Last minute advice for camping with my Girl Scouts?

[The Mystery Machine]

OK the day has come. We are camping for the first time with my 3rd yr Jrs, they are 11-12 age range.

(I swear I was having panic attacks)
I thought some of you might have some wise words of wisdom. Or otherwise put, tell me it will be fine so I can breathe normally.
Thanks...

 

[Serena]

So you don't want me to tell you to stay home and hide under the covers?????



You'll be fine, you'll be more than fine. That is a really good age for fun. But then you already know that.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

First - don't forget the CHOCOLATE

Second - remember to start the fire at least one hour before you think you will need it

Third - don't forget the CHOCOLATE

Fourth - have fun

 

[Lars624]

You'll have a great time with the girls!! Just relax & enjoy yourself...and I agree with Marla, take chocolate!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

LOL!!! YES we have the chocolate. After all can't go camping w/o S'Mores.

 

[d.kurz]

Just make sure you keep them busy! Are you going for 2 nites? It's also really important not to let them go to bed too early. And that will be hard on the 2nd nite. They are just dying to get into those tents and if you let them go too early, they may talk all night!

One of my favorite parts of GS camping is that some of them will be scared to go to sleep at night. I've so often said, just sleep here tonight and if you still feel that way tomorrow we'll call your mom. I've never made that call. And the pride they feel that they actually survived the night, I believe, is a huge life lesson!! And BOY, does it make ME feel good, too!!! For THEM....and me, too!

You are really providing them with a great opportunity and you should be proud of YOURSELF, too!!!

Good luck and have a great time!!

PS...you'll need graham crackers and marshmallows, too, with that chocolate!!!

 

[Dream]

There is NOTHING more fun than camping with a bunch of kids!! I agree with keeping them busy....have more planned than you think you could possibly do. Remember rain is just....rain! It can add to the fun!! Pound the buddy rule into their heads so hard that they repeat it in their sleep!!! There are things you can learn on a camping weekend that you can learn in no other place! You know the song..."you can find more meaning in a campfire's glow than you'd ever learn in a year or so..."? It's true. So take a deep breath....have FUN....be amazed by your girls....and tell us all about it when you get home!!!

 

[tkd lisa]

Take simple card games (like Uno). At Day Camp this summer, Uno saved our lives on the 3rd 105 degree day!! We sat in the shade and played instead of the scheduled soccer game!

 

[Kermit]

My mom was my girl scout leader. She was horrible at getting fires to start, so she always carried votive candles on our trips. We'd stack the wood in the correct tee pee formation, and then she'd light the candle and set it under the wood. It was slow, but it worked.