We’re thinking Spring! And here at Girl Scouts of Citrus, we’ve convened our top camping and outdoor cooking experts for a very important business meeting: to compile the basics you need to know to create the perfect s’more this summer. This is a critical skill for every Girl Scout to know and practice!
1) Start with a solid campfire. If you’re cooking your s’more over a campfire, you’ll want to get nice, hot coals ready in the bottom. Start your campfire at least 30 minutes before you plan to toast your marshmallow. Remember all your safety skills as you’re building and tending your campfire.
2) Choose a roasting stick. You can definitely use a store-bought roasting stick. Make sure you choose a long handled one or an extendable version, so you can keep a safe distance from the flames. However, if you’re not opposed to a little bit of nature in your s’more, feel free to choose a nice long stick from the nearby forest floor!
3) Be prepared. It’s the Girl Scout motto! Prepare your graham crackers and chocolate square ahead of time, so once you have a melty, droopy marshmallow, you’re all ready to start sandwiching! Pro tip: place your graham with chocolate piled on onto a large rock or fresh log near the campfire to start warming up your chocolate square for ideal meltability.
4) Get to toasting! Unless you like your marshmallow burned (Hey, some people do – we don’t judge…), keep your ‘mallow out of the flames, but hold it over some of the hot coals that have burned down, or to the side of the flames (if you can’t get to the coals).
5) Rotate, for best results. Slowly spin your roasting stick, to ensure every side of the marshmallow becomes equally toasted.
6) Squish and enjoy! Carefully remove your golden brown marshmallow from the heat of the fire. It will be a little loose: Be careful – don’t let it fall off! Squish it between your two graham crackers. Ask a friend for help, if needed. Set your hot roasting stick off to the side to cool (and later clean). And enjoy!
Campers love a good meal, with almost $200 million a year being spent on camping cooking equipment. However, the choice can seem limited, since you’re out in the wild, with often little more than a campfire to rustle up some grub. Part of the mission of girl scouting is using your creativity and ingenuity to find creative and exciting solutions to problems. Building a campfire, then sitting around it, singing songs and telling stories is a great morale booster when things get tough. Great food can do even more to keep spirits high.
Philly Cheesesteak
Food lovers who enjoy camping needn’t worry about what’s on the menu when you can take the city’s most delicious dishes and recreate them in the great outdoors. Dating from 1930s south Philadelphia, the cheesesteak has become one of the nation’s most beloved sandwiches. Bursting with calories, this will give you the energy to get through an active outdoor adventure.
Get yourself a large loaf of bread and slice almost all the way through, several times. Stuff the holes with roast beef, cheese, peppers, and onions. Wrap in tin foil and place over the campfire. Cook until all the cheese is melted and you have an incredible, juicy, smoke flavored snack to feed a whole scouting group.
Ice cream s’mores
Any kid who goes camping has made s’mores and, while they are undoubtedly delicious, they can become repetitive and boring. Add a dash of excitement by creating ice cream s’mores. This will be the perfect snack for a short break or a great dessert to follow the main course.
You’ll need to fill an ice cream cone beforehand with mini marshmallows, bananas, raspberry, peanut butter, and chocolate. Then wrap it all up in tin foil. Place the wrapped cone over the fire and within 3-5 minutes, you’ll have a hot gooey snack that’s ready to eat.
Photo credit: AlmostSupermom.com
Cinnamon rolls
If you want a sugary dessert snack to boost morale and energy, then cinnamon rolls are an exciting option. The campfire cinnamon roll recipe couldn’t be easier to follow. Take a croissant roll and wrap it around a skewer. Dip the skewer in cinnamon and sugar, then cook over a campfire for five minutes.
There’s no need to stick to the same boring dried pasta and roasted marshmallows when camping. Use a bit of initiative to come up with something really delicious, such as cheesesteaks, s’mores ice cream cones and cinnamon rolls. These well-deserved snacks will put everyone in a good mood after a long day’s work.
Let’s cut to the chase: Really, only you and your daughter can decide when she’s ready for overnight camp. But, here are some questions to consider and skills to practice, before signing up or dropping her off at check-in.
Questions to consider and discuss as a family:
Has she expressed an interest in camp? This is an excellent first step. If she’s asking about camp and shows a genuine interest in pursuing the opportunity, it’s worth continuing the conversation.
Is she up for the adventure? If she’s a go-with-the-flow, unfazed, slightly oblivious, bundle of energy…she’ll probably fit right in. But, if she prefers to follow a careful routine or clings to you in new settings or unfamiliar situations, you’ll want to have a discussion about whether she’s ready to get outside her comfort zone.
Is she prone to homesickness? Most campers experience some level of homesickness, as they adjust to a new location and being away from the familiarities of home and family. Consider whether she has spent the night (or multiple nights in a row) away at her grandparent’s house or at a friends house. How did she handle those experiences? What were the challenges? How did she cope?
