Freeport, Bahamas - The 4^th Freeport girl guides and rangers completed a successful camp the weekend of February 28-March 2. The twenty-one girls and their leaders camped out in the beauty of Williamstown Beach. Despite the cold on the first night, the guides and rangers enjoyed themselves with wide games, nature walks, patrol games and great food.

As always the Grand Bahama community was very supportive. Sponsors included Polymers International, Kelly’s, Pharmachem, Sanitation Services, Gold Rock, Gametime Lounge, and Club 54. The Royal Bahamas Police Force must be commended for their protection of the girls out in the ‘wilderness’. The guides and rangers were also protected by male parents and teachers, Mr. George Williams, Ingrid Nicholson, Mr. Devarowe Solomon, and Mr. Steven Roxbury.

Camp Whodunit featured a strange mystery which the girls had to solve, throughout the duration of the camp. In keeping with the theme the five patrols were named after national and international law enforcement agencies. (RBPF, RBDF, CIA, FBI, DEA) All games and clues to the mystery were tied into the theme.

Friday afternoon and night was spent pitching tents and setting up the boundaries of the camp, before the girls finally relaxed after dinner at a campfire featuring singing and ghost stories. On Saturday, the girls enjoyed a three mile hike, completed their craft of Morse code bracelets and presented a campfire show after dinner. Ghost Road, a hilarious nighttime game in the dark was played down the dark pathways. There was much screaming around the Williamstown graveyard.

Sunday began with a Church Service on the beach before the girls tucked into a major breakfast of pancakes with all the ‘fix-ins’. There was time for one last game of flag tag on the shore, before striking tents, packing away supplies, cleaning the campsite so it was as pristine as they found it, and saying last goodbyes. Guide leader volunteers, Wanrea Roxbury,( Assistant District Commissioner for Freeport), Ismenette Victor, Sue McCrea and Latonia Curry, (4^th Freeport Guide leaders), Davea Carroll, (4^th Freeport Ranger leader), Noella Anderson, (3^rd Freeport Brownie leader) stayed out with the girls, while Freeport District Commissioner Sharon Sawyer visited every day.

Camping is an essential part of the guide programme, as it teaches the girls independence, the importance of collaboration, an appreciation of nature and the gifts from God. It includes learning how to pitch and stike tents, building and maintaining fires, outdoor cooking, recycling of materials, and conservationism. The girls receive a Camp Badge for their efforts.