Some girls are natural campers. But most don’t realize their love for the outdoors until they try it for the first time. Just like Alexa P.

A fourth grader, Alexa says she’s the kind of girl who would spend every waking moment hiking through the woods, paddling around in a canoe or gathering around a campfire.

Her love of camping was ignited when she was a Daisy Girl Scout and introduced to camping – she went to ‘Me & My Gal’ (a family camp) with her mom. “It was scary at first because it was my first time sleeping outdoors, even though I was in a cabin,” Alexa said. “But it was OK because my mom was with me.”

Alexa says she was a bit nervous to return the next year, on her own but was so glad she found the courage to do so. Because once she started… she couldn’t stop! Just last summer, Alexa packed in three Girl Scout camps including CampHERO, Horse Lovers Adventure, and her all-time favorite – Camp Confidence. “We got to climb on this big pole and then jump off with a harness on!” she recalled, adding that she would “definitely” do it again.

Lucky for her, she’s attending NinjaGIRL at Camp Ehawee this summer where she’ll do lots of adventure activities, along with ninja challenges and warrior trainings.

But that’s not all she’s up to in summer 2018. Alexa will be onsite at spring Camporee and will be traveling to Camp Ehawee for two more camps – RiverQuest and Hogwarts: An Intro to Magic.

While the different weekly themes make camp extra fun each time she goes, Alexa says the best things about camp stay the same. “It’s really fun and you get to make new friends,” she said. “And you get to learn how to work as a team.”

Alexa’s mom, Ann, couldn’t be happier that her daughter fell in love with Girl Scout camp. “I went to camp as a Girl Scout when I was younger, and I really liked the experience,” Ann said. “I did things at camp I wouldn’t have done anywhere else.” She agrees with Alexa that camp is the perfect opportunity to make new friends, while simultaneously gaining confidence and independence.

Along with camp, Girl Scouts has provided other opportunities for the two of them. As a co-leader of Troop 2446, Ann motivates girls and their families to attend programs, sell cookies and serve their community.

But for Alexa – nothing is better than a week at Girl Scout camp.