From the backyard to the backcountry, Girl Scouts has a long, storied, and successful history of getting girls outdoors. In fact, many Girl Scouts tell us “camping trips” are one of the best things about their Girl Scout experience. It’s true: connecting with nature in a girl-led setting is a big benefit of belonging to Girl Scouts. Studies show that girls today are not spending nearly enough time outdoors.

Technology and structured activities leave less time for girls to get outside and enjoy nature. But as a Girl Scout, she’ll have plenty of opportunities to create her own outdoor adventures and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and the out-of-doors – whether with her troop at camp or with friends and family.

And that’s great news – because when Girl Scouts get outside, they:

• Discover that they can better solve problems and overcome challenges
• Develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall
• Become team players and care more about protecting our environment.

And we know she loves technology (hey – we do too: STEM is one of our program pillars), but leaving her phone at home provides even more benefits to the camp experience:

• Girls use all of their senses and attention to observe interactions around them and begin to form new friendships.
• Resiliency boosts when girls begin to problem-solve on their own, with a friend, or with their counselor; rather than relying on a text to mom or a YouTube how-to search.

It can be an uncomfortable transition at first, for both campers and parents. Talk to your camper about what it will be like to spend an entire camp session without technology: what excites her about that? What makes her nervous about it? How will each of you adjust your behavior and expectations in the days and weeks leading up to camp, during camp, and after camp?

Aimee Beauchamp, Girl Scouts of Citrus’s very own summer camp expert, shares this insight and advice on how to prepare: “The camp staff can bridge communication between campers and parents in cases of emergency or in other specific situations, but be careful not to promise your camper that she’ll be able to call home every night or at any time she requests. It won’t be realistic in the camp session’s busy schedule, and it shouldn’t be necessary either. By fully participating in the summer camp experience, your camper is rising to the challenge to step out of her comfort zone, practice her independence, and problem-solve with friends. Empower her to use the resources around her! Encourage her – she can do this. And you can too.”

Girl Scout camps have the opportunity to employ incredible youth development professionals as camp counselors. Counselors are trained to facilitate building friendships between campers, and ensuring campers’ needs are met. They help girls connect with each other through positive communication and shared experiences. Our supportive counselors will ensure your camper has every opportunity to succeed.

When girls spend quality time outdoors, disconnect from technology, and increase their exposure to nature and new friendships, they thrive physically, emotionally, and intellectually. And there are tons of Outdoor Programs for girls to choose from. Visit www.citrus-gs.org for all the details.