New Lenox Girl Scout Day Camp: Building Confidence, Friendships, and Future Leaders

Each summer, the New Lenox Girl Scout Day Camp transforms a week into an unforgettable experience filled with adventure, friendship, and growth. Serving girls from 1st grade through high school, this beloved camp—entirely run by dedicated volunteers—has become a cherished community tradition. It’s a place where girls build courage, confidence, character, learn outdoor skills, and create lifelong memories.

Units: Growing Up Through Camp
Each age level at camp is organized into “Units,” beginning with Units 1 and 2 for Daisies. Depending on enrollment, Unit 3 typically starts with Brownies, and the numbers climb with each older grade level. The higher the Unit number, the older the Scouts—usually ending around Unit 9 or 10 for the last year of campers. After 7th grade, girls return the next summer as Program Aides (PAs),
helping Unit Leaders guide activities, lead songs, and mentor younger Scouts. This tradition allows girls to grow through every stage of camp, first as participants and then as leaders-in-training.

Adding to the fun, each summer features a new camp theme that brings the Units to life. Even though a group might officially be Unit 5, they’ll adopt a playful name that matches the year’s theme—for example, “The Fearless Fairies” for a magical-themed summer. These creative names make each year unique and give campers a sense of pride and identity within their Unit.

After 7th grade, girls return the next summer as Program Aides (PAs), helping Unit Leaders guide activities, lead songs, and mentor younger Scouts. The young campers absolutely adore their PAs—they see them as the “big sisters” of camp and often dream about becoming PAs themselves one day. In fact, many start thinking up their future PA name long before they’re old enough to join the ranks.

One of the most beloved traditions is that PAs choose a fun, creative “camp name” for the week—anything from “Noodle” to “Tree sap.” They’re known only by that name during camp, and at the end of the week, the younger campers get to guess the PAs’ real names, a game that always sparks excitement and laughter. This playful tradition makes the PA role even more special and inspires younger campers to stick with Girl Scouts so they can one day step into those shoes.

Hands-On Learning and Outdoor Skills
One of the most beloved aspects of camp is its focus on outdoor skills and cooking. Campers learn everything from building an A-frame fire and cooking over open flames to using Dutch and box ovens to make delicious meals like pizzas, brownies, lasagna, and a camper favorite, walking tacos.

For many girls, it’s their first time cooking outdoors or handling tools like pocket knives—experiences that build confidence and independence. Mr. Daniel Fish has been the camp's Knife Skills instructor for the last 8 years. He says, "Knife skills is a new experience each year for the Scouts at camp. Their first year involves learning about types of knives and cutting a strawberry. It progresses each year with cutting something different like bread, rope, a whittling a stick, carving a bar of soap, a block of wood, and finally engraving a walking stick. They also learn how to sharpen kitchen knives, pocket knives, and review skills from the previous year". Safety is always the top priority, with trained adults and older Scouts teaching proper techniques and supervision every step of the way.

Friendships, Leadership, and Lasting Memories
Beyond skills, the camp fosters friendships and a sense of belonging. Away from the pressures of school and technology, girls have the freedom to be themselves—laughing over campfire songs, sharing meals, and bonding during team games. These connections often grow into lifelong friendships. The day camp also nurtures leadership and independence. From managing their belongings and making decisions to leading activities and mentoring younger girls, campers develop skills that will serve them well beyond their Girl Scout years.

A Community Effort with Lasting Impact

At the heart of the camp is Program Director Kathy O’Connor, who has devoted 20+ years to ensuring the camp thrives. Often called the “heart and soul” of New Lenox Day Camp, Kathy and her amazing volunteer team create a safe, skill-building environment that continues to grow and evolve
each year. What truly sets the New Lenox Girl Scout Day Camp apart is its all-volunteer model. Leaders (often parents), and community members give their time to create a safe, fun, and empowering environment. Their dedication keeps the camp affordable and reinforces the core Girl Scout value of service to others. In the end, camp is more than a week of fun—it’s a life-shaping experience. Whether it’s a first grader learning to roast her first marshmallow or a senior Scout leading a team-building activity, every camper leaves with new skills, confidence, and memories that last a lifetime. Thanks to the passion of its volunteers and the power of the Girl Scout sisterhood, New Lenox Girl Scout Day Camp continues to inspire and empower the next generation of strong, capable young women.

Interested in becoming a New Lenox Girl Scout?! Please visit us on August 18th, 4-7pm in the New Lenox Commons, 145 Veterans Pkwy, New Lenox at The New Lenox PTO Back to School Bash. We will have a table set up with current Leaders and Scouts. Or visit us here for more information.