By Peggy Anglin, Leader of Troop #1034

The perfect NC summer get away for some would certainly be the beach- but not me. My favorite summer retreat (since my first experience in 1997) is Camp Graham surrounded by giggling girls, enthusiastic camp staff and other Girl Scout leaders and moms who volunteer to trade their usual routines for 6 days of Troop/Group Camp.

I never went to summer camp as a child – wanted to – but I wasn’t a Girl Scout back then. Maybe it was that unfulfilled longing that inspired me to get involved with my two daughters’ Girl Scout troops and recruit them and their fellow troop members for group camp every summer. What I discovered is that I had as much (or more) fun as the girls! It was and is rewarding to watch the bonds of Girl Scouting strengthen among the troop members that share the group camp experience.

Camp Graham becomes our temporary home away from home where we can sing silly songs at the top of our lungs, take part in all the waterfront has to offer with swimming, boating, and in recent years enjoying the thrill of going down inflatable slides out in the deeper part of the lake. The girls especially enjoy time spent with the counselors as they instruct us in archery and field games — and one of my most favorite activities – tie dye!

It’s like making a present for yourself! So many choices of colors – of designs – the anticipation that this year might be the year you make your most beautiful tie dye ever – or conquer that more challenging design that will be greatly admired by all who see it.

It’s the chance for the girls who aren’t into “arts and crafts” as much as others to create a thing of beauty and make a personal statement all their own. Unless they happen to mix up all the colors into a muddy combination – and the group leaders are there to see that they don’t – all tie dye T-shirts are beautiful and become a remembrance of the special, perhaps extraordinary, week spent at camp.

Extend your troop’s Girl Scout year by signing up for a week-long or mini-session (3 days) of Troop Camp at Camp Graham. Girl Scouts can never have too many Tie Dye T-shirts, right?!

A troop/group must have at least 6 girls and 2 adult participates to register for troop camp. All registered adults pay a reduced session fee of 50% per session. Meals are prepared in the dining hall. Groups will spend time exploring Camp Graham while enjoying all the waterfront of Kerr Lake has to offer, archery, arts & crafts, and much much more!