ShowMe Times Editor
Every spring when she was a young girl, she would anxiously await the arrival of the camp brochure, and would be one of the first to register for her summer trip to Girl Scout camp.
Once summer arrived, it was time for camp – for her friends, cooking over an open fire, singing favorite songs around a campfire, giggling over crazy skits, and swimming, hiking and all the things that define “summer camp.”
Now, as an adult and with years of camp, Girl Scouting, leadership and teaching experience, Karen Lane of Dexter is looking forward to that summer camp experience once again.
But this time when she goes through those gates at camp, she will be returning as the camp director – in charge of the summer camp experience for girls at Latonka and Cherokee Ridge camps in Southeast Missouri.
“I’m excited,” Lane said during a recent conversation. Right now the job is mainly administrative – finding and hiring staff, developing plans and preparation for the summer. But in a flash of the eye, it will be time for staff to arrive, plans to become action, and the campers and fun to arrive at campsite.
Lane will be directing two camps for the Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland. Both facilities are in Southeast Missouri, and have strong heritages in the region. Camp Latonka – where Lane attended as a girl and worked as a staff member – is on Lake Wappapello, and Cherokee Ridge is near Sam A. Baker State Park in Patterson.
The summer will begin June 17 at Cherokee Ridge, with a group of units for girls wanting to enjoy horseback riding, as well as other traditional camp programs.
Then beginning in July, programs will shift to Latonka, with some traditional summer camp experiences with exciting new twists. The Latonka part of the summer will include units that will sample geo-caching, and older girls at Latonka will have the opportunity to take advantage of the camp’s ropes and challenge courses, as well canoeing and water fun and traditional camp activities.
Lane, who has taught at Richland school for more than 20 years, is obviously no stranger to Girl Scout summer camp. She attended camp for nine years as a girl, graduated from Latonka’s Counselor-in-Training course, and served as a unit staff member, sports consultant, and waterfront director at the camp.
“Since it’s the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouting, I would really like to go back to old camp skills,” she said. Tying knots, pitching tents, building fires, lashing – all are skills that Lane says she would like for campers to learn and have fun mastering this summer. “Just some old-fashioned camping skills. Fun stuff!”
Financial Help To Attend
Lane says one concern heading into the summer is that with the economy is its current site, families will feel summer camp is out of the picture this summer.
However, she said there are programs in place by the Girl Scout council and others to help families with girls who want that summer camp experience.
“When I have talked with leaders and parents I have stressed that there are ‘camperships’ available,’ she said. Camperships are scholarships from Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland to assist with camp fees.
“The endowment that the late Doris Brown left is specifically for girls who want to attend Latonka,” she added. The late Doris (Beaver) Brown was director at Latonka for more than 30 years, and passed away in November 2009. Her estate established a fund specifically to provide financial assistance for girls to attend Camp Latonka.
Lane said that an application for campership assistance is available in the summer camp brochure from the Girl Scout council.
“The money is there (in the fund) and this is what it is there for – so that every girl who wanted to go to camp had the opportunity to go to camp,” she said.
Girls do not need to be registered Girl Scouts to take advantage of the summer opportunities available and to attend camp, she added.
Jobs Available
Lane said she is still putting together her summer staff team, and she is looking for horse wranglers and a health supervisor.
A health supervisor can be an EMT, RN, or a first responder.
Interested persons should contact Girl Scouts of Missouri Heartland at 1-877-312-4764 or go online to the council’s website.
