Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey’s summer camp program builds leadership, confidence, independence and community. From day camps at Camp DeWitt (Hillsborough) and The OVAL (South Mountain Reservation in Maplewood) to sleepaway camp at Camp Hoover (Middleville), a diverse sisterhood helps campers unlock their potential and discover the world while developing life skills, making memories and building friendships that last a lifetime.
“Having the Girl Scout mission at our core brings something unique to our program—from the traditions to the model of building campers who have courage, confidence and character, we provide opportunities to mitigate summer learning loss and bridge other gaps they may experience,” says Kate Grenci, camp director for day camps. While being a Girl Scout isn’t a requirement to participate in camp, many of the staff members grew up within the movement. “There’s a strong sense of community, as our staff members are passionate about giving campers the experience they had,” Grenci says. “They have a strong desire to connect with all the children we serve, drawing from what they’ve been able to achieve thanks to their experiences at Girl Scout camp.”
The camps offer both general and specialty programming. Camp activities may include outdoor skills, archery, challenge courses, swimming, boating and hiking. General programs do a little bit of everything, while specialty programs delve into creative arts, adventure, horseback riding, leadership and more.
“We love seeing campers achieve something they were afraid to try at first. Some of the greatest feedback we receive is when a camper goes home with improved confidence and a stronger sense of self,” Grenci says.
1171 Rte. 28, North Branch
summercamp@gshnj.org
gshnj.org