Girl Scouts encourages girls to “make new friends and keep the old.” That’s exactly what happens when girls attend our camps.

Over the summer, Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA hosted programs at both Camp Small Valley and Camp Archbald, and while summer is over, camping continues! Fall and winter make great seasons for exploring everything we have to offer at both of these camps as well as our other two properties, Camp Furnace Hills and Camp Happy Valley.

Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA hosted a Summer Spectacular for Troops and Families program at Camp Small Valley in Dauphin County earlier this summer.

Girls and their caregivers rotated through several stations at the event, including a session led by staff of Lincoln Caverns. In that session, girls created a food web to demonstrate how cave creatures rely on each other for survival. They also learned about what types of animals live in caves and what we can do to be better stewards of our environment.

Girls received hands-on instruction and practice at an archery session, learning to string and unstring their bows before taking aim at the targets. Lawn games, including volleyball and gaga ball, helped girls build up a sweat before they cooled down in the on-site pool. Other girls pushed out of their comfort zone and tackled the climbing tower, with many proudly reaching the top.

The program concluded with a campfire where counselors in training led the group in songs before everyone wrapped up in the program in the sweetest way – with s’mores!

In July, lots of laughter and squeals of excitement rang out over Ely Lake at Camp Archbald as Girl Scouts tried stand-up paddleboarding during resident camp. The water activity was just one of many experiences hundreds of girls enjoyed during the two weeks of sessions at the camp located in Susquehanna County.

Girls traveled from as far away as Virginia to enjoy the second-oldest Girl Scout camp in the country. During the camp sessions, Girl Scouts explored activities focused on the camp theme “Home Sweet Camp.”

Girls tried their hands at archery, learned Girl Scout songs around the campfire, created arts and crafts souvenirs, and more. Equestrian programs were also offered, providing opportunities for girls to learn how to groom and care for horses as well as going on rides. A “River Rats” program invited girls to spend the first week at camp practicing canoeing skills and learning water safety before setting off on a six-day adventure canoeing the Susquehanna River.

Resident camp at Camp Archbald is organized and staffed by members of the Supporters of Camp Archbald (SoCA). This all-volunteer group is dedicated to ensuring the legacy of the historic camp.

For more information on all of our camps, visit here.

For more information on SoCA, visit here.

Consider taking your troop camping or check out one of the many activities scheduled at our camp properties this fall. Find out more here and get ready to make some unforgettable memories in the great outdoors!

Written by Cathy Molitoris, Marketing Coordinator for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.