I just got back from my very first time camping with my Girl Scout troop as a Troop Leader. Although my whole body is sore and I could’ve used about four more hours of sleep this morning, I had a blast!
My girls are Brownies and it was their first time at camp and their first overnight as a troop. It was a pre-programmed event held at a Girl Scout property. We are lucky enough to be a 40-minute drive away from a Girl Scout camp. I am very sad to find out that they have the place for sale and this is the last year they’ll be able to have programming at the camp. Next year we’ll have to drive almost two hours!
We had a great time! The program was designed to give girls a taste of all the sorts of activities that happen at summer camp. Unfortunately, there was a staff problem and the girls couldn’t go swimming or boating. But they did get to try archery (most of them for the first time), crafts, camp games, and letterboxing (kind of a hiking scavenger hunt).
I am so proud of my girls. They really stepped out of their comfort zone and showed me that they can handle a bigger activity like this. They were tough and didn’t complain too much. They didn’t squabble too much. They did their kapers and were helpful in general.
The camp wasn’t what I was expecting. I thought there were going to be a lot more girls there, but being a smaller group felt a little more laid back. It also felt like we could wander around and explore a little more without getting in the way of other troops.
I enjoy the company of my co-leader, which is a good thing! It was fun to hang out with her and I think we work together pretty well.
Overall, I’m so glad we were able to do it. Of course, the girls paid for the entire trip themselves with cookie sales. They even paid for me and their other leader to come. I can’t wait to see what they want to do next summer!
