Camp T. in photos!

What a fun weekend at Camp Tecumseh, as always! Hope everyone had fun!

I'm sharing a few photos from the weekend. Email me yours and maybe we can make a photo book of all of our photos for the troop.

Ava and Kayley groom Bandit

Lindsey and Julianna groom Bandit with curry brushes

Lindsey hits the trail!

Learning to saddle a horse

Just having fun!

 Roasting marshmallows for s'mores inside thanks to Mary's trusty toaster oven!

In Jail!

Boating!

Boating along with FHH Cub Scouts!

The Black Hole slide!

Horse Fans Hanging Out

Listening to Mary Anne Hunsberger explain tacking and grooming horses 

Signing Glow-in-the-Dark T-shirts

Learning about careers in the equestrian world

About to groom a horse

Learning to clean a saddle

Learning to saddle a horse -- Teamwork!

Glow-in-the-dark fun!

Camp T cabins, itinerary, packing list

PLEASE READ THIS ALL THE WAY THROUGH CAREFULLY. I don't want you to miss out on important info, especially since this year's trip will be a little more scheduled with the two badges for those who are doing them.

First, for the girls, no electronic devices (cell phones, iTouches, kindles, iPads, etc.). It's a lot more fun for the girls to socialize when they're at camp, play,  dance, etc., than to be staring at a screen. It's fine of course for them to them to have these for the car ride. If you're accompanying your daughter to camp, please make sure she doesn't have an electronic device while there -- including in the cabins at night. If your daughter is riding with someone else to camp, make sure she knows that any electronic devices will be held for her while she's at camp by whoever is in charge of her. I'd prefer not to be holding a bunch of these so if each adult can be responsible for their own kid's devices and anyone else's who they might have driven to camp, I'd appreciate it!

(Brookfield Zoo has the same no electronics rule for kids, FYI, for when we go on the overnight there in October).

I mention this first because it's tough for kids to get a real "camping" type experience if they're all huddled around a screen. This has happened on a few of my son's Boy Scout trips -- despite the rules -- and he has mentioned it when he returned home! They can survive 24 hours without their devices. ;-)

For people who haven't been to Camp T. before, it's about a 1 hour and 40 minute drive to Brookston, IN., and they are one hour ahead of us on eastern time. So it's always a good idea to plan on an early departure from Munster on Saturday morning to have lots of time to explore all there is to do at camp!

Itinerary for Saturday and Sunday:

Saturday September 20

Anytime after 9 a.m. eastern -- check in to the Trading Post at Lake Village and tell them you're with Troop 10265. They sometimes give out wristbands to identify you and get you into camp program areas, meals, etc. The Trading Post is where you'll be for camp extras such as riflery tickets ($1 each), the "Horse Fan" badge ($19), candle making. 


Please read our itinerary below before you "book" yourself into candle making and realize later you can't make that time. 


If your daughter is doing the "Horse Fan" badge at camp she is automatically part of a trail ride. We will do this badge right after lunch at 1 p.m. and if you, as an adult, want to also be a part of the trail ride, you'll need to reserve a spot for 1 p.m. and pay for that when you check in ($9). There are only 7 spots left in addition to the girls in our group so first come, first serve for adults. Once it's filled, it's filled.


9:00 a.m. - 11:45 am -- Camp program areas open. If you're doing the horse fan badge after lunch, morning would be a great time to explore other camp areas such as riflery, candle making, boating, slides, climbing towers, arts and crafts area, etc.


12:00 pm -- Lunch


1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. -HORSE FAN BADGE at River Village Barn


3:30 -- 5 -- Explore other program areas at camp (candle making, slides, boating, climbing towers, riflery)


5:30 p.m. -- Dinner


6:15 -- ARCHERY BADGE(I have asked them to keep this short and sweet! Still waiting to hear back from them on whether this will be in Lake Village or River Village)


7 p.m. -- Get ready for campfire back at our cabins with other Girl Scouts from FHH! We'll take photos, etc. I have glow in the dark face paint, glow in the dark nail polish, glow sticks, etc. Our theme is "Girl Scouts Glow!" REMEMBER YOUR GLOW IN THE DARK T-SHIRT! We will have a "signing party" where girls from our troop will sign the back of each other's t-shirts with different colored sharpies.


7:30 p.m. -- Campfire with skits/ singing run by camp staff etc.


8:30 p.m. -- Roasting marshmallows for S'mores to share with all FHH troops :-)


9 p.m. -- Return to cabins and immediately go to sleep. (ha ha)


11 p.m. -- 7 a.m. -- Officially Camp "Quiet Hours"




Sunday September 21  


8 a.m. Breakfast


9 a.m. -- Optional Chapel (location to be announced at breakfast)


9 a.m. -- Noon -- Program areas open (If you didn't get a chance to do something Saturday or had so much fun you want to try an activity again, now's your chance!)


