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Feel the Love for Camp Burke’s Mill Pond
By GSCCC Volunteer Jennifer Glaspell
One of my favorite places in the world is Camp Burke’s Mill Pond. My deep affection for the camp goes back decades since the early 1990s. As a troop leader, I have been there every season and fall in love each time. I have taken my troop camping there and have volunteered to help at day camp in the summer.
It’s a beautiful location of flora and fauna and it’s amazing to breathe in the fresh air when life just gets so crazy. The peaceful aura changes to girls laughing and memories commencing but I wouldn’t have it any other way. There are so many activities we have explored there from archery, arts and crafts, canoeing, games, making s’mores, singing around the campfire, swimming, and so much more. I have captured thousands upon thousands of photos there. From a Girl Scout’s first experience to a found treasure during an exploration hike, camping is one of the most amazing experiences of Girl Scouting.
We have asked our graduating Girl Scouts through the years what their favorite part of Girl Scouting is. Their responses have always included their great memories of Burke’s Mill Pond — hanging out with their Girl Scout friends and all the activities we have done there over the years. Now, another generation of my troop members have been starting to come to Camp Burke’s Mill Pond and making even more awesome memories.
At a recent multi-level Girl Scout troop meeting, we brainstormed and discussed what activities and trips the troop wanted to do this year. The top of the list was wanting to go cabin camping at Camp Burke’s Mill Pond. They love this camp so much, that they did their Girl Scout Bronze and Silver Projects to spruce up the camp!
I love to see the camp experience through their eyes. My daughter kayaked for her first time at Camp Burke’s Mill Pond many years ago at summer camp. This year, I finally got the chance to kayak on the pond for my first time, and I absolutely loved it. Soon, I hope we can do it together. I don’t know who is more excited about going to camp — me or the girls! I just know when I get to camp and breathe that first breath of fresh air that I am at my beloved Burke’s Mill Pond.
Four Seasons of Burke’s Mill Pond
By Jennifer Glaspell
Dear Burke’s Mill Pond Camp,
Follow me to Camp Burke’s Mill Pond into fall,
Experience fall air and leaves of colors.
And into winter to crunch through snow,
And have snowflakes touch the tips of our tongues.
Let’s make hot cocoa and enjoy the glow of a campfire,
As we sing old and new Girl Scout songs.
Spring comes and chicks chirp their cheery tunes,
As we paddle around the drifting, sparkling pond.
Walk with me along a green path in summer,
And see the blossoms of wildflowers sprout.
Through all the seasons and smiling faces,
We can’t wait to come back to you Camp Burke’s Mill Pond, someday.
