Community Troop Day at Camp Apasus
Access to Girl Scouts should never be limited by circumstances beyond a child’s control, which is why GSCCC’s Community Troop Programs bring engaging, inclusive programming directly to girls wherever they are—be it schools, churches, community centers, or online. Led by GSCCC Community Troop Specialists and trained volunteers, these programs offer a variety of exciting activities such as earning badges, exploring science, traveling, selling cookies, participating in community service, and enjoying outdoor adventures— all part of the Girl Scout experience! Adults and Girl Scouts grow through outdoor experiences by stepping outside their comfort zones and embracing challenges.
On May 17, 2025, more than 50 Girl Scouts in grades K-5 in several troops from Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk celebrated the end of another successful Girl Scout year during the annual Community Troop Camp Day at Camp Apasus in Norfolk. Led by GSCCC’s Community Troop team and volunteers, troops of Girl Scout Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors made new friends over outdoor experiences such as canoeing, archery, and learning outdoor skills. The Girl Scouts at the event learned some of the principles of environmental stewardship such as “Leave No Trace” and basic fire safety. The Girl Scouts also had a blast doing some traditional camp activities which included singing camp songs, a traditional flag ceremony, roasting s’mores, arts and crafts, and making tie-dyed t-shirts.
Among the several troops in attendance was Girl Scout Troop 5109 based in Portsmouth. This school volunteer-led troop of 82 Girl Scouts and 17 volunteers is made entirely of Brighton Elementary School students, staff, and parents. Natasha Hawkins and her daughter, Girl Scout Junior Lauryn, have been involved with Troop 5109 since it began in 2022. As the troop has grown, so have the number of Girl Scout experiences for this mom-and-daughter duo.
“We have been coming to Camp Apasus for three years, and I like that this is something we can do together every summer,” Hawkins said. “Today, I tried archery for the first time, and it took some practice, but I figured it out. Lauryn has done this before with the troop, so she was even showing me what to do.”
Whether a Girl Scout Brownie or an adult, outdoor learning and development are lifelong, shared journeys. When we try new skills and face uncertainties in Girl Scouts, we can build confidence while being supported by people who truly care. Every girl, everywhere, should have access to the empowering opportunities of Girl Scouting. The skills girls learn today will shape the solutions of tomorrow, and Girl Scouting provides the essential tools for their success.
These troops’ activities throughout the year were supported by several funders including the ABNB Community Foundation, the City of Chesapeake, Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, Papa Johns Foundation, Suffolk Foundation, and Virginia Natural Gas. A special thanks to Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, who provided the funding for round-trip transportation from schools and to the camp.
