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.
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:
Cut at least six pieces of tissue paper into 4×4 sheets. This makes the simplest flowers.
Fold back and forth.
Fold in half.
At the fold, hook pipe cleaner around center.
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:
Stack seven of the popsicle sticks on top of each other and then put a rubber band around one end until it is tight.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
✨ 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!
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.
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.
Troop 35767 is proof that Girl Scouts is all about girl-led experiences, no matter their age. Under the guidance of Jess Garcia, a passionate Financial Education professional from Centier Bank, the Daisies and Brownies of Troop 35767 are learning financial empowerment early on. “I know they’re only Daisies and Brownies,” Jess says, “but I really want to empower them.”
With Jess’s help, the girls created a troop budget, deciding on dues and prioritizing their own troop expenses. This hands-on budgeting shows these young Girl Scouts that they have the power to make decisions that shape their troop’s experience.
But Troop 35767’s learning doesn’t stop there—they have big hearts, too. Inspired by Juliette, a Brownie and leader in this troop, the girls are spreading kindness in their community. As Juliette put it, “Volunteering is important to people. Some people are homeless with no home. That’s why we volunteer. Volunteering is important to everyone. I volunteer at Community Help Network with my dad on Saturdays during their Ladles of Love.” She lives by her words and recently inspired her troop to color cards for Phil’s Friends, an organization that sends packages of encouragement to cancer patients.
With cookie season on the horizon, the girls are excited to build their entrepreneurship skills while learning even more about financial literacy. With Troop 35767, it’s clear that the joy of Girl Scouting shines in each decision, each act of kindness, and each new skill gained—empowering girls one step at a time.
The Variety of Travel and Learning Experiences Offered with Wider Opportunities
Before there were Destinations for older Girl Scout travel possibilities, local Councils and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) offered Wider Opportunities (Wider Ops). These were programs that presented Girl Scout Cadettes and Seniors with the prospects of traveling to locations within the USA or around the world, much the same as Destinations do today. The Wider Ops had various themes, so a Girl Scout had the ability to find an agenda with activities that interested her. This innovative program gave Girl Scouts amazing experiences that they might never have had if it weren’t for Girl Scout programing. So let’s take a look at what some of our Girl Scouts encountered through the Wider Opportunities program.
Denise (Schillings) Roche, Legacy South Cook County Council
In 1988, legacy Raintree Council of Evansville, Indiana (now the Southwest Indiana Council) hosted Studio ’88. Denise Roche was a Cadette in Troop 147 of Homewood at the time and very interested in attending this Wider Opportunity. It was a two-week fine arts Wider Opportunity that was being held at the University of Evansville. Girl Scouts could choose their course of study: instrumental music, vocal music, drama, dance, or visual art. Denise was an oboist and decided to apply for the instrumental music. Along with completing the paperwork, she had to have recommendations from her band director and also from the South Cook County Council staff and volunteers who knew her character and intent. Denise was thoroughly excited when she received the news that she had been chosen to participate in Studio ’88. Since Evansville is near her Dad’s hometown, Denise’s parents drove her there. The Raintree Council partnered Denise with a host family that took her around Evansville, so she could become familiar with the city before the event started. Then the girls moved into dorms at the university. The girls were from all over the country, and Denise recalls that her roommate was a ballerina who studied dance for her fine art. During the day, the girls spent their time attending classes. Besides her music classes, Denise also chose to do visual arts – a good choice since she is now an elementary art teacher. In the evenings, the girls had various social events in which they could participate. At the end of the two weeks, families and friends were invited to attend a full production of all the performing arts, along with visiting an art exhibition that highlighted the visual arts.
Here is Denise holding her Senior Girl Scout vest, pointing to her Studio ’88 patch.This is the Studio ’88 patch each girl received.
This initial experience with Wider Ops prompted Denise to apply again in 1991. This time, she decided on an event called Together We Stand that was being hosted by the Girl Scouts of Philadelphia (now the Eastern Pennsylvania Council). This Wider Opportunity was more of a conference-style workshop. Again, Denise had to complete a substantial amount of paperwork and have recommendations for her application. For this event, the girls stayed in dorm rooms at the University of Pennsylvania. Having the chance to stay at an Ivy League School really impressed Denise. The girls explored all the educational and historic sites around Philly for the four days they were there. One evening was all about trading SWAPS. Denise took rocks from the Thornton Quarry for her SWAPS. She considers the volcanic ash from Mount St. Helens to be the best SWAPS she received. Denise was 15 that summer, and it was the first time she had travelled by plane alone.
