Tag: Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana

Timeless Trails: A Journey Through Our Former Camps – Part 2

Written by, Rosemarie D Courtney

Since Girl Scouts was founded in 1912, camping has provided campers with memories they carry throughout their lives. 

Today, our council has many opportunities for campers to form their own memories at Camp Butternut Springs, Camp Juniper Knoll, Camp Palos, and Camp Greene Wood.

But did you know that over the years, Girl Scouts have made lasting memories at 97 different camps that were once owned by our council, or by the former councils that existed prior to any mergers?

Keep reading to learn more about one of these beloved camps and the memories created there.

CAMP HAPPY HOLLOW

          

On May 30, 1959, Girl Scouts of Northwest Cook Council purchased 287 acres of land from John Bushman Jr.  It featured gentle rolling hills to steep hills with approximately two-thirds open land the last third wooded land.  Sugar Creek flows along the edge of the property.  The only building on the property was the farmhouse which became the caretaker’s home.  The property was purchased with cookie money.

The name “Happy Hollow” was chosen by Junior Troop 365 from St. Mary’s School in Des Plaines, led by Mrs. Eisenbacher. Shortly after the property was purchased, the troop visited the new camp. During a hike down a ravine, the girls discovered a large hollow log and stopped to rest. Inspired by the joyful experience and the unique setting, they submitted the name “Happy Hollow”, which they believed was a perfect reflection of their adventure and the spirit of the camp.

In 1961, troops were provided with tents, camping equipment, water and sanitary facilities for primitive camping experience. 151 girls and adults enjoyed the experience. By 1967, the camp had expanded to include two platform tent sites and Leffer House, a winterized cabin with a kitchen for meal preparation. The cabin was named in honor of Fred Leffer, Chairman of the Campsite Committee and member of the Board of Directors.

In 1970, two more platform sites were added. Then in 1972, Fox’s Den cabin (named after Anne Fox Blakeman – Board of Directors / Camp Director) was constructed.  With the camp growing the board realized Leffer House needed to be remodeled.  The kitchen was expanded, and two covered decks were added in 1981.  The kitchen expansion and equipment were made possible by the June L Kuehl Memorial fund. June, a dedicated volunteer in the Northwest Cook Council, was instrumental in launching the Council’s cookie sale. Her vision and commitment led to years of successful sales, which helped fund the purchase and development of Happy Hollow. Over the years, several other features were added to the camp, including a bell tower, high ropes course, swimming pool, and archery range. The final major addition came in 2002, when stables were built that gave girls the opportunity to enjoy horseback riding without leaving camp property.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) sold Happy Hollow in 2012.   

Debbie Kidd was a troop leader for two troops and going camping was something both troops enjoyed doing.  Continue reading to learn more about her experience.

Happy Hollow was a favorite camping site for the troops.  It was a distance away from our homes and finding Hollow happy was an adventure all its own.  You see, the camp entrance was located on a highway surrounded by trees so finding the sign before you passed it up was “the adventure”.  At that time the words “Happy Hollow” were simply attached to a wooden post.  Often, we would pass up the sign and then find ourselves in the middle of the country where homes were spread far from each other and all you saw was sky and fields: fields of cows and horses.

On one of the trips we took, there were no gas stations in sight so I pulled our van over, jokingly said to the girls, let’s ask a cow how far we are and if he turns a direction, we will head that way.  Well, a cow turned around, we went that way, ended up at a country ice cream shop and enjoyed ice cream before we found out from the shop owner that we passed up Happy Hollow about five miles back.  The girls loved the adventure of getting to Happy Hollow.

When my troops were Brownie Girl Scouts we would camp in a lodge.  Later, we moved to staying in tents.  Some of the best memories were made while hiking and singing together, spotting wildlife, building campfires at night, and indulging in delicious s’mores and pudgy pies.

One of my troop members, Erica shared with me how much fun she had at Happy Hollow “catching snipes”.  She said that catching snipes were the best and recalled how one of the members of our troop was in tears when she found out they weren’t real.         

Snipes are a playful myth.  The girls are led to believe that snipes are adorable, harmless, furry creatures that love to be cuddled.  According to the joke, snipes supposedly live in the woods, venture out at night, and are notoriously difficult to catch.  “Snipe hunters” go hunting with adults and bring a brown lunch bag, lay it on the ground and make a whistling noise to attract them to the bag.  When the girl thinks she’s caught a snipe, the adult discreetly drops a few pebbles in the bag.  This clever trick creates the illusion that something is moving inside, thrilling the girls into believing they’ve really caught a snipe.  The girls burst with excitement to see their cute little creature they caught squeal with delight.  However, the leaders had put a small hole in the bottom of the bag allowing the pebbles to fall out before the girls reached the table to open their bag and see their snipe.  Their excitement quickly turns to disappointment when they discover there was nothing in the bag.  This goes on until all the girls had a chance to “catch a snipe”.  As each girl “catches a snipe” she tells the other girls that it was cute, but it escaped and couldn’t show them what it looked like.

One girl in my troop was so disappointed that her snipe escaped, asked me if I could tell her mom where she can get one for a pet when she gets home.  Finally, after the girls finished their nighttime snipe hunt, we revealed the surprise: it was a playful prank!  The snipes weren’t real, and the girls erupted into laughter.  The rest of the night was filled with laughter and stories about the elusive snipes.

Erica also shared that she remembers sleeping in her sleeping bag on a mat in the main room of the cabin and making breakfast in the morning. 

Other great memories for the girls were cooking over a fire, preparing and making foiled meals, dutch oven desserts, singing grace before meals, washing their mess kits and hanging them on clothesline to dry in their dunk bag and making unique crafts.  One very special craft that the girls loved was decorating pillowcases.  As a leader, I enjoyed creating crafts that were unique and memorable; something that they would keep forever.  To this day, 30 years later, some of my troop members have shared with me that they still have their pillowcases as it brings back fond memories of the fun times we had.  The girls would put their name at the opening side of the pillowcase, and add their creation using fabric markers, putting Happy Hollow and the date somewhere on the cover, then having each girl sign it.  On each subsequent camping trip, we would bring our special pillowcase and add to it, having the girls sign their names on a section of the cover with the date of our trip.

