ONTARIO — The thought of cooking for 55 people can be daunting, especially if one has never done it before. Yet 42 Girl Scouts at the first-ever Girl Scout Camp in Richland County learned they could do a lot of things for the first time.
The girls, ranging from 5- to 14-years-old, camped at the Richland Rural Life Center with adult supervision from July 25 to the 29 and participated in canoeing, fishing, crafting, archery and fire building.
The camp was themed around the Summer Games, where the girls learned about the Olympics, sportsmanship and the participating countries.
“They did different tasks depending on their age. Everyone had fun,” said Jennifer Washburn, president of the Girls Scout Camp in Richland County. “It was a really great week.”
Washburn said part of the excitement for the campers was meeting girls from many different troops and conquering firsts together.
“It was the first time for a lot of our campers. They got to do things they wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do like learning values and learning to become leaders,” Washburn said. “It was an outdoor experience — not about technology — they went on hikes. We were excited to provide that experience for them.”
Along with promoting the ‘Girl Scout Way,’ Washburn said the camp promoted consideration and caring for others and to be a sister to every Girl Scout. She said being friendly and helpful to fellow Girl Scouts is what the organization is all about.
Fun ensued over the four days. The Franklin Township Fire Department visited and played water games with the girls as part of the Summer Games events.
Finally, all the campers made food with and for each other using techniques they had been taught. Daisies made fruit Kabobs; Cadets cooked food in the flames covered in foil.
“I asked them who made this food,” Washburn said. “I said it was not your mom or your dad — ‘you did it.’ They were very excited because they did it.”
Because the inaugural event was such a success, Washburn said confidently there would be another one next year, too.
“I think we can double the size (next time),” she said.
