Summer Camp Experience, with Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast

The post was written by the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, an advertising partner of MyActiveChild.com.

The crackle of the campfire, the splash of canoe paddles in the lake, the whoosh of an arrow flying toward the bullseye — these are the sounds of a beloved summer tradition: Girl Scout camp.

It’s a special time that allows your girl to unplug from her electronics and connect to nature, peers and herself. She will build skills and confidence through new experiences under the guidance of caring, trained adults. Oh — and she’ll have a ton of fun too!

Summer camp is an amazing experience! But not every girl is ready for overnight camp, where she will be spending a week away from home. Whether your family’s schedule is tight or your girl is just a bit nervous to spend that much time away from home, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast has the option of day camp.

Our day camps are planned and led by a trained staff. You’ll find that each of our sessions have themes like Crafty Creators, Outdoor Tech, Eco World and Flower Power. Each session also includes traditional Girl Scout camp activities such as canoeing, archery and nature crafts! All our camps have gaga ball pits as well!

GSCCC day camps are offered in Chesapeake, Norfolk, and Williamsburg. Here’s a sample of what to expect: learn about animals and nature; make new friends; do outdoor STEAM activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math); learning (or practicing) how to cook outdoors; and do hands-on themed crafts.

If your girl is not a Girl Scout yet, she can join and participate in some summer fun days being organized by Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast membership team, or she, as a member, can participate in any council event scheduled.

And finally, if your girl is all-in for the ultimate camp experience, sign her up for an overnight camp experience! We have a 92-wooded acre camp, Camp Skimino, located in Williamsburg. The camp offers low and high ropes courses, a climbing wall, archery range, water sports and more. A great place for girls to be challenged and learn new skills. She’ll make new friends, learn new skills, and experience new adventures!

Learn more and find the camp that best fits your family at www.gsccc.org/discover.

NATURE CRAFT

Get excited about camp and the outdoors with this fun craft. Go on a nature hike and find a shell, leaf or anything that’s unique to the area where you live. Use it to make an outdoor-themed impression.

Instructions: 

Press your found objects into clay or dough – see details below on making your own – then remove them and return them to the place where they were found. If you’d like to hang your impression when it’s finished, make a hole at the top for string. (You may need to re-poke the hole a few times as your impression dries to keep it from closing up.) Your impression can be dried in the oven on low heat or outside in the sun on a hot day.

Learn more and find the camp that best fits your family at www.gsccc.org/discover.

SALT DOUGH RECIPE

Materials:

• 3 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup water (plus up to 1/2 cup extra water, if needed)
• Food coloring (optional)
• Electric mixer
• Stainless Steel Straw, Chopstick, Skewer, Stick (optional)
• Parchment paper or aluminum foil

Instructions:

• Mix the flour and salt together in a bowl
• Add 1 cup of water to the flour mix. To make colored dough, add 15 drops of food coloring to the water before mixing it into the dough.
• Use the electric mixer to mix the dough on medium speed until a ball forms. If the dough is dry, slowly add water (1 tablespoon at a time) until the dough comes together.
• Remove the dough; knead until smooth.
• Form the dough into disks and make your impressions. If you want to hang your finished project, use a straw to poke a hole at the top.
• With adult help, preheat the oven to 275 degrees.
• Bake dough pieces on a foil- or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet for 2 hours. Cool completely before handling.

Learn more and find the camp that best fits your family at www.gsccc.org/discover.