Girls Scouts is truly ingrained in most aspects of my life. I even have a cat named Scout! I have been a Girl Scout since I was a Brownie, but I truly connected to Girl Scouts in the form of Girl Scout camp. I started attending a Girl Scout camp when I was 13 and began working there when I was 16.
While working at Girl Scout camp, I made lifelong friends, networked for my first full time job (at a Girl Scout council!) and met my boyfriend, now fiance there! My fiance and I worked at camp for seven summers; his job consisted of camp maintenance and store management while mines went from junior counselor all the way to program director. I talk to my friends from camp almost every day, and we have annual trips and celebrations together. It is amazing to see my camp friends spread out across the country (as far as Alaska!) but still be able to come together and talk about life and camp!
When I first attended Girl Scout camp, I never expected to love it as much as I do now. I even wrote a letter my first week begging my parents to come pick me up. As a camper, I found my love of outdoor activities there like boating, like sailing, and backpacking, along with gaining leadership skills. Working at camp taught me lifelong skills that I try to bring to work every day like patience and detailed organization.
I hope that any girl who is looking for a great experience outside that will help them grow into an awesome leader, finds it at a Girl Scout camp.