I remember my daughter, Jennifer, going to Happy Hollow resident camp for the first time.  She went horseback riding, made new friends and loved the time away!  Also, Happy Hollow was the camping site where our service unit went camping. That was a fun trip – as a member of the service team, I chose to teach the girls first aid, and each girl made a small first aid kit. Other stations were run by other service team members or troop leaders teaching outdoor cooking skills or other camp skills.

The GSGCNWI Historians are trying to collect photos and memories of all the 97 camps that were once owned or rented by our council or former councils.  If you have any camp photos or memories you’d like to share, please send them to rdcourtney1940@gmail.com.

Timeless Trails: A Journey Through Our Former Camps – Part 1

Written by, Rosemarie D Courtney

Since Girl Scouts was founded in 1912, camping has provided campers with memories they carry throughout their lives. 

Today, our council has many opportunities for campers to form their own memories at Camp Butternut Springs, Camp Juniper Knoll, Camp Palos, and Camp Greene Wood.

But did you know that over the years, Girl Scouts have made lasting memories at 97 different camps that were once owned by our council, or by the former councils that existed prior to any mergers?

Keep reading to learn more about one of these beloved camps and the memories created there.

CAMP MANISTEE

In August of 1948, South Cook County Council purchased 1,040 acres of land in Manistee National Forest which is located near Whitehall, Michigan. The property was part of the Edward Swett estate, which had been used by Mr. Swett to entertain his hunting and fishing friends. The Council was able to finance the $26,500 purchase price for the property through a fund drive. There were additional fundraisers held to support the camp, one of which allowed the girls to make a 10-cent donation for the “privilege” of embroidering a square for a Camp Manistee quilt.

When Camp Manistee was in operation, it featured a director’s cottage, kitchen and dining hall, infirmary, craft house, shower house, food storehouse, C.I.T. (Counselor-in-Training) house, boathouse, eight platform tent units, and a tent storage area. Initially, the camp could accommodate 140 campers per session, but that number eventually grew to 220. Resident camp sessions lasted two weeks for older Girl Scouts, while Brownies attended one-week sessions.

Trails were carved out from the tent area to a swimming hole, which was formed by diverting water from the north branch of the White River. According to reports, Florence Ann Schlott, the council’s executive director, personally helped shovel three tons of sand to create a beach at the site.

The first camp director, Dr. Martha C. Carr, ensured campers stayed active with swimming, hiking, nature study, outdoor cooking, and even lessons on building traditional Chippewa ovens. Canoeing and boating were camper favorites, with Oxbow Lake offering the perfect setting for paddling adventures throughout the summer. The camp also featured an archery range, adding another fun and engaging activity to the experience.

The summer of 1979 marked the final season of resident camp at Camp Manistee. Rising operational costs and the need for major building renovations led the Board of Directors to make the difficult decision to sell the property. The camp was officially sold in June 1981.

Monica Woolard, a former Camp Manistee camper, shared her memories from her time at camp.

I went to Camp Manistee two summers in a row, 1969 and 1970. It was wonderful. Some of the activities were canoeing, boating, swimming, horseback riding, crafts, hiking – each led by great counselors.

I remember singing before meals, after meals, around the campfire – and everyone, both campers and counselors – got along very well.  It always seemed that the counselors knew just what to do to keep the camp moving smoothly.  Counselors were always around for questions, or just to chat with us. Of course, they had their own stories of when they were our age (although there were a few of them that weren’t that much older than me!).

It was a very organized camp. Charts were used for everything – both for chores by the campers and when events were scheduled.  You always knew what was going on.

I remember receiving care packages from home – and those were always welcome.  There was a store at the camp where we could buy things.  I still have my Camp Manistee jacket – and it still fits!  I have a lot of patches sewn on the jacket that I got from other camps as well as from visits to other states.  Just looking at the jacket brings back warm memories.

What I got the most from Camp Manistee was the feeling of belonging – no one was left out.  I never noticed cliques or groups separate from the rest of us.  Yes – there were a few campers that I got to know better than others – some of that was due to being in the same cabin.

The cabins were great – cots set up for about eight campers – and we got a pad to go under our sleeping bag.  They were very comfortable, and waterproof. 

The activities were so much fun – especially those on the water.  Canoeing was fun – a little scary sometimes – however once you got the hang of it, it was very enjoyable, too.  Horseback riding was interesting – and since this was the first time I’d been on a horse it was a little scary.  Again, the counselors were well versed in helping make us comfortable in an uncomfortable situation – which meant we didn’t go away afraid of any activity.

I believe these types of experiences help you grow, become more confident, get closer to nature, and just enjoy life more.

Self-Expression Through Camp Crafts

Written by Council Historian, Christine Cline

Have you ever noticed that no matter how long you are at camp, there seems to be a craft involved during the time you are there? Well, I did, and it is something that has been going on for as long as I can remember. I decided to put some thought into the reasons for that, and to discuss crafts that were popular fifty years ago when I was a kid at camp.

The first reason crafts are popular at camp is simple: they help pass the time. Crafts are also a great go-to when it is raining, or if the weather gets too hot, or if the campers need some down time.

While I’d love to say that all crafts can be done outdoors, the wind doesn’t always cooperate. Still, many activities can be done outside. Some camps are lucky enough to have a dedicated craft cabin stocked with supplies, which allows for an even wider variety of creative experiences.

So why crafts in the first place? Because we learn so much from them. You might be surprised by how much a simple project can teach you.

