from 1984 through 2005, Jo served as Executive Director for the Chautauqua County Blind Association.
Jo may have stopped "working" in 2005, but it is misleading to say she "retired." She has continued to be very active in her community - through her church, by teaching exercise classes, and with the Girl Scouts of Western New York.
Jo set up a fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation to help fund maintenance at Horton Hill and Timbercrest. Learn more on our Donate page.
She has been a loyal member of the Friends of Timbercrest since its inception, and used it as inspiration to form the Friends of Horton Hill (FOHH). Through FOHH, she has begun to restore the 49-acre property's trail system and day camp gathering spots. In 2022 Jo served as director for the first Girl Scout Day Camp in the Jamestown area in approximately 15 years. Thank you, Jo, for bringing Day Camp back to our region!
The Friends of Horton Hill honored Jo with the Thanks 2 Badge at their Do It Day on May 13, 2023.
Click an image below to start a slideshow of images of Jo - hard at work and having a blast!
A Woman of Distinction!
On April 27, 2023, Jo was honored as one of GSWNY's Women of Distinction. She is pictured here with just part of the Jo Nelson fan club who attended the luncheon and awards ceremony.
Back Row: Diane Powell, Martha Brown-Bashaw, EvaDawn Bashaw, Marlene Norlander, Bonnie Magers, Mary Lou Britton
Standing in Middle Row: Joanne Nelson, Millie Ball, Donna Beal, Pat Kinney
Kneeling: Jennifer Schlick, Paulette Morein, Peg Jungquist, Ro Woodard, Diane Evans
Standing in Middle Row: Joanne Nelson, Millie Ball, Donna Beal, Pat Kinney
Kneeling: Jennifer Schlick, Paulette Morein, Peg Jungquist, Ro Woodard, Diane Evans
After the event, Jo emailed this to those who attended:
I was overwhelmed at how many of my GS and other friends came to this celebration and just want you all to know how much I appreciate your being there! Girl Scouting is very special and the "sisterhood" it creates just cannot be beat. One of the reasons I love going to the FOT weekends is that it is so much fun seeing people I haven't seen in a long time but also, seeing you just simply enjoying each other! Each weekend is like a reunion and it's so much fun watching! Each of you is very special and I consider myself very fortunate to be a part of this wonderful GS community. Thank you for all that you do for Girl Scouting and for being there last Thursday.
With heartfelt thanks,
Jo
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Friends of Timbercrest preserve, enhance, and promote Camp Timbercrest in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Western New York.
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This website is owned and operated by the Friends of Timbercrest (FOT). It is not an official website of GSUSA or GSWNY.
FOT works in partnership with GSWNY to preserve, enhance, and promote Girl Scout Camp Timbercrest so that it may always be a place where girls can connect with nature, try new things, and build confidence & self-reliance.
FOT works in partnership with GSWNY to preserve, enhance, and promote Girl Scout Camp Timbercrest so that it may always be a place where girls can connect with nature, try new things, and build confidence & self-reliance.