Community Corner

Girl Scouts Summer Camps Open to All Girls

Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta's Camp Pine Acres is in nearby Acworth.

Summer is here, school is getting out and it's time to schedule summer camp.

For girls, the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta offers more than 100 camp options open to all girls, not just registered Girl Scouts, officials said in a release.

Summer camp typically benefits children in several ways, according to the first large-scale national research project designed to measure outcomes of the camp experience, published by the American Camp Association in 2005. They are:

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  • Children become more confident and experience increased self-esteem;
  • Children develop more social skills that help them make new friends; 
  • Children grow more independent and show more leadership qualities;
  • Children become more adventurous and willing to try new things; and 
  • Children realize spiritual growth, particularly at camps that emphasize spirituality.

One of the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta's eight camps is Pine Acres in nearby Acworth. Camps offer unique activities and locations and the activities offered vary by age, with favorites including horseback riding, arts and crafts, hiking, swimming, archery and canoeing.

A 200-acre facility fronting Lake Allatoona and next to Cartersville's Red Top Mountain State Park, the camp has a dining hall, swimming pool, boat dock, large covered pavilion, activity areas and seven separate living units, which consist of four platform tent units and three winterized cabin units, according to gsgatl.org.

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Girl Scout camps, which include day and overnight options, give "each camper an opportunity to build her courage, confidence and character through creative activities and a community nurtured by dedicated staff," according to the release.

Fees start at $175 per week and summer camps begin in early June and run through Aug. 6. Girls do not have to be registered Girl Scouts to participate in summer camp so any girl can attend!

More about camp locations, from the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta:

Camp Pine Acres, Acworth 

Camp Pine Acres is located 35 miles north of Atlanta on picturesque Lake Allatoona next to Red Top Mountain State Park. The camp offers a wide variety of programs designed for energetic, creative girls with special emphasis on water activities in the lake, the pool and the land.

Girls may choose between platform tents and cabin accommodations. Cabins sleep eight campers with bathrooms located a short walk away. The tent units sleep four girls with bathrooms located a short walk away.

To promote independence and privacy in cabin and tent units, girls sleep separately from counselors within their living unit.

For additional information, contact Candice Olson, camp director, at 770-702-9137 or cpapvdirector@gsgatl.org.

Camp Timber Ridge, Mableton

Camp Timber Ridge is located just four miles outside Interstate 285 and about 5 miles north of Six Flags over Georgia. Camp Timber Ridge develops girls’ independence and boosts self-confidence through participation in new adventures in a positive environment.

Camp Timber Ridge has a rolling terrain with both hardwood and pine forests, natural streams, wildflowers and a bamboo forest on its 220 acres. Camp Timber Ridge offers multiple options each week to meet the interests and needs of all campers.

Girls have the opportunity to choose between cabin or tent accommodations. Cabins sleep eight to 12 girls and tents sleep four girls with bathrooms being just a few steps away.

To promote independence and privacy in cabin and tent units, girls sleep separately from counselors within their living unit.

For additional information, contact Kristi Fulford, camp director at 770-702-9070 or kfulford@gsgatl.org

Camp Misty Mountain, Armuchee

Camp Misty Mountain is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in northwest Georgia. With more than 800 acres of field and forest, the property is secluded yet an accessible Girl Scout mountain getaway.

Camp Misty Mountain campers are offered a wide variety of experiences that allow them to become “courageous and strong” while building self-esteem and positive self-image. Misty Mountain is focused on the development of adolescent girls into strong, self-assured women through community living and healthy risk taking opportunities.

Camp Misty Mountain campers choose the length of stay that works best for their busy summer schedule. “Mountain Magic” campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and depart on the following Friday, allowing five full days at camp.

Girls who love horses have many adventures to choose from at Camp Misty Mountain. Back this year is “Mountain Adventure” featuring 12 days of fun.Camp Misty Mountain campers may choose between platform tent and cabin accommodations.

To promote independence and privacy for this older girl community, girls sleep separately from counselors within their living unit.

For additional information, contact Amy Calvin, camp director, at 706- 629-1030 (mailbox No. 1) or cmmdirector@gsgatlorg. For information about the horseback riding program, please contact equestrian specialist, at 706-629-1030 (mailbox No. 2) or cmmhorses@gsgatl.org.

Camp Meriwether, Luthersville

Camp Meriwether is located just south of Newnan, off Interstate 85. Camp Meriwether provides a caring, encouraging atmosphere where girls can fall in love with camp and the outdoors.

Only a short drive from Atlanta, Meriwether is waiting for campers to fill the 270 acres of rolling hills, shady woods and open fields with joyous laughter.

“Short Stop” mini sessions are perfect for a girl who is not quite ready to stay a full week. The next step is a week-long session, with a focus on horseback riding, adventure, water, sports and more. For older girls with a desire to spend lots more time at the barn, it also offers “Saddle Savvy” and “WIT,” Wrangler In Training.

All Meriwether campers live in air-conditioned cabins of 12 to 16 girls with three to four camp staff. Staff shares the living space with campers to facilitate day and night time supervision. Cabins are arranged in two villages with four cabins in each village and a centrally-located shower/bath house that is a short walk from each cabin.

For additional information, please contact Kathy Elliott, camp director at 770- 927-1020 or cmwdirector@gsgatl.org. For information about the horseback riding program, contact Jessica Barrett at 770- 927-1020 or cmwhorses@gsgatl.org.

Camp Pine Valley, Meansville

Camp Pine Valley located near Griffin, nestled on 620 acres of shady pines. It is a place your camper can call home! The camp offers a wide variety of programs designed for energetic, creative girls with special emphasis on traditions.

Girls may choose between platform tents and cabin accommodations. The Treehouse cabin unit has three small cabins that sleep eight campers with bathrooms located a short walk away. The Barrow Lodge cabin unit has one bunkroom that sleeps 12 campers. Tent units sleep five campers with bathrooms a short walk away.

To promote independence and privacy in cabin and tent units, girls sleep separately from counselors within their living unit.For additional information, contact Candice Olson, camp director at 770- 702-9137 or cpapvdirector@gsgatl.org.

Camp Cecil Jackson, which is in Griffin, has rustic lodge and a quaint cabin unit, while Camp Scout Haven, in a suburban neighborhood on Lake Allatoona, is ideal for experienced campers who want to practice more advanced outdoor skills.

To learn more about Girl Scout camps, the experience, options and pricing, visit www.gsgatl.org. Space is limited.

Register here.

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