Crafts help build:

  • The ability to follow step-by-step directions
  • Dexterity and fine motor skills
  • Patience, especially when you need to redo a step
  • Empathy and leadership by helping others with their projects
  • Self-confidence when you complete something challenging
  • The understanding that you don’t have to be good at everything
  • The courage to try new things
  • Responsibility for cleaning up after yourself
  • A sense of design and color coordination
  • Practical skills by making something useful
  • Camaraderie through shared creative time

Crafts can also reinforce lessons being taught in other areas, and sometimes they can even be life changing.

Craft time is also the best time to talk to friends, make new friends, and just really enjoy yourself.

Crafts will always be a part of camp. Some crafts are still being done today that have been done from many years ago, but many have changed. I decided to look up some old-time craft projects from fifty years ago, and to put them out there for the modern generation.

I thought long and hard about what crafts I remember doing as a child at camp, and asked others which ones they remembered too.

The crafts from my youth were usually simple, because there were few craft items available at the time. Most craft items that were available were made of glue, scissors, glitter, colored paper, and such from the local store. So, the crafts I have chosen are very similar to the ones I did fifty years ago. Take take a look below to see examples of the crafts from my past.

Tissue Paper Flowers

Items Needed:

  • Tissue paper in any color you wish
  • Green pipe cleaner for the stem
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Cut at least six pieces of tissue paper into 4×4 sheets. This makes the simplest flowers.
  2. Fold back and forth.
  3. Fold in half.
  4. At the fold, hook pipe cleaner around center.
  5. Carefully open tissue paper one at a time.

For fancier flowers you can cut tissue into a circle, use fancy scissors to cut the outer edges of the circle, or even cut divots out. This project can be done with recycled tissue paper from gift bags. This project is for ages eight and up. I loved to make these flowers. They are a great craft for Mother’s Day, and if you look online, you can see that they can get quite elaborate.  You can learn to make very creative wall designs with them.

Weaving Paper

Items Needed:

  • Paper
  • Scissors or paper cutter
  • Glue or tape

Choose paper that is a bit thicker and smoother for this project.  Back in the day, we only had thin paper, and it made it more difficult to weave the paper without tearing it.  This project is limited by your imagination. I was amazed when I saw just how creative people were getting with their designs. I noticed some type of paper grabber in the center of the third photograph. This is a very complex and beautiful project, and a definite progression from the above two photos.

Toilet Paper Roll Puppets

Items Needed:

  • Toilet paper rolls
  • Colored paper
  • Googly eyes
  • Feathers
  • Glue
  • Anything else you can think of

There used to be a lot of toilet paper rolls at camp until someone invented enormous rolls.  but at my house we still seem to go through a lot of the stuff and can accumulate plenty of toilet paper rolls for a group to do a project quickly.  This project is limited only by your imagination.  I have a few photos to get you started. I remember doing this with my mom to make Christmas ornaments. The ideas online are so varied, in scope and variety. There are even ideas for making home decoration projects. The pink ones are cell phone holder. I love the variety of ideas shown above, and the stamp for the flower.  Many more can be found online.

Yarn Art

Items Needed:

  • Scraps of yarn
  • Cardboard, could be from cereal boxes or cardboard boxes.
  • Glue, HIGHLY recommend craft glue. But use what you have. 
  • Also, HIGHLY recommend not gluing on the shiny side of any surface.

Picture shown is a guide. Use your imagination. The shown picture is between 4×4 to 6×6 inches large. You do not want to make the pictures too large when you have a finite time for craft class. Start by drawing your idea on a piece of paper. Have fun!

This project is a great way to use up scraps of yarn. Cut the yarn pieces a little longer than needed, then cut the ends after you have glued them on to get a neat, clean edge. Older kids could use a utility knife.

Popsicle Stick Catapult

Items Needed:

  • Eight popsicle sticks or the larger tongue depressor type ones.
  • Three thicker rubber bands.
  • One sturdy plastic spoon
  • Cotton balls, aluminum, or pompoms

Instructions:

  1. Stack seven of the popsicle sticks on top of each other and then put a rubber band around one end until it is tight.
  2. Slip the last stick between the first and second stick in the stack and move it to the center of the stack, then wrap the second rubber band around the end of the stack tightly.(Some people will use another popsicle stick instead of a spoon and glue a bottle cap to it as the launch mechanism.  Plastic spoons do tend to break.  But so do popsicle sticks, which is why some people moved to the larger tongue depressors.)
  3. Secure the plastic spoon to one end of the single popsicle stick with the last rubber band until tight.

Use cotton balls, or other small light balls made of aluminum foil or other items such as pompoms to launch from your catapult.

Set up targets or buckets and make a game of it!

String Art

Items Needed:

  • A piece of wood, or a piece of cardboard
  • String in the colors you have chosen
  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • Template

This project can be very easy to very complicated. The first thing you need to do is to figure out which project you want to do, then get the correct supplies for it.  The easier projects do not need a hammer and nails, and can be done with just cardboard. I remember enjoying this project as a child. Here are several examples of different types of projects.

Bead Doll

Items Needed:

  • Pony beads
  • Any other beads you have
  • Larger wooden bead for head
  • Pipe cleaner to hold beads
  • Yarn
  • Markers

Assemble beads onto the pipe cleaners, one for each side of the body.Get creative and have fun! Name your creations. Great for using up beads. Use this photo as a starting point.

We have made so many things out of beads, but I thought these dolls were so cute and could be used to play with while at camp. Like a camp buddy. It would be something I could see myself keeping for a long time.

Line Art

Items Needed:

  • Paper, white or light colored
  • Crayons, colored pencils, markers, or chalk.
  • Your imagination

This is a project that starts out slow and grows with you. As a child we only did the easy thing.  Just lines around our name, or from corner to corner on a piece of paper.  Now, it has grown to be much more creative and beautiful.  This project is for all ages. You can see the progression from the first line drawing to the second one.  There are many more examples online.

