Because of camp

What do girls gain from the resident camp experience?  The easy answer (or the answer that most non-camp people would answer) is that they get to have fun.  But if you have attended camp as a child, you know that it is so much more than that.  Camp is a unique learning environment where girls get to practice the values instilled in them by their parents.  They get to try out independence and make choices for themselves, within the safe confines of the camp program.  Did you know that, from my experience with camp, kids are far more likely to try new foods and even eat things that they don't normally "like" while at camp?  They get to choose new activities, speak up for themselves and their opinions, learn about different backgrounds, and challenge themselves.  It is amazing to watch these girls grow into outspoken, confident, well-rounded ladies, often just in the 5 short days they are here! 

At school, so much time is spent with books and at desks, that it leaves some obvious holes in the education experience.  We have all heard how schools spend less and less time at recess and physically active, and many arts and extracurricular programs are getting cut as funding wanes.  Camp can help fill in some of those missing pieces in the public education system.  At camp, girls spend many active hours exploring the outdoors, UNPLUGGED from all their various technological devices.  They get to explore their creative side by learning how to entertain themselves during rest hour, working as a group to come up with an impromptu skit, and cook their own food.  Girls learn new skills, such as diving or horseback riding.  However, possibly most importantly, they learn how to interact socially in healthy ways through problem solving, team activities, and making new friends.

Unlike school, where most girls already have formed cliques and social classes in the first few years, when girls come to camp, they can feel free to be whomever they want to be.  Every girl here comes in with the same status...  most girls here at Camp Molly Lauman know at most one other girl here at camp upon arrival and many come not knowing any of the other girls.  Each girl has the same opportunity to make friends with each other without the pressures of having to be somebody they are not in order to fit into a certain group.  It is an even playing field, so to speak. 

Camp is a place that values differences, and helps girls feel comfortable about being different and about being themselves.  Camp is a place where a girl really "finds herself"... I know I did.

What did you do today?

All things cold and snowy... at camp!

Have you ever considered coming to camp in the winter?  A winter camp experience is totally different from visiting camp in the summer.  You can have snowball fights and follow bobcat tracks (and deer, and fox) in the snow.  Plus, a crackling fire in the fireplace at Bear Creek Lodge makes a winter lodge-camping trip extra special!  You can roast your marshmallows for S'mores in the warmth by the fireplace while watching the snowflakes fall just outside the window.

Looking for a winter adventure?  Contact the Camp Molly Lauman or LakeView Ranch staff for program opportunities during the winter.  Girls love to bundle up and spend some of their pent-up energy outside, even on the coldest of days.  We are keen to the girls' needs, and can design a program with a combination of indoor and outdoor elements, with plenty of time to warm up (and maybe some hot chocolate!).  A trail ride in the snow is an experience you will never forget!  At the camp, we can do some indoor teambuilding activities or make S'mores at the fireplace, coupled with an outdoor nature hike.  Bird programs are also a big hit in the winter, and we can show you how to make your own gourmet bird food to take home.

Don't see what you are looking for in the latest edition of MyGSOH?  We can build custom programs tailored specifically to your troop or group's needs and interests on a wide range of topics.  Call us today at camp (740)259-4287 or LakeView Ranch (horseback riding) at (740)259-1675 with your ideas and we will get started on planning your group's next adventure at camp!

Facilities Rental

Are you looking for a place to hold a family reunion, business or club meeting, or church group outing? Camp Molly Lauman can help accommodate your big event. Bear Creek Lodge has heat and A/C and can hold up to 60 people overnight or 150 people for day use/dinner. It can be divided into 3 smaller rooms for smaller groups. The lodge features a central fireplace, tables and chairs, handicap-accessible bathrooms and showers, kitchenette, and a large outdoor deck. Food service may be available for large groups.

Girl Scout groups do get first option to reserve our facilities on high-priority dates (weekends in April, May, September, and October), but non-Girl Scout groups can rent those dates up to 30 days in advance and can reserve our facilities at other times between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Summer dates have limited availability due to our resident camp program. There are just a few guidelines to keep in mind:

• Absolutely NO ALCOHOL or firearms are permitted on Girl Scout property.
• Non-Girl Scout groups must provide a certificate of insurance.
• A security deposit is required in addition to the rental fee.
  
• You are responsible for your group's behavior and any damages resulting from their behavior.
• You must abide by the Site Rules as well as Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland policies.

Contact us at 740-259-4287 for more information, rates, and availability. Each non-Girl Scout group rental is approved on a case-by-case basis.

What's happening at camp this fall?

Several things have been going on at camp over the past few weeks. Currently, we are getting a new deck for the bridge on the camp driveway, which has resulted in a detour through Big Bear Lake campground. The bridge should be completed in a couple weeks so we can go back to using our driveway again! If you need directions for the detour in the meantime, please call the camp office at 259-4287.

A great group of girls attended Spy Games on October 22. We had a great time stalking through the dark and eating pizza. We are starting to get some return participants for spy games, so the spies are coming up with some very effective strategies. I wonder if anyone will come decked out in camo and face paint next year...

We have 2 new geocaches at camp this fall, thanks to a couple troop who have planted new caches as part of the Geocaching Pick-A-Program that we offer here at CML. If you haven't tried geocaching yet, it is a fun way to get girls outdoors while relating their outdoor experience to something most girls are really familiar with these days-- technology! It's like a virtual treasure hunt. We now have a total of 9 geocaches at camp. The clues are available to troops using the camp facilities upon request. The handheld GPS units can be rented for a small fee or you can bring your own. You can visit www.geocaching.com for more information on the sport.

I am currently working on the 2011 Resident Camp schedule. The Camp Guide should be in homes and online (at www.gsooh.org and click on Publications) by February 1. In the meantime, stay tuned for a preview...

Open House

Open House is this Sunday, May 2 from 1-4pm. Bring your family, pack a lunch, and come to camp for the afternoon. Even if it rains, it is always a fun time exploring camp! You will also get to meet some of the summer camp staff.

Adult Training

During the week of June 7-11, we will be offering 4 different adult training courses at Camp Molly Lauman. Choose from:

Canoe Instructor Certification
June 9-11, 2010
$275, includes course fee, meals and lodging, and ACA membership fees

NOLS Wilderness First Aid
June 10-11, 2010
$230, includes course fee, meals, and lodging

Archery Instructor Certification
June 9, 2010
$50, lunch included

ARC Lifeguarding
June 7-10, 2010
$180, includes lunch daily

To register, contact JWaddell@gsohiosheartland.org or call (740)259-4287.

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog created for Camp Molly Lauman. We are very excited about this opportunity! Camp Molly Lauman began in 1929 through a land donation to the Girl Scouts. We have been using the camp for resident camp, troop camping, and programs ever since. Check back soon for updates, articles, and pictures from camp.