Denise went on to earn her Gold Award, is a Lifetime Member, and currently serves as the Fall Product Manager for her daughter Giovanna’s Senior troop, a position she has held from the time the girls were Daisies.
Instead of a patch, the participants in Together We Stand were given a button.Denise used this SWAP when she attended Together We Stand.
Tamara Anderson, Legacy Chicago Council
As a Girl Scout Senior in Troop 178, Tamara Anderson was chosen to participate in a Wider Opportunity called Music and Medicine that was held in July of 1990. It was hosted by legacy Mid-South Council (now Heart of the South Council) located in Memphis, Tennessee.
Tamara arrived in Memphis on July 20. She had visited Memphis during previous summers, spending time with her uncle’s family, but this time she went directly to Rhodes College where the participants of Music and Medicine were housed. Tamara remembers becoming close friends with two of the other girls joining in this Wider Opportunity. One was there for medicine and grew up on a farm. The other was there for music, the same reason Tamara was interested in attending this program. She also recalls that the meals at Rhodes College were undeniably GREAT and that she never ate so good while being away from home. Since Tamara celebrated her birthday two days after her arrival in Memphis, the girls had a party for her with balloons and cake.
The activities that Tamara experienced were so exciting for a girl who was interested in music. She was able to visit Beale Street, the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll and the home of the Blues. It was on Beale Street that Tamara purchased her first harmonica, which she taught herself to play. The girls also went to the famous Peabody Hotel to see the legendary duck march to the fountain in the hotel lobby. Additionally, the group went to Sun Records studio, notable for being where Elvis and Howlin’ Wolf recorded their music. Tamara was even able to play her harmonica in that very studio. The girls then travelled to Nashville to experience the medical and music scene there. While in Nashville, Tamara recorded an original song that she wrote. She also shadowed two doctors.
As with so many Girl Scout gatherings, SWAPS were exchanged at this Wider Opportunity, too. Some were handmade by the participants, while others used council patches for their SWAPS. Tamara’s Mom sent her with SWAPS from the Chicago Council and the city itself.
This experience has stayed with Tamara. It was a steppingstone to what she is now doing, since she is a professional artist who acts and sings, along with writing music and plays. And by the way, she can still play a mean harmonica.
Program patch and SWAPS that Tamara received at Music and Medicine Wider Opportunity.More SWAPS collected by Tamara at Music and Medicine.
Ruth Caragher-Stiles, Legacy DuPage County Council
Ruth Caragher-Stiles went through the Wider Opportunities application process when she was part of Senior Mariner Ship 167 in legacy DuPage County Council. She was chosen for a program sponsored by the Utah Council during July of 1999. Ruth feels that being selected gave her the chance to mature and grow as a young person. She also saw Wider Ops as a way to explore new experiences that would broaden her horizons.
For Ruth, there were many firsts related to this journey. During the application process, it was her first encounter with sitting down for an in-person interview. Additionally, it was her first time to be on a plane, to see a mountain, to be away from home by herself, to be responsible for herself as a person, along with so many other firsts that are too long to list. It all led to Ruth being more aware of who she is as a person and her ability to recognize her strengths, weaknesses, and maturity level.
When July finally arrived, Ruth flew to Salt Lake City and was greeted by the family who hosted her. She appreciated the family’s kindness and their willingness to take her up into the mountains after they learned Ruth had never seen a mountain before.
The day after her arrival, Ruth met up with all the Wider Op group of Girl Scouts from around the country. The girls had a day of talking and visiting with each other, doing trust games, touring downtown Salt Lake City, visiting the Mormon church, and being together as a group while preparing for the rest of the week.
The participants traveled by tour bus around the state of Utah for the week. They started out driving to Zion National Park near the Arizona border. Ruth remembers it being quite a long drive, but worth it because of the spectacular view. For Ruth, one of the more rewarding experiences was getting to know the other Girl Scouts during the drive. She recalls that one of the girls was vision impaired and used a walking cane to get around. The other girls were all inspired by her bravery, since this Wider Opportunity was going to include a lot of hiking, camping, and rafting. She was very trusting, and all the girls surrounded her with support.
