Date: Mon Jul 06, 9:00 AM EDT - Fri Aug 07, 4:00 PM EDT
Category:
- Outdoor
Level:
- Juniors,
- Daisies,
- Seniors,
- Cadettes,
- Ambassadors,
- Brownies,
- Pre-K
For generations, Girl Scouts have splashed into summer at Camp
Merrie-Wood in Manchester, CT and nothing says Merrie-Wood like the
tradition of brookstomping! This five-week camp is a place where
laughter echoes through the trees, friendships are forged along shady
trails, and every day brings a new adventure in the great outdoors.
Here, campers spend their days exploring the woods, wading into the
brook, creating crafts, playing games, and sharing songs and laughter
with new friends. From the thrill of learning outdoor skills to the
joy of classic camp traditions, Merrie-Wood is the perfect place to
connect with nature and each other.
MerrieWood Themes
2026
Week 1: Stars & Stripes - Celebrate community
and country with flag ceremonies, patriotic crafts, and acts of
service.
Week 2: The Great Outdoors - Dig into nature with
shelter-building, wildlife exploration, campfire cooking, and outdoor
art.
Week 3: Trail Trek - Learn backpacking and camping skills;
older campers (6th grade and up) complete a one-night backpacking
trip.
Week 4: Ocean Olympics - Cool off with water games,
relays, and team challenges-cheer for glory in the ultimate camp
competition.
Week 5: Where in the World? - Travel the globe
through crafts, games, and stories inspired by cultures from every
continent.
Choose from the following sessions (More
Information when you click "Register Now"):
-
Traditional Camper (Weekly Themes 1-5)
- Program Aide 1, 2, 3
(Cadettes)
- CIT 1, 2, 3 (Seniors & Ambassadors)
Early Registration until May 15th!
Leadership at Day Camp 2026
At GSofCT Day Camps, leadership starts early and grows
with every experience. AnSeOx offers a full Leadership Lab for rising
4th-12th graders, giving campers the chance to build confidence, learn
new skills, and shine as role models.
Junior Aide
Program (Rising 4th-5th)
All Juniors participate in
the Junior Aide experience each week as part of camp! They'll learn to
be role models, lead songs and games, and help younger campers-earning
the Junior Aide Award by the end of their session.
Cadette True North Program (Rising 6th)
All rising 6th grade
Cadette campers will participate in the Cadette True North Program as
part of their regular program. Throughout the session, they will
explore what matters most to them, set a goal that challenges them to
grow, and make a plan to act with courage, confidence, and character.
By the end of the session, they'll earn the Cadette True North
award.
Program Aide (PA) Pathway (Rising 7th-9th)
A three-level progression, each offered in different weeks at
AnSeOx:
PA 1 (Weeks 3-4): Foundations of leadership, child
development, and communication. Lead 2-3 unit blocks and earn the
GSUSA PA Award.
PA 2 (Weeks 3-4): Specialize in areas like
nature, STEM, art, or outdoor skills while leading multi-day
activities and all-camp ceremonies.
PA 3 (Weeks 1-2): Design and
lead your own camp program, support operations, and help with all-camp
events.
Counselor-in-Training (CIT) Pathway
(Rising 10th-12th, Age 14+)
For teens preparing for future staff roles, with deeper
responsibility at each level:
CIT 1 (Weeks 3-4): Learn camper
care, leadership styles, and activity facilitation alongside
staff.
CIT 2 (Weeks 3-5): Take on advanced leadership, run
small-group activities, and support all-camp events.
CIT 3
(Weeks 1-5): Lead capstone projects, assist with operations, and
mentor other CITs-the final step before becoming staff.
Early registration open through May 15, 2026 - Last day to
register and final payment is due June 1, 2026.
After registering here in GSEvents, you will receive a
confirmation with embedded links to find each camp handbook, maps,
packing lists, required health forms and so much more.
INCLUDED this year is the bus which you can select at the time of
registration including your bus route and stop. After you register
for camp you can apply for Financial Aid and complete all your
required health forms right on-line. Please be on the lookout for an
invite to Rallyhood for each week/session you have signed up for -
Invitations are sent out Mid-May.
You must pay your
deposit to hold early registration discount before May 15, 2026. All
fees for the program are due not later than June 1, 2026; cookie
credits accepted and doubled for this camp program - a separate
JotForm will be sent to indicate whether you wish to have your Girl
Scout's cookie credit applied to your camp registration balance.
Questions? Please contact Customer Care at 1-800-922-2770 or customercare@gsofct.org.
Refunds, Transfers, and Cancellations Policy
Girl Scouts of Connecticut (GSOFCT) does not issue refunds for event registrations, except in cases of medical necessity accompanied by a doctor's note.
You may transfer a camp registration one time at no cost. After the first transfer, a $25 administrative fee will apply for each additional change.
For summer camp cancellations, written notice must be submitted at least five (5) weeks prior to the start of the session to customercare@gsofct.org. Upon cancellation, the $75 deposit is non-refundable.
Please note that Financial Aid awards and Cookie Credits are non-refundable and non-transferable.