Girl Scouts offer camps with group activities

As the middle of summer nears, Girl Scouts summer camp programs are still open for registration.

As the middle of summer nears and students start running out of things to do, it’s time to explore group activities for them to get involved in. While many summer camps are closed for registration, Girl Scouts summer camp programs are open for registration.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania offers three day camps and four resident camps with hundreds of options to suit every girl, whether involved in Girl Scouts or not, from the high-adventure explorer to the budding engineer. Each camp registration remains open until the week before the start of the specific program giving parents and children time to decide which camp is best for them.

Day camps are the best introduction to camp. Girls are able to experience the fun of camp during the day with the comfort of home at night. Camp Valley Forge is an ACA-accredited day camp with a focus on creativity, located just outside the National Historical Park. At Camp Valley Forge, girls from every age group test their bravery and take to the stage, get crafty in the art center or challenge themselves at the low-ropes course.

Resident camps are open to all ages and span from one weekend to two-week sessions. Girls are fully immersed into Girl Scout ac-

tivities, adventure and challenges. Just outside Philadelphia, Camp Shelly Ridge specializes in small age-specific single-themed sessions, ideal for both the first-time resident camper and those looking for a week with a more focused theme. At Camp Shelly Ridge, campers can learn to take risks on the high and low ropes courses, master their aim at archery and reach the summit of the brand new climbing wall.

While the two camps closest to Chester County are Camp Valley Forge and Camp Shelly Ridge, all seven camp locations are open for registration, and with financial aid, extended care and bussing, camp is accessible for every girl.

Outdoor adventure is a fundamental part of the Girl Scout experience. According to the Girl Scout Research Institute, nearly 100 percent of Girl Scouts participate in at least one outdoor activity, and more than half participate in high-adventure experiences like canoeing, archery, and ropes courses. Additionally, 50 percent of

girls said that Girl Scouts provided them with opportunities to experience the outdoors in ways they could not have otherwise.

Not only is Girl Scout camp important to get girls outdoors, it’s an essential leadership experience. A core mission of Girl Scouts is to help create the community’s future leaders. The leadership element of Girl Scouts camp is unparalleled anywhere else. The Girl Scout Leadership Experience offers age-appropriate activities that are girlled, cooperative and hands on, preparing girls to take on challenges big and small. Girls are also given the opportunities to become Counselors in Training (CITs) and grow into counselors, so older girls have the opportunity to begin to mentor

and lead younger girls.

The inclusive, girl-led, allfemale environment of Girl Scout camp creates a safe space in which girls can try new things, develop a range of skills, and take the lead without distractions of pressures that can be found in a coed environment. Research through the Girl Scout Research Institute shows that girls learn best in an allgirl, girl-led environment in which their specific needs are addressed and met. With over 100 years of experience growing courageous and strong girls, Girl Scout camp is the premier program for reaching those needs.

For more information about camps and registration, visit http://www.gsep. org/en/camp/summer-camp. html or email Maureen Maier at mmaier@gsep.org.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Trusting fellow Girl Scouts at summer camp.