Girl Scouts Geocache for Summer Fun
By Kimberly Hill, The Edmond Sun, Okla.
Jun. 26–EDMOND — “I think it’ll help the community to have more Girl Scouts.”
Nine-year-old MeLinda Keller summed up one of the main reasons for this week’s Girl Scout Twilight Camp at South Fink Park. More than 150 girls ranging in age from 6-11 have gathered during the evening Monday through today for the annual event, which has continued for about a decade.
“Twilight Camp is a good way to keep girls involved in Girl Scouting over the summertime,” said Susan Bohl, Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s fourth-grade troop.
Bohl said the school year does not allow as much time for outdoor activities.
“It also gives the girls a chance to see friends they might not have seen during the summer,” camp director Karen Byrne said.
Girl Scout volunteer Debby Stapleton said her favorite aspect of Twilight Camp is introducing the girls to a new outdoor activity.
The Girl Scout Juniors are learning leadership skills and medieval magic while the Girl Scout Brownies are being exposed to the world of insects, birds and butterflies. Both groups have become experts in geocaching, which Byrne said resembles a treasure hunt.
“Geocaching is a great way to get kids outdoors exploring their environment, using map, math, logic, reasoning and technology skills,” said Stapleton, who helped teach the activity.
For every activity, Girl Scouts receive respective badges, which they put on their vests to show what they learned. A special badge was given Tuesday evening to a group of girls who represent Girl Scouts well.
Keller was one of the eight Juniors to be nominated for Ms. President of Girl Scouts of the USA. The competition derives from the White House Project, an organization geared toward the advance of women in leadership roles.
The nominees presented speeches on how they would improve their school, community and world.
“I would organize social events, such as picnics, for my neighbors to get to know each other,” Keller wrote in her speech. “If we all knew each other better, we would be able to watch over each other’s property.”
Grace Rykard, 9, was selected to hold the title of Ms. President of Girl Scouts USA.
khill@edmondsun.com — 341-2121, ext. 118
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