Jackson Girl Scouts learn and explore at annual summer day camp

More than 70 girl scouts from Jackson visited area parks last week to learn new skills and build friendships at the Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland's annual summer day camp.

This year's theme was "Ramblin' Days and Vagabond Ways," and organizers used the outdoor facilities offered by local, county and state parks.

Jodie Rouse, day camp coordinator, said in the past the Scouts have always had camp at the council's facility, but she wanted to do something different.

"I have been working on this for over a year. I thought it was time for a change. A lot of the girls have never been here, to Trail of Tears, before. I wanted to utilize what the community has to offer," she said.

By having the camp at Jackson City Park, Cape Girardeau County Park North and Trail of Tears State Park, Rouse was able to introduce new activities. The groups learned bicycle safety at Jackson City Park, they learned about the American Indian groups that once lived in the area and how to write their name in Cherokee at Trail of Tears State Park and about wildlife native to the area at Cape Girardeau County Park North.

Rouse said the group spent one day of the four-day camp learning to fish, but the activity wasn't necessarily about catching fish.

"I didn't buy crickets. They made stink bait. They used cat food and flour to make dough bait. They also used gummy worms and hot dogs. These are things found in most refrigerators. This teaches them resourcefulness, to use what they have," Rouse said.

The activities were meant to be fun, Rouse said, but they were also designed to teach life lessons. In addition to her adult volunteers, she had a lot of older Girl Scouts helping the younger girls.

"They get skills like leadership, responsibility. The older girls are leading the groups. They are role modeling positive behavior. The little girls see this and, hopefully, we will have the little girls doing the same thing in the next five years," Rouse said. Girls as young as 6 were at the camp.

One of the camp's older helpers, 14-year-old Theresa Mier, has been a Scout since she was in second grade and said she was volunteering for a variety of reasons.

"I am entering Notre Dame High School, and you need service hours. This is good way to get those, and it is good to help little kids," she said. In addition to her service hours, Mier said helping at the camp gives her a little more confidence in herself.

Adult volunteer Sarah Reinecke said she serves at the camp to set a good example.

"It's a great way to be a role model to girls. It's nice to give back," she said. Her daughter Emma, 9, also attended the camp.

The younger girls may not see the lessons being taught at the camp because they were more focused on having a good time.

Anne Marie Long, 8, said camp was a lot of fun. Her favorite parts were being outside, learning about birds and the Trail of Tears. She said she has made a lot of new friends, too.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

243-8600

Pertinent addresses

429 Moccasin Springs Road, Jackson, MO

2400 County Park Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO