A Look Back – Camping in the 1930s
January 25, 2024
It’s time to wish Camp Alice Chester a happy 100th birthday! As we look forward to 100 more years of Girl Scout camping in southeastern Wisconsin, we’re paying homage to the Girl Scouts who made history and established a living legacy in our region – including you!
Camp Alice Chester opened its doors in 1924, hosting 60 Girl Scouts during its first summer. In 1931, the camp hosted four units, and by 1932, 440 campers attended Camp Alice Chester’s one-week sessions during the summer. Another 190 Girl Scouts visited Camp Alice Chester during the winter.
The East Troy camp began to open its doors to physically handicapped Girl Scouts in 1936. During its first summer opening up to Girl Scouts with disabilities, Camp Alice Chester hosted a unit of six girls and two teachers from the Binner School for the Deaf for a week.
As Camp Alice Chester continued to grow in the 1930s, so did its activities! Campers still enjoyed outdoor cooking, singing, and crafts, but they began to see the addition of new waterfront activities, woodcraft, trips (for adventures like canoeing), games, creative writing, and photography on the camp schedule.
While campers enjoyed their summers of friendship, fun, and life skills, Girl Scouts began to spread throughout southeastern Wisconsin too, as the movement made its way to both Kenosha and Waukesha during the decade.
Did Girl Scout camp impact your life – at Camp Alice Chester or another property? Do you have a favorite camp memory? Did you meet forever friends at camp? We want to hear from you! We’re sharing our members, alumni, staff, and supporters’ favorite camp memories all year to celebrate the legacy of Girl Scout camping – and how it is paving the path forward for a future of nature exploration, independence, resilience, and friendship.
Fill out this form to share your story with GSWISE today.
Last but not least, save the date for October 5, 2024. We’re hosting a can’t-miss Camporee at Camp Alice Chester so you can enjoy your favorite camp activities with the whole family! More details coming soon.
