Volunteer Julie LaFrance keeps Highland Girl Scout Camp ‘magical’

In early June, magic came to Highland’s Silver Lake Park during a Girl Scout Day Camp titled, “Muggles, Magic and Mayhem.”

The Harry Potter-themed day camp is directed by volunteer Julie LaFrance and recently wrapped up its fifth year of operation. Like most day camps, girls have the opportunity to make new friends, see old friends, and have fun, adventurous experiences they wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Muggles, Magic, and Mayhem day camp is exceptional in that it allows girls the opportunity to explore chemistry (“potions”), physics, botany (“herbology”), astronomy, fitness (“quidditch matches”) and animals (“magical creatures”) with a unique twist based on the popular literary and film series.

While many activities today are competitive and exclusive, La France explained that, “Girl Scouts has a fundamental commitment to include everyone.”

Because of that commitment, Muggles, Magic, and Mayhem is designed to fit the abilities of any girl who would like to come and try something new. In doing so, LaFrance sticks to the Girl Scout Mission to build girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. Girls are able to be courageous when given the opportunity to meet people and try new things. Confidence is gained as girls build accomplishments in diverse activities, ranging from archery to problem solving. Character is developed as girls learn to get along with others.

Girl Scouting runs in Julie LaFrance’s “muggle” blood. Her first time as a director was not her first experience with day camp. More than 30 years ago, she attended day camp at Silver Lake as a girl member. Julie’s mother, who had been a troop leader when Julie was a Girl Scout, can now be found volunteering at camp by playing Harry Potter character Professor McGonagall, and helping with snacks and teaching girls about healthy eating.

LaFrance couldn’t compare the camp that she first attended to the camp she directs now. The camp she attended as a girl focused on traditional Girl Scout activities such as canoeing and hiking. Now, LaFrance strives to create a day camp that emphasizes exercise and science. She wants Highland Day Camp to offer “fun with education snuck in there.”

Despite the differences between camp experiences of her youth and the ones she now directs, LaFrance ensures day camp continues to hold on to the core principals of Girl Scout Day Camp.

“It is still girl oriented with activities varied enough to pique the interest of a variety of girls. There are still moms, outdoors, bugs, songs, and SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere),” she said.

As she writes thank-you notes, LaFrance emphasizes how grateful she is for the day camp’s many adult volunteers, and the necessity of showing this appreciation.

“Send thank you notes,” she said. “Volunteers must be willing to put girls first. It’s a big sacrifice for volunteers, but their positive energy and attitudes only make camp better. Girls become a product of the environment and mimic the adults.”

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 3:00 AM with the headline "Volunteer Julie LaFrance keeps Highland Girl Scout Camp ‘magical’."