Girl Scout summer camp season is right around the corner! From devouring s’mores to singing songs around the campfire, we invite Girl Scouts to experience the magic of camp as they unplug, unwind, and immerse themselves in the great outdoors.
Whether attending on their own or with others, Girl Scout camp gives girls the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone as they learn new skills, build friendships, and create memories that will last them a lifetime.
We asked some of our Girl Scouts and troops what they love about Girl Scout camp and what they’re looking forward to most this summer!
Daisy Girl Scout Emma is registered for family camp at Camp Skymeadow this summer and has recently attended the Woman Warriors event at Camp Conshatawba. Her mother, Angie, says they plan on attending their service unit camp at Camp Redwing too.
Emma and a few of her fellow Girl Scouts from Greater Pittsburgh Troop 46685 went to Camp Skymeadow for the Daring Daisies day camp last year. Emma enjoyed trying horseback riding, canoeing, and archery for the first time! She was proud that she made her arrow stick to the target during archery. She said, “I did it all by myself!” She also made a snake for arts and crafts and enjoyed being at camp with her friends and making new ones.
This year, Emma is looking forward to sleeping over at camp with her mom and her friends. She enjoyed sleeping in the bunk beds while at camp last summer—she thought it was the coolest thing! Emma says she loves being a Girl Scout because she gets to be with her friends, make projects (such as a piggy bank out of recycled items), earn badges and fun patches, and sell Girl Scout Cookies at cookie booths.
Girl Scouts of Allegheny County Troop 52841 went to Camp Redwing last year where they participated in Camp Redwing 100th Anniversary activities and even closed with a bridging ceremony. The girls enjoyed hiking, creek time, cooking on a fire, having a few dance parties, learning how to use a crockpot, and earning their first Junior Outdoor Journey.
“I loved at Girl Scout camp when we woke up early and took a nature hike. My entire troop was at Camp Skymeadow. I also loved doing archery at camp. It made me feel happy to be in nature with my friends.” – Brownie Girl Scout Rylee S. of Westmoreland Troop 21934
Cadette Troop 50887 of Allegheny County went to Camp Skymeadow last year.
“All nine girls were able to make it, and it is the first time they have gone to camp without my co-leader and me,” said Troop Leader Shannon Burgoyne. “All nervous but SUPER excited!”
Mercer County Troop 27314 is attending troop camp this June at Camp Skymeadow. Many of the girls opted to attend individual camp sessions this year and for many, it is their second or third year going to overnight camp. The girls are most excited about swimming, archery, building fires, making s’mores over them, and exploring in the woods.
From previous camp trips, these Girl Scouts have loved hiking the gorge at Camp Hawthorne Ridge, letterboxing at Camp Redwing (done during the Camp Redwing 100th Celebration), riding the horses at Camp Skymeadow, disappearing into the bathroom to apply glitter tattoos at Camp Conshatawba, and snowshoeing during winter camp at Camp Hawthorne Ridge.
The girls use any free time to jump into the Gaga Ball pit for a few rounds. They even made a bridge out of sticks, small broken branches, mud, and moss—and it held!
Troop Leader Carla Thrasher said, “As the adults, Misty [Parshall] and I are always excited to see the girls experience new things. We were very excited for the opportunity to attend the Solar Eclipse camp where our girls were able to experience something that we can only hope to experience again.”
Girl Scouts Audrianna and Tori say they liked biking around the peninsula during the It’s OK to Love Erie camp week at Camp Hawthorne Ridge, Ryleigh enjoyed her stay in the yurts during the Camp Redwing 100th Celebration, and Jordan says that her favorite part of staying at Camp Redwing was finding the letterboxes.
According to girls who attended Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania camps in 2023, they agreed or strongly agreed about the following experiences at camp:
- 93% of girls felt they had the power to make decisions for themselves.
- 80% of girls felt they learned more about the world around them.
- 80% of girls felt they made new friends.
- 75% of girls felt they were courageous.
Check out our website to learn more about Girl Scout summer camp!
We can’t wait to see you there!
GSWPA 