June 25, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 27 New research affirms benefits of the outdoors for girls Considering summer camp for your daughter? A new study by the Girl Scout Research Institute, “More Than S’mores,” shows girls benefit immensely from time spent outdoors. Girls who regularly spend time out- doors eclipse their peers who spend less time outdoors in environmental steward- ship, more readily seek challenges, and are better problems solvers. All of these traits are important in 21 st century leadership. Outdoor experiences are also particu- larly beneficial to girls of comparatively low socioeconomic status. “More Than S’mores” finds that lower-SES girls who have regular outdoor exposure through Heading to summer camp? Here’s what to bring along What do you pack when you send your child off to camp? Some parents ship their children out with enough stuff for an entire army. Other kids are lucky to leave home with a toothbrush and a change of underwear. Somewhere between the two extremes is a happy medium. Check this list of handy tips for the balance that is right for your child. Call ahead for a list of recommended items. Every camp has different require- ments. Be sure to bring towels, a blanket, a pillow and pillowcase, sheets, and a mat- tress pad. Pack a comb and brush, shampoo and conditioner, soap in a container, a tooth- brush in a holder, toothpaste, deodorant, sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm with sunscreen, shaving supplies, and feminine products. A plastic bucket is a great way to transport supplies into the shower area. Mark or label everything with your child’s name. Include a list of emergency phone num- bers and e-mail addresses. If your child takes any medication, include the phone number of the physician in the event the prescription is lost and needs to be refilled by camp staff. A few family snapshots. (A quick cure for homesickness). A camera/electronic device that takes photos. Several pre-addressed postcards with postage, pens, and pencils, and encourage your child to write often. A flashlight and batteries. Books, magazines, Frisbees, and other toys. A bathing suit, shorts and T-shirts, rain gear, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and at least one set of warm clothing. The weather may not be kind, and the nights are often colder than anticipated. Sunglasses, eyeglasses, swim goggles. Baseball cap or hat. Boots, sneakers, sandals, dress shoes, and appropriate socks. Do not pack expensive items. Girl Scouts are likely to credit the Girl Scout experience with helping them become leaders. “In this study, we expected to see that girls were having fun in the outdoors,” said Dr. Kallen Tsikalas, lead researcher on the study. “However, we were surprised by just how much they appreciated having opportunities to take on challenges and build skills in a socially supportive envi- ronment. Girls really want to feel like they are accomplishing something and growing as a person, and the outdoors is a perfect place for them to do this.” As noted, girls learn environmental stewardship through outdoor experiences. Girl Scouts are twice as likely as non-Girl Scouts to say they take action to protect the environment (51 percent versus 23 percent) and that they have had a personal experience in nature that has made them appreciate it more (49 percent versus 29 percent). “We’ve always known that camp has a real value to girls,” said Betty Garger, pres- ident and CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey. “This study shows the con- nection between the camp experience and its effect on a girl and the skills she builds as a result of her time at camp.” For more information, call (973) 248- 8200 or visit www.gsnnj.org . Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves girls ages 5-17 in 160 municipalities in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and northern Warren counties. There are cur- rently 31,465 girl members and 16,904 adult members.