Another week of Summer Camp Revamp done, and one full of adventure! For Adventure Awaits week, Girl Scouts from Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) sharpened their survival skills, tinkered with their travel plans, and challenged themselves with cool new activities.
These girls are ready to take on anything, from the backyard to around the world! Read on to learn what the Summer Camp Revamp girls got up to last week (and a special Girl Scout Member Moment with some great advice for in-person troop meetings!).
Adventure is Out There!
The girls started their week out by prepping their minds and bodies for the adventures ahead, and after a refreshing yoga and exercise session, practiced some very essential First Aid skills! Check out these Girl Scout’s DIY bandaging— looks effective!
After a crash-course on survival scenarios and quick-time First Aid, the girls delved into a lesson on plant identification and if you’ve ever been camping or on a hike, you’ll know how important it is to know which plants are which! Girl Scout Kristen, who shared the photos above, did a great job of identifying plants she found at her grandma’s house.
It is important to take notes from our animal companions, and to cement the lessons on survival, the girls tested out different wildlife adaptations that help animals in several distinct environments survive and thrive. To do this, the girls became birds for an afternoon, using different “beaks” to test out which is most effective for eating! Girl Scout Julia shared her pictures of the different “bird foods” she had to “eat” with her “beaks!”
The girls finished out the week by participating in our Summer Great Family Camp-In: check out their camping set ups! We hope you had fun!
Thank you to all the girls who shared stories and photos with us this week. It’s clear that Girl Scouts don’t get ready— they stay ready!
Girl Scout Member Moment
For this week’s Girl Scout Member Moment, we’re sharing a story from Girl Scout Junior Troop 60775 from Flossmoor, IL, who are forging ahead and trying out in-person troop meetings since we all sheltered-in-place back in March. Their troop leader, Missie, was kind enough to share her experience and advice for troop leaders and Girl Scouts who may be considering meeting in-person this fall.
The girls have been meeting virtually since March, and this quickly became their “new normal,” everyone in the troop eventually getting used to being on screen. This transition was difficult for them, so the opportunity to meet again in-person was very exciting! The girls met up at their school’s community garden to complete the Gardener Badge, and, even though the meeting looked different than any before, they had a great time!
Missie shared with us some very helpful advice for anyone considering meeting up in-person in the future:
- Only meet in outdoor spaces, and focus on activities that take girls outside, like geocaching or hiking. She says these girls are dedicated— as long as there’s no lightning and thunder, they’ll show up!
- Space out the girls on sit-upons, and make sure everyone wears a mask and has hand sanitizer handy.
- Consider providing the girls with activity kits to make sure no supplies are shared between them.
- Stay updated with your local government’s guidance, check the CDC for pertinent information, and always reiterate safety.
- If you or the girls aren’t ready to meet, there is nothing wrong with that! Keep reaching out to the girls so they know you are present and available. Gauge their comfort levels!
Thanks to Missie and the girls for sharing their story with us! For more information and guidance, check out our updated guidelines for in-person troop meetings, cookie booths, and retail shops.
Join us for Glowing and Growing Week!
Don’t miss out on the last week of Summer Camp Revamp: Glowing and Growing week from August 10-14!
Grow your mind (and maybe even your own garden) for our final week of Summer Camp Revamp! Will it be yoga? Meditation? A gratitude journal? Or maybe some gardening that will help you relax during this glowing week! Come along and find out!
Register for Glowing and Growing week by August 3.
Learn more about Summer Camp Revamp and how you can become a part of the fun!
Share your Story!
Whether you’re meeting in-person to go on a nature walk, or continuing completing badges over Zoom, we want to know! Tell us all about what Girl Scouting looks like to you on social media @GirlScoutsGCNWI or on our website.
Looking for more to do at home? Visit our Girl Scouts from Home page, which is full of resources and activities for girls of all ages.