Meet Captain: GS Alum and GSCCC's 2022 Camp Director!

Meet a homegrown Girl Scout from Suffolk, camp nickname, Captain, who has taken the job as the 2022 Camp Director for GSCCC’s camp season! She’s been a Girl Scout since joining as a Daisy at the age of five. She had the same leader, Susan Buchy, from Brownie level to Ambassador. She earned the Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Awards and recalls how meaningful earning the Silver Award was to her. This Girl Scout put hours into earning the award and took on the responsibility independently without help. She particularly appreciated the encouragement and support she received from her leader.

Captain sharing some of the awesome outdoor experiences GSCCC has to offer Girl Scouts

“I planned our Suffolk service units spring bridging at Sleepy Hole Park,” Captain said. “We hadn’t had one before as a unit, so this was the first one and I knew it had to be a good one.” She had to research locations, reserve it and then plan out all the details that included the ceremony. It was a hit and an event many in the service unit still recall.

 Captain stayed in Girl Scouts through her senior year of high school.  By that time, there were four girls left in the troop and they ended up becoming close friends and staying in touch. Like her, they are in college. They shared a love for the outdoors as Girl Scouts and Captain feels that is what kept her and many of her friends involved, for the sisterhood and unique outdoor experiences. She has camped countless times at Camp Darden and Camp Skimino and is a certified facilitator in archery, wall climbing, and canoeing. She was a ropes course facilitator but needs to be recertified which she says is in her plans. She also loves to do high-adventure type activities and has backpacked with GSCCC’s Wild Things.

 

Captain has spent a lot of time in the outdoors as a Girl Scout, including going through the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program at Camp Darden in 2016 and 2017. In addition to the fun being in the outdoors offers, she says the leadership she gained from the experience has been priceless. “Participating in outdoor activities in Girl Scouts has given me an opportunity to practice and improve on all different types of skills, including communication skills where I am part of a team. Building leadership skills through the outdoors is enjoyable and it sticks with you, because it doesn’t come with a lot of stress. And when you’re with Girl Scouts, you are with others who are cheering you on. If you fail, there are other times to try again without any pressure. It’s the perfect place for girls to stretch their leadership muscles. Being outdoors at camp also lets girls learn new skills and activities that help them to connect with nature in a safe environment.”

 

Captain is looking forward to seeing returning campers this summer and to meeting new campers! There’s still time to register for a session, so get started today!