Set up perfect summer of fun at Girl Scout camp
It's time to start thinking about how to give your girl her best summer yet! Have you considered Girl Scout summer camp? Did you know girls don't have to be Girl Scouts to attend? Summer camp at Camp Dean in Big Rock is open to all girls in first to 12th grade.
To view the 2015 Camp Guide or register for camp sessions, visit www.girlscoutsni.org.
Girls will have a great time at sessions that include:
• Special Guy: Pack up your gear, hit the road, and head to camp with dad, uncle, or grandpa for the weekend. Keep busy with camp activities like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, cooking, playing games, and more.
• Polar Vortex in July: Build a snowman … in July? Why not! Just imagine making snow and ice cream for this session as Camp Dean falls under the frozen curse of Princess Elsa!
• Camp Dean Day Camp: Excited to explore camp, but love the comfort of a nice, soft bed? Come to Camp Dean Day Camp! From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the day will be full with exciting camp activities. There is even an optional overnight for all campers.
• Summer camp open house: Potential campers are invited to visit us at camp with their family or group of friends to get a taste of the camp experience! Everyone will be able to explore camp, sample activities, chat with the camp director, and even enjoy a s'more.
The summer camp open house will be 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Camp Dean, 46W253 Camp Dean Road in Big Rock. Preregistration is not required, but please RSVP to Camp Director Felecia at (630) 897-1565, ext. 7161.
'More Than S'mores'
Did you know girls who regularly spend time outdoors more readily seek challenges and are better problem solvers than their peers? According to a recent study by the Girl Scout Research Institute, "More Than S'mores" (2014), girls benefit immensely from time spent outdoors!
The study also found outdoor experiences are particularly beneficial to girls of comparatively low socioeconomic status. "More Than S'mores" finds that lower-SES girls who have regular outdoor exposure through Girl Scouts are likely to credit Girl Scouts with helping them become leaders.
Additionally, outdoor experiences through Girl Scouting, such as camp, are beneficial to girl leadership development across ethnicities. Latina (38 percent) and African-American (40 percent) girls are more likely than their peers (28 percent) to say they overcame a fear of the outdoors through Girl Scouting; 79 percent of Latina girls say they first tried an outdoor activity in Girl Scouts, and an overwhelming 59 percent of Latina girls say Girl Scouts has offered them outdoor activities they would not have otherwise had access to.
Girl Scout camp is a tradition central to Girl Scouts since 1912 and is still available to girls in all 50 states. Today's camps are highly evolved, matching the interests of 21st-century girls. Girl Scouts moves at the speed of girls, which is evident in its wide range of camp offerings - everything from STEM camp and surf camp to Hogwarts camp farming and sustainability camp, and Camp CEO.
The Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois is 20,000 strong - 15,000 girls and 5,000 adults who believe every girl can change the world. The girls develop leadership skills in 16 counties including parts or all of Boone, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago. They help girls build courage, confidence, and character, so they can make the world a better place by inspiring them to discover their inner strength, talents, and passions. To volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.girlscoutsni.org or call (800) 242-5591.