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Camp-Out Turned-In
Camp-Out Turned-In
June 25, 2023
HARRISON—When rainy weather and chilly temps rolled in just before Troop 1312’s planned camp-out, they didn’t let it stop them. In true Girl Scout fashion—and with a few tweaks here and there—the camp-out became a camp-in.
Thanks to Harrison Elementary, the troop was able to hold their camping adventure in the school gym with all the same fun activities, and none of the rain (or bugs)! Throughout the evening, the girls roasted marshmallows, tie-dyed T-shirts, created flower crowns, walked along “trails,” made pizzas, and set up their tents just as they planned to.
“Most everything was pretty easy to modify, except for the campfire. Since we obviously couldn’t have a fire in a school, I made a fake one out of paper towel rolls, construction paper, and tea lights so we could still sing songs around a campfire,” says Troop 1312 Leader Stefanie Freeman.
At the end of the camp-in, the troop also put on a bridging ceremony where seven Girl Scouts became Brownies and seven more moved up to become Juniors.
“I still remember my bridging ceremonies when I was a Girl Scout. Watching my daughter bridge to Brownies brought everything full circle for me and it was kind of amazing,” says Stefanie, who’s very own mother led her Girl Scout troop back in the day.
Overall, the girls had a blast and with the rainy summer well underway, Stefanie recommends camping inside as an awesome alternative to poor weather for any troop interested in a night of fun!
“When we went around the campfire and asked what everyone’s favorite part of the year was, at least half of the girls said this camp. So, despite the leaders feeling a bit stressed and overwhelmed at the changed plans, it was worth it knowing they had a great time,” says Stefanie.
