HAMILTON TOWNSHIP - Local Girl Scout leaders Thursday launched a letter-writing campaign to assure parents their daughters will be safe at Camp Butterworth, despite claims of sexual misconduct against a counselor.
The Great Rivers Girl Scout Council is committed to providing "a safe, secure camp environment in which girls can learn and grow," executives wrote in the letter sent to parents of daughters who either have or will attend the camp this summer.
The letters came as the counselor, Namsembiaeli Nduma, left the United States and returned to her native Tanzania, according to her lawyer.
The letter informs parents that several girls "reported to the camp director that they had experienced touching by a camp counselor that made them uncomfortable." Parents also were told the counselor was removed "within minutes of when the incident was reported."
"It lets them know if anyone has questions, they should feel free to call us," Barbara Bonifas, executive director of the council, said in an interview. The council operates the Warren County camp.
Camp Butterworth has been in the media spotlight after police Monday began investigating reports from at least 10 girls that a 19-year-old counselor at the camp fondled them.
Camp directors put the woman, a foreign exchange student from Tanzania, on a bus to New York about an hour before they contacted authorities about the alleged incident. She left the country Wednesday night.
She was hired through California-based Camp Counselors USA, with which the Girl Scouts have contracted for years. The letter to parents says Ms. Nduma returned to New York City at the company's request.
The letter also outlines the training programs and background checks that all counselors go through.
About 75 percent of the girls scheduled to show up for camp Wednesday arrived, said Ms. Bonifas, who spent time at the camp Wednesday and Thursday.
"We want the girls to come to camp and have a good time," she said. "We are trying to make sure children are getting the experience they thought they would."
Also on Thursday:
- Warren County Prosecutor Tim Oliver said the county's investigation continued. He said that it will take "some time" for authorities to investigate and determine whether to file charges - either against Ms. Nduma or the Scouts council. He did not offer a timetable.
"We're trying to start the investigation from ground zero at this point," he said.
- A New York City lawyer for the former counselor said the woman did not touch the girls inappropriately. Ms. Nduma was "was baffled and doesn't understand why this happened," lawyer Susan Necheles said.
- Phone calls to the Great Rivers Girl Scout Council died down, Ms. Bonifas said. After numerous phone calls Wednesday - many were parents asking if the camp was still open - the council Thursday received about 15 calls.
"Every call that came in was returned," she said.
Council staff members called the parents of the 24 girls the counselor was responsible for and offered free counseling to them and their daughters.
"Parents have been supportive," Ms. Bonifas said.
SCOUT LEADERS' POOR REACTION NO GOOD DEED Cliff Radel column
Previous stories
COUNSELOR RETURNING TO TANZANIA July 17, 1997
CAMP AIDE SUSPECTED OF ABUSE July 16, 1997