I hope you enjoy them, and I hope you enjoyed this brief history of crafts.

Happy Camping All!

-Christine

Embracing Possibilities and Changing the World: 2025 Gold Award Girl Scouts

This year’s Gold Award Girl Scouts are change-makers, role models, and real-life heroes. To earn the Gold Award, Girl Scouts must invest more than 80 hours of leadership, project management, and service to create a sustainable impact in their communities and beyond.

Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana is proud to recognize the 38 Girl Scouts who earned their Gold Award.

We invite you to celebrate their accomplishments and explore the incredible possibilities they’ve embraced to make our world a better place.

The Lady With the Museum, Nancy Hackett – A Distinctive Volunteer

by Karen Schillings, GCNWI Council Historian

During the third week of April each year, we celebrate National Volunteer Week, so it seems appropriate to highlight one of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana’s exceptional volunteers at this time. If you don’t already know her, I would like to introduce you to Nancy Hackett, someone who has given so much of her life in service to the Girl Scouts.

Nancy became a Girl Scout when in 1945 she joined as a Brownie in Pennsylvania’s legacy Tricounty Council, her mother served as her troop leader. She moved up to be an Intermediate Girl Scout, earned her Curved Bar, the highest award at the time. Nancy then bridged to Senior Girl Scouts, and remained a girl member until her high school graduation.  After graduation, Nancy started her journey as an adult volunteer by helping with a troop for the Tricounty Council. When she went off to college, Nancy continued to work with troops in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. From 1962 to 1980, Nancy lived and worked in Baltimore where she volunteered for legacy Baltimore Council. When she moved to Illinois in 1980, Nancy became part of legacy Trailways Council. As a volunteer for Trailways, Nancy did something out of the ordinary – she started a Girl Scout museum in her home.

Being somewhat of a collector from her early years in Girl Scouts, Nancy began saving Girl Scout calendars, cookie boxes, and the American Girl magazine when she was just a girl. She especially liked the American Girl because of the interesting covers. Then she went to Roundup in 1956 where she collected numerous SWAPS from her sister Girl Scouts from across the country. Subsequently in 1965, she was able to attend Roundup as an adult volunteer, and once again she accumulated a wide variety of SWAPS.  Nancy really enjoyed her Girl Scout collection, so over the years, she kept adding to it. She found herself going to antique shops and malls to purchase any Girl Scout items she could find. 

With her collection continuing to grow, Nancy became really serious about her hobby. She decided to become a Girl Scout Historian. She took several historians’ trainings at Macy Center in New York and also attended workshops that were offered during the various conventions.  At one of the sessions, the trainer was Mary Degenhardt, a co-author of the Girl Scout Collector’s Guide, the quintessential handbook for all Girl Scout memorabilia collectors. Nancy was thoroughly impressed by Degenhardt’s expertise and presentation.

The Edith Macy Center in Westchester County, New York, where trainings for Council Historians are often held.

With her sizeable collection and expansive knowledge of all things Girl Scout, Nancy decided to do something very unique. She let Trailways Council know that she wanted to open her home to troops who wanted to experience Girl Scout history through the memorabilia she had amassed. So in the late 1980’s, her Girl Scout museum became a place for girls to explore the rich history of Girl Scouts. The council promoted the museum in newsletters, and since Nancy was also a trainer, she would share information about the museum at trainings. Because of these efforts, Nancy welcomed anywhere from thirty to forty troops to her home during each school year. They would come after school, in the evenings, and on Saturdays. When the girls arrived, Nancy would be wearing a replica of the first uniform which she had made for herself.  She had a long table permanently set up in her living room where the girls could gather around to view and examine Girl Scout memorabilia as Nancy talked to them about the various items. While some girls were at the table, others would go to the bedroom where Nancy had her collection displayed. The girls could look at all the cases filled with patches, pins, handbooks, camping gear, mugs, dolls, and so much more. Nancy especially enjoyed hearing all the “ohs” and “aahs” as the girls entered the room. She would then start showing the girls uniforms from various eras. It was always quite exciting when one of the leaders or chaperones would say, “That’s the uniform I wore as a girl!” Much to their delight, the girls were also allowed to try on the uniforms. 

A wall in the museum room displaying various insignia and a picture of Juliette Gordon Low.
Shelf in the museum room with assorted dolls displayed.

As a troop would get ready to leave, Nancy would ask them what they liked the best, and the girls would almost always say, “The drawers!” Nancy had a multi-drawer cabinet with items in each drawer. The girls loved pulling out the drawers to see what was in each of them. Nancy even had one drawer dedicated to the Boy Scouts to keep any brothers happy who had come along with their sisters. When Nancy was at various Girl Scout events, girls would recognize her and refer to her as “the lady with the museum.”

The drawers used to hold various Girl Scout items.

It should also be noted that Nancy has a substantial collection of World Association items. She was a member of the International Committee for Our Chalet and became interested in collecting items from WAGGGS countries. If she was visiting such places as Switzerland, England, or Australia, she would find the local Girl Guide office and purchase patches, pins, or anything else that caught her eye.

Nancy holding a vintage WAGGS poster that features Brownie pins and badges from around the world.

After the merge of the seven metro councils in 2008, Nancy’s museum was no longer promoted. However, Nancy continues to serve as a GCNWI Council Historian. She is always willing to create displays for local libraries, World Thinking Day celebrations, or service unit events. She and her sister historian Linda Pote also are responsible for the displays in the cases at the Joliet Gathering Place. Currently, the efforts to present the vast history of Girl Scouts are being done at the History Center which is located in the Vernon Hills Gathering Place. However, any of the historians, including Nancy, are always willing to share their expertise with anyone who asks. 

Current display at the Joliet Gathering Place created by Nancy Hackett and Linda Pote.
Current display at the Joliet Gathering Place created by Nancy Hackett and Linda Pote.

