Horses; 1250 acres of fields and woodlands; a 70-acre lake with canoes, kayaks, and swimming area; camping facilities; and a gathering hall with a huge double-sided fireplace are ingredients for weeks of summer fun for girls! As they say, “summer better than others.” This is Kamp Kiwani, the Girl Scouts Heart of the South’s largest camp and their only equestrian camp. Located at 1800 Sandy Springs Lane near Middleton, TN, it offers four weeks of camp activities revolving around horses and horseback riding.
Camps start June 5 and run throughout the month. There are two one-week sessions and an extended two-week session of horse camp. The camp is for girls ages 7 to 18 and campers do not have to be a Girl Scout to attend Kamp Kiwani, although the camp does offer a Girl Scout program for girls ages 5 to 18.
There are six units of camping areas, five with nine cabins that sleep four persons each, a bath house, and a unit house; and one unit with four cabins, bath house, and unit house. The “Ranch,” where the horses are kept, has five bunkhouses that sleep five persons each, plus a bath house and a unit house. There are also handicapped accessible units available.
Lake Okalowa is a picturesque 70-acre spring-fed lake, 25 to 30 feet deep. It is the largest watershed lake in the area. Campers can kayak, canoe, swim, and fish in the lake – or just enjoy relaxing on the manmade beach. There is an arts and crafts program and, of course, a nature appreciation program. There are trails for hiking, a challenging obstacle course, and opportunities for sliding down the Gullies mud dunes – a favorite activity of campers!
An interesting historic feature on site is the chimney remains of the Tillman House. It was once an L-shaped house where three sisters lived prior to 1960, when Girl Scouts bought the property. Another is the old Howell residence that has been used to demonstrate old-fashioned, heritage activities to campers, such as canning, making butter, beekeeping, and playing music.
There are ten horses for camp who live at Kiwani year round. During the busy camp season, additional horses are brought in as needed. The horses include Quarter Horses, a Mustang, a Tennessee Walking Horse, a Welsh pony, and a variety of mounts.
Julie Kirpatrick is the riding instructor, teaching campers Western style riding. She is an alumna camper and Kiwani is where she first learned to care for horses. Campers learn riding skills, how to care for horses, grooming, and the ever-popular stall mucking! For older kids who want to learn more about horses and acquire leadership positions, there are counselor-in-training programs available. Directors like to hire former campers as staff to mentor the younger girls.
Girl Scouts Heart of the South has other non-equestrian camps. If you’re into extreme outdoor activities, check out Camp Tik-A-With on 310 acres next to the Tombigbee National Forest in Van Vleet, MS. This camp offers water sports, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, archery, a challenge course, rock climbing tower, zip line into the lake, crafts hut, and playground. Camp Cedar Point is located on Grenada Lake and is a sailing camp.
All these camps emphasize “no waste” camping, teaching kids to respect the land, learn about nature, and take care of it. Kamp Kiwani is also open to use by community groups all year. And the camp is always in need of volunteer labor for various projects and clean-up around the 1,250-acre site. Lately, cleaning up fallen trees from the spring storms has been the greatest need. For more information about Kamp Kiwani, visit their website: http://www.girlscoutshs.org/kampkiwani. Myra Collins, aka “Skeeter,” is Director of Outdoor Programs.
Camps start June 5 and run throughout the month. There are two one-week sessions and an extended two-week session of horse camp. The camp is for girls ages 7 to 18 and campers do not have to be a Girl Scout to attend Kamp Kiwani, although the camp does offer a Girl Scout program for girls ages 5 to 18.
There are six units of camping areas, five with nine cabins that sleep four persons each, a bath house, and a unit house; and one unit with four cabins, bath house, and unit house. The “Ranch,” where the horses are kept, has five bunkhouses that sleep five persons each, plus a bath house and a unit house. There are also handicapped accessible units available.
Lake Okalowa is a picturesque 70-acre spring-fed lake, 25 to 30 feet deep. It is the largest watershed lake in the area. Campers can kayak, canoe, swim, and fish in the lake – or just enjoy relaxing on the manmade beach. There is an arts and crafts program and, of course, a nature appreciation program. There are trails for hiking, a challenging obstacle course, and opportunities for sliding down the Gullies mud dunes – a favorite activity of campers!
An interesting historic feature on site is the chimney remains of the Tillman House. It was once an L-shaped house where three sisters lived prior to 1960, when Girl Scouts bought the property. Another is the old Howell residence that has been used to demonstrate old-fashioned, heritage activities to campers, such as canning, making butter, beekeeping, and playing music.
There are ten horses for camp who live at Kiwani year round. During the busy camp season, additional horses are brought in as needed. The horses include Quarter Horses, a Mustang, a Tennessee Walking Horse, a Welsh pony, and a variety of mounts.
Julie Kirpatrick is the riding instructor, teaching campers Western style riding. She is an alumna camper and Kiwani is where she first learned to care for horses. Campers learn riding skills, how to care for horses, grooming, and the ever-popular stall mucking! For older kids who want to learn more about horses and acquire leadership positions, there are counselor-in-training programs available. Directors like to hire former campers as staff to mentor the younger girls.
Girl Scouts Heart of the South has other non-equestrian camps. If you’re into extreme outdoor activities, check out Camp Tik-A-With on 310 acres next to the Tombigbee National Forest in Van Vleet, MS. This camp offers water sports, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, archery, a challenge course, rock climbing tower, zip line into the lake, crafts hut, and playground. Camp Cedar Point is located on Grenada Lake and is a sailing camp.
All these camps emphasize “no waste” camping, teaching kids to respect the land, learn about nature, and take care of it. Kamp Kiwani is also open to use by community groups all year. And the camp is always in need of volunteer labor for various projects and clean-up around the 1,250-acre site. Lately, cleaning up fallen trees from the spring storms has been the greatest need. For more information about Kamp Kiwani, visit their website: http://www.girlscoutshs.org/kampkiwani. Myra Collins, aka “Skeeter,” is Director of Outdoor Programs.
