From archery to STEM: What Girl Scout camps offer this summer
Beth McDermott
Reporter assisted by AI
As summer approaches, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts is preparing for its camp season. According to a community announcement, the organization is celebrating its 100th anniversary at Camp Green Eyrie in Harvard, which offers both day and overnight options. The camp spans 52 acres along Bare Hill Pond, providing numerous water activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, and corcl boating.
In addition to Camp Green Eyrie, Camp Bonnie Brae in East Otis also hosts overnight campers. Camp Lewis Perkins in South Hadley and Camp Laurel Wood in Spencer provide day camp activities each week. These camps focus on educational adventures that promote environmental stewardship and outdoor skills. Activities vary by location and age group and include art, archery, challenge courses, gaga ball, STEM experiments, hiking, and water activities.
Research from the Girl Scout Research Institute and the American Camp Association suggests that attending Girl Scout summer camps can help girls develop essential life skills. These skills include self-confidence, perseverance, leadership, teamwork, self-accountability, empathy, and a willingness to try new things. Those who attended Girl Scout camps as children are more likely to credit their camp experiences with fostering these skills.
The organization emphasizes its commitment to expanding outdoor exploration opportunities. According to a community announcement, these experiences are designed to help girls build not only outdoor skills but also essential life skills. The camps aim to foster qualities such as confidence, leadership, resilience, and empathy that girls can carry into adulthood.
The camps are staffed by a dedicated team that creates a safe and welcoming environment for every camper. Most staff members are over 18 and bring energy, empathy, and enthusiasm to their roles. They serve as role models, working alongside campers to plan activities and utilize the unique resources each camp offers. Day camp programs are available for children who have completed kindergarten and up, while overnight camp is open to those who have finished first grade and up. Prior Girl Scout experience is not required for attendance.
To learn more about the camps and to enroll, interested families can visit this year’s Summer Camp Guide.
The Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts serves nearly 6,000 girls in grades K through 12, supported by 3,000 adult members across 186 towns and cities in the region. The organization’s mission is to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who contribute positively to the world.
Since its founding in 1912, Girl Scouts has provided opportunities for girls to explore new fields of knowledge, learn valuable skills, and develop strong core values. Today, it continues to be a leading organization for helping girls develop the leadership skills necessary for successful adulthood.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct or share your thoughts at http://bit.ly/3RapUkA with our News Automation and AI team
Originally Published on The Gardner News May 15 2025
https://www.thegardnernews.com/story/news/local/2025/05/15/girl-scout-camp-options-green-eyrie-bonnie-brae-lewis-perkins-laurel-wood-gscwm-swim-kayak-stem-art/83588028007/
May 15, 2025
