In a continued effort to reconnect back the city, GSSEM hosted a camping experience unlike any other. Girls packed their tents, sleeping bags and flashlights and headed to the Corner Ballpark in Detroit to spend a night camping under the stars.

Everyone has that one camp or outdoor adventure that they’ve carried with them over the years. Perhaps you went away to camp, rented an RV with the fam, pitched a tent in the backyard, or even hung out at a bonfire roasting marshmallows with friends. Well, the GSSEM Program Team took things up a notch earlier this month and gave girls the chance to camp right in the heart of Detroit. Considering Detroit is a bustling motor city and the Corner Ballpark is smack dab in the middle of restaurants and other local businesses with heavy foot traffic, it may be hard to imagine how one would “camp” at such a place.

The quiet sounds of nature were replaced with the ultimate pop soundtrack, cooking hotdogs over the fire was replaced with a taco bar, and hiking along the trails was replaced with walking among the concourse. However girls still pitched tents, had insect repellent on-hand, and were ready to face a new outdoor experience with their peers.

And they had a ball.

Thanks to this partnership with Detroit PAL, new and former Girl Scouts had the chance to meet up and connect with one another doing countless activities all night long. There were a ton of games like basketball, potato sack racing, cornhole, and giant connect-four. There were crafts and s’more making of course. There was even a movie playing on the big screen AND a huge dance party to top it off. By the end of it all, the stars came out and the girls slept peacefully under them. It was one of those “you had to be there” type of nights.

Perhaps this will be that one camp or outdoor adventure that they carry over the years.

Below are photos from the event. See you next time!