After a day of hiking and swimming in the river at Zion, the girls set up camp for the night. Ruth remembers how a thunderstorm rolled through. Since the camp was in a valley between two mountain ranges, the thunder would start at one end and roll like a bowling ball to the other end of the valley and back. The girls sang songs and cooked over a campfire before the rain came, enjoying all the fun.
The following day, the group headed to Bryce Canyon National Park and set up camp again. There was lots of hiking and helping the vision impaired Girl Scout who was so brave, and the group all really built up their friendship during this time.
The next stop on the tour was Moab, where two national parks are located, Canyonlands and Arches. At Canyonlands National Park, the girls saw the beautiful Angel Arch, while at Arches National Park, they saw the magnificent Big Arch. While in Moab, the girls enjoyed white water rafting down the Colorado River.
For the first night in Moab, they stayed in cabins with six girls to a cabin. The other two nights were spent camping under the stars next to the Colorado River. Coming from the Chicago area, Ruth couldn’t get over how quiet it was at night, how beautiful the stars were, and how she had never seen so many of them before in her life. The girls had big bonfires at night and sang songs. They each took turns talking about their lives, homes, and families. Ruth remembers the girls with whom she became close, and how they would lie together under the stars in the long, tall grass of a field, counting the falling stars until they were fast asleep and not waking until the morning.
During the time in Moab, Ruth had her sixteenth birthday. The rafting tour guide company had bought her a cake. It was the first time Ruth had a birthday away from home, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to her. This was quite a happy time for Ruth.
The blind girl continued to demonstrate her bravery during the hikes in Moab. There were times when the girls had to traverse huge rock faces. At one point they were all completely horizontal and shimming up between a crevice in the rocks, and the blind girl became afraid. The group refused to let her give up and after some time she continued on. The girls all rallied around her, telling her how proud they were of her. Looking back now, Ruth is proud of the entire group she was with.
Through all the hiking and swimming, the cooking and rafting, seeing all new mountains and rivers, the beautiful scenes at all the national parks in Utah had a profound effect on Ruth. She believes that she became a bit more in tune with who she is as a person because of this Wider Opportunity, which sparked in her a lifetime of curiosity and adventure. There are many times during hikes that were quite challenging that Ruth didn’t think that she could do them. However, after completing these challenges, Ruth’s confidence improved. She considers her experiences during the Wider Opportunity to have been completely positive. The Girl Scout leaders, the Girl Scouts who attended from around the country, and even the family who welcomed Ruth into their home, all started out as strangers, but they left Utah as friends. Ruth is very proud and grateful to have had this experience.
Beth (Pradelski) Kosiba, Legacy South Cook County Council
As a Cadette Girl Scout in legacy South Cook County Council, Beth Kosiba was chosen for a ten-day Wider Opportunity called Porpoises, Patents, and Polymersthat was offered by legacy Western Reserve Council (now Northeast Ohio Council) in Akron. During this July 1999 Wider Opportunity, Beth participated in numerous activities, along with 50 other Girl Scouts from 29 states who were also interested in biology, physics, and other science activities. Beth has always had a love for animals, and this was a perfect match for her to explore the many options for her future.
Program patch for Porpoises, Patents, and Polymers
Before heading to the program, Beth made SWAPS to exchange with the other girls. She made a key chain out of fun foam in the shape of Illinois, painting a tulip on it to show where her hometown of South Holland was located.
To start this journey, Beth flew into Cleveland, Ohio and was met at the airport by her host family. She stayed with the host family for two days before being taken to Camp Ledgewood, the home base for the program. Most of the mornings were spent at camp where the participants could enjoy scavenger hunts, snorkeling, rock climbing, or activities planned by different patrols. The girls slept on bunk beds, went on hikes, and used the pool to cool off. However, one thing that Beth found different at Camp Ledgewood was “timing the showers”, turning the water on and off to make sure that there was enough water for everyone. There were additional activities, such as campfires in the evening, a pool party, and a tour of the Council office that included a pizza party.
The Girl Scouts spent five days at Sea World, investigating the animals and learning from the instructors. There was classroom education and behind the scenes exploration. They even had close access to dolphins, penguins, and whales, along with interacting with the handlers who cared for or worked with the animals. They learned how to walk with flippers on, and they were able to try out scuba gear in a swimming pool.
