May 22, 2025

Whispers of the forest meet the hum of innovation in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, as a new chapter unfolds at Camp Ledgewood’s Daley Family Campus for STEM Innovation.

The Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (GSNEO) recently opened the Vivian von Gruenigen, MD STEM Center of Excellence at the camp in Peninsula, Ohio, inviting young visionaries to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The facility beautifully integrates the natural world with cutting-edge technology. Outside, a meadow with a honeybee exhibit buzzes with life, while an outdoor pavilion with bat houses and a rain garden offers a serene setting for learning.

The FirstEnergy Foundation played a pivotal role in bringing the dream to life with a $500,000 grant to fund the building’s green roof. The state-of-the-art roof not only makes the building more energy efficient but also serves as an educational platform for wind and solar energy alternatives.

“The roof has innovative features, like the ability to catch rainwater, and enables young women to explore unique educational opportunities,” said Torrence Hinton, President Ohio. “The FirstEnergy Foundation’s contribution to this project reflects the company’s commitment to supporting environmentally conscious projects to strengthen the communities we serve.”