Girl Scout Troop 864 (part 1)

They do more than sell cookies.

Today, Sunday, March 30, 2008, marked the day Southold Girl Scout Troop 864 began work on their Bronze Award. "The Girl Scout Bronze Award, the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can earn, requires her to learn the leadership and planning skills necessary to follow through on a project that makes a positive impact on her community." Troop 864, led by Southold parents Rose Anasagasti, Debbie Bellomo, and Kate Panetta, has 15 scouts working towards the Bronze Award.

Their project at Peconic Dunes County Park consists of 4 ways to improve our Nature Trail. First, they will improve the trail's definition by lining it with logs. Second, they will install a new footbridge over the bog. Third, they will build benches for the trail. Finally, they will create ethnobotany signs, explaining how various plants along the trail can be used by people. [ethnobotany (n): the scientific study of the traditions and customs of a people concerning plants and their medical, religious, and other uses.]

Today, the girls and their parents built 6 benches, lined over half the trail, installed the new footbridge, and began research for the signs. It was an amazingly successful day and I can't wait for next Monday when they continue their project.

-chris

Rookie Camp (preview)

Peconic Dunes has always suggested parents prepare their children for camp by arranging sleepovers at family and friends' houses before camp. Now we offer a new alternative...Rookie Camp!

Rookie Camp is one weekend and offers all the same activities as our full week programs. Campers will have the opportunity to shoot a bow and arrow, build a sand castle, share stories around a campfire, canoe, kayak, go on nature hikes and more. The weekend will be necessarily small, 24 boys and 24 girls, to provide our rookie campers with a smaller community experience. Select summer staff will be on hand to provide the same 24-hour supervision and instruction offered during the summer.

And Rookie Camp is not limited to new campers. Veteran campers up to 12 years-old are welcomed to join us as we show the newest members of the Peconic Dunes community a transformative camping experience.

Dates: Friday, May 30 @ 4pm - Sunday, June 1 @ 1pm. Parents are invited to join us for a Sunday BBQ lunch.
Fees: $200/camper

-chris

Open House #1

Peconic Dunes Camp held its first Open House of the the 2008 season on Sunday, March 10. We had a great turnout, with about 50 families coming out to learn more about what's in store for our campers this summer. If you came out, you braved a chilly day with our counselors and C.I.T. candidates who volunteered to provide guided tours.

Thank you Jimmy, Danielle, Chris, Steve and Mike. Also thank you to friends of Peconic Dunes, Nancy Martin and Kevin Martin for keeping a campfire going to help keep everybody warm.

Upcoming Open Houses will be held on Sunday, April 6 from 10am - 2pm and Sunday, May 4 from 10am - 2pm.

Hope to see you there!

-chris