Exciting things are happening at Friendship Lodge! Over the next few months, this beloved camp staple is receiving a major refresh to make troop visits and summer camp stays even more comfortable, accessible, and fun.
We’ll be sharing weekly progress photos and highlights, so check back often as Friendship Lodge transforms into its next great era!
Week 1
The front facade is already looking renewed with its brand-new green siding!
Week 2
The deck railing was sandblasted to remove old layers and prep for a fresh coat of paint.
The crew installed brand-new exterior doors, giving the lodge a cleaner, more modern look.
All outdoor painting was completed, bringing the lodge exterior to life with a polished finish.
Stay tuned! Our next update features some exciting inside surprises.
Camp CEO took place on September 19 – 21, at Camp Butternut Springs.
This transformative weekend brought together Girl Scouts in grades 8–12 with accomplished women leaders from a wide range of industries. Over the course of the program, Girl Scouts took part in classic camp activities like swimming, archery, the climbing wall, night zip lining, and team challenges while also diving deep into workshops, reflection sessions, and one-on-one mentorship.
The result? A weekend filled with growth, confidence, and community.
One of the most impactful parts of Camp CEO is the connection Girl Scouts build with mentors who understand the challenges of life and the importance of support along the way. Many Girl Scouts shared how valuable it was to hear from women with such diverse backgrounds and career paths.
“I learned a lot about resiliency this weekend from my mentor. I learned failures are ok and they teach you lessons.” – Girl Scout, Mariam
“I love how every one of our mentors are different. They all have a different background and stories to share with us.” – Girl Scout, Faith
For some, these connections extend far beyond the weekend. One Girl Scout shared that she is still in touch with her mentor from last year, Chynise, who became instrumental in supporting her Gold Award project supporting access to feminine hygiene in Ghana.
“She was definitely one my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. She shared my link to my Amazon wish list with her friends, and I started receiving so many of the items that I needed for my project. It’s really nice to have someone always thinking of me and supporting me. I love how our relationship has grown since we were first paired up.” – Girl Scout, Leila
The girls also shared gratitude for the incredible troop leaders and volunteers who have supported them throughout their Girl Scouting journeys. Several reflected on how their leaders encouraged them to attend Camp CEO in the first place, opening doors to new experiences and showing them the power of mentorship.
By the end of the weekend, every participant walked away with something lasting, whether it was a new mentor, a renewed sense of confidence, or a circle of friends who now feel like sisters.
“At first I was a little nervous because I came here alone, but I’ve only experienced warm welcomes, open arms, and smiles. This weekend taught me that leadership applies to all aspects of your life.” – Girl Scout, Faith
“Camp CEO takes you as a leader, and says, “You’re already a leader, but let’s look at it from a different angle to help you build for your future.” – Girl Scout, Joy
With every year, the Camp CEO community continues to grow stronger. The girls who leave camp don’t just head home with memories, they leave with tools, connections, and confidence that will carry them forward as leaders in every part of their lives.
Ready to make your mark at Camp CEO 2026? Girl Scouts and mentors can fill out the interest form below to stay in the loop.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Girl Scouts who showed up with courage, the mentors who gave their time and wisdom, and the sponsors who made this empowering weekend possible.
It’s always wonderful to celebrate someone’s birthday – and who better to celebrate than our founder, Juliette Gordon Low (often called “Daisy”)? Celebrating Juliette’s birthday with your troop is so much fun! She was born in Savannah, GA, on October 31, 1860.
Juliette brought so much to girls then and now. She taught us to find something we are passionate about and live it every day. She started Girl Scouts to empower girls with skills to become leaders. She believed in teaching self-reliance, outdoor skills, community service, and leadership at a time when opportunities for young women were very limited. Daisy also taught us how to enjoy life to the fullest.
Today’s world can be hard to navigate, but Girl Scouts helps girls grow strong, courageous, and kind. We learn to focus on others, act with integrity, explore the world around us – and just be ourselves!
That’s a lot to celebrate – not only on Juliette’s birthday, but always. Girl Scouts celebrates girls, and we celebrate Juliette!
Here are some fun ways your troop can celebrate Juliette’s birthday:
Sharing Pearls, Sharing Love – Make “pearl” necklaces or bracelets and give them to a friend as a reminder of Juliette, who sold her rare pearl necklace to help grow the Girl Scout movement. Invite a “sister troop” to join the fun!
