Sailors and military veterans volunteered to help restore and rebuild Campamento Elisa Colberg, a Girl Scout camp, during Puerto Rico Navy Week, April 9.

About 20 Sailors were the first group to volunteer and help the camp along with non-profit organizations No Barriers and The Mission Continues, whose volunteers consist of military veterans.

The camp suffered severe damage during Hurricane Maria in 2017 and has been unable to operate since. The hurricane affected electrical systems and trails around the camp, and it caused damage to the building and cabins.

“There is a nearby river that flooded the dining room; we lost windows and doors” said Jeanette Cruz, government and community relations coordinator for Caribe Girl Scouts Council. “You couldn’t walk past the area where all the cabins are because it was flooded and covered by fallen trees and plants. It was so sad to see it that way.”

Sailors and veterans painted the cabins inside and out, chopped and carried branches to clear trails and moved furniture.

“It’s an opportunity to re-invest, to continue to serve locally” said Katelyn Sheehan, senior expedition leader for No Barriers. “I think in a lot of ways, we can stand to better our relationship with Puerto Rico and for the military to lead the way in how we build those relationships is really important. This is part of our homeland and we need to protect it and give our local teams the respect, support and acknowledgment that they need.”

About 50 volunteers showed up to help Campamento Elisa Colberg meet its goal to re-open in June.

“We’re blessed that the Navy showed up because we would have gotten a lot less done without them,” said Frankie Perez, platoon leader for Mission Continues. “You put your heart, effort and commitment to a cause helping the ones who need help the most. Especially places like this that teach female youths to be leaders, a better woman, a better mom, a better human being.”

The first group of Girl Scouts in 1952 were daughters of military members stationed in Puerto Rico.

“I feel so pleased and grateful that the Navy is here because we need help,” said Cruz. “It’s touching that somebody wants to help us because this camp is so important to us.”

Navy Weeks focus a variety of outreach assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a week-long series of engagements. During a Navy Week, 75-100 outreach events are coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations in the city.

Puerto Rico is the fifth of 14 Navy Weeks scheduled in 2019.

Join the conversation with our social media: #NavyWeek

Facebook.com/NavyOutreach

Twitter: @NavyOutreach

Instagram: @US_Navy_Outreach