Camporee!

For the last few months, I’ve been helping coordinate Camporee, the 10th annual no less.

At our Camporee, the older girls (CSAs – Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors) lead the younger girls in games, crafts and a hike on the Sunday of camp. These CSAs learn their skills in advance and practice before running Camporee for the younger girls. Our job as leaders is to get them ready to lead, then step back as much as possible while they take charge.

This year we had 84 CSAs teaching camp skills and Girl Scout traditions to 100 Brownies who bused in for the day and 100 Juniors who camped 1-2 nights at River Trails near Sheridan, Ill.

I took over a portion of logistics and planning for a dynamo who’s been doing this for years. It’s been a lot of work. A lot.

I get asked often why, with my demanding job, busy household and already full volunteer schedule, I’d take on such a task. I admit I’ve asked myself the same question a few times. Maybe more than a few times.

The answer comes in the smiles I see when the event is in full swing. There’s no better feeling than seeing 300-plus girls grinning ear to ear, invigorated by the outdoors and spirit of Girl Scout camp.

Even as 84 older girls were putting up tents in the rain, there was cooperation amid the scramble and smiles and high fives as tents popped into place and rain flies were staked into place.

There’s another answer: I really enjoy working with the selfless, creative, inspiring women who lead these troops. They’re an amazing band of sisters and I feel honored to be part of their effort to build a strong, self-sufficient next generation.

If there was a downside, it was that organizing at a larger level meant I had less time for my own troop. But they didn’t miss me. Another band of selfless, creative, inspiring women took the lead with that crew of 19 for the weekend.

I was delighted to join a group of our girls for a late evening bonfire with the older girls. No words can describe the pride at seeing this otherwise shy group, push forward and jump in to sing:

A sensation indeed. So much so that I think I’ll do this again next year.

Giant Friendship Circle photo by Michele, one of my Troop 40967 co-leaders