Scouts earning badges in virtual program
While the coronavirus pandemic has put a stop to the meetings and activities enjoyed by the members of the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, an innovative new program allows the girls to get together virtually and keep their minds engaged.
The GSWPA Camp At Home program offers five-day virtual camps of various themes that Scouts and non-Scouts can participate in by age.
The girls meet each evening, Monday through Friday via Zoom, where GSWPA personnel lead the sessions.
Girls do a project, interact with each other, enjoy a virtual family night with songs and pursue badges during their five daily Camp At Home sessions.
Stefanie Marshall of GSWPA said more than 500 girls have signed up for Camp At Home.
GSWPA covers 27 counties, including Butler, and has 20,000 girl members, Marshall said.
All camps were closed in March as the coronavirus arrived in Western Pennsylvania.
“We wanted to make sure we could offer girls a way to experience camp and the adventures that come along with that,” Marshall said of Camp At Home.
Nya DeWald, 11, of Clearfield Township, attended the “Out of This World” camp, a space-related virtual adventure in which the girls painted clay planets and created moons out of Oreo cookies.“While we were painting the clay planets, (the leader) told us lots of really awesome facts about the planets,” Nya said.She chose the Out of This World camp because she is interested in outer space.“It was awesome because there is still a ton of stuff out there that we don't really know about,” Nya said.Nya, who hopes to be a scientist someday, said she appreciates the program.“I think it was really smart because I think it would just be bad to not have anything,” she said. “A lot of girls scouts were looking forward to going camping. I know I was.”Her father, Brett DeWald, also appreciates the Camp At Home program.“I'm glad they're doing it,” he said. “It's definitely a good choice on their part.”DeWald said the Out of This World camp was perfect for Nya.“It's both entertaining and educational,” he said. “There are also a lot of good links and videos to follow to learn some interesting things about space.”
Sisters Rylee and Sydney Karns of Petrolia participated in separate camps, which they both enjoyed.Sydney, 7, took the Eco-Extravaganza camp, where she earned her “Eco Friend” badge.The project attached to the camp was to build a delicious banana boat made of chocolate chips, graham crackers, marshmallows and, of course, a banana.“We wrapped it in foil and put it in the oven,” Sydney said. “I made another one today.”Sydney appreciated the camp, especially since Girl Scout activities have been put on hold because of the pandemic.“It's fun,” she said of the camp. “You get to do all different types of stuff and learn new things.”Rylee, 8, did the World of G.I.R.L.s camp, where she earned her “Inventor” badge.“I like that we can do stuff at home and don't miss out on anything and it's kind of fun to see everyone on Zoom,” Rylee said.Her favorite camp activity was building a zip line for her Barbie doll out of straws, a disposable cup, string and tape.“It was fun doing the zip line,” Rylee said.The girls' mother, Celina Karns, is the scout leader for Troop 52938 out of Butler Catholic School. The troop has 23 girls in grades 2 through 4, including Sydney and Rylee.“The counsel is doing a good job of providing people with opportunities while everyone is at home,” Karns said. “The girls definitely enjoyed the hands-on learning.”She called the Camp At Home program a huge help to scout leaders and parents.“The girls love getting together with their friends and we learn a lot of life skills and friendship,” Karns said.The Camp at Home sessions run through early August and are available to non-scouts as well.More information on the camps is available at gswpa.org.