Nancy Hackett is just one example of the many dedicated volunteers whom we salute during National Volunteer Week. Thanks, Nancy, for all that you’ve done for Girl Scouts!

Explore More With Girl Scouts

Looking to try something new, earn a patch, or make memories with your Girl Scout squad? You’ve come to the right place! Each month, we’ll update this blog with all the upcoming experiences and opportunities happening across Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana.

Community & Connection Experiences

Kindness Rocks Service Project 

Pre-order your kits from October 1 – 25, Open to all Girl Scouts and families
  • A fun activity to do with your troop or by yourself to spread kindness in your community! 
Learn More

Fall Reading Challenge

Now – November 1, Open to all Girl Scouts
  • Read at least one book from our reading list, and earn our new reading patch and Fall rocker. The Fall Reading Challenge is open to Girl Scouts from other councils, too!
Learn More

Book Club

October 26, Open to Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts, Virtual
  • Junior Book Blub – “Hummingbird” by Natalie Lloyd
  • Cadette Book Club – “Paola Santiago and the River of Tears” by Tehlor Kay Mejia
Junior
Cadette

Wickedly Creative Pajama Paint Party

October 25, Open to all Girl Scouts, at the Joliet and Vernon Hills Gathering Places
  • Join us for a magical day where Girl Scouts will paint, laugh, and sing along to the music of Wicked 1. Whether you’re inspired by Glinda’s sparkle, Elphaba’s courage, or the bright lights of the Emerald City, your canvas is your stage.
Joliet
Vernon Hills

Outdoor Experiences

Get Outdoors Challenge – Fall

October 19 at Camp Butternut Springs, Open to all Girl Scouts
  • Join us at camp for an exciting Fall Outdoor Challenge designed specifically for your Girl Scout and family! Earn the fall segment of this four-segment patch program by completing exciting challenges that embrace the spirit of fall.
Learn More

Outdoor Leadership Club

October 19 at Camp Butternut Springs, Open to Girl Scouts in grades 6-12
  • Come to Camp Butternut Springs for a day of fun! We will begin by learning about the Get Outdoors Fall Challenge and practice some skills to teach at the afternoon program. You’ll have a chance to get some hands-on leadership experience working with other Girl Scouts and their families.
Learn More

Astronomy Club – National Howl at the Moon Day

October 26 at Camp Greene Wood, Open to all Girl Scouts
  • This month, connect with nature by exercising your wild side! Celebrate National Howl at the Moon Day by taking a night hike prowl. Come with your Girl Scout pack or as a lone wolf.
Learn More

Pumpkin Archery

November 1,7 & 8, for Girl Scouts in grades 4-12 and adults, at Camp Butternut Springs and Camp Greene Wood
  • During this pumpkin-themed archery clinic, participants will learn the basics of holding and shooting a bow and arrow at fun, pumpkin-inspired, decor. Be an eco advocate and bring your leftover pumpkin(s) to compost at camp for some extra bonus points.

Camp Butternut Springs

November 1
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
11:00 – 12:30 p.m.
November 7
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
November 8
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
11:00 – 12:30 p.m.

Camp Greene Wood

November 1
9:00 -10:30 a.m.
11:00 – 12:30 p.m.
November 7
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
November 8
9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
11:00 – 12:30 p.m.

Pumpkin Smash & Fall Fest

November 8 and 9, open to all Girl Scouts and families, at Camp Greene Wood
Pumpkin Smash Only
  • It’s that time of year again where Girl Scouts far and wide gather to have a SMASHING good time!
Nov. 8
Nov. 9
Pumpkin Smash & Fall Fest
  • Bring your old pumpkins to compost…and SMASH! Keep the fun going by attending our fun Fall Fest either before or after you smash your pumpkin! Participate in various activities that include making a themed craft, adventuring through the forest, playing games, and enjoying a snack around the campfire’s glow.
Nov. 8
Nov. 9

Hike & History at Isle a la Cache

November 16, Open to all Girl Scouts and families
  • Embrace the great outdoors and enjoy the benefits of hiking with your Girl Scout friends. This month we will be hiking at Isle a la Cache. Step into the past and hike island trails surrounded by water, wildlife, and rich 18th-century fur trade history.
Learn More

Outdoor Leadership Club Weekend

November 14 – 16, Open to Girl Scouts in grades 6-12, at Camp Palos
  • Spend the weekend at Camp Palos with Outdoor Leadership Club! We will have plenty of fun camp activities, outdoor cooking, and teambuilding. Celebrate Camp T-Shirt Day by leading other Girl Scouts in creating their own tie dye shirt.
Learn More

Tees, Trees, and Camp Memories

November 15 – 16, Open to Girl Scouts in grades 4-12, at Camp Palos
  • Whether your camp shirt is brand new or lovingly broken in, this overnight is all about celebrating the traditions, skills, and friendships that make Girl Scout camp unforgettable. Make sure to bring your favorite camp/Girl Scout tee to wear and a plain white one to tie-dye—this weekend is going to be tee-rific! You’ll also get the chance to help our camp directors brainstorm designs for our summer 2026 summer camp t-shirt and patch!
Learn More

Science, Creativity, & Discovery Experiences

Ooey Gooey Science

October 11, For Grades K-5, At the Greene Wood and Schererville Gathering Places
  • Explore chemical reactions, make messy paintings, and create ooey gooey slime.
Greene Wood
Schererville

Leadership and Highest Awards Experiences

Lead with Confidence – Exploring the WAGGGS Leadership Model

October 18, Open to all Girl Scouts in grades 4-8, at the Lincoln Belmont
  • Get ready for an exciting adventure as we learn about the WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) Leadership Model! This session is all about exploring leadership as a shared journey, where each of you has the power to create positive change in your life and the world around you.
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Silver Award Workshop

