BEDFORD, NH | Girls attending Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains’ (GSGWM) Camp Kettleford in Bedford will be led by Camp Director Allyson Breen, who has been preparing a multitude of activities for them to enjoy. And it’s not too late to sign up! Girl Scout Camp is open to all girls entering kindergarten through grade 12, including those who haven’t participated in Girl Scouts before, and registration is open for this summer’s day camp sessions.
“I’ve been a Girl Scout since I was 6 years old,” said Breen, and has attended camp since she was little. “I love it!”
At camp, girls take the lead in an all-girl safe space where they’re free to explore, learn and have fun without the pressures and social anxiety that can result from a co-ed experience. Hiking, swimming, camping, kayaking, archery, horseback riding and Airsoft riflery are all part of the outdoor adventure that is an absolutely fundamental part of the Girl Scout experience.
Breen, once part of the core staff at Girl Scout Camp Anne Jackson, took a few years off. Now that her daughter is ready for camping at age 8, she returned to bring her lifetime of skills and experience to the day camp in Bedford.
“I love being outdoors with the girls,” she said, “showing them how nature can be just steps outside your door. See the animals, trees, have fun in the sun. Nature involves everyone!”
Breen has been a troop leader for many years. She leads Troop 51605 in Nashua, which started with just four girls but now has grown to 24. The girls in her troop tell their friends how much fun they have and more want to join! Her troop includes girls from kindergarten through third grade.
Breen will lead a staff of trained counselors at Camp Kettleford, all of whom have all undergone an interview and background check process, and received extensive outdoor leadership and safety training.
At camp, Breen said, the girls can expect to start right off with singing songs, participating in a variety of activities and playing games. She has been checking out local trails to explore, where they can play I Spy and practice their leave-no-trace skills, along with archery, water fun and more. At Girl Scouts summer camp, girls will learn how to take the lead, step out of their comfort zone, learn a new skill, or try an activity they might not otherwise try outside of Girl Scout camp.
“I want to give girls those experiences,” said Breen. “There are so many opportunities for older girls that they don’t even know exist.”
Through hands-on and age-appropriate experiences for girls as young as 5, Girl Scouts is enhancing its important outdoor opportunities. In 2017, the Girl Scouts organization introduced 23 new badges in the outdoors and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas. Girl Scouts have additional programming opportunities to experience environmentally conscious camping trips, utilize scientific methods as a citizen scientist to collect field data, develop and implement an outdoors take action project, and so much more. These additional badge programs continue to build girls’ skills and encourages their interest in outdoor activities and environmental stewardship from an early age, increasing their confidence in these areas—in an all-girl environment where they feel comfortable trying new things, taking appropriate risks, and learning from failure.
GSGWM provides extensive day and resident camping opportunities for girls entering kindergarten through grade 12 in New Hampshire and Vermont. Girl Scout camp is open to all girls, including those who haven’t participated in Girl Scouts before. For many girls, Girl Scout camp is also their first encounter with archery, horseback riding, boating, climbing and STEM programming. Girl Scout Camp is uniquely girl-led, meaning campers get the chance to make the decisions and actively plan and organize their camp activities in a safe, fun environment, aided by our highly trained staff. GSGWM Girl Scout camp programs are offered at Camp Kettleford in Bedford, NH; Camp Seawood in Portsmouth, NH; Camp Twin Hills in Richmond, VT; Camp Whispering Pines in Meredith, NH; and Camp Farnsworth, an overnight camp in Thetford, VT.
Camp Kettleford offers week-long day camp sessions from June 25 through the middle of August, with themes like S’more Fun, Knights on Horseback, Splash and Splatter, Great Outdoors, and Ninjas in Training.
To ensure that all girls can benefit from a great camp experience, financial assistance is available for qualified families through the GSGWM Campership program, making camp accessible for girls who would not otherwise be able to participate. For more information, contact Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains online at www.girlscoutsgwm.org or by calling 888-474-9686.
About Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains: Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is recognized throughout New Hampshire and Vermont as a leading expert on girls. Our innovative leadership programs help girls discover, connect, and take action as they develop strong values, a social conscience, and a deep sense of self and their potential. Through our exciting and challenging programs, Girl Scouts not only participate but also take the lead in a range of activities—from kayaking, archery, and camping, to coding, robotics, financial literacy training, and beyond! Serving nearly 10,000 girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org.
