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By BOB COUPLAND
Tribune Chronicle
VERNON – It was very nice late summer weather, but the theme for this year’s Girl Scouts Camporee was ”Frozen,” with scouts learning skills to stay warm and safe in the outdoors.
Erica Sincich, a parent and Scout leader, said the Disney movie “Frozen” was behind the many activities that Girls Scouts from Howland and Vienna took part in at Camp Sugarbush this past weekend.
Troop leader Barbara Rosenblum said the movie is very popular, and segued into learning survival skills such as starting a fire, using a compass, cooking in the woods and helping someone injured in the woods.
Each group of Scouts spent 30 minutes at each of seven stations, working such activities as freeze-dried food, shelter building, ice cream creation, treating an injured camper using ice and elevation, building a fire, dressing for the weather and knife skills.
The camporee is held each fall, with activities and programs based on a specific theme, such as pirates and medieval. This year’s camporee was attended by 200 Girl Scouts in kindergarten to 12th grades, the largest the Camporee has ever had. Sincich said this was the best weather the Camporee has ever had since prior years have been cold and rainy.
“We have had a lot of good recruitment, especially in the schools. The Vienna troops are really growing,” Sincich said.
“This year we wanted to make sure we featured more camping skills. Simple things that many children don’t get much experience with,” Sincich said.
Isabelle Gibson, 9, of Troop 543, said, “I enjoyed archery. I like that we watched the movie ‘Frozen.’ We get to learn how to use a pocketknife.”
Savannah Warner, 9, of Troop 593, said, ”I like that I get to see all my friends over the weekend.”
Alexis Yeater of Troop 598 said learning to use a compass was nice activity when in the field.
In addition to Girl Scouts leaders, Boy Scouts leaders helped with instruction. Steve Namola, a Boy Scouts leader, showed different ways to make fire using wood and other items in nature.
For the finale, the Scouts watched “Frozen” in the woods with popcorn and other treats.