Expand Your World - May 15 - May 17, 2026

Join us for a weekend for registered Girl Scouts aged 11 - 17 accompanied by an adult. Leaders and Volunteers without teens are welcome too! The purpose of this event is to step out of our normal everyday lives and relax, join in on a hike, or learn something new! Come for the weekend or just for the day. Enjoy the workshops that interest you, catch up with or make new friends, and network with other leaders in Girl Scout camaraderie.

Location: GSSEM Camp Hawthorn Hollow is in Columbus, Michigan. It has a rustic wooded camp feel yet offers amenities of running water, flush bathrooms and heat in the lodges. Everything is within reasonable walking distance. Use this weekend to create new friendships, enrich your and your teen's lives, and bring new activities to your troop with workshops - or just get away and enjoy a beautiful Girl Scout camp! Parking is restricted to the main parking lot - only one Emergency Vehicle backed in is permitted to park by each lodge.

Who Can Attend: Registered members of GSUSA looking for camaraderie, information, and fun. Members from all councils welcome.

• Adult troop leader or volunteer
• Registered girl members aged 11-17 attending with a Parent/ Guardian. All girl members must complete a health form.
• An adult with their Girl Scout-registered teen(s) can bring one additional Girl Scout member. For example, 1 adult could bring her daughter along with one other girl scout from her troop if the girl's parent can not attend. Girls attending with an adult who is not their parent/legal guardian will need a permission form. Links to forms will be sent with confirmation.

Cost: The $95.00 weekend fee includes housing, meals (Saturday breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday breakfast), workshops, event patch, evening events and so much more. Basic workshops are included in the registration fee. For some workshops you may be asked to bring supplies.

We will be accepting registrations for Saturday Only participants. The cost for attending Saturday Only is $75.00 and will include lunch and dinner.

Early registrations and those who place a deposit get a discounted price of $90.00. Eventbrite fees will be waived for registration, but donations to cover this expense are always appreciated.

How To Register: NEW THIS YEAR! This year you can pay a deposit by December 31, 2025 and save your place. Only $25 per person is needed to reserve your spot, and you do not have to choose all your workshops at this time. Registrations must be finalized and the remaining balance paid prior to April 7, 2026. You may also register fully at any time, including choosing your workshops. Just choose DEPOSIT, FULL REGISTRATION, or COMPLETE MY REGISTRATION in the housing ticket section.

Discounted $90 early registration ends 11:59 pm on December 31, 2025. The regular price of $95 is available from January1 through March 6, 2026. Late registration at $100 is charged from March 7 through April 7, 2026. Registration CLOSES AT 11:59 PM ON APRIL 7, 2026. After that date, contact R3JhbmRlU3ByaW5nIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20= for waitlist.

Read this entire screen and make a note of the classes you would like. Click on the orange box below to go to the "Get Tickets" page. Choose your lodging, then scroll down to choose one workshop in each session. After making these selections, you will go to a page to enter credit card information and answer some questions designed to help us make your weekend better. PLEASE REGISTER SEPARATELY FOR EACH ADULT AND SCOUT so that each person gets the proper workshops.

Volunteers Always Needed! We are always looking for volunteers to serve as Site Managers (must be Outdoor trained), First Aiders, Volunteer Greeters or help with ceremonies. Think you’d like to give it a try? Contact us at R3JhbmRlU3ByaW5nIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20= or check the box at registration.

Lodging: All troop lodges have bunk beds, electricity, heat, running water, bathrooms with flush toilets, kitchens, stove & refrigerator.

Teens and adults attending together will be lodged together in the same buildings; we will also have an adults-only cabin. You will have a chance to list those that you want to share accommodations with. Choose your desired bedtime – early (11:00 pm quiet time), or late (midnight quiet time).

Arrival/Departure: Plan to arrive between 5:30 and 7:30 pm, Friday, May 15th. Campers arriving before 5:30 pm must remain in the parking lot. The weekend concludes at 12:00 noon on Sunday, May 17th. Saturday only and late Friday arrivals check-in on Saturday between 8:00 am and 8:45 am. Note: health forms are no longer required for adults, but you will be given an opportunity to enter health information at checkout. Please have a health form for all teens. Emergency contact info is mandated by state law.

Silent Auction: Silent Auction bidding for baskets will be available all day on Saturday; your identity will be kept secret and bidding will conclude Saturday night. Start setting aside some mad money to bid up your new and old friends on our variety of auction baskets of new and gently used items. Basket winners will be revealed Saturday night after the auction chair has had time to total all the tally sheets. Baskets can be paid for and picked up after that time, either Saturday night or Sunday morning. We can accept cash or charge for payment of baskets. Auction proceeds help reduce costs for future camp events.

