Encampment 2016

This year encampment was earlier than normal. It is usually in June, but this year it was a week before Memorial Day. I helped run the trip for Bridget's troop so it was helpful to have it earlier and not competing with graduation and vacation. The theme  this year was The Green Carpet (red carpet but Girl Scout style), Each troop picked out a musical as their individual theme. Bridget's troop picked "The Sound of Music" and the big girls picked "Wicked".

I came up with swaps for the do-re-mi song and I found fabric that was very similar to the curtain fabric that Maria used to dresses in the movie. Bridget's troop leaders had a movie watching night and the girls and parents were both excited about our theme. Usually Bridget has a small contingent of 4-8 girls but this year 16 girls signed up and 10 parents. It was a much bigger group but a very good one.

We have had a crazy wet year so far and the weekend called for rain, so with the weather and earlier date we ditched our usual encampment uniform of t-shirts and sandals for pants, ponchos and rain boots. Our troop brought tents, but we also had a cabin available. After the rain got going on Saturday everyone moved into the cabin and it was a lot of fun.

Emma wasn't able to make it this year because of work but it was fun to see the other big girls about camp. I think Hanna and Jim were happy to have Emma at home. During the day on Saturday during our break time that was originally scheduled for swimming, Bridget's troop walked by Meg and Rae playing GaGa Ball. The big scouts graciously let the younger girls join them for a round and Bridget was thrilled at the opportunity. I loved seeing the 3 of them playing together.

Encampment ended in a production of The Wizard of Oz, for which the girls had made costumes, props and scenery for over the weekend. Megan got to be a Munchkin. By the time we got home on Sunday afternoon we were muddy and exhausted but we had a memorable weekend slogging through the mud to boating, crafts, and archery.