A small (5) but mighty contingent from the Wooster Service Unit spent the weekend at Camp Molly Lauman in Lucasville for the 2019 Adult Camporee. This year’s theme was Escape to the Future and, as always, included a wide game to give us the opportunity to visit various campsites and facilities at the camp. After completing 6 challenges at the main lodge (Bear Creek), we set off with our flashlights to collect more clues in order to open a final challenge box. We found the normal bugs, dirt, tree branches, HUGE spider webs, and a few random holes. We toured the WHOLE challenge course only to find out that if we had stayed on the “beaten” trail a LITTLE bit longer, we could have avoided many branches, holes, and webs by entering at the OTHER end of the course.

While I will never claim to be the outdoorsy type, a part of me CRAVES this annual night hike with a few close friends. For the first few minutes, sure, I DESPERATELY want to go back to my bunk and just crash. I worked at least a 6 hour day, then drove 3+ hours to get here…carried all my gear to the lodge…set up my tiny sleeping corner…hiked back up to Bear Creek Lodge…I’m tired just thinking about it!

But then the beauty of the camp, even in the dark, overwhelms me. I can feel the presence of the generations of girls who have also enjoyed this sacred Girl Scout ground over the last 90 years. I picture their giggles as they chase one another around their platform tent and see their faces filled with glee as they race down the path toward Bear Creek Lodge. I suppose more than a few of the adults joining us this weekend remember BEING that girl camper and falling in love with nature under Camp Molly’s watchful eye.

So what EXACTLY is it that suddenly makes me feel like I NEED to go on this crazy, hurried night hike? I suppose some of it might be the thrill of the chase – searching out clues, working together to determine the solution, and reveling in the treasure each box reveals (one year it was (clay) GUINEA PIGS!). Having a purpose for this hike definitely takes my mind off of the fact that I’m just not outdoorsy. And it got me thinking…could something like this help get the GIRLS outdoors for a hike?

Girl Scouts San Diego sure thinks so. Here is an excerpt from their “Get Up and Go Outside!” guide for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. I hope some of these ideas appeal to you and help you and your troop have a great outdoor experience! ~Jen M

PS – Join us at Fall Camporee on October 5 for a local hike!