This year, local Girl Scout Troop 97608 had the chance to do something that no Girl Scout troop in Emerson has done before. Troop 97608 went camping at Lake Rickabear in Kinnelon, New Jersey. The girls learned helpful skills such as making dinner and being responsible. Dawn Congiusti, one of the troop leaders, helped plan the trip.
“There was a lot that went into arranging for our camping trip. We had to check all of the Girl Scout campsites to see which site would best fit the size of our groups plus our parent volunteers,” Congiusti said. “Next, we had to contact Lake Rickabear and coordinate with the Outdoor Program Manager to confirm the availability of both the campsite and activities available to us.”
Congiusti said they started planning for the spring trip back in September. Dayna Beahm, the other troop leader, knew the lessons she wanted the Girl Scouts to take away from this trip.
“I want the scouts to take away what Girl Scouts is all about – working together, being a sister to every Girl Scout, talking to each other, interacting with each other, and enjoying each other’s company without being on their phones or electronic devices,” Beahm said,
Beahm and Congiusti had a no phone rule for the trip. The only exceptions were for the parents who stayed. They were permitted have their phone in case of an emergency or to take photos.
“The no cellphone policy was to ensure that everyone was free of distractions and could focus on the tasks assigned, new things taught, and take in the beauty of our surroundings,” Congiusti explained. “I feel like kids miss too much of what’s going on around them because they’re always looking down at their phones. You could have missed a game or activity, the turtles sitting on a rock, the flowers blooming in the trees, the swing set on our way to the bath house, or something yummy as part of one of your meals.”
Both troop leaders agree that the best part is that no Girl Scout asked for their phone all weekend. They said every girl worked together and got along.
