Let’s get your girls outdoors! Training, tips, and resources.

Let’s plan to get your girls outdoors this year! Whether you’re seasoned campers or are just beginning your outdoor journey, there are resources and training opportunities to support volunteers at every level.

Resources:

Girl Scout Outdoor Progression Chart

Get Outdoors Videos:

Developing Outdoor Skills in Girls
Taking the Journeys Outside
Planning Your Troop’s First Campout
Introduction to Campsite Set-Up
Introduction to Cooking Outdoors
How to Leave No Trace Outdoors
Introduction to Fire Building
Outdoor Songs and Games

Q&A: Are you ready to take your girls camping?

Do I need to take a first aid kit when taking the girls camping?
Yes, you should have a basic first aid kit with you at all times when you’re with the girls. Even during troop meetings.

Do I need a First Aid trained adult to accompany us on our camping trip?
Yes, you’re required to have a Basic First Aid/CPR trained adult with you any time you’re taking the girls on an activity/outing outside your normal meeting place and time.

When do we need to have someone that is qualified in the Girl Scout Outdoor Skills training?
If you are sleeping in a structured building such as a lodge or cabin and not having a camp fire or doing any outdoor cooking, including a grill, you do not need to have a Girl Scout Outdoor Skills trained adult with you.

If you are sleeping in a structured building such as a lodge or cabin and plan to either have a campfire or do some outdoor cooking, you do need to have a Girl Scout Outdoor Skills – Cabin or Tent (OS – I or OS – II) Camping trained adult.

If you plan to sleep in a tent no matter where and no matter what the activity or cooking method, you do need to have a Girl Scout Outdoor Skills – Tent (OS II) Camping trained adult.

Are there patrol boxes (pots & pans, bowls, utensils, knives, etc.) available for us to use when staying at any of the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council properties?
No, you should refer to the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council Property Guide for a complete list of what items are supplied and what items are suggested that you bring.

10 Firework Safety Tips for Your 4th of July

How great are fireworks! They light up the sky in incredible ways and come in all kinds of patterns and colors. While its always best to go to a public show and let the professionals handle it, some families still like to set up their own home show.

So if you are going to celebrate on your own, be sure to follow these 10 firework safety tips.

While at Camp, Remember to…

Disconnect/unplug!
Don’t let your peaceful campsite be interrupted by the ring of a cellphone or the ping of a text. We live in a world so hooked to the Internet, cell phones, and tablets. Disconnect for a few days. There are so many things to hear, see, and do on a camp adventure. You’ll miss out on experiencing the power of this place and time if you don’t unplug.

Protect yourself from the environment!
Pack and use sunscreen, hand sanitizer, and insect repellant every day. Also, pack extra dry socks to avoid blisters and a hat to protect you from the sun, rain, and cold.

Soap your pots and pans!
This is a neat trick: apply dish soap to the outside of all your pots and pans before putting them on the fire. When it’s time for cleanup, the soot from the fire will wash right off.

 Leave no trace!
While camping or doing any other outdoor activity, it’s important to respect nature. Make sure to pack up all your trash and food scraps, and leave things like rocks, trees, wildlife and other natural things untouched.

Pick up after yourself!
For more than 100 years, girls have heard their leaders say, “A Girl Scout always leaves a place better than she found it.” That is also true when camping! Please pick up and pack up the litter you find on the trail, clean up your fire ring and campsite, and be good neighbors to those who are camping nearby.

 

How to Prepare for a Great Camping Experience!

It’s summer and it’s time to rock the outdoors with an amazing camp adventure! Whether you’re taking a camping trip with family or with your troop for the first time or your fifth outing, you can never be too prepared.

Tell someone where you’re going!
This is super important. Always tell someone where you are going for your camp adventure and what day/hour you plan to return.

Be prepared!
Our Girl Scout motto is especially true when camping. So be prepared for safety and emergencies by packing:

• First-aid kit
• Waterproof matches and fire starters
• Headlamp and extra batteries
• Whistle or other signaling device
• Space blanket
• Compass or GPS device
• A map of the area (you might not get any signal on your phone and will need to go “old-school” here).

Pack for all kinds of weather. You never know when it’ll rain or get cold. Yes, even in Florida it can get cold at night. It’ll be warm during the day, rain a little in the afternoon and then get a little chilly at night. So you never know.

Pack each day’s clothes in plastic bags. It’s never a good idea to sleep in clothes you’ve worn all day; that won’t be very comfortable. So be sure to pack some pajamas or something comfy to sleep in.

