It's Time for Summer Camp!

Tesi Davis Strickland, the outdoors adventure manager for Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, is packing up to head to Camp Darden near Franklin for summer camp. Strickland, who has served in a number of roles in Girl Scouts, both as a volunteer and staff member, will spend the summer overseeing fun and adventure for girls, managing staff and providing unique opportunities for girls to grow and discover in the outdoors. She will be managing four camp properties this summer but she says Camp Darden is her favorite camp.

“I remember as a little girl going to pick up my uncle from Camp Darden back when it was a Boy Scout camp,” Strickland said. “As a badge requirement, the Boy Scouts had to bring something back from the camp experience and my uncle chose to teach us how to make foil dinners. This foil dinner, or the “Darden Special” as we called it, became a family tradition for us.”

Although traditional camp activities, including singing around the campfire, canoeing and swimming remain at the core of the program at Camp Darden, other activities have been added. This summer, girls will be able to use a newly-constructed archery range that can be utilized rain or shine, and will have use of a new sailboat that was donated. Girls will also have a chance to fish and use the low-ropes course.

While all these activities are great ways for girls to build skills and have fun, Strickland says making friends and being in an all-girl environment are still the most important reasons why girls come to Girl Scout camp.

“Camp is a place where there is no competition and girls can feel free to be themselves and try new things,” Strickland said. “Most of my staff were campers as girls and know the value of the experience. They have worked their way through Counselor in Training programs and now some of them are in management roles. They continue to benefit from having women role models who oversee the Council’s camp program.”

Registration is open through June 12 for girls to attend Camp Darden. All girls, including those who are not currently registered members, are welcome to attend Girl Scout camp. Following summer camp at Camp Darden, sessions will be taking place at Camp Skimino in Williamsburg. For more information and to register, visit www.gsccc.org.