Looking for a fun, educational experience for your daughter this summer that's in your own backyard and won't put a dent in your pocketbook?

Girl Scouts, the world's leading authority on girls, is offering several day camp programs in Golden this summer. Now is the time to sign your daughter up for summer camp. You do not have to be currently enrolled in Girl Scouts to attend camp - it is open to all girls.

The Crazy About Quilts camp will be held from July 16th to 20th, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum in Golden. Teen girls (ages 11 and older) will learn the fundamentals of quilting and create two mini-quilts to take home. Also for girls 11 and older is the Meet the Mountains camp from Aug. 6th to 10th, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the Colorado Mountain Club in Golden. Girls should be ready for a whole new adventure as they participate in hiking and rock climbing, as well as learn outdoor safety and survival skills.

Girl Scout camp offers a supervised, safe, positive, all-girl environment where girls can discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Camp programs are designed to help girls achieve their full potential by developing courage, confidence and character. Girl Scout camp is affordable, costing $175 for a week at the Crazy About Quilts camp (or $35 a day) or $200 for a week at the Meet the Mountains camp (or $40 a day).

Both camps are significantly less than most other area day camp programs (financial assistance is also available). If your daughter is not presently a member of Girl Scouts, there is an extra $10 registration fee, so she will be a Girl Scout by the time of day camp.

Mile Hi Council is also looking for volunteers to help bring smiles to the faces of campers this summer. A reduced fee may be available to your camper for volunteering. There are even programs available during the camp day for younger children (including boys) in your family when you volunteer. Whether you want to be in the thick of things or are happier taking a "helping" role, there's the perfect place for you. Come have a summer of fun at Girl Scout summer camp!

Be one of the first to experience the excitement at Mile Hi Council's new overnight camp at Magic Sky Ranch, a 750-acre camp near Red Feather Lakes. Magic Sky is the largest outdoor resource for girls in Colorado, featuring an indoor climbing wall; an indoor/outdoor stage with mini-amphitheater; an archery range; a playing field for sports; a challenge course; an activity center with nature, science, and arts and crafts classrooms; and an equestrian center with two riding rings. Girls ages 9-17 by June 1, 2007 who are looking for an awesome outdoor setting can attend a six or 12-day session at Magic Sky.

The council also has another overnight camp at Tomahawk Ranch near Bailey, Colo. Girls ages 7-17 have the opportunity to explore the arts, dancing, sports and other cultures, as well as visit farm animals as they participate in traditional camp activities, such as hiking, cooking-out and singing at three or six-day overnight adventures. Cost for overnight camp at Magic Sky and Tomahawk is between $175-$585 (on average about $40 to $63 a day for a week of camp). Note that age requirements also vary by camp.

Have a summer of fun adventures at Girl Scout camp! For more information about signing up your daughter or becoming a volunteer at Girl Scout summer camps, call 303-778-8774 or visit www.girlscoutsmilehi.org. (Note that the camp registration period has already started and space availability in certain camp sessions varies from day-to-day. Check the council Web site for more information.)

Girl Scouts - Mile Hi Council is where girls in Denver and 13 surrounding counties gain courage, confidence and character alongside a group of girls who will be their friends for life. It's a safe place for girls to explore their world, develop an understanding and empathy for others, and take action to make the world a better place. Girls are guided by committed, caring adults who make learning fun. No other activity helps each girl achieve her personal leadership pathway like Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts has been the nation's leading expert on girls for nearly 100 years.

Amanda Kalina is the public relations specialist for Girl Scouts - Mile Hi Council.