Girl Scouts pitch tents, build confidence at annual Camp-O-Ree overnight

The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County (GSSC) hosted its annual Camp-O-Ree overnight experience at Camp Edey last weekend, with Girl Scouts trading their beds for sleeping bags as they pitched their own tents on the Sans Souci Lakes in Bayport.

“This is our first time camping in tents, so it’s the first time they’ve learned how to set up a tent and be sandwiched together, sleeping next to each other,” said Jannine Thorpe, a Girl Scout troop leader from East Islip. “They’ll learn how to get along, how to be outdoors and have a lot of new experiences.” 

On Friday evening, scouts set up their own tents and settled in for a night under the stars, gathering around the campfire to sing traditional camp songs and share s’mores, and even making their own sleep masks to help them get some shuteye while camping outdoors.

For 10-year-old Hailey Thorpe of East Islip, the overnight offered a chance to push past some initial nerves and enjoy a new adventure with her friends.

“I’m really excited to spend the night with my friends,” Hailey said. “Our tent is a little on a hill, so we have to figure out how to get everyone set up. I was kind of scared about the new experience, but when I got here, I said, ‘This is gonna be a lot of fun.’”

According to GSSC, the event is designed to offer a chance for scouts to get outdoors, learn new skills and challenge themselves in an environment designed to build confidence, independence and teamwork. 

“Camp-O-Ree is about much more than spending a night outdoors,” said Tammy Severino, president and CEO of Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. “It gives girls the opportunity to try something they may never have done before, discover that they can succeed at it and build the confidence to take on their next challenge. Whether it’s pitching a tent, trying archery or getting into a paddleboat, every new experience helps girls become more independent and confident.”