Volunteer Connections by Girl Scouts of Nassau County

It’s the end of the session and the dining hall at GSNC Camp Blue Bay is filled with the sound of happy campers talking and engaging with their new friends. This is much different picture than what we saw at the start of the week; the awkwardness of campers, thumbs fidgeting in the absence of their electronic devices. Camp Blue Bay is an electronic free zone; and it is one of the reasons why myself, other camp staff and campers love camp so much! Campers hug their phones goodbye as they board the buses thinking there is no way they will be able to make it a week without them. Surprisingly to them by the end of the week they are actually grateful for their time disconnected. There is no WiFi at camp, girls have the opportunity to make a different connection, a more personable one. It’s great to watch campers meet and connect with other girls face to face and learn important social skills. Campers listen to the ideas of others and take part in meaningful conversations without b...

When I was younger, I always remembered my mom, Troop leaders and other volunteers talking about their times at GSNC’s Oktoberfest weekend—the different themes each year, the camping and the weekend away. They always had fond memories and new skills to bring back to the Troop. I had always wanted to go! Last October, after Oktoberfest took a year hiatus, I was finally able to experience Oktoberfest for myself. Because I was puppy-sitting, I was only able to go for the day, but when I arrived, there was non-stop chatter about the night before. There was anticipation in the air; both girls (because now older girls can attend Oktoberfest… not the case when I was a girl) and adults alike were excited to spend the weekend in tents with their friends, eating camp food and learning new and different skills that would   be offered through the many workshops that day. Last year’s theme was Harry Potter, so some people were dressed in costume ready for their time at Hogwar...