 

 

 

Mah-Kah-Wee Turns Green Again

Just five weeks after a wildfire consumed more than 150 acres of Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center, damaged acres are already experiencing new growth. On May 10, Karol Young, Board Member and longtime member of Girl Scouts of Citrus, toured the property with CEO, Maryann Barry:

Yesterday, was an emotional day as I saw Camp Mah-Kah-Wee (MKW) for the first time since the fire. Mah-Kah-Wee, the camp I love so much. I went to MKW as a child both for troop camping and resident camp. I worked at MKW all thru college, what a great job!  I have camped with troops, camporees, trainings and events (too many to even remember).

So many memories…I have an undying attachment to this piece of Girl Scout sacred ground.

So how did I feel as I gazed upon this charred piece of earth? I have seen the photos, and the videos but to walk thru it, to smell it, to experience it up close was different. It took my breath away.

So much of it is gone. Heartbreaking. I had to tell myself to breath.

But as Maryann and I toured the property, we noticed how much new green growth was popping up out of the ashes, little green sprouts of hope.

It has been just 5 weeks and Mother Earth is trying to heal her scarred remains. I saw the greenest sprouts of grass and leaves emerging from the ground, so bright and so beautiful. Animals are returning. We saw gopher tortoises digging new holes and heard bullfrogs croaking. We saw a huge deer on the east side heading towards the west side.

All these things gave me hope.

As we made our way back towards the east side of camp we began to discuss ways to reclaim this land and make it a viable part of our camp again. We will revision how our camp will look in the future and how we will meet the needs of our girls and adults.

As we left MKW, I felt hope and even a sense of excitement for the future. I will miss what has been lost as it will never be quite the same, but I feel confident it will once again be a place where so many new memories will be made.

Karol Young currently serves on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of Citrus and Chair of the Property Committee. She has been a member of Girl Scouts of Citrus since childhood and now proudly serves as an educator for Orange County Public Schools. 

A Decade of Summer Camp

Bunks, cabins, s’mores, and the challenge course. Chenna knows a thing or two about summer camp at Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center: she’s been attending for more than 10 years. That’s more than half of her lifetime.

This outdoor girl has been a performer since birth. She started dancing at age 3 and has been singing, dancing, acting, and playing guitar ever since. Even offstage, Chenna is known for singing while walking to classes. Fitting, since she plans to major in music in college to become a music teacher.

The summer camp experience has been exhilarating for Chenna – bringing her back to train as a Program Aide (PA) and most recently, a Counselor in Training (CIT). Soon, she will be on her way to holding a position as a Camp Counselor!

Favorite Camp Recipe

“Smackos! It’s kind of like a s’mores taco: you start with a tortilla, fill it with peanut
butter, chocolate chips, and marshmallows, then wrap it in tin foil and stick it on some hot
coals. Might sound gross but it’s delicious!”

On attending summer camp

“At camp, you can be yourself and have fun! Camp lets you make so many great memories
and I love what it teaches you – leadership and life skills.”

Parent to Parent

Chenna’s mom, Cherie Cook, with advice for parents of new campers Sending your kid to camp. It can be one of the biggest milestones in their young life, and an even bigger one for you.

“I know it is hard to let your precious child go somewhere away from you, but when they come back, full of stories, smiles and just a bit more independent than when they left, you will realize it is so worth it.”

Girl Scouts of Citrus has a long track record of conducting awesome summer camp experiences for girls ages 5 – 18. Homesickness is part of the package. But the number one cause of homesickness might surprise you: worrying about home, not necessarily missing it. Girls worry about their parents, siblings and pets!

“The counselors and staff at camp are safety conscious and exemplary; they
treat every child with respect, regardless of ability level.”

To find a summer camp adventure for your girl, visit www.citrus-gs.org/camp.

[Originally printed in the 2014-2015 Citrus Peel, Volume 2]

#Rally4MKW Kick Off Event

It’s been nearly one month since a wildfire consumed over 150 acres of Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center. Join us to kick off #Rally4MKW.

Though the wildfire that consumed over half of our beloved Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center was devastating, we now have an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine the future of this important camp for the next generation.

Register now to attend the #Rally4MKW Kick Off Event. This is not a cleanup event. This is not a rebuilding event. This is a rally.

#Rally4MKW Kick-Off Event
Saturday, May 20, 2017
5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Register Now.

All are invited. A nominal fee of $1 may be waived with PROMO CODE RALLY4MKW. 100% of registration fees which are received will be used in the Rally4MKW Fund.

Our first charge as a community is to mobilize to build a new vision for the future of Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center. True cleanup efforts will not begin for months and must be guided by professionals who are skilled at handling this level of destruction.

The event will feature food trucks, girl activities, tours by trailers of the damaged areas, and an opportunity to sign up for Action Teams, charged with generating a vision for key areas of the future of Mah-Kah-Wee. Action Teams include Building Design, Cleanup, and Outdoor Program Opportunities.

