Alumnae Story
My First Overnighter: A Lesson in 'How to Be
Resourceful and Enjoy Something New'

By Suson Bonet (maiden name Climenson)
Petaluma, Calif.

I had just become a Brownie, and it was my first "overnight" camping trip to a small grove near our town of Panorama, Calif.

I expected that our leaders would have all the latest camping equipment for our stay and was shocked to see them take coffee cans with holes drilled near the rim, with wire for handles, and place them over our fire and tell us that we were going to cook our dinner in the clean but beat-up-looking aluminum cans!

As the rest of our camping gear came out, I noticed that we were all really going to "rough it" that night and I thought to myself, "Why did I become a Brownie!? This is going to be just awful!"

As the evening progressed and we sat around our campfire telling ghost stories and eating S'Mores, my attitude changed for the better. In fact, "living through" this new type of rough camping made me feel that I was almost invincible and could "buck up" and handle any problems that could be presented to me.

Rather a big experience to get from just an overnighter, but it has never left me! I still feel capable, brave and strong. And I credit my Girl Scouting days for that.