RENFREW — While many people are familiar with high school reunions, a number of past and present Girl Scouts this weekend are attending a gathering of a different sort.

They are converging on Camp Redwing to mark the Girl Scouts camp's 90th anniversary.

More than 150 people are registered to attend a celebration Saturday. Alumnae, current Girl Scouts and their families were invited to spend the day catching up with friends and sharing their memories.

“My favorite parts are the tradition and history,” said Karla Schell, a scout senior program manager. “People know Redwing. It's a tradition.”

Schell said she is often stopped if she is wearing a Camp Redwing shirt and told stories by women who attended camp or knew someone who did.

Redwing is an overnight 123-acre camp that offers activities such as horseback riding, archery, swimming and canoeing.

Lisa Shade, Girl Scouts public relations manager, said that camp teaches “comfort in the outdoors, and that they are fun.” It helps girls try new activities and get out of their comfort zone.

“They learn and try new things, making friends and building relationships along the way,” Schell said.

Abby Tolberg, 15, a camper from Beaver, said, “My favorite part is coming back to your same friends every year.”

Most camp sessions last a week, but there are also shorter programs for girls who may not be comfortable leaving home that long.

About 40 or so staff members are mainly counselors who oversee the campers. From mid-June to mid-August the camp will be home to 80 to 110 scouts a week.

The girls choose different sessions with themes.

“We have had themes like movie makers, bike and hike, horseback riding and a team leadership program,” Schell said.

The girls pick which activities they want to participate in. There usually ends up being 12 to 24 girls in each activity session.

“We like to give girls a choice of activities and spending time with a group,” Schell said.

“I like that everyone treats you like family,” said Jessica Burch, 15, a camper from Wilkins Township.

She is part of a group who attended the leadership session, which gives participants a chance to see what it would be like to be a counselor by working with the younger campers.

Samantha Mack, 15, a camper from Bethel Park, said, “I really like working with the children and the home away from home atmosphere.”

Schell said, “I like to see what camp does for kids. They learn about who they are and who they want to be.”

Devin Carr, a staff member from Deer Lakes, attended Camp Redwing as a camper and now has been on the staff for five years.

“Camp is where I found my interest in horseback riding,” she said.

Carr grew up with a fear of horses after seeing the large animals when she was 3 years old. A friend persuaded her to attend horse camp when she was 10, and she grew to love the horses by the end of the week.

Carr now is the riding director at the camp.

She is studying to earn a degree in equestrian studies and equestrian business management at Findlay University in Ohio.

The anniversary celebration this weekend will let people relive their days as a camper.

“It will be like a day at camp,” Schell said.

There will be many activities available throughout the day, including crafts, songs and skits around a campfire. The celebration will conclude with a closing candlelight ceremony.

“The candlelight ceremony is a really important part of camp,” Shade said. “It's something that everyone remembers.”

The ceremony is a tradition that involves the reading of the candlelight poem, singing the song Kumbaya and closing the ceremony with the playing of taps.