Noon -- Check out. You don't need to officially check out but this is when we have to leave camp.Lunch is on your own on the drive home or once you get home.




YOUR CABIN (each cabin sleeps 15 -- usually 7 bunk beds and one single bed by itself)


LAKE VILLAGE CABIN ONE: 


Natalie/Ava
Jennifer Moore/Kayley
Jennifer Pruzin/Sarah Pruzin/Sara Progler
Diane/Jilli
Michele/Tori




LAKE VILLAGE CABIN TWO: 


Susie/Julianna
Mary/Naomi
Nicole/Elena
Barb/Margie
Linn/Lindsey
Anna/Vanya
possibly Clare if she doesn't stay in cabin three with her mom/sister


The other FHH troops will be next to us in cabins 3 through 6. 




WHAT TO PACK:


Your Daughter's Glow in the Dark T-shirt!!


A flashlight for you and one for your daughter (we are in Lake Village and the bonfire at night is often in River Village -- it's very dark walking back to the cabins afterward without a flashlight)


A change of clothes for Sunday and extra underwear and socks 


PJ's or sweats to sleep in


BOOTS (Rainboots are fine) -- something you don't mind getting muddy -- for the HORSE FAN badge -- girls are going to be in the barn, tacking and grooming the horses and riding. If you don't have boots you could bring an old pair of tennis shoes or hard soled shoes that you don't mind getting muddy.


Long pants for riding


Rain poncho and/or hat and/or umbrella in case of rain


Sweatshirt or jacket for evening campfire


Bug spray, sunscreen


Water (there is a "store" at the Trading Post with vending machines, but it's nice to have water for when you're walking all over camp).


Snacks if you want but avoid candy! You don't need to pack any snacks because Trading post does have some snacks things for sale. We will have lunch and dinner Saturday and breakfast Sunday at camp. For those who are pickier eaters they always have a salad bar with lots of choices and, at breakfast, cereal and yogurt as alternatives to the main dish.


A Sleeping Bag and or sheets and a few blankets. A pillow. Camp bunk beds have plastic covered THIN mattresses, just to warn you. ;-) I usually bring a fitted sheet to put over the mattress.


Toothbrush and toothpaste. There's usually soap in the bathroom but bring your own  just to be on the safe side.


If you're going to shower you'll need a towel, shampoo, etc.  I usually wait until I'm home to take a shower but people also do shower at camp. 


The cabins have shared bathrooms/showers attached.




WHAT NOT TO BRING!!


NO FLIP FLOPS OR SANDALS -- Camp has lots of mulch, dirt and gravel and trails through the woods. Believe me, you don't want to be wearing sandals or flip flops or watch your daughter stop every few seconds because "there's something in her shoe." Tennis shoes or boots are best.


FANCY CLOTHES -- Forget it, they're going to get dirty. It's camp. ;–)


Here's the Official Packing List from Camp Tecumseh (more detailed than mine):

Clothing 
Dress at camp is casual; we suggest the following for each guest depending upon the time of year: 
1 pair of pajamas
2 pairs of shoes (1 pair of tennis shoes, 1 pair of boots) Daily change of socks and underwear, plus 2 extra of each Heavy & lightweight shirt – one for each day
2 sweaters/sweatshirts
Daily change of pants/jeans and/or shorts, plus 1 extra pair Jacket or coat
Rain wear – poncho or rain coat 

Bedding:
Each person will need a sleeping bag OR 2-3 blankets & sheets
Pillow 


Toiletries/Personal Care Items:


Shampoo 
Bar of soap
Hand soap
Hand towel and/or wash cloth Towel
Toothbrush & toothpaste 

General Items: 


Alarm clock 
Flashlight Wrist watch 
Comb/Hair brush Deodorant Chapstick Sunscreen Medications 
Bug Spray 

Optional Items:

Camera & extra film, batteries
Fishing pole & tackle
Board games, playing cards
Bible
Water bottle or travel coffee mug
Portable “campfire” - Camp does not allow ground fires! 




What NOT to bring: 

• ALCOHOL or other controlled substances 
  
• Knives 
  
• Axes and/or saws 
  
• Aerosol cans 
  
• Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, razor scooters, snow sleds 
  
• Firearms, archery equipment, etc. 
  
• Fireworks 
  
• Glass bottles 
  
• Pets 
  

Here's a link to Camp Tecumseh's website for more info:http://camptecumseh.org

What do Girls Get Out of Girl Scouts?

what do Girls Get out of Girl Scouts

Sar

Sharing this from another Girl Scout blog... interesting things girls/leaders say girls get out of Girl Scouts...

