We Sent Our Daughter to Girl Scout Camp Overseas - and Would Do It Again in a Heartbeat
Author’s Note: I initially wrote this as an article for the United on the RoK magazine. I’ve edited this blog post to reflect more on our personal opinion’s rather than the broader scope of USAGSO Camps. I received no compensation from URoK or USAGSO for my article and everything I’ve written is my opinion. To read my full article, pick up the August 2025 issue of United on the RoK or visit their website here!
London and several other campers river tracing in Taiwan.
When you think of summer camp, images of tents pitched in the woods, canoeing on a lake, marshmallows by a campfire, and songs sung beneath starry skies likely come to mind. Now imagine adding in a dolphin and cave boat tour in Portugal, whitewater rafting an hour outside of Tokyo, and day trips to Taipei City to that mix. Welcome to the world of USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO) Camps, a unique blend of traditional camp fun and global exploration.
Keeping Traditions Alive, Globally
Girl Scouts overseas campfire in Taiwan
USAGSO Camps are offered around the world, but only open to Girl Scouts living overseas, and tailored by age and experience level. Mini Camps prepare younger girls for overnight stays, while Adventure Camps highlight the outdoor activities unique to each location - from Germany and Mexico to Jeju and Portugal.
Despite their far-flung settings, USAGSO Camps stay rooted in the timeless traditions of American Girl Scouting: opening and closing night campfires, S'mores nights, SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere), and sing-alongs are all part of the package.
They also serve as a bridge between worlds, where girls light friendship fires and share stories from life in places like Mongolia, Germany, and Japan. In fact, sharing ashes from one campfire to the next is a longstanding Girl Scout tradition and we brought home ashes from Camp Taiwan. These ashes have been traveling since 1926, when Girl Scout founder Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low used a candle to light the campfire at the World Encampment at Camp Edith Macy in New York. Since then, these ashes have traveled to more than 30 countries, including Switzerland, Iceland, and Korea, as well as 29 US States and Puerto Rico. Not all campfires share in this tradition; only the most significant ones do.
Tips for Parents Sending Kids to Overseas Camps
When I first mentioned the idea of camp to my daughter, London, earlier this year, she was hesitant. The thought of going without knowing anyone made her nervous, so we compromised: she’d go if her friend went too. Luckily, her friend’s parents had the same idea, and we were able to send them to both the adventure camp in Jeju and the week-long overnight camp in Taiwan. Having a built-in buddy by her side made all the difference. It eased her homesickness, gave her the confidence to try new things, and helped turn both camps into unforgettable, shared adventures. As much as I was set on sending her to camp, it was important to me that the decision ultimately felt like hers.
Prepping for camp with my daughter was also a collaborative process. We reviewed the packing list together, checked for any special themed days (tie dye day, neon day and Star Wars day were just a few!), shopped together to find the perfect hiking shoes, and made sure she had time to break them in before camp.
To keep things organized, we packed each day’s outfit in labeled gallon-sized ziplock bags, hoping it would make her mornings at camp easier and less stressful. Each bag included socks and underwear, so she didn’t have to dig around for anything. I packed a few extra pairs of both in a separate pouch, along with some mix-and-match clothing for any unexpected messes - those weren’t in ziplocks, just easy, flexible extras she could pair with whatever she had left.
In addition to packing each day’s outfit, we tucked in handwritten notes from every family member - little messages to help keep homesickness at bay. I like to think they brought a smile to her face and added a layer of comfort during those moments she might’ve missed home. Hopefully, those notes will become part of the memories she carries with her long after camp is over.
We opted for a mesh shower bag instead of a bulky plastic caddy because it was easier to pack, lighter in her suitcase, and way more travel-friendly. To save space and avoid extra weight, we also picked up a set of travel-size containers for her shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. In addition to her suitcase, she carried a hiking backpack which was convenient for airline travel AND for use during the week.
