This February, approximately 65 Fountain Hills Girl Scouts headed up north to Shadow Rim Ranch, a Girl Scout camp outside of Payson, for their annual neighborhood encampment.

Every year, an older troop hosts a weekend full of activities for the younger scouts. This year’s camp was run by Senior Troop #1182, leader Kim Helm; they spent months designing and facilitating a fun, outdoor weekend experience.

The theme for this year’s encampment was “Pixar Movies.” Each troop chose a Pixar movie and made table centerpieces, posters for display in the lodge and skits for Saturday night’s entertainment.

There were eight different gift baskets set up in the lodge for the girls to win. Tickets were earned throughout the weekend as they won a game or contest, participated in activities or were seen doing a good deed. The buckets filled up fast because Girl Scouts love to do good deeds.

Saturday started with a flag ceremony, posting the American and Girl Scout flags. Host troop #1182 raised arms and connected hands, forming an “Arch of Silence” for everyone to pass through. After the color guard raised their colors, the girls and leaders recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Girl Scout Promise.

There were four activities planned for Saturday: a Scavenger Hunt – taking the girls for a long hike around camp; marshmallow-on-a-stick dessert making station; photo dress up booth; and Brave “Outdoor” game challenge.

One of the favorite stations for the day was the Brave game challenge. One game had girls and leaders joined together trying to figure out how to slip out of – what seemed impossible – yarn handcuffs. Lots of brain power, body twisting and regrouping by starting over was used to figure out how to escape.

A skit contest was held Saturday evening. There were funny, serious, and creative ones; all executed with high energy. Getting up in front of 70 people can be scary and intimidating for young scouts but, after lots of giggles from making mistakes and forgetting their words, they proudly finished.

After the final skit, five graduating high school seniors from Ambassador Troop #478 were recognized and honored for their commitment to Girl Scouts and numerous accomplishments.

On Sunday morning, following breakfast, Cadette/Senior Troop #1059, leaders Nita & Kelly Blose, led Scout’s Own (a quiet time set aside for Girl Scouts to be reverent and thankful for something). A special program honoring Valentine’s Day was created. Eight different hearts were pasted out with different titles: Love of Animals, Books, Family, Friends, Girl Scouts, Nature, School and Veterans.

The scouts ended Scouts Own in Girl Scout tradition by forming a friendship circle and singing “Make New Friends but Keep the Old.”

Encampment came to an end as girls gathered to exchange swaps they had made to remember the fun they had together at camp.

Troop #1182 would like to extend a special thank you to Fountain Hills Community Foundation and Craig Capircio for their final grant to Girl Scouts this past year. Ms. Helm stated “Because of their generous support of Girl Scouts, we were able to host a memorable weekend camping experience for the Girls Scouts of Fountain Hills.”