WICHITA — Girls will have the opportunity to soar over camp on a zip line, spend the night in a yurt, and climb or rappel down a 55-foot tower this summer as part of Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland’s approximately $200,000 investment into new camping experiences.
Construction has started on the climbing tower at Starwoods Outdoor Center, Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland’s 160-acre property located southwest of Wichita. Girls will learn about belaying through a progressive training program before climbing to the tower’s observation deck and either rappelling down the side or zip-lining through the trees and over the lake at Camp Starwoods – 900 feet from where they began. They’ll also enjoy high-flying adventure bouncing on a new inflatable “Blob” that will be installed on the lake at Camp Starwoods.
At Camp Four Winds, east of Leon in Butler County, girls can experience camping in three new yurts being constructed in a new scenic camping area. Each yurt will be equipped with solar-powered LED lighting and Sun-Mar composting toilets. The round yurts, which are environmentally friendly structures, are 16 feet in diameter with fabric walls and roof, and wood lattice for support.
These fun, new camping opportunities are made possible through grants from the Darrel and Dee Rolph Family Fund at the National Christian Foundation, along with in-kind donations from Eby Construction, D&D Equipment Sales and Rental, Westar Energy, B&B Lumber and Cornejo Concrete (C&C).
Camping, a Girl Scout tradition since 1912, gives girls the opportunity to develop leadership and outdoor skills, lifelong friendships, and a deep appreciation for nature. Girl Scout camps also provide the opportunity for girls to develop a sense of responsibility, become more independent, and most importantly, have fun.
All K-12 girls are welcome this summer at the more than 100 camps and activities at Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland’s six camp locations and partner camps across the state. The public is invited to learn more about camp – and see some of the new camp additions in person – from 2-4 p.m. May 22 during the open house at Camp Starwoods, 7800 S. 103rd St. West, Clearwater.
Registration opens Friday, April 15 for Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland’s camp season that starts in June and extends through early August.
For registration information and a complete list of summer activities, go to kansasgirlscouts.org, flip through the online Summer Activity Guide, or call toll-free at 888-686-MINT (6468).