Spoiler alert: she did not come home this organized and trust me when I say that you do NOT want to open your kids’ suitcases in the airport. Currently looking for a Repacking Your Suitcase 101 for tweens!
One of the items on the camp packing list was a blanket/sleeping bag and a small pillow. We managed to fit her sleeping bag into her suitcase - just barely - but we skipped the pillow, thinking her sleeping bag would be comfy enough. London was a good sport about it, but she told me that next time, she’s definitely packing a pillow. That was a learning experience for both of us!
Parents can also rest assured that the camp directors and volunteers, many of whom are military spouses themselves, are trained not only in first aid and badge facilitation but also in intercultural awareness and sensitivity. Safety, structure, and communication are top priorities, with thorough emergency plans and culturally aware programming that meets Girl Scout standards worldwide. When my daughter was sick overnight, we were immediately informed and kept up to date with texts and pictures of her. In addition to those updates, they updated their instagram stories daily with fun parts of the day so parents could follow along. All of the pictures you seen in this blog were also provided via a link from USAGSO after camp.
Sending London to camp is probably one of the greatest things we’ve done for her as parents. It gave her the space to be herself among girls from all different cultures and helped boost her confidence in ways we couldn’t have predicted. Looking back, I also think that starting with the 4-day Jeju camp was the perfect stepping stone—it truly prepared her for the longer, weeklong camp in Taiwan. Camps like these aren’t always cheap, but one amazing resource through USAGSO is their financial aid program. I had the chance to meet the membership manager for South Korea, and she shared that they never want a family’s financial situation to be the reason a girl misses out. If cost is a concern, I really encourage you to reach out—they’re there to help.
Island Adventures Camp on Jeju Island
In March 2025, London met 10 girls from around Asia when she headed to the island of Jeju for a weekend adventure camp. Known for its volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and coastal beauty, Jeju offered the perfect backdrop for adventure and cultural exploration. For most of the girls, including my daughter, it was their first time experiencing the island’s rich blend of nature, culture, and community, all while strengthening friendships and earning new badges along the way.
Leading up to Camp Jeju, the weather had been absolutely perfect—mid-60s and sunny, the kind of springtime comfort you cross your fingers for and the kind of weather we packed for. But of course, the day London and I arrived, the temperature took an unexpected dive into the mid-40s and stayed there for the weekend. The sudden cold snap meant that camp counselors had to pivot quickly, adjusting plans and schedules on the fly. Early-morning activities, like a planned sunrise hike, had to be rescheduled or reimagined for safety reasons. I also had to adjust London’s gear, layering in sweatshirts and a heavier coat. On one of our days before camp started, we popped into a shop on the island and picked up a hat and gloves to make sure she’d stay warm.
Scouts hiked to the top of Seongsan Sunrise Peak (성산일출봉), explored the Jeju Folk Village (제주민속촌), and even had the chance to visit Jeju Aqua Planet - the largest aquarium in Asia. London says that one thing that set Jeju apart from Taiwan was the food. The counselors shopped locally on Jeju-do, and every meal had a distinct Korean flair - from Korean BBQ and triangle kimbap to bulgogi tacos. The girls also ended the evenings in true Korean fashion - by singing noraebang, also known as karaoke. This was one of London’s favorite parts. My girl loves to sing!
Not only did my daughter form friendships she’s eager to keep up, but she also connected with leaders who encouraged and inspired her. One even reinforced something my husband and I tell her almost daily—that she’d make an excellent lawyer someday.
Week-Long Overnight Camp: Camp Taiwan
View from Camp Taiwan
In June, London and 3 other girls from the Brownies and Juniors troop on Osan headed to the lush, mountainous countryside of northern Taiwan. Held at the renowned Camp Taiwan facility, the program offered a dynamic blend of outdoor adventure and cultural exchange.
