Emily - Humans of Camp America

The thought of experiencing Girl Scouting in America made me very excited.  At my interview back in September 2013, my Interviewer told me about the IYLA program, and I knew that it was something that I wanted to do, it meant that I could be placed at a Girl Scout camp, and when I was placed at Runels in November 2013, I was over the moon! Little did I know that it would become a place I could call home, and the place I am returning to for my third summer this year.

Girl Scout camp is about building girls of courage, confidence and character. It’s a chance to unplug from phones and computers and connect with the outdoors and adventure. My days are spent helping campers on the ropes course, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fire building, shooting arrows at archery. On the first day campers arrive, girls choose the types of things that they want to do whilst they are at camp- from any activities we do, to the food we make at cookouts. We have what is called girl planning where we will all listen to each other’s ideas and plan it into the weekly schedule. These can literally be anything, from paint tag to sleeping in canoes! It really is up to the girls what they want to do and no day is ever the same! One of my favorite memories is ugliest counsellor contest. My campers turned me into a pig, and I became Crisa. P. Bacon. I was covered head to toe in mud, twigs and pine cones! It was brill.

Whilst camp may only last for 2 months of the year, camp is with me for 12! Taking part in Camp America and working at Runels mean that back home in my Brownie Unit I have a wide range of songs and games that the girls love and they love to hear stories on what it is like to be a Girl Scout.

More recently, I have started working as a regional interviewer for Camp America. I love meeting up with new applicants and helping them on their journey to a summer like no other! I’m also a Brand Manager for Edge Hill University, I get to talk to people about camp and Camp America- which is great, as after 2 years, friends and family are a little tired of hearing it all.

Camp is simply amazing. It is hard to put it into words. The memories, the friendships and the endless fun. Camp means so much to me… and I cannot wait to go home again this summer!

Emily (Rue) Camp Runels (GSEM) 2014, 2015, 2016 +