FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – More than 450 Girl Scouts from across 24 states are at Ace Adventure Resort to participate in Girl Fest 2025.
Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council hosts the six-day high-energy outdoor adventure event through Friday, June 27.
It’s all about empowering the next generation of female leaders. The action-filled week is comprised of whitewater rafting, rock climbing, ziplining, kayaking, and more.
“We have tent and cabin camping. The girls are here mostly for the high adventure and to be together with their sister Girl Scouts,” CEO Beth Casey said of the fourth through 12th-graders. “We want to make sure the girls are ready to be away from home, from camp, and to do the high adventure — a lot of rafting, rappelling, climbing, archery, and all of the great high adventure offers.”
It’s a powerful bonding experience, where the girls learn so much.
“The power of seeing 450 plus Girl Scouts together is important, especially teen Girl Scouts, to know that there are other teen Girl Scouts out there doing the same great high adventure activities,” said Casey.
They also enjoy swaps, a worldwide Girl Scout pastime that involves exchanging handmade gifts, patches, and stickers as friendship tokens.
“Part of a swap is meeting Girl Scouts from other places,” Casey said. “There’s real power in girls learning about other cultures and meeting girls who grew up differently than they did.”
The weeklong Girl Fest is a chance to be together and immerse yourself in nature, starting with the mud obstacle course, the best showcase of teamwork and cooperation.
“Creative problem solving, communication, supporting each other, grit, and true determination,” said Casey. “When girls have the opportunity to learn those skills in a safe place, they keep those and become great employees one day.”
