Why I Stayed in Girl Scouting

Forever changed

Hi. I'm Jessica Marks. I am a lifetime member of Girl Scouts- starting in first grade as a Brownie, earning my Gold Award as a high school senior, and having served in college as an outreach troop leader and then later on as a trainer. While I enjoyed Brownies, my Girl Scouting experience was forever changed when I switched troops as a junior and was connected with an adventurous group who loved to travel and became my life-long friends.

Girl-led
To me, Girl Scout travel was so incredible because it was different from family travel. Whether it was a weekend camping trip, or a weeklong out-of-state ski trip or international wider op, it was a new experience where I had a lot more responsibility for me. My parents weren't there to take care of me or make decisions for me.  

International Camporee

My wider op (now called Destinations) is what really stood out to non-scouts as having been special. Many friends in high school told me they probably wouldn't have quit if they realized international trips were on the line! I was selected to go to Germany and take part in an international camporee of Girl Scouts, Girl Guides, and Boy Scouts. Meeting other scouts from across the USA, becoming a team with them, and then going to an event with thousands of world wide scouts is something I will never forget.

Here’s a photo of me at the Germany international Girl Scout/Girl Guide event.The one by myself is on a rope bridge we lashed at the event, you can see the interesting tents we stayed in in the background.

The group is the USA group with a group of Scottish Girl Guides- I am sitting on the ground in the front row in a yellow/green tank top. 

Did you know you can travel like Jessica? Check out the Council Trips currently planned here!
Want to try a destination? Those are here!

Girl Scouts are Outdoor Explorers

Guest Post: Girl Scouts are Outdoor Explorers

Guest Post from Vicki Wright, GSUSA Outdoor Initiative Lead, Lifetime Girl Scout, Former CEO of multiple Girl Scout Councils

Girl Scouts Launches Inaugural Badge Series Chosen by Girls

This year, on its 103^rd Anniversary, Girl Scouts is celebrating our commitment to providing fun and beneficial outdoor experiences for girls with the launch of a new series of outdoor badges, chosen by Girl Scouts themselves.

Outdoor experiences are an integral part of Girl Scouts and are woven into Girl Scout program in such a way that girls feel comfortable trying new things and testing their limits, and gain confidence and acquire new skills in a safe and supportive all-girl environment. From a relaxed nature hike through the forests to teaming up on a wildlife conservation project to high-adventure rock-climbing, Girl Scouts offers girls a variety of opportunities to learn and grow inside and out.

My first experience with Girl Scouts was in an outdoor setting where I learned to become comfortable in the outdoors and with myself.  I did not understand at the time all that I was learning while having so much fun.  I can honestly say that my love for the outdoors came from those experiences and truly molded the person I became.

In the month of November, GSUSA began the polling process for the Girls’ Choice Outdoor Badges by inviting girls to vote on a diverse option of outdoor badge themes. Outdoor Explorer emerged as the overall theme, with five age specific Badge offerings: Outdoor Adventurer, Horseback Riding, Archery, Paddling and Ultimate Recreation Challenge.

But why is this so important to us?

According to our research (Girl Scout Research Institute’s study, More Than S’mores), girls benefit immensely from time outdoors. Girls who spend time outdoors eclipse their peers in environmental stewardship, more readily seek challenges, and are better problem solvers, all of which are traits needed for 21st century leadership.

Outdoor experiences through Girl Scouting, such as camp, are beneficial to girl leadership development across ethnicities. Latina (38 percent) and African American (40 percent) girls are more likely than their peers (28 percent) to say they overcame a fear of the outdoors through Girl Scouting; seventy-nine percent of Latina girls say they first tried an outdoor activity in Girl Scouts, and an overwhelming 59 percent of Latina girls say Girl Scouts has offered them outdoor activities they would not have otherwise had access to.

Simply put, this is important to us because it is important to girls. Once exposed to the outdoors, girls love it.  And, now more than ever, research shows us that getting outdoors is so important to the physical, social and psychological development of our girls and the health of our planet.

We want to get more girls outdoors, more often and in varied ways. Please join us in this effort.

"Shayna Bright" Light on Camp

"Howdy! My name is Shayna, but I am better known to most people as my camp name, Pepper. I am the Camps Reservation Specialist for Camp Texlake and Camp Kachina (year-round camping) and the registrar for summer camps. While I have only been a part of the year round team for two years, this will be my sixth summer working at GSCTX camp and my ninth summer in camps overall! 

Shayna on the high ropes course.

I was lucky enough to be a scout growing up in New Mexico and in Texas, from Brownie to Cadette. Part of that experience was going to Camp Texlake with my troop and for four summers of overnight camp learning how to sail. My time in Girl Scouts certainly shaped me into who I am today, but it was camp in particular that helped me grow the most and figure out who I am. My favorite part of the job is watching my campers grow into amazing confident young women, and especially seeing them eventually become summer counselors! 

The transformative power of camp isn't just limited to the campers, but also to the staff and anyone who spends time in the camp environment. Each activity from archery to high ropes is set up to build character.  My favorite memory as a camper is going on my first solo sail during my second summer sailing. It was a huge accomplishment and one that--just the previous summer--I thought was out of reach. My counselor Luna helped me improve my skills and build the confidence to attempt (and complete!) such a task.

Camp is a place filled with successes and challenges. When failure happens at camp, it's within a safe place to learn from it and move forward to an even greater success. The perfect example is the High Ropes Course. Practicing “Challenge by Choice” can be hard for a camper; to see those who climb ahead of you fully complete the challenge and then be unable to complete it yourself. 

The best moments that I have ever witnessed are at Ropes. When a camper is able to push into their challenge threshold it is a win every time, whether or not the challenge is completed in the traditional sense. Seeing them take just one more step than they thought possible is a gift that I feel lucky to witness every single time. 

Camp is magical. It is adventure and fun. Camp makes lifelong friends. Whether it is a few weeks in the summer or a weekend trip, the experience of camp can have a positive impact on everyone involved. Hope to see you there!

In the Spirit of Camp, 

Pepper"