Is she comfortable in the outdoors? Camp is unfamiliar territory to some first-time campers. Consider how much time she typically spends playing outdoors, with bugs, heat, dirt, and rain. Has she ever slept outdoors in a tent – even in the back yard – or have you gone camping in an RV or cabin as a family?
Does she have the skills to care for herself? Our trained staff counselors will ensure her safety and well-being at all times, but our campers are expected to care for their own bodies and belongings. Before coming to camp, she should be able to: pick out clothes appropriate for the weather and dress herself; brush her own teeth; brush/comb her hair and put it in a ponytail, if applicable; correctly apply her own sunscreen and bug spray; make her bed and keep her belongings neat and tidy; keep track of her backpack for an entire day; change into and out of her swimsuit; sleep through the night without wetting the bed or sleepwalking (if accidents happen, our staff are prepared to support her, though – and they’ll keep it as discreet as possible).
Here are a few tips to prepare for her first session of summer camp:
Discuss camp openly with her. Debate the pros and cons of the experience, and come to a consensus together. Invite her to fully participate in picking out her camp session based on the theme or dates.
In your discussions, make a list of questions she has that you don’t know the answer to, and reach out to our summer camp expert, Aimee Beauchamp, to get all the answers.
Practice spending more than one night at her grandparents’ house or a friends house, or in a tent in the backyard. Debrief the experience and ask what she liked, what she didn’t like, if she was ever scared, what feelings she felt, what challenges came up, etc.
Create a camp countdown with a calendar on the fridge where she can “X” off each day or paper rings where she can remove a ring as each day gets closer to camp.
Practice each of the skills she’ll need to care for herself (see #5 above).
If you’re the parent of a camper, get yourself ready! Sometimes, parents are more nervous about a first-time camp experience than the camper is! That’s understandable, though – it’s a big step in her growth and independence. In the weeks, days, and moments leading up to her camp experience, be aware of your verbal and non-verbal communication. Are you encouraging her to be brave, try new things, and overcome challenges? Her confidence will soar if you believe she can do anything she puts her mind to.
When you decide – together – that she’s ready for the camp experience, check out all session options at www.citrus-gs.org; or use GSUSA’s Camp Finder to locate a camp across the country (maybe near Grandma’s house!).
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.
I love taking my troop outdoors. They always get to develop their skills and I’m able to give them new scouting challenges. The best part about the experience is as they get older you can expand on the outdoor activities. This helps to keep them engaged over the years.
We first started our outdoor adventures in 2011, when we attended Running River’s (now Wild River) Magical Camporee at Camp Mah-Kah-Wee. They made crafts, learned new campfire songs and took their first hike. There’s really nothing like that first hike.
My daughter Elyse and I, 2012
In 2012 we went to Riverpoint Program Center for a WOW Wonder of Water day program. This was out in Brevard, and they really enjoyed the water activities. The girls completed the Mailbox Trail activity that day too.
The following year, we ventured outside of Council properties and went to the Florida Elks Lodge for the Tradition Expedition Camporee hosted by the Wild River Community. The girls roasted marshmallows around a campfire, exchanged swaps, went canoeing and tried archery for the first time.
Elyse exchanging swaps at Tradition Expedition
Most recently, my troop attended the Wild River Cadette Retreat at Riverpoint Program Center. They cooked meals, completed two outdoor badges and participated in archery, paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking. It was great because no experience was like the last. There’s always something new and different we all got to share in.
Whether you are an outdoors enthusiast or prefer staying inside there are many options to get your girls exploring nature. Here are just a few ways I’ve come across that could help:
Attend a service community camporee… like I did with Wild River.
Earn an outdoor badge during your troop meetings.
Ask an older girl troop from your service community to host an outdoor badge workshop or teach an outdoor skill.
One of the bridging requirements is for girls to teach younger scouts a skill they have learned!
Reserve a Citrus Council property for a couple hours to canoe, kayak, or archery.
There are camp programs for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors. Camp adventures can include archery, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, paddle boarding, campfires, songs, hiking, and other activities.
If you’re a first time troop leader or a troop leader that hasn’t jumped into camp experiences, then you might want to attend a Citrus Open House. This can be very helpful to understand what is offered by Council and when. It can be even more useful for when parents have questions.
At these open houses, you’ll learn more about day camps, sampler camps, travel camps and resident camps. The Council staff is there to answer questions and you can take a tour of the sleeping and activity areas.
If you can’t make it to one of the Open House, then reach out to Council for additional information. There are great resources on the council website and you can always reach out to council staff for more info…especially if your interested in reserving a space.
Be Safe and Be Prepared
Whether you’re planning to take your troop camping or do an outdoor activity, here are some key things you want to keep in mind:
Visit your health provider to complete a girl physical and receive a current tetanus shot.
