Open to All, Built for Growth: How Summer Camp Empowers Lifelong Lessons

Summer is just around the corner—and for Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, that means it’s time to head to camp. Whether it’s horseback riding, archery, sailing, or sleeping in a covered wagon under the stars, Girl Scout camp isn’t just a getaway—it’s a place where confidence and lifelong skills take root.

Volunteer and troop leader Jen White recently shared her perspective on FOX23 News, speaking as both a mom and a longtime supporter of Girl Scout camps. Like many parents, she was nervous the first time her daughter expressed interest in overnight camp. But after learning about the American Camp Association accreditation and the variety of safe, enriching activities available, she was all in—and her daughter’s been going for nearly a decade.

Camp Tallchief, located at the scenic Zink Ranch, blends nostalgia with modern fun. Girls can learn to cook outdoors, churn butter, right a capsized sailboat, or try their hand at archery—all while building independence and making new friends. And best of all, camp is open to all girls, not just current Girl Scouts.

“Our camps are open to all girls and open for all interests,” Jen explained. “Tallchief has a wide variety of options for everybody.”

One summer, her daughter even invited cousins from out of state to join her at Camp Tallchief, where they signed up for the “Pioneers and Pathfinders” session. They slept in a covered wagon, cooked outdoors, and churned their own butter. “It was a totally immersive experience,” Jen said.

She also shared a moment that stuck with her: watching her daughter come home after learning how to right-side a capsized sailboat. “That’s the kind of thing I could never teach her myself,” she said. “Camp gave her those experiences—and the confidence to handle them.”