Program profile

WHAT: Weeklong camp encouraging girls to be strong leaders and pursue STEM careers. Camp made possible by the Erie Meyers Charitable Trust.

WHEN: Every week in June (“Wonders of Water” marine animals and plants, weeks 1 and 3; “Come Fly with Me” space and aviation discovery, weeks 2 and 4); 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

WHO: Girls in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Foley entering second through sixth grades

WEHRE: Christian Life Church, 25550 Canal Road, Orange Beach

COST: $30; includes T-shirt, badges, Friday field trip, crafts, experiments

CONTACT: Mary Anne Brutkiewicz, 251-344-3330 or mbrutkiewicz@girlscoutssa.org. Space is still available for the last two weeks of camp!

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama is trying to encourage more young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

So when girls in Gulf Shores in Orange Beach attend a weeklong summer camp this year, they'll be able to not only learn about traditional Girl Scout ethics — leadership, compassion, getting involved in the community — but they'll also use the scientific method, practice problem solving and learn about biology in hands-on ways.

“They really enjoy the science activities,” says Tracy Arend, Baldwin County field executive with GSSA. “And the parents really love that all of our activities meet Alabama curriculum standards.”

In addition to playing games, girls learn about scientific principles like seed germination and how plants carry water and nutrients through their stems. And each week ends with a field trip that focuses on either marine animals and plants or astronomy and space exploration.

“We want girls to understand they can pursue a career in biology, engineering or math,” Arend says. “At camp, we let them experience these things so they can decide what they're most interested in.”

But the leadership component of the camp is just as important as reinforcing science and math lessons, Arend says. During the camp, girls discuss topics like how to write letters to community officials if there is a problem in their community. Each week, campers also adopt a small community service project, like making cat toys for the ASPCA.

“It's a girl-led organization, so they decide the community service activity they want to pursue,” Arend says. If campers are already Girl Scouts, they can earn a badge at the camp.

Sonya Lovelace, an adult volunteer and parent of a Girl Scout who attended the June 3–7 camp, says Girl Scouts is different from other activities or clubs her daughter has experienced.

“She is always so busy with school activities, but we were looking for something that would provide a connection to the bigger picture,” Lovelace says. “We wanted to help her find something that would help her become well-rounded. In Girl Scouts, she learns about sales, community service and things that she can use at school. The skills she learns in Girl Scouts will help her be the best at whatever she chooses to be.”

Girl Stats

Girl Scouts of the USA research studies showing girls are aware that gender barriers persist in today's society.

• 57 percent of those studied concur that, if they were to pursue a STEM career, they would "have to work harder than a man to be taken seriously.”
• 74 percent of teen girls are interested in STEM subjects and the general field of study.
• 82 percent of girls see themselves as "smart enough to have a career in STEM."
• Yet, few girls consider it their number-one career option: 81 percent of girls interested in STEM are interested in pursuing STEM careers, but only 13 percent say it's their first choice.

Other summer Girl Scout opportunities

• June 29, Christian Life Center in Orange Beach, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.: Girls going in to grades K-12 in the fall that live in the Orange Beach, Gulf Shores, Foley area can come and learn more about courage, confidence and character while parents learn more about how Girl Scouts can impact their daughters.
• Every Tuesday in July, Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama's Volunteer Center at 3483 Springhill Avenue in Mobile, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:Girl Scout Mom's Day Out program, featuring a Girl Scout sampler. July 2: Girl Scout Ways, July 9: Science Fun, July 16: Music and Dance,  July 23: Art Sampler, July 30: Theatre and Talent Show. Cost: $15 (includes lunch) The events will be open to girls who may be interested in joining Girl Scouts in Mobile and Baldwin counties.