GSWISE Day Camp by Community Stories: Tumbleweed's Story
Liz “Tumbleweed” Beaudoin directs Whispering Trails' week-long day camp, managing more than 200 campers and 140 volunteers.
There are lots of moving parts that come with running an all-volunteer-led day camp, but Liz’s favorite tradition is one that has been part of Girl Scouts for over 100 years.
“I think my favorite part of camp is the flag ceremony every day, because every unit has a chance to participate as a leader … and it's the time during the day when we're all together as an entire camp,” said Liz.
Liz is also proud of the fact that she and her team have incorporated so many important skills into the camp program. Girl Scouts can do badge work if they choose, and they learn outdoor cooking, survival techniques, and other camp skills.
Liz began volunteering at camp by running the kitchen. She got involved so her own daughters could have the Girl Scout day camp experience.
“The whole idea of Girl Scouts is being girl-led, so when I was running the kitchen, we had PAs and CITs there helping to prep all this food for 20 different units,” said Liz.
When the director position opened up, Liz made the jump and is now in charge of the camp along with her co-director. Each year has a different theme, and past camp themes include magic, space, and outdoor games. This year is a splashy theme – Soak Up the Fun – and Liz says there will be water-based activities for campers throughout the week.
Because camp is entirely volunteer-led, every family must volunteer for at least part of the week. But Liz promises it’s worth it.
“It’s the highlight of my summer. It's such a unique and special opportunity to expose your kids to all of these different activities that they’re probably not going to encounter elsewhere - like archery, fire building, and building a shelter. There are also softer skills around team building, community, and collaboration that I just value so much for my kids.”
“I think my favorite part of camp is the flag ceremony every day, because every unit has a chance to participate as a leader… and it's the time during the day when we're all together as an entire camp.”
She says parents are able to meet their kids’ friends and see everyone grow over the years they spend together at camp.
“We have girls who go all the way from kindergarten to high school graduation, and then they get a camp chair with their name on it. It’s our tradition for the high school graduates. And then we have girls who come back even after that,” said Liz.
Some girls even return during their college breaks and take time off from summer jobs to help at camp for that one week each summer!
Make new friends and connect with other girls in your area at Day Camps by Community like Whispering Trails.
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