Area Girl Scouts create some magic at Christmas Run Park
Girl Scouts give the picnic tables at Christmas Run Park a fresh coat of paint during their annual day camp.
The theme was “Wonderful World of Wizardry,” and by day one of the Girl Scouts’ annual five-day summer camp at Christmas Run Park in Wooster, there was clearly magic in the air.
“It’s amazing,” first-time camper Olivia Madden said.
Another first-timer, Abby Eggan, was clearly enthusiastic about her first Girl Scouts camp experience. “I think this will be a great week,” she said.
Regan Skinner had a great first day as well. “There are a lot of cool games and things that you can do, and I love it,” she said.
There were 88 Girl Scouts in attendance, ranging from those entering kindergarten to rising high school seniors. The campers were those girls kindergarten through sixth grade. Older girls were either in counselor training or acting as camp counselors.
Attendees came from Wayne, Holmes, Ashland and Delaware counties to make new friends, reconnect with old friends, learn, play and contribute to their community. The first day of camp the girls were busy giving all the picnic tables at the Christmas Run Pavilion a fresh coat of paint.
“You have this many Girl Scouts together; they need to do some good work,” said Crystal Lilley, one of three volunteer camp directors.
Along with the painting project, the campers worked all week to clean up the park. “We always do trash pick-up, all day, every day during the week,” Lilley said.
The annual event itself was a bit of magic wrought by the dedicated trio of directors that included Lilley, Betsy Keller and Stacey Castellucci. To go along with the Harry Potter-ish theme, the directors included a special service project that the girls participated in all week: “Free Dory the American House Elf.”
Girls gave Dory his freedom by bringing in new socks, underwear and gently used children’s clothing during the week. The donations were given to Noah’s Ark, a local program that provides clothing to Wayne and Holmes county children in foster care.
It took a small village of dedicated adults to create the girls’ magical experience. “Adult staff are all volunteers,” said Lilley, who has been involved with the camp for the past 12 years.
Including the directors, this year’s camp included 18 adult Girl Scouts volunteers.
The girls were divided up into houses a la Harry Potter, and every day of camp had its own dress-up theme for the participants. On Monday girls could “sparkle and shine by dressing up to show off their awesomeness,” Lilley said.
On Tuesday they dressed like a favorite wizard or magical creature. On Wednesday they dressed in their house colors. On Thursday wild wizard hairdos were worn, and Friday was the day for a camp shirt or Girl Scouts logo attire.
Activities included swimming at Christmas Run Pool, archery, and a wide variety of science-themed games and projects. On Tuesday campers were treated to a visit by Dr. Dave Lohnes, who presented his “Whiz Bang Science” show.
First-time camper Nina Hart was hooked on the camp experience by the end of her first day. “It’s really, really fun,” she said. And she said she’ll return next year.
It was Avery Cowgar’s second time at the camp. Why did she return? “Because last time was amazing,” she said.
Seems the Girl Scouts did indeed weave another magical spell of hard work, community service, education, and lots and lots of fun.
Anyone interested in next year’s camp is invited to contact the camp directors at Woosterdaycamp@gmail.com. There is a fee to attend the camp. Every adult volunteer who attends the entire week gets one free camper. There also is financial aid available. All girls attending must be registered Girl Scouts.
“You can register to become a Girl Scout anytime of year.” Lilley said.