2023 Girl Scout Impact Report

Claire Bear Camp

During summer 2023, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri was proud to offer the inaugural Claire Bear Camp, a week-long day camp for Girl Scouts ages 5-18 on the autism spectrum. With her support of the Her Future is Our Future Comprehensive Campaign, Cynthia Heath, former GSEM board chair, generously made Claire Bear Camp possible, affectionately named after her great niece, Claire. Claire Bear Camp gave eight campers the opportunity to experience a week of new friends, outdoor adventure, and a sense of belonging in an inclusive and nurturing environment. Claire Bear Camp was held at Camp Fiddlecreek in Myrtle’s Manor; a site designed to be safe and accessible for campers. Campers had the opportunity to experience daily morning and afternoon round-up at the flagpole with Girl Scout pledges and songs; progressive skill learning through camp tasks, cooking and making snacks, and leadership activities; and “challenge-by-choice” through adventure recreation like slingshots, hiking, swimming and playing on the new play structures, along with fun traditional camp crafts and games. A highlight of the week was a family day on the final Friday of camp, where campers’ family members/caregivers had the opportunity to experience many activities alongside their campers. Claire Bear Camp also focused on developing new community partnerships to create and sustain future Girl Scout camp opportunities for girls with other diagnoses and medical conditions. In preparation for the camping experience, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri staff worked closely with a diverse group of supporters to develop this unique and modified camp, ensuring campers individual needs would be met.

“My daughter has been signed up for many different non-Girl Scout camps over the years. Each time, she comes home saying she doesn’t want to go back. This is the first camp EVER that she wanted to keep coming back each day.” -Caregiver, 6th grade camper

“Claire Bear Camp was beyond incredible for her, and I don’t know if I will ever be able to express my gratitude to everyone involved and to Cynthia.” -Caregiver, 3rd grade camper

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri

11