by Wanhee Yoon (Korean Liaison, Greater New York Girl Scout Council), August 10, 1999

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to go camping with the Girl Scouts at Heckscher State Park on Long Island. Although the New York area had been suffering through a harsh summer drought, the lush green trees of the park welcomed us generously. We hurried to set up our tents at the campsite we had reserved. Only moments before, the field had been nothing but empty grass, yet soon round tents sprang up here and there. The girls, arguing playfully over their spots, were already diving into the joy and excitement of a new outdoor adventure.

The Girl Scout Promise—“On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law”—reflects the organization’s mission: to nurture responsible democratic citizens and to help young girls develop their full potential through holistic education and community service. Outdoor camping, in particular, offers a precious opportunity for girls to build harmony with nature, learn to cooperate as equals, and grow through shared experiences. For this reason, the leader’s most important role in such a setting is to cultivate teamwork, instill reverence for nature, and teach the girls to care for and protect the world around them.

After unpacking and finishing the dinner we cooked together—our hands blackened with charcoal—I invited the girls into the peaceful darkness that stretched endlessly around us. After games and laughter, I asked them to close their eyes and sit in silence, listening to the wind and the night insects. Sounds that had been completely drowned out by their chatter suddenly burst into our ears as if amplified—crickets and frogs singing in a grand chorus. Their high and low calls answered one another, weaving harmonies that seemed to shake the forest. It was passionate natural music, conducted by the baton of the wind.

Next, I had the girls lie down on the grass and look up at the night sky. Under the cloudless midsummer heavens, the stars glittered in brilliant colors. The girls fell silent, drawn into the mystery of the distant starlight. “Let’s see if we can find the names of the stars!” “Wow! That’s the Big Dipper! Isn’t that Orion?” “…What’s that star over there?” Their eyes sparkled brightly in the darkness as they searched for constellations.

In my heart I wished, “Yes—plant these stars in your hearts. The ability to look up at the stars is a precious gift. From them, find the source of your life, remember the mystery of the universe and its Creator. In that heart, you will find comfort and healing.”

Later, the girls roasted marshmallows by flashlight and crawled into their tents for the night. They giggled and whispered, unable to fall asleep easily in the warm embrace of the earth. But when I opened my eyes in the cool dawn air, morning had already arrived, tapping brightly on every tent. Pushing aside the dew‑soaked flaps, the girls emerged like larks, chattering cheerfully.

We took a walk through the forest, breathing in the fresh air. Squirrels leapt like springs from tree to tree, and birds sang boldly, filling the morning with the fullness of life. We left the paved path and entered a dimmer trail, brushing past thorny vines where only one person could pass at a time. Though the leaves were still green, hints of autumn yellow peeked out here and there, letting us feel the quiet shift of the seasons.

On the way back, the girls gathered twigs and small stones to create the trail signs once used by Native Americans. With nothing more than sticks and stones, they could signal danger, safety, and direction—wisdom that amazed all of us accustomed to computers.

Life in nature begins on equal footing for everyone. With only the bare essentials to wear and eat, we are briefly cut off from civilization. Yet as time passes, even the discomfort is forgotten, replaced by the pure, untainted spirit of nature that completely captivates us. Outdoor life offers a chance to rediscover how deeply humans and nature are connected, and to see ourselves reflected in nature’s mirror. The affinity for nature developed in childhood becomes a powerful influence in adulthood.

Watching the girls shout proudly, “A Girl Scout is always prepared! A Girl Scout does a good deed every day!” as they returned home, I placed great hope in the new era they will one day lead. Even if I cannot drop anchor with them in their future world, I left the campsite satisfied—knowing that through the experiences of my own life, I may help guide them toward a brighter, more beautiful harbor.