The theme of Camp Taiwan was Space is the Place. Each day brought a new intergalactic twist—from dressing up as your favorite female STEM role model to choosing sides in a “Light Side vs. Dark Side” Star Wars showdown. Other themes included Stars & Galaxy Day and a playful Cowgirls vs. Aliens dress-up day, adding a fun, imaginative spark to the camp experience.
Scouts participated in rock climbing, archery, and river tracing while also enjoying classic camp favorites such as tie-dyeing and bead crafts. Each activity - such as practicing CPR on dummies or building solar-powered racers - was tied to specific badge requirements. At the end of each camp, the girls were sent home with a checklist outlining which badge steps they had completed.
On one special day, the local Girl Scouts of Taiwan troop visited to share dinner, exchange SWAPS, and build new friendships across cultures. Evenings were filled with campfires, glow parties, hide-and-seek, and movie nights, adding a touch of magic to each day’s adventures.
Vacations for the Whole Family
Family fun at Shinhwa World Water Park in Jeju
I was thrilled when I saw that not only was Jeju on the list of Girl Scout camps this year, but it also lined up perfectly with the start of our spring break. Even better—it was just days before my younger daughter Millie’s 5th birthday, and she’d been asking for a birthday trip this year. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
London and I got to enjoy two full days of one-on-one time exploring the island before I dropped her off at camp. I even had a quiet day to myself to take in Jeju before picking up my husband and Millie from the airport. From there, we spent two special days focused entirely on Millie before reuniting as a family to pick London up from camp.
What started as a 4-day Girl Scout camp turned into so much more than we expected - it gave London the freedom to experience something on her own, gave my husband and me the rare opportunity to be present with just Millie, and gave us a chance to celebrate her birthday exactly how she wanted.
My husband opted not to take leave, which meant I got the rare opportunity to head to Taipei with London for the week. While she spent her days immersed in the wilderness of Girl Scout camp, I had the freedom to explore the city entirely on my own terms — with no schedules to plan around, no compromises, and no kid-related negotiations. It was the kind of solo time I needed and very much appreciated.
When we returned home from Camp Taiwan, I asked my daughter if she wanted to attend again next year, even if her friends couldn’t join her, and her answer was an enthusiastic YES. My husband didn’t hesitate to show his support, offering to take her to next year’s camp, as long as it meant he could cash in on a week-long solo vacation.
I wasn’t a Girl Scout growing up, and seeing everything my daughter gets to experience now—traveling, learning new skills, and making friends from all over the world—it honestly moves me. This is the kind of opportunity I only dreamed about as a kid. Watching her grow more confident and adventurous with each camp reminds me that I’m giving her something I never had. And while a part of me wishes I could’ve done it too, an even bigger part is just so grateful that she can.
There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to how you spend your time while your kid is at camp! In Taiwan, another mom also enjoyed a week-long “momcation.” In Jeju, one dad used the quiet time to catch up on much-needed sleep, while another family, juggling multiple children and busy schedules, arranged for a fellow Scout’s family to serve as guardians and take their daughter to Camp Taiwan.
How to Join USA Girl Scouts Overseas and Start the Adventure
Girl Scouts is a leadership development organization dedicated to empowering girls in grades K-12 through hands-on experiences, skill-building, and community involvement. With a focus on courage, confidence, and character, Girl Scouts encourages girls to explore their interests from STEM and the outdoors to entrepreneurship and service, while forming lasting friendships and making a positive impact on their world. Through USAGSO camps, our daughters experience the best of both worlds: the comfort of familiar Girl Scout traditions and the excitement of discovering new places.
USA Girl Scouts Overseas may be thousands of miles from home. Still, they create something close to magic. In this place, American values meet global adventure, where girls discover not only who they are but also who they can become. Behind every meeting, badge, and campfire moment are dedicated troop leaders who show up with heart, encouraging the girls to be brave, kind, and unapologetically themselves. As the new school year approaches, you’ll likely hear more about local Girl Scout troops gearing up for another exciting year. To learn more and find your local troop, visit the USA Girl Scouts Overseas website https://www.usagso.org/