A Tray Full of Memories – Play Kim’s Game! Place several Juliette-related items on a tray (pumpkin, pink ribbon, dog, telephone, boat, horse, pearl necklace, s’more, rope). Let the girls study the tray, cover it, and see how many items they can remember. Talk about what each item means in Juliette’s life.
Stand on Your Head for Daisy Challenge – Juliette loved standing on her head! Each year on her birthday, she would make friends laugh by doing it. Try safe versions of headstands (even against a wall) and take a silly troop photo together.
History You Can Wear – Borrow the Historians’ Box of Vintage Uniforms from your Girl Scout council and dress up in uniforms from the past.
A Sweet Way to Celebrate – Bake and taste the original Girl Scout cookie recipe together. A delicious piece of history!
A Birthday Gift for Others – Create “Birthday Boxes” with party supplies (cake mix, frosting, sprinkles, streamers, plates, forks) and donate them to a food shelter.
Tea with Juliette – Borrow your council’s Tea Party Historian Box and host a birthday tea party in Juliette’s honor.
Be the Change. Share the Friendship. – Do a service project in Juliette’s honor. Collect spare change to donate to the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund.
Hats Off to Juliette – Juliette loved decorating hats – sometimes with carrots and parsley! Create your own innovative hat designs.
Painting Juliette’s Birthday – Paint or draw what you imagine her first troop birthday celebration looked like. Focus on fun, skills, and giving back.
A Gift for Juliette: Kindness Counts – Do a kindness challenge. Each girl gives Juliette a “gift” by performing a kind deed and sharing it with the troop.
Stitches of Love – Juliette once led a sewing group called Helping Hands. Celebrate by sewing or making no-sew fleece blankets to donate, or sew stuffed hearts as gifts for community volunteers.
Sweet Treats for Juliette – Bake a daisy-shaped cake or hold a cupcake-decorating contest. Be innovative – Juliette would approve!
How Well Do You Know Daisy? – Play Juliette trivia and award small prizes.
Once Upon a Daisy – Read Juliette’s story to Daisy-level Girl Scouts. They love learning how it all began!
Daisy’s Birthday Treasure Hunt – Organize a scavenger hunt with facts and photos of Juliette hidden around your meeting space.
Letters Across the Sea – Connect with Girl Guides or Girl Scouts abroad by writing letters or sending video messages, honoring Juliette’s global vision.
Juliette’s legacy lives on through each of you. End your meeting by singing “Happy Birthday” to Juliette and making a troop wish to carry on her vision of courage, confidence, and character.
With all these ideas, I hope you’ll share how your troop celebrated Juliette. Happy Birthday, Juliette – from all of us to YOU!
If you love Girl Scouts, their history, or even their future, you could be a Girl Scout Historian.
Do you enjoy working with people of all ages? Do you enjoy helping people learn?
Mark Your Calendars!
Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Council Collection and meet the Historians!
The Council Collection contains published materials, photographs, uniforms, camping gear, and memorabilia from the last 113 years! Come be a part of it!
You are invited to an Open House at the Girl Scout History Center inside the Vernon Hills Gathering Place.
Come see the current exhibits and try the hands-on learning experiences.
As people begin to declutter, or downsize, Girl Scout items from the past begin to surface. What to do with them? Who would appreciate them? That is how they come to the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) Council Collection.
Once items are donated, historians access them and determine how they can be used. We mount displays for the six gathering places within GCNWI, as well as local libraries. We display items at council wide programs such as the Volunteer Expo, the Sneaker Ball, and the Cookie Kickoff. We create programming material that can be checked out and used at troop meetings. With new members, we could expand our outreach by visiting troops or service units during their meeting times.
There are two locations where historians work on the collection:
Vernon Hills Gathering Place & Joliet Gathering Place
650 Lakeview Pkwy 1551 W. Illinois Hwy
Vernon Hills, IL 60061 Joliet, IL 60433
9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays Flexible hours, dependent on need
It is possible that some volunteer tasks could be worked on off-site, with flexible hours, which might be a better fit for some volunteers.
Qualifications for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer with GCNWI Historians:
Must be registered with GSUSA.
Must show commitment to the mission, values and programs of GSUSA.
Must have a desire to make Girl Scout history relevant to a broad audience.
Must be friendly and enjoy interacting with people. Must have a positive attitude.
Must be reliable and understand the importance of volunteer commitment.
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.
