There’s been an absence of Girl Scouts troops in Covington County for several years, but now, the organization is looking to change that.

Brandi Nelson, field director for Girl Scouts of South Alabama, said she hopes a day camp, set for July 16-20 at Point A Park, will help generate new interest.

“The interest in (establishing troops in) Covington County has been there in the past, but it has dwindled down due to the lack of interest in adult volunteers and girls, I believe,” Nelson said. “I am currently trying to revive the interest in the girls and the volunteers. My love for Girl Scouts comes from many memorable years as a Brownie and Junior as a girl.

“We would camp out at Humming Hills in Elba where we studied about Haley’s comet, learned about the wildlife and plants,” she said. “Some of the names have changed for the girls along with age categories, but one thing remains, my enthusiasm for teaching girls to build courage, confidence and character.”

Girl Scouts was established in March 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, she said.

“We currently have a few girls that are considered Juliettes who work independently, without a troop, in Covington County,” Nelson said. “ In Red Level, we had an in-school troop that we taught some basic topics. The girls learned how to create and make their own first aid kits, talked about being bullied, learned facts about the founder of Girl Scouts and the like.”

Nelson said girls from area troops recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to celebrate 100 years of girl scouting at the Washington Monument Mall, and while there visited the Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian Zoo, Arlington Cemetery, along with witnessing the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and this was only a few of the activities listed while there.

“As far as our summer break day camp being offered in July, we will be taking nature hikes, learning the Girl Scout law and several more things, learning how to sew without a needle, playing games and much more,” Nelson said.

The day camp is open to girls going into kindergarten thru 12th grade. It will be held at Point A Park from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Cost is $35. For more information, call Nelson at 334-494-0640.