Wildfire Erupts at Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center

On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Camp Rangers were alerted to a brush fire in the dense forest on the far side of the lake at Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center. Both the neighboring HOA and our Rangers contacted 911. Within hours, the fire grew into a widespread wildfire, consuming over 150 acres of the property.

[DEVELOPING. Updated 4/26/17 at 2:00 PM] More than 100 volunteers were participating in Girl Scouts of Citrus’ Volunteer Retreat Weekend at the council’s largest camp property, Mah-Kah-Wee. Early Saturday afternoon, neighbors and Rangers noticed smoke and a brush fire on the far west side of Horseshoe Lake.

Donate to revitalization efforts at Mah-Kah-Wee Program Center.

Staff and volunteers responded quickly, totally evacuating the property within 15 minutes. First-responders, including Seminole County Fire Department and Florida Fire Services, also urged evacuation of nearby residential areas.

Due to high winds and dry conditions, the fire spread quickly across the west side of camp. The Turkey Run campsite was lost, while Shady Oaks and Eagles Roost have, so far, been spared extensive loss thanks to the prevention efforts of fire fighters. It is important to remember that the full scope of damage is unknown at this time.

We are extremely grateful to everyone who stepped up to offer assistance, including the East Seminole County VFW Post for providing an evacuation location for staff and volunteers, as well as the nearby Publix who offered food and supplies.

Anyone who would like to make a donation toward recovery efforts should visit our website.

We are continuing to assess the situation as areas continue to smolder and burn. Once more information is confirmed, troops and families will be updated about scheduled camp outings. Regular updates, as they are confirmed, will be posted on this page.

[UPDATED 4/11/2017 at 9:30 AM] At this time, the fire is still active at Mah-Kah-Wee, and parts of the property have experienced flare-ups that are common with wildfires. We believe it is contained, but while fires are still active, we cannot begin a full assessment of the damage.

Summer Camp: We can confirm that summer camp will take place as planned, with suitable accommodations offered to campers to compensate for the damaged cabins. We are working with donors and community partners to find mobile accommodations.

Mah-Kah-Wee Events: Individual events, such as council-led events and camporees, are being assessed on an individual basis based on the timing of the event. Registrants for upcoming events will receive communication if their event is cancelled or postponed.

Cause: At this time, local authorities can confirm that no foul play contributed to the cause of the fire, and they speculate that the fire began as a result of natural causes.

How can I help: There are many ways to get involved right now, but unfortunately, until authorities are confident that the fire is extinguished, we cannot begin any large-scale efforts. Here’s how to help right now:

• To make a financial donation, please visit our website.
• To send cards or small gifts (such as your favorite memories at camp or thank you cards written to first responders and other helping organizations), please mail them to:
  341 N Mills Ave
  Orlando, FL 32803
• To assist with future volunteer cleanup initiatives, please complete this form. This group will be contacted first with additional information when it is available.
• To assist with volunteer-led appreciation efforts for first responders, please see this Facebook event.
• To lead an independent fundraising effort on our behalf, such as selling merchandise or donating a percentage of business profit, please contact Toni Castillo, Chief Relationship Officer, at tcastillo@citrus-gs.org or 407-228-1601 before beginning formal campaigns.

[UPDATED 4/12/2017 at 10:00 AM] At this time, we believe the wildfire is 100% contained, but is still active. That means there are still hot spots throughout the acres that were impacted by the wildfire, preventing authorities from beginning a full assessment of the damage.

Mah-Kah-Wee Events: We have started to contact the participants of upcoming events scheduled to take place at Mah-Kah-Wee on an individual basis to discuss their options. We are committed to ensuring that all events can take place, so we are working with the local network of camp properties to find alternative solutions for our members. Please stay tuned to your email if yourself or your troop has upcoming events.

RELATED NEWS COVERAGE 

Saturday, April 8 at 7:25 PM. Video. Orlando Sentinel.
Mandatory evacuations wildfire near Chuluota doubles in size; several buildings destroyed

Saturday, April 8 at 10:26 PM. Video. WESH2
Brush fire sparks in Chuluota, Girl Scout camp evacuated, structures destroyed

Sunday, April 9 at 6:12 PM. Video. WESH2.
Wildfire in Chuluota 90 – 95 percent contained

Sunday, April 9 at 10:16 PM. Video. WESH2
A look at Chuluota brush fire damage

Sunday, April 9. Video. Storyful. 
Central Florida Brushfire Forces Evacuations.

Monday, April 10 at 3:40 PM. Video. Orlando Sentinel
Firefighters brace for Central Florida surge in wildfires

Monday, April 10 at 4:23 PM. Video. WFTV9
Girl Scout camp structures destroyed by Seminole County brush fire will be rebuilt, group says

Monday, April 11 at 10:18 AM. NEWS6
Gov. Scott declares state of emergency after Florida wildfire increases