Can Girl Scout camp be considered part of the pop culture scene? You betcha. Camp Rules, a resident camp session geared for teenage girls, caught the eye of the American Camping Association (AMA). The camp program was awarded the "Gordie Hamilton Award for Excellence in Camping Programming" at the annual meeting of the organization's Evergreen Section, which represents AMA accredited camps in Washington, Alaska, Idaho and Montana.

Offered for the first time at Camp Robbinswold, a Girl Scout camp located on the Hood Canal, this travel program is based on the popular MTV show "Road Rules." Ten girls spent five days traveling in a van across the Olympic Peninsula on a moving scavenger hunt. Fourteen-year-old Paloma Contreras of Edmonds really loved the session. "We got to travel around and it was pretty cool. Some girls can't get out and do those kinds of things," she said.

The girls received clues and had to guess where their next stop would be. Paloma liked staying in an Ocean Shores hotel one night, visiting Hoquiam Castle and learning to make pizza in an Italian restaurant. However, her favorite stop was pitching tents in a cow pasture overnight because it was so unusual. The trip ended back at camp where the girls enjoyed traditional camping experiences such as swimming and boating.

The camp session was the creation of Girl Scouts' Outdoor Program Specialist, Heather Cutting, and her staff. It was designed to attract young adults who may not otherwise attend resident camp and it certainly accomplished its goal. The session was sold out within three days of its announcement, followed by a long waiting list. Because of its popularity, it will be offered again in the 1999 summer season.

Girl Scouts is the world's pre-eminent organization committed to girls, where in an open and nurturing environment, girls acquire tools for success in the real world. Through the Girl Scouts, they discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together and through its many enriching experiences, they can grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouts-Totem Council is a United Way agency serving over 18,000 girls ages 5-17 throughout 10 northwest Washington counties.