Girl Scouting with the Stephens Family

Sydnee, April, and Hannah Stephens at Rainbow Ridge

Day and Twilight Camps are “home away from home” for campers and volunteers alike.

Volunteer-led Day and Twilight Camps are the perfect way for girls to get a camp experience without having to pack up and leave home. These programs offer all the Girl Scout songs, games, and outdoor adventures they'll find at sleepaway camp. And with over a dozen Day and Twilight Camps spread throughout our 32 counties served, all staffed entirely by volunteers, they're easily accessible and budget friendly.

Take it from April Stephens, a dedicated Girl Scout mom and day camp unit leader, "There's no other program like it!" For April and her daughters Hannah and Sydnee, day camp has been more than just a fun way to spend the summer. It's a family tradition. April has been volunteering at Rainbow Ridge Day Camp for more than fifteen years, and she always wanted her girls by her side to enjoy the program too. "I have been going to Rainbow Ridge since I was a Brownie," Hannah Stephens recalled. "And once I graduated high school, I returned as a unit leader."

When you've been in Girl Scouts for as long as the Stephens family has, you're bound to have some pretty amazing stories. So, when we asked them to share their experience with us, they were more than happy to oblige. April arrived at headquarters with a shoebox overflowing with photos and even more saved on her phone, documenting countless memories from her years at camp.

Hannah: It’s the people who volunteer. We all care about each other, the campers, and the campsite— and it shows every year. The friends I met at camp have been a constant in my life for over a decade.

April: It's the campers. Seeing them grow and being a part of their journey has been a real joy. I try to go above and beyond to make the experience memorable for my campers, and it means so much to me when I hear that girls want to be in "April's cabin!"

Sydnee: It’s just the best camp ever! Rainbow Ridge is just like our home away from home during the day. We are one big family, and camp feels like a family reunion.

What would you tell other mothers considering volunteering with the Girl Scouts?

April: As my girls got older, keeping them engaged in Girl Scouts became more challenging. As a volunteer, I was able to shape some of my daughters' programming to meet their interests and career pursuits and find ways to challenge them that I knew they would enjoy.

Sydnee: It’s true. I wanted to quit Girl Scouts many times, but my mother's involvement made all the difference. She was the best mentor, and her passion for the program was hugely motivational.

Why is a Day or Twilight Camp a great step towards sleepaway camp?

Hannah: Because they ease the transition to camping with tents and sleeping bags, away from the comforts of home. I see many girls often find it hard to say goodbye to other campers and unit leaders after a long day at camp. With this in mind, parents can emphasize to their children that they'll be able to spend even more time with these friends at sleepaway camp.

Sydnee: I tried sleepaway camp, but I have never wanted to go anywhere except Rainbow Ridge. Day camp can certainly be a building block for other Girl Scout camps, but for me, it was everything.

What are your favorite camp activities?

Hannah: Singing camp songs! There are so many Girl Scout songs to learn and loved learning new ones while at camp. When I was a brownie and junior, I also really loved swimming, archery, and crafts.

What are the biggest challenges you faced at camp?

Sydnee: Whether you are a camper or staff, every summer at Rainbow Ridge provides new opportunities to challenge yourself. Being a unit leader at camp is like being an older girl in the program. You have more freedom, yet the added responsibility of helping younger girls. Dealing with the Daisy campers was a unique and very challenging experience that taught me patience and perseverance.

What are some of the greatest lessons you learned at camp over the years?

Hannah: Being a sister to every scout and having a servant's heart. I learned to look out for others and proactively find ways to help instead of waiting to be asked to do something, whether volunteering to take pictures or set up activities.

What are your fondest memories from Rainbow Ridge?

Hannah: Volunteering with my mom. My mom has a heart of gold, and spending time with her is so much fun! But it also felt strange, especially the first year I was a unit leader, because she was my leader growing up.

Sydnee: Honestly, everything about Rainbow Ridge is memorable. My fondest memories with my Aunt, who recently passed away, are the ones I have of us singing camp songs together at Rainbow Ridge.

What would you tell parents who are hesitant to sign their girls up for camp?

Sydnee: Parents should know there is nothing to worry about. These girls are in the safest of hands! I've been a Girl Scout forever and have been going to camp my entire life. All I want, and all everyone who works at the camp wants, is the best for all the campers.

February 12, 2024