In summer 2014, GSUSA conducted a pulse poll* with parents of Girl Scouts and with Girl Scout volunteers. This poll delivered exciting results, making clear the positive energy around the Girl Scout experience for girls. In short, parents and volunteers believe Girl Scouts is the place for girls to have fun, make friends, learn new things, build confidence, and more. Volunteers experience the fun alongside girls and derive other great benefits from their service as well.Parents and volunteers agree: Girl Scouts provides a cost-effective variety of unique, positive, and fun experiences for girls!

What Parents Say About Girl Scouts

When parents are asked to describe the benefits of Girl Scouting using one word, the top responses are:
1. Friendships
2. Confidence
3. Fun
4. Community
5. Leadership

Friendships, happiness, and fun. We want our girls to have fun and to be happy in anything they do. Girl Scouts is rated extremely highly on measures of happiness and fun:
• 97% of parents say Girl Scouts has been a positive activity for their daughter.
• 95% of parents say that because of Girl Scouts, their daughter has made more friends.
• 89% of parents say that because of Girl Scouts, their daughter is happier.

New experiences. Girl Scouts offers girls new experiences and opportunities. And parents are well aware of this.
• 96% of girls have tried at least one new thing as a Girl Scout.
• 95% of parents believe that Girl Scouts offers new experiences that are fun and exciting.

Confidence. We know that building confidence is a key milestone for children, and Girl Scouts gives girls the opportunity to do this!
• 94% of parents say that Girl Scouts makes their daughter feel special and important.
• 90% of parents say that because of Girl Scouts, their daughter is more confident.
• 79% of parents say that because of Girl Scouts, their daughter is not as shy as she used to
be.

Variety of experiences and value-add of Girl Scouting.
Parents say Girl Scouts offers girls a variety of experiences and opportunities to try new things, develop skills, and become well- rounded. Parents also recognize the unique value of Girl Scouts as compared to other extracurricular activities.
• 95% of Girl Scouts participate in the Girl Scout Cookie program. Seventy-four percent of
parents say that because of Girl Scouts, their daughter has gained entrepreneurial
business skills.
• 91% of parents say that their daughter has had at least one outdoor experience with Girl Scouts in the last year.
• 92% of parents believe that their daughter has benefited from the all-girl environment of Girl Scouts.
• 89% of parents say that their daughter gets a greater variety of experiences from Girl Scouts than she does from other extracurricular activities.
• The majority of parents (54%) feel that Girl Scouts is a great value for their money, compared to other extracurricular activities.

What Volunteers Say About Girl Scouts

Girl Scout volunteers benefit from the Girl Scout program as well. Not only do these individuals believe they are making a difference in the lives of the girls they serve, they also enjoy the many personal and professional benefits of the Girl Scout experience, such as making new friends, learning new things, getting active and outdoors, and feeling part of a supportive community.

Benefits for Girls
• 95% of Girl Scout volunteers agree that they make a difference in the lives of girls because they volunteer with Girl Scouts.
• 94% of Girl Scout volunteers believe that Girl Scouts offers new experiences that are fun and exciting.
• 95% of Girl Scout volunteers are happy knowing they are making girls’ lives better.

Benefits for Volunteers
• 94% of Girl Scout volunteers have made new friends in Girl Scouting.
• 92% of Girl Scout volunteers feel that Girl Scouts helps them learn or share something new.
• 88% of Girl Scout volunteers believe their life is better because they volunteer with Girl
Scouts.
• 88% of Girl Scout volunteers say that Girl Scouts lets them be active.
• 86% of Girl Scout volunteers say that the volunteer experience has helped them personally.
• 86% of Girl Scout volunteers have had at least one outdoor experience with Girl Scouts in the past year.
• 82% of Girl Scout volunteers feel that Girl Scouts make them feel supported.
• 82% of Girl Scout volunteers believe that Girl Scouts makes them feel special and important.
• Nearly two-thirds of Girl Scout volunteers (62%) believe that their volunteer experience has helped them professionally.

Quotes from Girl Scout Volunteers
“I LOVE being a Girl Scout volunteer. It brings joy to my life to know that I helped shape the future of a young lady.”
“Being a Girl Scout leader and working with the girls is GREAT! I love helping them to grow into themselves, who they are, and the GREAT people they will become!”
“It is exciting and rewarding to see the girls try new things, learn new things, share their
knowledge with younger Scouts, and mature into leaders.”

*This poll was conducted with 3,522 parents of Girl Scouts in the K−5 age range across six Girl Scout councils around the country. Eighty-eight percent were also Girl Scout volunteers.