Media Releases

Girls Experience the Wonders of the Outdoors
Outdoor Program Has Lasting Benefits to Girl

Media Contact:
Ann Marie van den Hurk, APR
302-456-7170
avandenhurk@cbgsc.org

 

Newark, DE, July 21, 2005:  Outdoor education opens the door to developing leadership skills and self-confidence, developing positive self-esteem, and enhancing social skills.

Directions: Youth Development Outcomes of the Camp Experience, a study conducted by Philliber Research Associates and the American Camping Association released in 2005, stated that camp typically benefits children in the following ways:

· Children become more confident and experience increased self-esteem.

· Children develop more social skills that help them make new friends.

· Children grow more independent and show more leadership qualities. 

Girl Scout Camp is one of the most remarkable experiences a girl can have. It is more than just roasting marshmallows over an open fire or hiking through the woods. Outdoor education opens the door to developing leadership skills and self-confidence, developing positive self-esteem, and enhancing social skills. It provides a sense of adventure and fun, while teaching girls about working together toward common goals. It is a place where a girl can unlock her potential and discover the world. Day, resident, and troop camp is truly a building block in the development of girls into successful and resourceful young women.

Girls, who have attended Girl Scout camps, have said that they’ve had lots of fun, make new friends and, most importantly, had experiences they won’t have had at home such as learning to sail, kayak, wall climb, create and perform a play.

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council is committed to providing girls with the opportunity to experience the outdoors and environmental education. Each year over 10,000 Girl Scouts use one of our four outdoor program centers. This includes weekend camping, outdoor programs, volunteer run camps, and resident camp. The informal outdoor and environment education program activities offered in Girl Scouting helps girls grow strong as individuals, as well as members of a team. These experiences provide unique opportunities for girls to develop a greater appreciation for nature and learn how to use the earth's resources.

Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Council continues the naturalist legacy left by the founder, Juliette Gordon Low, brought girls together of all backgrounds into the outdoors, giving them the chance to learn about nature and develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. Juliette Gordon Low said, "Studying animals and plants teaches the value of little things."

Girl Scouting builds girls of confidence, courage, and character, who make the world a better place. We do that by providing girls with personal leadership development and programs that build real life skills for the real world.

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