October 23, Open to all Girl Scouts in grades 6-8 and families, Virtual
  • Want to tackle an issue important to you and your community while engaging in one of the oldest Girl Scout traditions? You’re ready to take the first step on your Highest Awards path! Join us for our Silver Award Workshop where leaders and Girl Scouts can learn all about what the Highest Awards can do for you.
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Travel Experiences

Travel Smart

November 7, Open to all Girl Scouts in grades 6-12, at the Schererville Gathering Place
  • Through fun, interactive activities, Girl Scouts will explore how to choose a destination, pack efficiently, and prepare for a trip.
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Adventure City

November 8, Open to all Girl Scouts in grades K-5, at the Schererville Gathering Place
  •  Come join the fun as we imagine, create and explore in this hands-on adventure! Girl Scouts will learn to plan for a trip, design a city, create a map and build a sculpture!​
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Find Girl Scout Cookies on April 2 in the Chicago Loop

Hey cookie lovers—this is your final chance to grab your favorite Girl Scout Cookies at a booth and support local Girl Scouts from Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana!

If you’re heading through the Chicago Loop, don’t miss the opportunity to stock up—especially on Girl Scout S’mores, which are retiring after this season.

Check out the graphic below to see which buildings are hosting cookie booths. Stop by, snack happy, and support the next generation of go-getters!

Can’t make it to the Loop? You’re in luck! Girl Scouts can still sell cookies for direct shipping until May 31. Ask your local Girl Scout how you can place your order. Don’t know a Girl Scout? No worries! Click the button below to buy cookies for direct shipping.

Buy Cookies

What could a few days away at Camp Butternut Springs do for your camper’s confidence?

Girl Scout camp is more than just campfires and crafts (though we love those too!). It’s a place where a camper who once said “I wasn’t interested in going outside” can suddenly discover “I want to stay here—I want to go camping, I want to stay outside!” 

Whether it’s learning to cook over a fire, conquering the climbing wall, or simply feeling the breeze on their face, camp helps young people build confidence, independence, and mental resilience—skills that last far beyond the summer.

This summer, let your camper discover what they’re capable of at Camp Butternut Springs.

Register Today!


✨ Be sure to register your camper for the grade they will be entering in fall 2025.
🏕️ Save 5% on each program when you register for three or more council-led summer camp programs in one purchase.
💜 Need support? Camperships (financial assistance) and a payment plan are available to make camp accessible for all families.

Check out our skill-building programs below and click on each session to learn more and register your camper today. Hurry, spots are filling fast!

Grades K-1

Daisy Sampler

Grades 2-3

Brownie Sampler

Brownie Trailblazer

Daring Brownie Detectives

Grades 4-5

Junior Sampler

Scouts in Science

S’mores & More (Two Weeks)

Grades 6-8

Atop New Heights

Cadette Sampler

Grades 9-12

Bird’s Eye View

State Park Stewardship

Bring History to Life! Explore Our Council Historian Check-Out Kits for Your Troop’s Next Learning Adventure

As we wrap up March and reflect on Girl Scouts’ Birthday, it’s the perfect time to learn a little more about Juliette Gordon Low and embrace the founding Girl Scout principles she introduced 113 years ago.

Wondering how you can learn more about Juliette Gordon Low in an exciting and interactive way? It’s easy with the program kits the council historian team has put together! You can check out a program kit by visiting your local gathering place for your troop’s next fun learning activity.

The most popular tote is filled with Girl Scout uniforms. These pieces, collected from throughout the years, can be worn for a troop fashion show, to march in a parade, or to participate in a special ceremony. A book with pictures of the uniforms is included so you can properly put all the parts together. The uniforms come in a variety of sizes and eras. Which uniform is the girls’ favorite?

The Historic Book tote includes five handbooks from 1947, 1963 (2), and 1986 (2), for Girl Scouts, Brownies, and Juniors. In 1963, girls were divided into four levels: Brownie, Junior, Cadette, and Senior. Check out some of the badge work and life skills introduced in these books! While you cannot earn the badges, you can use these books as a reference for troop activities. Also included are two songbooks, two game books, and a 1955 book entitled Exploring the Hand-Arts, which is filled with fun, low-cost projects.

Juliette Low’s story is told through the Kim’s Game kit. Kim’s Game is a memory game made up of 18 items that reveal some lesser-known facts about Juliette’s life and the beginnings of the Girl Scout movement. Simple instructions are included, along with an explanation of each of the 18 items. What new facts about Juliette did you learn through this game?

Another fun activity is assembling the WAGGGS (World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts) Flag. Juliette based her U.S. Girl Scout program on the English Girl Guide and Boy Scout programs started by the Baden-Powells. A world traveler, Juliette understood the value of learning from and sharing with our neighbors around the globe. Play an action game that teaches about the World Fund, and learn the significance of each part of the World Flag. There’s a paper copy to color, or a felt board version to assemble during a ceremony. Why not present the WAGGGS pin to the girls when they complete the flag? Ready to make some special SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere)? Instructions are included for making a friendship knot.

And finally, celebrate a special occasion with a Tea Party! Juliette was a Southern belle who enjoyed the pleasures of afternoon tea. This kit includes a binder with suggested activities and games, plus a service for ten to set your table. Please note: the Chicago Gathering Place does not currently have this tote due to its size and weight. However, we can send you a list of included materials upon request.

If you are unable to pick up a kit at a gathering place, PDFs of the games and stories in the kits can be found in the historian section of the council’s website linked here.

We hope you’ll find these kits helpful—and share the info with other leaders! Please let us know if any pieces are missing or if you have suggestions for additional kits. We’d also love to receive photos of your troop using the kits. Be sure to include your troop number and the occasion when you send them. Our email address is: historian@girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Meet the 2024 Pinnacle Awardees!

