More Abigail Excitement and Camping Photos Overload :)

This past Saturday Abigail and I attended Encampment 2008 with her Daisy Girl Scouts Troop at Camp Linden. There were well over 500 girls there that weekend, including Brownies and Girl Scouts from our local service area, but the two Daisy troops in attendance didn't stay overnight like the big girls (which I think was a very good thing because it was a looooong day for those Kindergarteners, as well as this Mommy! ;)) And fortunately the rain and thunderstorms that were predicted for Saturday never happened (woo hoo) - we only had to deal with a sporadic sprinkling here and there. The worst part of the weather was when the temps would suddenly vacillate between warm and cool, but Abby was ultra-prepared and just kept peeling off or putting on layers as needed. :-P All things considered, we really lucked out with the weather, especially since all activities took place outdoors!

The girls engaged in hiking and crafts activities, many of which were centered around the Go Green theme. They learned a lot about recycling, experienced their lunches of "walking tacos" :) bonded with the older girls, and then the day culminated with a parade ceremony in which the Daisies were allowed to lead the procession and then acknowledged in front of all the troops in attendance. The Daisies were also asked to help in honoring a local girl who was bridging over to Adult Scout level (she had been in scouting since 1st grade, and is now graduating from high school!) by presenting her with individual Daisy flowers. :) It was very cool to see the excitement on the faces of the older girls in attendance, who were camping out the entire weekend with their hot pink tents ;)), and I hope that scouting at the advanced levels remains an interest for Abigail - and eventually Sophie too. ;) Can it be that Sophie can be a Daisy when she starts Kindergarten in the fall? YIKES! :-P

And now onto the deluge of pics (again taken with my point-and-shoot camera, no way was I taking my Rebel XT on a camping trip LOL! :-P)

We're here - at "base camp!" (where we threw our stuff into tents and returned for eating and resting as needed! :))
Listening very intently to the older girls leading the activities...
At one of the activity stations...
Oooh this station passed out lollipops and let me make a necklace! :-P
And Abby's MOST favorite activity of the day - doing the SWAPs (Share With A Pal) with the older girls and their leaders! :)


Parade time (and almost time to go home too! ;))