Camps Combine Outdoor Experiences with Girls' Modern Interests
Chicago, IL (May 14, 2013) There's never been a more exciting time to go to camp! Girls can investigate and solve camp capers using science, have fun on a midnight hike and laugh with new friends as they roast marshmallows over a campfire.
Seven properties operated by Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana provide a wide array of day and resident camp experiences, family camps and specialty programs. Half-week, full-week and multi-week options abound in multiple locations around Chicago, both suburban and rural areas of northeastern Illinois, northwest Indiana and southern Wisconsin.
All girls ages 5 - 17, even those who are not currently Girl Scouts, are welcome to register for camps and programs. A $12 fee added to the cost of the camp covers Girl Scout membership through Sept. 30, 2013, and gives girls access to additional programs and workshops throughout the year without being affiliated with a troop.
There is a camp experience suited for every girl. Day camp is a great choice for girls new to camping and outdoor education programs. Resident camp builds on the day camp experience by giving girls more options, overnights and adventures. Girls can choose camp sessions that fit their interests: forensic science, dancing, swimming, cooking, archery, travel, canoeing, art, history, acting, biking, horseback riding, road tripping, and much more.
In addition to summer programs at camp, Girl Scouts offers science, math, business and environmental summer programs at Journey World, an interactive program center right in the heart of Chicago with a simulated city to run and four environmental habitats to explore.
By participating in Girl Scout-sponsored camp and summer programs hosted by specially trained outdoor staff and other experts in education and child development, girls discover new ideas and skills. They face challenges and celebrate their successes when they accomplish something they may never have dreamed possible prior to their camp experiences.
Backed by more than 100 years of experience, Girl Scout camps connect girls to people and ideas as they learn the value of cooperation and team building. They develop friendships and memories that last a lifetime. They gain the confidence and skills they need to take action to make the world around them better than they found it.
With a wide range of options, specially trained staff and economical pricing, Girl Scout camps are the perfect way to ensure a summer of fun for girls ages 5 – 17. To view the 2013 Summer Essentials Camp Program and Events Guide and register online, visit www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/camp. Registration is open, and slots are still available.
Average costs range from $75 to $115 for day camp and basic overnight camp sessions. Specialized week-long resident camp sessions, such as those that include horseback-riding, road trips, leadership development, moonlight adventures or bike trips range from $220 - $600 for one- to multi-week experiences.
Below is a sampling of camps. For a complete guide, visit: www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org/camp.
You Can Find Me at the Beach
Spend a day hiking the trails around Indiana Beach, then cool off in the lake. Learn about weather conditions that impact the lakefront while working on activities from the “It's your Planet” journey “Breathe”. Enjoy all the activities you love about being at camp, archery, swimming,
Girls Empowered to Make Movies
Express yourself and explore issues that concern you through the power of film! Gain hands-on experience in every aspect of filmmaking.
Mission to Mars!
Plan a Mission to Mars! Build a space craft for your mission! Work with NASA trainers and astronomers from the University of Chicago Yerkes Observatory! Learn programming for your space craft! Do all of this while spending a week at camp!
Grab your Naturalist Hat!
Do you love being outdoors? Work with the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning center discovering what a forest ranger, park conserva¬tionist and reforestation engineer do. Take a walk through the dunes, identify trees and learn more about them. Were they natural or planted? Native or imported? Explore why trees are important to people.
Background:
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana impacts the lives of nearly 84,000 girls and 24,000 adult members in 245 communities in six Illinois counties (Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kankakee, Lake, and Will) and four Indiana counties (Jasper, Lake, Newton, and Porter). For more information, visit www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.