September 2004 Volume 30 Issue 8  

Around Camp
Girl Scout camps are the best place to be year-round

by GSSJC Facilities Director
Bob Spaeth

Girl Scout Camps
Agnes Arnold, Aranna,
Camwood, Casa Mare,
Misty Meadows, Robinwood,
Silver Springs, Whispering Pines

Readers can contact the Facilities Department by calling Director Bob Spaeth at 713-292-0208 or
e-mail bspaeth@sjgs.org.

Grandpa Bob’s Brain Teasers

Why does a rainbow always form an arch? Because the raindrops that make rainbows are curved. Each raindrop is a little round ball, with sharply curving sides. So the light that emerges from inside echoes the curving circle of the ball. The rainbow arch you see is just part of this circle of light. Sometimes, the arch will be a rather small slice of the circle, since rain may not cover the whole sky.
Occasionally, from a hill overlooking a long, deep valley, and given a perfect rainfall, people have seen nearly full circle rainbows.

Here’s another question for you: Where does dust come from?

Do you have an interesting tidbit or piece of information that might be of interest to our readers? If so, send it to me and I’ll share it in the Around Camp Column. I’ll be sure to mention your name too.

Troop camping

Troop camping is underway again so it’s a good time to pass on a few reminders.

Outdoor kitchen unit cabinets will be locked unless leaders have requested access to the kitchen cooking equipment on their registration form. Each year a greater number of groups have been opting to use paper and plastic products while at camp or even bringing meals already made up that may or may not require cooking or heating. In Girl Scouting, if you use it you clean it and in this case, inventory it as well, because of the substantial investment cooking equipment represents. So if you want to use the equipment in the outdoor kitchen unit request it ahead of time.

Groups may fish at any of the camps but girls must bring fishing gear. Fishing rods and equipment are only provided at specialized program events. Also, GSSJC practices a catch and release policy unless you know how to cook your catch and intend to have it for dinner. If you do not, then release your fish back into the lake for others to enjoy.

Be prepared! One of the most memorable times at camp have been those when either the program or the weather did not cooperate, but the group was prepared and survived! If it is chilly or cold, layer your clothing. You can always remove a layer if it warms up

later in the day. If you are staying in an unheated cabin or tent bring a wool hat to wear to bed. Most heat loss is through your head so if you cover up you will stay warmer.

You are required to have trained leaders/adults with you when you come to camp. Your weekend will go much smoother and be safer if you make sure that these trained folks are present. Sometimes there may be a last minute conflict and the certified person(s) cannot make the camp date, but the troop comes anyway. This is a bad move. Leaders are trained to ensure that someone is familiar with where you will be staying, your responsibilities to yourself and the camp, and to ensure a good time is had by all because you are being safe and have prepared for your weekend. You’d be surprised how often a troop thinks it’s no big deal to come to camp and then runs into a situation and does not know where to turn for help or advice.

Remember that your unit is yours for the weekend and your responsibility to leave clean for the Girl Scouts who will be coming after you. Everyone cleans when they set up their campsite and that’s simply because it has been empty for a week. Wind, weather, and the creatures that live there when you are not in camp return after you leave. They live there all the time; you just come for the weekend. Leaving your

campsite clean is a courtesy to fellow Girl Scouts. If you think you have walked into a site that was not properly cleaned then let me know and I’ll take it from there. But, if you leave it cleaner than you found it all our sites will always be clean.

Enjoy the outdoors and the animals that live there. Remember, they live there all year long so take care of the woods, lakes, trails, etc. Try and leave camp so it looks like you were never even there. This is called low impact camping and is good for both you and those who will still be there after you leave.

Fill out those evaluations! We care about your stay and whether you enjoyed yourselves and the camps met your expectations. Sorry, we do not put mints on pillows at night but we do want everything to be as reasonably accommodating as possible. Remember, it is a camp, not a hotel. Whether you have a good time or not will depend a great deal on how well you have prepared beforehand.