The Pinnacle Award is a prestigious honor unique to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI), celebrating Ambassador Girl Scouts who have shown exceptional leadership throughout their Girl Scouting journey—both within the movement and in their communities. In 2024, we proudly recognized eight outstanding Girl Scouts and young alums as Pinnacle Awardees! Keep scrolling to hear their stories and learn about their incredible contributions to Girl Scouts in their own words.

Madalyn C., Carol Stream, IL

“Girl Scouting has meant everything to me. In the 12 years I’ve been a Girl Scout, I have become more confident, developed a strong character, recognized the importance of community, and been able to influence real, positive change in the world. I’ve always had ambition and big dreams, but Girl Scouts gave me the skills to make those dreams a reality.”

Madalyn earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Silver and Bronze Award, serving as a Program Aide, District Delegate, National Delegate, providing leadership to a girl-led GCNWI interest group and serving in leadership capacities outside of Girl Scouting.

“Serving as a National Delegate for GCNWI at the 2023 National Council Session (NCS) in Orlando. The experience I had in Orlando reminded me of the beauty of what’s at the heart of Girl Scouts: community. I got to meet Girl Scouts my age across the country and learn about their unique backgrounds and experiences, which meant a lot to me because I got to meet others that have a similar passion for Scouting to me. Debating at NCS challenged me to see different points of view, understand the movement in a larger sense, and take a stand for my values. Being a National Delegate inspired me to start my Gold Award and see a future in Girl Scouting beyond graduation.

Ever since I was a Daisy, I pictured myself going for the Highest Awards, taking big trips with my troop, and being able to look back at my long journey with pride. I was able to go to Disney World with my troop a few years ago, I have earned my Bronze, Silver, and am working towards my Gold Award, and am honestly surprised with all that I have learned over the years. So to all other Girl Scouts questioning their future in Scouting, I would say that it only gets better as you get older. There are so many more opportunities and ways to make a difference as you get older and Girl Scouts provides an amazing community of strong women that you can grow with.

After I graduate high school in the spring, I will be off to college! I’m not sure where that will be just yet, but I want to major in international relations. I hope to be able to study abroad wherever I go and then serve in the Peace Corps after undergrad to prepare for a career in diplomacy. I plan on becoming a Lifetime Girl Scout once I graduate and perhaps even lead my own troop later on in life so that I can pass the baton to the next generation of young Girl Scouts. I will definitely still be around and helping out with Girl Scouts for a long time.”


Mikenna D., Elmwood Park, IL

Mikenna earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, providing leadership to a Service Unit and serving in Leadership capacities outside of Girl Scouting.

Anjeli F., Chicago, IL

Anjeli earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Bronze and Silver Award, serving as a Girl Representative to the Board, providing leadership in a girl-led GCNWI club and searing in leadership capacities outside of Girl Scouting.

Paige R., Mount Prospect, IL


“Girl Scouting provided me a place to meet so many new people, create unforgettable memories, and have lots of new experience I would’ve never had otherwise!”

Paige earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Bronze and Silver Award, serving as a Counselor in Training (CIT), providing leadership to the service unit and serving in leadership capacities outside of Girl Scouting.

“A leadership experience that made a lasting impact on me was being the section leader for the second violins in Prospect High School’s Symphony Orchestra. I learned how to effectively make music with others and how I could help my classmates be the best musicians we could be! It challenged me because a lot of people were looking up to me for directions, and I was unsure of myself a lot. Overall, it was an experience that helped shape my leadership journey.

My favorite thing I’ve done as a Girl Scout is attend Camp Juniper Knoll for resident camp! Across multiple summers, I attended many different week-long programs at JK, and it gave me the opportunity to spend time with older scouts and do fun activities that always kept me busy!

I love being able to help shape experiences for younger girls! I was a CIT at Camp Greene Wood for three years, and I was an archery assistant for different archery events for Service Unit 404! I loved being able to teach new things to younger girls and help them have experiences they wouldn’t have had otherwise!

I’m attending College with a Communication major and Philosophy minor in mind! I’ll be at the fall camporee for Service Unit 404 to help out, and I’m super excited!”

Jamyriah S., Chicago, IL

“The value of Girl Scouting in my life has been the development of my character and leadership skills. As a little Daisy and Brownie, I didn’t realize how much my sisterhood meant to me as I was just exploring the world making new friends. However, as I bridged into becoming a Junior Aide, I began to understand the importance of giving back to my community. I learned to become an agent of change within the communities I was a part of. As I articulated into a Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador, being able to step up when needed as well as advocate for my sisters who were shy to speak up, I learned the importance of being a leader and sister to every Girl Scout. Overall, Girl Scouts has helped to mold me into the young leader that I am today. I value my leaders for all the wisdom and motivation they have shared along the way, my big sisters for always inspiring me to be great no matter what, and my little sisters for allowing me to lead them and show them a pathway to success. We “Girls” have the power to change the world and I’m glad that I can be an example of that!”

Jamyriah earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Bronze, Silver and Gold Award, serving as a Volunteer in Training and in leadership capacities outside of Girl Scouting.


“One leadership experience that made an everlasting impact on me was the project I completed to receive my Gold Award. My Gold Award Project “Welcoming City” was an opportunity to welcome asylum seekers into my neighborhood by providing them with survival kits that contained everyday essentials so they could stay clean and healthy. However, an obstacle I didn’t consider as I planned to distribute the bags was not being able to speak the migrant’s native language. I didn’t realize how challenging it was going to be to speak with families outside of my native language. Even though I was grateful that I was able to use Google Translate to help me communicate with the families, I found this experience to be very eye-opening. Seeing how receptive and appreciative they have let me know the importance of belonging to a welcoming community. I live by the Girl Scout promise, and being considerate and caring can go further than anyone could ever imagine. With us all coming from different walks of life, I think it’s important that we have an empathetic spirit in order for us to be more understanding of one another. I’ve also learned to welcome other people’s perspectives which are different from my own and for that I am grateful.