Service Project: This year our service projects will benefit ???. One of the workshop sessions will be devoted to creating ???. Sign up for the service project session if you wish to participate. We will also be collecting ???, so start to collect them now! (Lisa)

Special Events and Ceremonies: We have many activities scheduled for the weekend. This includes a bonfire with a SWAP session on Friday night, weather permitting. You will also not want to miss our Saturday evening special event. The schedule is jam-packed with workshops and activities for those who like to keep busy. You do NOT have to participate in all activities, and you may opt out of any workshop session if you want one-on-one time or just to rest. Please plan to attend the opening and closing ceremonies. A preliminary schedule will be included with your confirmation. The confirmation will be sent to the e-mail you give us at registration – please make sure it is correct so we can communicate with you! Your e-mail address will not be shared.

Deadlines: REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 11:59 PM ON APRIL 7, 2026. Refunds may be requested up to this date. No changes in meals and workshops may be made after this date. You may transfer your entire registration (no changes in accommodations, meals or workshops) to another participant if a last-minute emergency means you cannot attend. We cannot give late refunds or switch workshops at camp because we are required to pay council in advance based on registrations as of that date. As well, facilitators will have planned and bought supplies based on registration numbers. For late registration, refunds or changes, please call the registrar, Rose Callahan, at 313 550-4974.

Workshops: This year workshops will all be on Saturday and are slightly shorter to have room for more fun! Register early for the best scheduling. If you are attending as an adult with teen, you can register for the same workshops to be together, or register for different workshops to match your interests.

Listings for Workshops and any applicable fees are below. Some workshops require you bring specific materials: see below for details. Workshops are subject to change if enrollment does not meet minimums or if facilitators are not available. Direct workshop program questions to: R3JhbmRlU3ByaW5nIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20=

Session I - Saturday 9:15-11:15 am

101 Girl Scout Travels: Explore your own travel guide book to use with your troop. Exchange ideas for progression of troop travel and think about international travel to one of the world centers. For ADULTS.

102 Circle of Life - Water Challenge: In nature we observe water’s magical powers in mighty oceans, babbling brook, placid lakes, and the static marshes. Come and Explore water through the arts. This is part one in the 4-part series from our sister Girl Guides in Ontario. Optional patches are available for $2.00 at check-in. Open to both TEENS and ADULTS.

103 Look what I Crocheted! for teens: Do you know someone who created marvelous, crocheted things? Come learn basic crocheting with Jennifer. Enjoy learning how to create a simple project with yarn. Maybe share this art with someone special. Bring one seven-ounce skein of 100% worsted weight, 4-ply yarn made of 100% acrylic fiber. Light colored Red Heart yarn is preferred. For TEENS.

104 Sit-upon Buckets: Turn a 5-gallon bucket into a decorative sit upon, with storage for your camp items. All materials provided. For ADULTS.

105 Mental Health for teens: Becoming a teen is a time full of changes. From styles and hobbies to friends and personality. It’s a time to gain independence and create your own identity. In this workshop teens will learn all about skills and resources to help you cope with the changes you face and learn how to accept yourselves for who you are. For TEENS.

106 Open time: Choose this option to have an open slot to work on your own project, recreation time, quality time for adult and teen, or if you are teaching a workshop.

Session II - Saturday 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

201 Look what I Crocheted! for adults: Do you know someone who created marvelous, crocheted things? Come learn basic crocheting with Jennifer. Enjoy learning how to create a simple project with yarn. Maybe share this art with someone special. Bring one seven-ounce skein of 100% worsted weight, 4-ply yarn made of 100% acrylic fiber. Light colored Red Heart yarn is preferred. For ADULTS.

202 Knot Blankets for the Ronald McDonald House: We will be working on making knot blankets for the kids that spend time at the Ronald McDonald House. No experience necessary: if you have never made a knot blanket before, we will show you how. What a great opportunity to work together for a great cause. For ADULTS and TEENS.

203 Batiking for teens: Design your own pillowcase through the process and art of batik. Stating with a solid-colored pillowcase, create your design and then trace with washable glue and paint with acrylic paint . After it dries, wash and let dry and you have a beautiful design. For TEENS.

204 Gnomes and Things: Everybody is obsessed with gnomes, and it's easy to see why: They are so cute! Create decorative Gnomes and Mushrooms from scratch. Get in on this fun decorative craze. For TEENS.