A trip to Kent State University let them explore the Liquid Crystal Institute and the displays there. Here the girls learned a bit about physics and what careers it could lead to. They toured Inventure Place and the Inventors Hall of Fame, where they were able to research and learn about the marvels of invention.
Another outing took the girls to the University of Akron. Here they learned about the Polymer Science Program at the state-of-the-art facility, the Polymer Research Science Center. At the research center, the girls were able to make something with plastic.
There were also fun times not related to science. They went to the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and to the Great Lakes Science Museum where they saw an IMAX movie. The participants also explored the natural wonders of the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation area. They went to Geauga Lake for an afternoon of fun and had a picnic dinner there.
Beth really enjoyed this Wider Opportunity program and found it to be a lot of fun. It reinforced her love of science careers and education, along with service to others. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing the animals behind the scenes, and this program helped her to decide on what she wanted to do in the future. Beth has worked at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Shedd Aquarium, and now at the Indianapolis Zoo in the education department. While working at the Shedd Aquarium, Beth became friends with co-worker Juliann Krupa and discovered that Juliann’s mom was the person who organized the PPP Wider Opportunity Program for Western Reserve Girl Scouts. And now, Juliann is currently involved with Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana. The Girl Scout sisterhood touches us in a variety of ways!
Beth continued her Girl Scout journey and earned her Gold Award. She is also a Lifetime Member.
These are some of the SWAPS Beth collected during her Wider Opportunity.The girls who attended Porpoises, Patents, and Polymers received this t-shirt.
Amy (Heyse) Mantuori, Legacy South Cook County Council
Amy Mantuori was fortunate to be chosen for four Wider Opportunities during her time as a Girl Scout Senior with legacy South Cook County Council.
In 1998, Amy went on her first Wider Opportunity, which was hosted by the Nation’s Capital Council in Silver Spring, Maryland. Rocks, Caves to Comets offered spelunking, fossil digging, rappelling, panning for gems, and whitewater rafting, along with a visit to the Smithsonian. The participants camped in tents most of the time, but also stayed in hotels and on college campuses as they traveled around.
Legacy Michigan Pine and Dunes Council in Grand Rapids, Michigan (now Michigan Shore to Shore Council) offered the Wider Opportunity Ecoventures in1999. Amy felt fortunate to be chosen for this Wider Opportunity thatwas all about learning science and math, along with how to make it fun to encourage younger girls to become interested in STEM. She was taught all kinds of interesting experiments and how to recreate them. Learning how to write grants, press releases, and proposals was also part of the program. Additionally, the girls acquired the knowledge on how to set up STEM kits for their councils. Amy took this idea and made it the focus of her Gold Award project. A highlight of this Wider Opportunity occurred when astronaut Sally Ride spoke to the participants about the importance of getting girls interested in math and science.
For her next Wider Opportunity, Amy headed to Modesto, California in July 2000. Legacy Muir Trail Council (now Heart of Central California Council) offered On the Trail for Gold. During her time there, Amy panned for gold, hiked through Yosemite, crawled through a cave, explored San Francisco, and visited old west towns. The lodgings included camping, hotels, college campuses, and even homestays with host families as the girls traveled across the west in search of gold.
Amy’s last Wider Opportunity took her to Portland, Oregon in July 2001. Great Northwest Adventure was hosted by legacy Columbia River Council (now Oregon and Southwest Washington Council). Amy had the chance to do all kinds of amazing things, such as hiking up Mount St. Helens, windsurfing, whitewater rafting, and hiking through waterfalls. She also went to museums, the aquarium, and on boat trips and light house tours. There was plenty of time spent on the beach, too.
Amy really enjoyed these experiences for so many reasons. Although she found it to be a little nerve wracking getting on a plane (sometimes by herself) and heading to another state, not really knowing anyone, Amy also realized that she was going to have an exceptional experience at each of these Wider Ops. When looking back at these four amazing adventures, she realizes that the most memorable aspects of each trip were the people she met. She is still in contact with many of the girls who were on the trips with her, some she has seen many times since the trips. One girl even stood up in her wedding, while another was in attendance. She reached out to some of her friends to ask about their memories of their Wider Ops. Most of the memories centered around just getting to know each other, playing games, having new experiences, and having fun.
