Wednesday, May 19, 2010

25 Days!

IMG_006725 days. The first day of resident camp is only 25 days away! In 25 short days school will be over and summer camp begins.

I remember each summer during check out hugging my brand new, lifelong friends goodbye. We had only know each other for one week but in camper world we had lived a lifetime together. We had sunny days just waiting till it is time to jump in the pool to cool off. We had crazy rainstorms that came out of nowhere and produced lakes of mud. We had mud football games and games that counselors made up that made no sense but were amazing fun. We had scary nights learning to not be afraid of sleeping in a new place. We had nights giggled away in our bunks till we didn’t even know why we were giggling anymore. We had hikes in the woods with that counselor who always new the name of every bug and flower and tree and plant. We had pounded our names into leather bracelets and bookmarks and painted flowers onto rocks. We had sung silly songs until our voices were tired and sang old songs that connected us to the campers before. We had lived camp.

IMG_0130I can still remember not being able to contain my excitement driving up through the gate for check in. I remember my counselor Tammy whose real last name was Camp. I remember how funny it was during mail call whenever Lacy Fell had mail and everyone would laugh and yell in unison “Is she alright?” I remember my counselor Misty Dawn would let us call her Drizzly Morning. I remember every joke the director told. I remember the year we covered all our bunk bed and cabin rafters in sheets and towels to make caves and never walked on the cabin floor. I remember getting care packages from my grandmother and sharing with my whole cabin.

How do we have so many memories from something that only lasts a week? For each of us that went to camp we know the answer. It’s camp. Camp is special.

And in 25 short days it begins again. A new little girl will go to camp and experience the joy that we hold onto from those summers years ago. A new little girl will become a camper. 

-Maranda Ribera

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

5005 Words About Camp

If a photo is truly worth 1,000 words, here's our 5,005 words about camp.

Friendship
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Smiles
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Creativity
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Discovery
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Fun
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Is there an important girl in your life? Sign her up for a week of friendship, smiles, creativity, discovery and most importantly, FUN! Register for a GSCTX summer camp today.

-Maranda Ribera

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Cheap or Free for Summer


Stunt RanchSummer is around the corner and in Central Texas, that means fun! For most parents and Girl Scout troop leaders, fun on a budget is the best kind of fun. Enjoy these 10 cheap or free options for your summer vacation.
Recommended by Keep Austin Beautiful, the Farmers' Market is both a volunteer and a shopping opportunity. Either way, your support will help reduce landfills in Central Texas. This opportunity starts June 2 and continues for many Wednesdays throughout the summer.

Celebrate our country's birthday at Fort Hood. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and the fireworks spectacular is at 9:30 p.m. A photo ID is required but admission is free.

Bring your picnic blanket, water bottles, snacks and the whole family to enjoy an evening with everyone's favorite orphan, Annie! Admission is free and parking is just $3 per car. Tip: arrive early to get the best spot on the hill.

Shiver me timbers and come see Austin Summer Musical for Children’s production of The Pirates of the Pedernales. The show is free and open to the community. 

Explore the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts like never before: with Girl Scouts! For only $35 per girl, your Girl Scout Daisies-Juniors can enjoy a full week of twilight camp. Girl Scout Cadettes-Ambassadors who serve as Program Aides participate for free.

Ongoing: Tour a Fire Station
Many fire stations will provide tours to the public for free. Take your aspiring firefighter to get up close and personal with your local heroes. To get you started, here's tour information for Austin and College Station.

Starting at just $10 per tent, your group or family can hang out on Lake Brownwood this summer. Chill out in nature or challenge yourself by really roughing it. Email for reservations.

Art Center Waco is housed in the historic, Mediterranean-style, William Cameron summer home. Admission is just $2 for adults, $1 for kids ages 5-12 and free for little ones under 5. 

Wednesdays, 5-8 p.m., admission to the museum is by donation (suggested $1 per person).

Explore art at the University of Texas' Blanton. Every Thursday, admission is free!

On the first Saturday of the month, Chicken Farm Art Center in San Angelo boasts kids' art activities, live music and more! Admission is free.

Enjoy your summer!


-Cheryl Black