One of my favorite experiences as a Girl Scout was my first year as a Cadette and I learned the importance of setting a cookie goal and how to run my own cookie store. That year, I was determined to get on our cookie cruise after learning from my other sisters how fun it was. Needless to say, I was excited to meet so many new Girl Scouts and one thing that stood out to me that year was how fun it was to not only meet new sisters but how fun it was to “swap” out little tokens along the way. Every year thereafter, I looked forward to not only setting cookie goals with each year raising the bar, but also being able to make swaps with my fellow troop sisters so that they can share in that excitement with me. I don’t know if I was more excited about making the swaps to give to one another, meeting other sisters from other troops, or receiving the swaps but I do know this experience was something meaningful to me because we all took our time making something so special for others. I made memories with my sisters in my troop while also sharing with others.

I am attending college in the fall majoring in Social Work and minoring in business/marketing. I plan to become a school social worker or counselor because I like helping with younger children. My ultimate career goal is to become a licensed clinical social worker and open my own practice. Although I have bridged into adult scouting, I will forever be a lifelong member. I plan to continue to serve whenever I can in my community as well as one day leading a troop of my own.”

Hailey S., Elk Grove Village, IL

Hailey earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Bronze and Silver Award, serving as a Program Aide, Traveling, Providing leadership to a service unit and serving in leadership roles outside of Girl Scouting.


Madelyn W., Vernon Hills, IL

“Girl Scouts has given me the opportunity to experience things that I never would have gotten the chance to. It has let me become more involved in my community, and has helped be grow, introducing me to new skills and providing a platform to make friends.”

Madelyn earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, Providing leadership in a girl-led GCNWI interest group, leadership to a service unit and in leadership capacities outside of Girl Scouting.

“My Gold Award has made a lasting impact on me. It taught me perseverance, and helped me gain confidence in my ability to complete major individual projects, as well as developed my communication skills and executive functioning. I renovated an elementary school’s raised garden beds, and built five new movable raised garden beds for another school. I grew my communication skills in a professional setting as I corresponded with local businesses to find the funds and materials needed to support my project, and organized help from the community to get the project up and running. Looking back after completion, the satisfaction I got from having made it through so many obstacles and having completed such a significant project was very profound, and the project boosted my belief in my ability to complete future endeavors of similar and even greater scale.

My favorite thing I’ve done as a Girl Scout is probably camping at Camp River Trails. I’ve been with my troop a few times, but one time was especially notable; when my troop was younger, and we were there with a troop of older Girl Scouts. They set up and led fun games and activities, and hung out with us younger Girl Scouts as we explored the camp. Getting both the classic summer camp experience with the older kids leading activities that they were just as invested in as we were, and being in a cozy, close-knit environment, not only made long lasting memories, but it also served to show the importance of the community that Girl Scouts can help create.

Being on the flip side of the program has made me realize just how important the older Girl Scouts have been to my own Girl Scout experience. I strongly believe in “pay it forward”, and to be able to turn around and be an inspiration to the younger girls is important to me. I would encourage other Girl Scouts to stay involved by connecting through the things that inspire them. You never know when your enthusiasm for something could inspire someone else who’s just starting to figure out their place in the world.

I’m going to go on to college once I graduate, and I’m looking to study Biological Engineering, with a focus in genetics and cellular and molecular biology, as well as a minor in German language and culture.

Thank you to all the older Girl Scouts who came back to help lead us through our journeys!”

Jasmine Z., Hoffman Estates, IL

“Girl Scout activities prepared me for life. It taught me many things and gave me many opportunities I wouldn’t have had elsewhere. I have learned to use power tools, worked on my public speaking, learned more about planning and managing projects, learned how to manage money, worked on my leadership skills and practiced my customer service skills. All of these have been a huge help in my work, school and personal life.”

Jasmine earned the Pinnacle Award by earning their Silver and Bronze Award, serving as a Program Aide, Volunteer in Training, District Delegate, traveling, providing leadership to a service unit and serving in a leadership capacity outside of Girl Scouting.

“The leadership experience that made a lasting impact on me was leading a younger girl Daisy troop. This experience taught me how to plan and execute activities for younger girls. It was very educational learning to think on the fly and be flexible when it comes to kids as what you may think will take 20 minutes may only take five. It was a challenge sometimes when the activities I planned didn’t work out as well as I expected but often, I was able to pivot and still give the girls memorable experiences.

My favorite thing I have done as a Girl Scout has been when I went to Costa Rica on a Girl Scout Destinations trip. I went on a trip called Sea Turtles, Service, and Scuba. On my trip I got my scuba certification which was one of my many goals I wanted to complete before I finished high school. Along with that I was able to make great friends and memories on that trip.

I stayed in Girl Scouts because I saw the amount of opportunities it could give me as I got older. I am very thankful that I did as by staying in Girl Scouts I was able to create a fairy story walk at Spring Valley for my Silver Award and am able to rally for less single use plastic consumption with my Gold Award that I am currently working on. Staying in Girl Scouts has also allowed me to volunteer leading a Daisy troop which has been fun. I have not only created memorable experiences for the girls and me but I was able to complete my school required volunteer hours doing something I enjoyed and giving back to the organization that has given me so many opportunities. I would tell other girls that they should stay in Girl Scouts because it helps you find great opportunities to learn more about a variety of things and yourself which is helpful when you are trying to find your place in the world outside of school.

I am in my last year at high school and Girl Scouts. Right now I am applying for colleges. I want to study Marine Science or Marine Biology somewhere but first I want to enjoy my last year in school and Girl Scouts. Also, I want to finish my Gold award!”

Congratulations to our 2024 Pinnacle Awardees!

The application for the 2025 Class of Pinnacle Awardees is now open and will close on May 31, 2025. Learn more and apply today on our website.