Watch the eight outdoor skill-building videos before taking girls outside at www.girlscouts.org/en/adults/volunteer/volunteer-resources/outdoor-resources.html. These videos can help volunteers give girls a sense of empowerment in the outdoors, show them how to use natural resources more wisely (including respecting our environment and wildlife), and help them become lifelong stewards of the land and our natural resources.
The Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) has some great resources to help plan your Outdoor Experience. Most recently, the VTK has been updated with some great activities in the STEM Journey & Badges, and the Outdoor Journeys & Badges.
Whatever you decide, I know it will be an amazing experience. As I look back at my time as a Troop Leader, I can say that some of my favorite time spent with my Girl Scouts, has been in the outdoors.
We Don’t Need A Badge For That!” is a program series where Girl Scouts connect with the community to work on community service projects.
This series is about community service and giving back throughout the year. Girl Scouts of Citrus Council will work with different community partnership to create a Take Action projects, clean-up events, or other services.
This series does not involve a badge or patch, but rather, encourages Girl Scouts and their families to volunteer and help support our Central Florida community.
Just Wing It! – March 24 – 11:00 am to 3:30 pm
The kickoff event to this program series is a take action project. Girl Scouts will be creating and establishing a butterfly learning garden. This is something anyone and everyone can do. Working with Orlando City they will be allowing Girl Scouts to use their land to design, create and build their garden for future events, generations, and environmental gains!
Come out and help us put together butterfly homes, plant flowers, create a peaceful garden for everyone. As teams we will build the homes, paint them and set them in place for the butterflies. Other teams will be planting trees, plants, flowers, and more. Lunch will be provided and an educational session will take place on importance and impact this has on our community. The girls will just need to show up in old clothes and Tennis Shoes and be ready to work.
Counselor-in-Training (CIT) I (must be currently enrolled in 9th grade)
Mentor younger girls in a camp setting as you build skills toward becoming a camp counselor. To earn this award, complete these steps:
Take a leadership course designed by your council on outdoor experiences.
Work with younger girls over the course of a camp session.
Counselor-in-Training (CIT) II (must be currently enrolled in 10th grade and earned your CIT I)
To earn this award:
Earn your CIT I award
Work with younger girls over the course of at least one camp session while focused on increasing your skills in one specific area- such as riding instruction, lifeguarding, or the arts.
Volunteer-in-Training (VIT) (must be currently enrolled in 10th grade)
This award is for girls who’d like to mentor a Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, or Cadette group outside of the camp experience. If you’ve completed 9th grade, you’re eligible to earn this award. Your VIT project should span 3-6 month period.
Find a mentor volunteer who is currently the adult volunteer for a group of girls at the level you’d like to work with. This volunteer will help you through your training and internship, and you’ll help the volunteer with her group of girls for the 3-6 month period.
Complete a council-designed leadership course
Create and implement a thoughtful program based on a Journey or badge that lasts over 4 or more sessions. Be responsible for designing, planning, and evaluating the activities. If you’re passionate about a topic like art or technology, you could design the activities around the area you love or in which you have expertise.
Enjoy one of our Summer Camp Open Houses with the entire family! Visit camp and get to know the staff: come on down to one of our 3 open houses.
Take a tour of our sleeping and activity areas. Learn about the different activities that girls will explore this summer. Sit down with our staff, over a plate of cookies and cups of “bug juice”– our campers’ favorite treat – and get answers to your questions, bring up any concerns, and get excited for summer fun.
The first 10 girls that bring a friend and register for camp together at one of our open houses will be entered into a special drawing! Prizes will vary each week and each girl can only win once.
*This event is free but advanced registration is required.
Are you a nature warrior? Are you ready to learn what you can do to help the environment while you camp?
Come on out to the great outdoors and put your leave no trace skills to the test while setting up a minimal impact campsite and prepare for your own adventures in the wilderness.This program will get you ready for your very own camping trip with your troop. Learn the do’s and don’ts of camping while having fun outdoors.
Program Fee: $10 per girl/ $2 per adult-Includes program activities, snack and badge (for girls only)
Program Level: Currently registered Juniors- no tag-alongs
Program Time: Saturday October 28th Check-in 1:30pm program begins promptly at 2pm and ends at 5pm
Registration Deadline: October 24th at 12pm or when program fills
The NWSL Championship will be held at Orlando City Stadium on Saturday, October 14, and will be broadcast live on Lifetime with the kick-off time of 4:30pm.
National
4) Get to toasting! Unless you like your marshmallow burned (Hey, some people do – we don’t judge…), keep your ‘mallow out of the flames, but hold it over some of the hot coals that have burned down, or to the side of the flames (if you can’t get to the coals).
heesesteak