205 Make your own: How to Knit: Make your own set of knitting needles and learn how to use them! Leave class with the beginnings of an 8" square and the skills to finish it on your own. For ADULTS and TEENS.

206 TeenYoga: Relax and rejuvenate with yoga movements designed for everyone. You'll challenge yourself as you work at your own level in a safe and supportive environment. Modifications will be offered for beginners or those with physical challenges as you practice each pose. Bring a yoga mat. For TEENS.

207 Candle Painting: Wonder what to do with boring taper candles or the votive candles you just want to add something to? Then this class is for you! Learn how to paint and decorate candles. For ADULTS.

208 Open time: Choose this option to have an open slot to work on your own project, recreation time, quality time for adult and teen, or if you are teaching a workshop.

Session III – Saturday 2:15 - 4:15 pm

301 Black and White T-shirt Masking: Bring two of your own 100% cotton black t-shirts or a sweatshirt to make your very own custom shirt. No two shirts will be the same. We will be using bleach in this class for a unique effect. For ADULTS and TEENS.

302 Batiking for adults: Design your own pillowcase through the process and art of batik. Stating with a solid-colored pillowcase, create your design and then trace with washable glue and paint with acrylic paint . After it dries, wash and let dry and you have a beautiful design. For ADULTS.

303 SWAPS for your next Adventure for Adults: What is a SWAP? What can you use to make swaps? Learn to make at least 5 different types of SWAPS and bring your ideas to make other swaps! For ADULTS.

304 Sit-upon Buckets: Turn a 5-gallon bucket into a decorative sit upon, with storage for your camp items. All materials provided. For TEENS.

305 SWAPS for your next Adventure for Teens: What is a SWAP? What can you use to make swaps? Learn to make at least 5 different types of SWAPS and bring your ideas to make other swaps! For TEENS.

306 Make your own: How to Knit: Make your own set of knitting needles and learn how to use them! Leave class with the beginnings of an 8" square and the skills to finish it on your own. For ADULTS and TEENS.

307 Open time: Choose this option to have an open slot to work on your own project, recreation time, quality time for adult and teen, or if you are teaching a workshop.

Session IV - Saturday 4:30 - 6:15 pm

401 Outdoor Cooking: Whether you call it a pie iron, pudgy pie iron, sandwich toaster, snackwicher, toastie maker, come learn all about pie irons. From breakfast to dessert we will explore how make easy meals from camp classics to creative recipes. $5 additional FEE. For TEENS.

402 Outdoor Essentials: This class will help prepare you and your troop for the progression of camping. Are your girls ready for camp? How to pack for camp without bringing the kitchen sink. Do you know how to build a campfire? Let's talk about camp food! What are the safety requirements to go to camp? This class will help build your confidence and get your outdoor essentials training out of the way. This will be a very extensive class. For ADULTS.

403 Adventure Snacks: Create bio-degradable snacks for camping, hiking, backpacking or any adventure. Bring a water mug (no plastic) $5 additional FEE. For ADULTS and TEENS.

404 Circle of Life - Fire Challenge: This session will focus on the element of fire. You will do a variety of things relating to fire (not necessarily building an actual fire). This is part four in the 4-part series from our sister Girl Guides in Ontario. Optional patches are available for $2.00 at check-in. Open to both TEENS and ADULTS.

405 Driving for your Next Adventure: This class teaches you the basics of Car Care for your next adventure. Earn part of the Senior Car Care badge by learning basic maintenance, what all the lights mean on the dashboard, how to check your fluids and how to communicate the important information if you break down to your parents or a roadside service. This class is taught by a 3rd generation mechanic.

406 Adult Yoga: Relax and rejuvenate with yoga movements designed for everyone. You'll challenge yourself as you work at your own level in a safe and supportive environment. Modifications will be offered for beginners or those with physical challenges as you practice each pose. Bring a yoga mat.

407 Open time: Choose this option to have an open slot to work on your own project, recreation time, quality time for adult and teen, or if you are teaching a workshop.

501 Backpacking overnight: After dinner on Saturday, explore the GSSEM gear lending library, hike the Camp Hawthorn Hollow trails, pitch your tent and spend a night in a primitive camp site. This takes the place of the Saturday night activities. Backpacking breakfast included on Sunday morning. Teens and their responsible adult must attend together. $5 fee. Facilitator: Heidi Bowdich

Any questions about the event: Check out our FAQ below, or email R3JhbmRlU3ByaW5nIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20=.

We look forward to seeing you in May!

Leah Benard, Director Expand Your World - 2026

Also check out other Workshops in Columbus, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Columbus, Health & Wellness events in Columbus.