Amy went on to earn her Gold Award, and she is also a Lifetime Member. She recently became the leader of her daughter’s Daisy troop.
After learning about the Wider Ops experiences of these five women, it is quite evident that the Wider Opportunities program had a profound impact on all of their lives. Girl Scouts helps develop girls of courage, confidence, and character through all of the programming that is offered. However, Wider Ops was proven to be one of the most influential in girls’ lives, and Destinations is carrying on that legacy.
Hello from the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI) Associate Board (AB)! We want to introduce you to some of our members and share some of what we’ve been up to this year.
We are always welcoming new members! If you, or someone you know, are passionate about the Girl Scout Mission, looking to build professional networks and enhance your leadership skills, and interested in supporting our council, check out our application!
Comprised of more than 20 early- to mid-career professionals, the Associate Board supports the council through volunteerism, fundraising efforts, and social amplification of council events and the Girl Scout Movement. Formed in 2017, our council’s Associate Board is one of the only ones in the country. We are proud to have maintained a strong, consistent, and engaged group that functions as an additional support for our council.
Read on for short stories from a few of our members about this year’s past events and what motivates them to serve on the Associate Board.
Supporting young individuals in their personal and professional development
“Associate Board members served as mentors at this year’s Camp CEO, a weekend retreat held at Camp Butternut Springs focusing on leadership and career preparation for middle- and high school-aged Girl Scouts. New and returning AB members served as 1:1 mentors to their assigned Girl Scout and also interacted with all 30 Girl Scouts and other mentors in attendance, celebrating women empowerment and helping prepare our Girl Scouts for success!” -Yaqoota Aziz
Volunteering and service
“I was able to volunteer recently to support the Girl Scout Chicago Marathon team. I joined the Associate Board because I believe an investment in the girls of today is an investment in the female leaders of tomorrow. I am excited to support programming that empowers and equips young women to challenge the status quo and achieve beyond society’s expectations.”
-Samantha Affram
Connecting with girls and your inner child
“At our volunteer weekend at Camp Juniper Knoll earlier this year, we worked alongside a Brownie troop that was camping, to help clean up large sticks, making the campgrounds safer and more enjoyable. Afterward, we helped camp staff install smoke detectors in several of the tents to ensure a safer environment for future campers. And you can’t go to camp without a little fun as well! We were able to paddle on the lake and connect with the outdoors just as the girls do. I love being on the Associate Board. GSGCNWI is my home council and I’ve seen firsthand the incredible impact Girl Scouting can have on a girl’s life.” -Amy Scholz
Building a network and gaining leadership skills
“I thoroughly enjoyed attending Development Day, led by Board of Directors member Shannon Fuller, where I gained critical skills to enhance my leadership abilities. The insights on emotional intelligence and conversations with successful women leaders were particularly impactful for my career development. I appreciate Shannon’s passion for fostering young professionals, and I’m grateful to be on the Associate Board, participating in events that support my ongoing growth both personally and professionally!” -Kennedy Burrell
Raising funds so every girl can have the resources they need to thrive
“Smart Cookies is the Associate Board’s annual event with interactive girl-led booths, a silent auction, and of course, Girl Scout cookies! This year, through Smart Cookies and other fundraising efforts, the Associate Board raised more than $60,000 for the council, including nearly $20,000 in personal donations. I volunteer on the Associate Board because I want to support the next generation of female leaders and give back to the Chicago community with a desire to see a direct impact.” -Mary Kate Barron
Making new friends (and eating lots of cookies!)
“I enjoy being on the Associate Board because it gives me the opportunity to meet new people. Expanding my professional and social circles allows me to learn from others’ unique experiences and make new friends! It’s inspiring to collaborate with others who share a passion for empowering young girls, and I value the lifelong connections we are building through our shared commitment to the Girl Scout Movement.” -Juliann Krupa
Join us! If you, or someone you know, are passionate about the Girl Scout Mission, looking to build professional networks and enhance your leadership skills, and interested in supporting our council, check out our application.
Thank you to all the volunteers, council staff, caregivers, and members who provide critical support to girls every day. We are grateful for all your work towards our shared commitment of building girls of courage, confidence and character.
