Miss Independent

Julie didn't shower or brush her teeth all weekend, and for breakfast she ate cocoa puffs, chocolate muffins and hot chocolate. But, I couldn't be more proud of our exhausted, dirt-caked girl after her first weekend away at Girl Scout camp.

Julie has spent plenty of time away from us---either with grandparents or at friend sleepovers. But, this was her first big weekend trip. I wasn't too worried about her feeling sad or scared, but I wondered whether she would have fun or get along with the other girls. And I was sure she'd be a grumpy mess when I picked her up today.

I was in for a surprise.

Julie greeted me with smiles and plenty of stories about hikes and horses and a little Brownie fairy named "Sparkles." There were ghost stories and s'mores. Bugs and dirt. And little songs and jokes they made up on the trip.

And her Brownie leader told me she was amazed at Julie's self-sufficiency. "She did everything herself and didn't ask for help!" she told me.

I couldn't be more proud of my little Brownie.

The first night at camp. Julie's on the far right in the hot pink.

Horse back riding adventures. Julie is on the far right.

Julie and her little friend Rose getting ready to head off to camp.