Girl Scout Camp: Year 4.

Another year at Camp Sylvester behind us. It was great to be in the mountains for the weekend with the most wonderful weather I could wish for. It was fun hanging out with so many little girls, and big girls who were not long ago little girls. Why does 6th grade seem so far away from 3rd grade? Sniff.

Getting to spend the weekend with my two + 90 other energetic girls is a treat all by itself but, there were two main highlights for me this year.

The Junior Girl Scouts hike around the lake, whereas the Brownies hike too, but just to the dam. It's about four miles around the lake and maybe one to the dam. The trails are natural [not paved] until you get to the very end/or beginning, and a lot of the hike is scrambling up and down rocks and boulders. Getting seriously winded is part of the adventure, no matter how old or what shape you are in. My calves have been, let's say on fire for two days, but in a really good and worth it kind of way. It was my first time, Emily hiked all the way around two years ago but I've been with the little girl troops my three prior years and trekked just to the dam.

The other highlight was something that we have not done before at camp. The theme this year was patriotism and the symbolism of the American flag, so the culmination of the theme/lesson was the flag retiring ceremony at campfire time. The well worn and tattered flag was silently cut along the stripes, removing them one by one and each girl participating held up her piece until only the block of stars remained. Then each piece was carefully laid into the fire to its rest. I think we retired seven flags in total but only the first was ceremoniously divided up like that.

It was a beautiful, solemn, and inspiring experience and it touched the hearts [and tear ducts] of many girls and adults. It was amazing to witness, truly a special and memorable night. So if you thought these things were reserved only for Boy Scouts, now you know!

Speaking of Boy Scouts, the funniest skit this year was the one where a gaggle of girls is sitting around talking and one by one a new friend comes up shouting "a bear! a bear!" to no reaction. Then another girl "a lion! a lion!" to no reaction. Other girls come up warning of even more fierce animals with all girls showing no fear until the last girl runs up on stage and shouts "Boy Scouts!" and they all rise up in a frenzy screaming at the top of their lungs and run away. We get lots of laughs when Boy Scouts are mentioned, it's so funny. I would imagine Boy Scout groups equivocally make fun of the Girl Scouts from time to time. Silly.

These were my pictures:Emily took better pictures of the scenery so I'll add to this a bit later. Update: see second slideshow at the bottom.



If you were a Girl Scout you might remember holding up your three middle fingers on your right hand and saying:

On my honor, I will try
to serve God and my country
To help people at all times,
and to live by the Girl Scout law.

Emily's pretty lake pictures for your enjoyment: