Kick Off Camp- Camp Wood Haven- Day 2

It never fails. If you are going Girl Scout Camping, it will rain. And boy did it. We woke up to a low 50's temperature and right after breakfast the skies opened up. And it rained till 4pm!

 We all had some breakfast and some caffeine and I went to find out where I would be setting up my station. I was doing science experiments with the kids. I had found on a Facebook group, a link for a Girl Scout fun patch from the PBS show Fetch! I knew that these would be activities that my girls would like, and I thought that others would as well.

I would be spending the day at the Shandy Wood pavilion, so I packed everything back up into my car and we proceeded to get lost. Seriously, I get lost everywhere I go. When we found it, I was impressed with this site as well. Of the two sites, I think I would take my troop to this site. It was back pretty far and way from the other sites. I like to be alone with my girls so that if they start acting like monkeys, they wont bother anyone.

The pavilion was very nice, and they also had a fireplace and refrigerator. With our small troop, I think we would be comfortable there.

Like I had said, I am organized. I set up each experiment and put them in separate bags so all I have to do is pull out the bag and everything is right there. I would have Daisy and Brownie girls first, then Junior's two groups of them, and finally Cadette and higher.

We started off with building tin foil boats. Originally the instructions said to use pennies, but I was using pennies for a later experiment and my darling husband decided to cash all of my pennies in, 3 days before camp! However, the paperclips were not heavy enough so Miss B proceeded to use the pennies we had and prayed that there would be enough.

The girls built some nice and sturdy boats. One looked like a turtle. Some built some really pretty boats that held nothing. The big winner of the day was a boat that barely looked like the girl worked on it. It looked like all she did was halfheartedly bent the foil edges up. That boat held 50 pennies.

The next experiment was one all about balance. The girls had to stand up against the wall and try to lift their legs or to bend over with out bending their knees. Every group had girls who were thinking that it would be super easy, but once they tried it, they were confused about why they could not move. We talked a bot about balance and what the body does to compensate for your movements.

Third experiment was with the pennies. We had to see which household solution would clean pennies better.We used vinegar, water with baking soda, cola, lemon juice, ammonia cleaner and ketchup. The girls soaked the pennies in the solutions and drew conclusions on what they thought would happen.

I did this experiment at home before we left, and I was totally surprised about the outcome. You should definitely try this at home! When we did it at camp, the first group had three groups and each group had a different solution that worked best because of variables in the experiment.

 

The last experiment that we did with the Brownies and the Daisy girls was to build catapults out of pop sticks, rubber bands and spoons. The girls had a blast with them. And after a day, I have a whole arsenal of spoon catapults. 

For the Juniors, we still had two more experiments to do! We followed the directions on the Fetch site and build soda bottle rockets. They were super simple and the girls put them together really quick. The ones who paid attention to the instructions had theirs going right away and it took some others a few more minutes, but it was a simple project. 

 

 

The last thing that the Juniors did was to test the ph of the solutions that the pennies were in and to talk about the ph scale. We tried to figure out what was on the penny based on what type of solution cleaned it. So if we had a penny that really got clean because of the acid it was in, then there was a good chance that the stuff on it was a base. I had purchased litmus papers from eBay and it was so neat to see it all change colors. 

For the older girls, I had purchased a csi dna kit and we did three different punnet squares and figured out who belonged to what parent. I thought it was interesting and I was so looking forward to doing it with the girls, but they weren't having it. I feel like that was my only fail moment during the day. But what the girls really wanted was to make the spoon catapults. lol I guess I should have just continued with what I was already doing and let them do all of the science the young ones were doing. Live and learn, right?

Around 4 o'clock we were done with all of the girls and we headed back down to our tents. It had finally stopped raining. My parent volunteer had to run home quick to check on her ill husband and on the way back, she stopped to get us some BK! It was so good, and I hate that food. But lunch consisted of pb and j sandwiches so, junk food looked so good. 

I made sure that we ate somewhere private just so that other girls were not feeling left out.  Then we plopped ourselves down in front of the fire. The ladies who stayed at our were trying to get the fire started. After a while, I got my things to build a fire and helped out. I get possessive about my fires. Don't mess with them, I am trained to do it and gosh darn it, I froze my tush off in October to be certified to start the fire. BACK OFF! lol Within 5 minutes the fire was roaring to life and the girls had sticks with hotdogs on them. They ate in shifts, as certain things were done before other things. 

My princess took care of me and made me a hot dog. She is a good girl. It was so nice to be warm and semi dry. We decided to pack it in and head into our tents around 9. The girls stayed up till 11 and then it was lights out. The community lead was teaching whittleing to the other girls but knowing my girls, we would have been making a trip to the ER so it was good they were in bed. 

The next morning,OMG it was only 45 degrees out at 8am, we ate a quick breakfast, packed up, cleaned out and were on our way home to shower before 11! They also had a really quick re-dedication ceremony. We will be doing one at a troop meeting, since some of the girls in the troop did not come to this camp.

Despite the weather we had a blast. I can not wait to camp again!

Kick off Camp 2014- Camp Wood Haven- Day 1

Kick Off Camp is something that the lower part of our community organizes and puts together. This was our second year of putting this camp together. We had originally wanted to have our camp at our home camp, Camp Louise, but our council is in the process of phasing that camp out. They say that they aren't, but they fired the ranger this year and have not hired a new one. With councils all over the country closing down camps, we see the writing on the wall.

All summer our community lead was told Louise would be open in time, but about 3 weeks before camp she got the call that it would need to be moved. Closest available camp was over 2 hours away, which was not what we were looking for.

I suggested that we look at GS of Eastern Pa's camps because there is one that is close to us, Camp Wood Haven. We were unable to get the whole camp but 3 sites was all that we needed. We stayed at Robins Den, Pioneer 1 and Shady Wood. (I tell you all of this in case you are local and would like to stay at this camp)

At our day camp, we had a contest between the girls to see who can come up with a tshirt design and we were going to sell that. In hopes that everyone who came to camp would order a shirt. I had the screen printer and would take care of that part.

We only had about half of the girls order tshirts and it took me about a week to get them done. I think that the girls liked them. I thought that they looked cute. The design was voted on by them and the winning design was done by a Junior.

Thankfully the camp was not on the tshirt design!

Pretty cute, right?!

Originally the lead and I were going to take our kids out of school early and get to the camp for the earliest possible time, which would have been 3 o'clock. With the change of venue, she was unable to be there for 3, but I would still be able to get there. I like to be at camp early, get everything set up and then enjoy the rest of the night. Honestly, we pay way to much to rent camps to be there only a little bit of the time.

I took the three girls in my troop that were going out of school at 1 pm. We got some gas and stopped for smoothies, but ended up in camp about 3:15.

I was so surprised. It was so nice! My daughter had been to this camp in mid August and we were staying in the same spot she was at. She even picked the same tent. There was 10 platform tents, all actually up. I have had problems with GSHPA camps where the internet says you should have 10 tents and you come to find they only have 5 put up.

Anyway, 10 tents, 2 fire rings and a very big pavillion that had a fire place in side, but also a little kitchen. So we had sinks, a stove and a fridge. At least in our unit. This was a really nice looking spot.

I called our lead and told her she was going to like this place. I asked her if she wanted two fires going by the time she came, and she said that would be great.

My girls had all of their stuff unpacked and had helped me get the stuff I needed to start the fire. I told them them they could wander around, as long as they stayed together.

The site director rolled up a few minutes later, in her golf cart with her yellow lab. S/he was adorable. Very happy and good with kids. She told me she sent the girls back to their site. Apparently I should not have left they explore on their own. She also told us that I could not let them have their cots next to each other, they had to stay the way they were originally. No problem. Every camp is different on how they want things. We have always moved their beds, but they were fine with them once they were moved back.

I told the site director that the community lead would be there shortly. I though that she was very friendly. We talk a bit about the camp and others. She recommended a camp to us for winter use. Then I met the ranger as well. They seemed very helpful.

Once everyone got there, they started the food prep. We had decided to serve walking tacos. And since my family is vegetarian, we brought along our own "meat". We (my kids and their moms) pretty much packed our own food. I know from last years camp that food serving, times and amounts can be an issue, and I did not want my kids to be hungry. I am so glad that we did.

I think that there are several ways that people camp. Me, I am all about pre-prep and relaxing once I am there. I pack clothes and label them for each day. Every day the clothes that we are done with goes into the laundry bag back into the car. Activities are packed the same way. Each one in their own container. We also do food that way. Each day, different container. And for us, we precook our food. I would much rather a child who is hungry have cold/ luke warm ground beef than wait an hour for possibly pink meat. Our community lead is a cook on site kind of camper.

It was close till 8pm before the kids got to eat. And they really skimped on their meals. I felt kind of bad having so much when others weren't getting enough. I offered to share mine with my co-leader and her daughter. But they went through the line. I don't think they wanted to take our food. My co-leader thought that the texture of the "meat" was very much like the real thing. Woot!!

I had just put the sour cream, cheese and lettuce on top of my tin foiled meat and then I was just carrying a frito bag. My daughter was still hungry, so I made her a second out of what I had, and then one of my little girls was just sitting by the fire looking so hungry. I gave her some of mine as well. It had to taste similar, because she scarfed that right down!

After dinner, I handed out snack cakes to all the girls, because it was my birthday. We tucked our girls into bed and gave them a time limit for lights out. I did not want a repeat of our summer troop camp of them being up till 3:30am! And then my co-leader and the volunteer mom from my troop went to our own tent.

I love to camp and I know how hard it is to pull off a camp with one or two troops, that I could not even imagine what it takes to do a community or service unit camp. I am grateful that my lead does this and puts it together. First of all, she only charges 20$ for adults and 15$ for the kids. Where else can you GS camp for 2 nights, have food provided and activities for such a low price. Second, it is a total thank less job, with lots of people complaining with out doing. I hate that.

That being said, there are a few things I would do somethings differently. It needs more planning time coming into it. And it needs more committed adults with defined roles. You are in charge of this, she is in charge of that and you both know what the other one is doing. No troop should come without being able to contribute to the days activities.

I think either food needs to be precooked and preped OR each troop needs to be in charge of their own food. Last year food was an issue, this year it was less of an issue, but I think that next year it needs to not be an issue at all.

I will continue to describe our camp in the next post. Day 2!

Halloween Parade

We participated in two Halloween Parades this year and the costumes came out wonderfully. I had to do a bit of the work myself because I canceled a meeting due to family issues. Each box had a picture of the girls doing something at a Girl Scout function.

The first parade was at night, and I don't have any pictures of them! We bought 30 dollars in candy and would you believe that they threw out all that candy in about 2 blocks. And we had about 10 blocks left to walk.

A little girls brother and my son held the banner. I love when the brothers help out.

And the girls walked great. It was a bit chilly and it was a bit of walking, but there was not a complaint among them. I just love these girls!

We did not win or place in this parade, but that was OK as long as they had a good time.

Then we did a parade in our home town on Saturday morning. The weather was fabulous and the girls were in such a good mood. They stayed together and walked so well.

At the end of the parade, they stood before the judges and rocked the Promise in sign language.

We ended up winning first place inn the group category!

We are hoping that they won enough to help them go to a reptile zoo.

Community Camping weekend

I am not sure I like the new buzz word of community instead of service unit. Especially when our community is very big and not at all friendly with each other. Our service unit was combined with another service unit last summer. The first meeting that was held with the large group, we were referred to as "the other group" and were not given a voice. Our representatives left feeling like we were the red headed step children.

Since then we have functioned as two units under one name. Cookies and fall products are split, we hold our own meetings. We don't go down there or participate in their activities and they do not come up here.

Yay! Communities!

Anyway... where was I?

Camping. lol  We held our first community camping weekend. It was supposed to be a re- dedication camp. My daughter Lex and I love to camp together. A weekend without boys, doing things that they don't believe we would ever do.

We were the first ones at camp. I took her and her friend out of school early so that they got the most out of the weekend. We found our cabin and wiped down the beds and swept out the cabin. For sites that are supposed to be cleaned out every time someone stays in them, they sure are gross. We found a towel and a pair of socks. Some where someone is NOT doing their job.

The girls and I then walked around the camp. They were so happy to be there. We found beaver evidence and tracks. Pretty flowers and plants.

We started the fire and waited for everyone else to get there. They giggled around the camp fire, ate hot dogs and then we hiked back to our cabin. We were actually a bit away from the group fire ring and it was getting dark. You don't want to be walking in the woods, in the dark, with two young girls.

We had 4 bunks in our cabin, with only 4 people. I thought for sure that the girls would love to sleep on the top. For some reason they could not figure out how to get out of the beds. It was actually something that was hysterical to watch. I am a firm believer in allowing them to try to figure it out with out rushing to help. But after about 5 minutes of them acting like turtles on their backs, we rescued them and they decided to sleep on the bottom beds. 

The next morning was a bit rough, but what morning at camp isn't. Our camp leader tried. I will give her that. Something just went wrong between plan and execution. Breakfast took twice as long as it was supposed to. What was disappointing was leaders who were making sure that their own kids were fed and even giving them seconds, before other girls had even eaten. I walked away with out eating and went to the archery range to set up with another leader for the day. We had both been certified two weekends before.

We had a steady stream of girls all day. They love archery. That is not something that I thought girls would. Every girl tried, and some did not want to leave.

We had a bagged lunch and after 5 groups of girls, we headed back to the group ring and started on dinner.

And then I saw the most appalling thing ever at a girl scout function.  A woman who is a leader of a troop, lost in on her child. I want to preface this with, I can not tell you how to raise your children. If you think spanking is ok, then go ahead. I do not spank my children.

Back to this woman. She grabbed her child by the back of her jacket, dragged her to a log and slammed her down on it. Then proceeded to scream at this girl.

As soon as it happened, my daughter and her friend had this look of terror on their faces. I had a rough child hood with physical violence and I can not handle seeing the same thing happen to other children.

We packed up our chairs and mess kits and left the group ring. My co-leader went over to talk to the camp host. I do not know what the outcome was personally from hearing it myself, as I was walking the girls back and explaining why we were leaving to them. From what I gather, the host asked in my co-leader thought something should be said.

YES!!! This is a woman who is in charge of other children. Of course something needs to be said. Regardless of how you discipline your children, you do not do that in front of others. If you need to use physical punishment on your child, walk away from the group. Do not scare a group of children by putting your hands on someone. Blah!

The girls though, understood and were happy to be going back to the cabins and to have a fire of their own. I was a little upset that they would not be part of the ceremony, but since my whole troop was not at camp, we would have to do one anyway. So they will still get their rededication.

We got a great fire going. Let me tell you, a year ago I went to Outdoor Skills Training and I could not get a fire started. I ended up using so many matches that when the fire finally did start, it was the matches that caught fire.  I learned that a long cabin fire produces super hot coals, perfect for smores! And that is what we did. The girls gathered wood. They are so different, but hard working. My daughter brought over a downed tree and her friend brought tiny pieces. One was good from starting the fire and the other was good to keep it going.

We were sitting for an hour when the others from our camp site came up. Turns out, that the host has decided to not do the ceremony, but sent mountain pie makers and ingredients up with them. Now the party can start. They sang songs and made mountain pies. It was a good end to the day.

In the morning we cleaned up and left early.

We had a great weekend and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Next time, I would like more of my troop to go!