Letter: Twilight Camp is a summer highlight

One of the reasons I love living in the comforting embrace of the Crescenta Valley is the yearly tradition of the Girl Scout Twilight Camp. For many years the Girl Scouts have conducted weeklong day camps in our valley. These camps have had various locations throughout the years: the Montrose Girl Scout House, Hahamongna Watershed Park and Crescenta Valley Park, its current location. What started over 50 years ago as a day camp with 70 campers has evolved into a Twilight Camp, from 3 to 8 p.m., with 150 campers, 90 teenage leaders and 30 adult volunteers.

Each year the camp has a theme. This year’s theme is Pacific Ring of Fire. Grass-skirt-making, volcanic explosions, cooking in Dutch ovens, singing camp songs, learning leadership skills and making friends are some of the camp activities.

Twilight Camp is a true community effort. Each night the Girl Scouts make their own dinners while the adults do takeout. This year Star Cafe in Montrose and Green Street Restaurant in Pasadena catered discounted dinners for the adult volunteers and Chipotle in La Cañada donated a feast for 40 adults.

I am in awe of the volunteers who work throughout the year to make Twilight Camp a reality for so many young women. My daughter “Bean” (all teenage and adult volunteers have camp names) has been attending camp for five years and is now a leader in training, as are three other girls in her troop, “Seahorse,” “Cupcake” and “Sapphire.” May all of the young Girl Scouts always carry with them the spirit of these dedicated volunteers.

As I stand in a mighty oak grove at the base of the Verdugo Mountains watching the campers and leaders I am grateful to be raising my family in a community that supports the growth and maturation of its young women.

Holly Hall
Glendale