“Mhmm, and come September,
Mhmm, I will remember,
Mhmm, our camping days and friendships true.” (Linger, Artist: Miscellaneous)

These words mean so much more to us this summer. Thank you all for joining Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts for Camp Outside the Box! Although this year’s camp season was very different, we all had a great time providing our GSEMA campers with a fun and unique experience.

The first week of Camp Outside the Box started the summer with fantasy and fun. Whether campers made a fairy house or a wand, it was all about imagination. We explored the world of STEAM during Week 2 with rockets, lava lamps, and so much more! Week 3 lead us back to our Girl Scout traditions as we explored the outdoors, created first aid kits, edible campfires, and solar oven s’mores, and participated in one of our largest all-camps: Outdoor BINGO. Campers showed off their creative side in Week 4 by making recycled art, board games, friendship bracelets, and delicious meals and treats. During Week 5, we set off on virtual adventures to the Girl Scout Museum at Cedar Hill and an escape room! Our final week celebrated the magic of summer with lanterns, yummy snacks, and pony bead animals. Camp Outside the Box concluded with our traditional (albeit online) campfire on August 13.

Teen campers blossomed in our leadership programs—Program Aide, CIT 1, and CIT 2. Our staff trained more than 45 girls—you may have seen them leading a few of our online programs during weeks 5 and 6! 

“I have a 7 year old daughter and I just wanted to tell you how thrilled we both are about your Camp in a Box!! My daughter loves projects and camp, and was really upset to not be able to attend a summer program this year due to the pandemic, but this program has really lifted her spirits and got her creative juices flowing once again!” — Courtney G., Caregiver

“Just wanted to let you know that my first box came in today and I had a blast! There were a lot more activities in there than I thought. I even made some with my little sister! They are so cute and fun, especially exciting since we are still staying at home :)” — Sara V., Girl Scout Senior

“I wanted to say thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Girl Scout’s Camp Outside the Box! I had a lot of fun doing all the fun activities. This was such a fun two weeks.” —Julia M., Girl Scout Cadette

As our staff, campers, and council sit and reflect on summer 2020, we are reminded that camp is not just a property or a building. It is the larger community that makes GSEMA camps truly special. Thank you for joining us this summer and we hope to see you at camp for summer 2021! If you would like to remain a part of our Girl Scout community throughout the year, check out all of the programs that we are offering, and renew your Girl Scout membership today! gsema.org

See you next summer,

Joanna Lenahan, Director of Outdoor Experience and Camp, and Sarah Kelley, Associate Director of Camp and Outdoor Adventure