Girl Scouts of Connecticut Announces Grand Re-Opening of Historic Overnight Camp Yankee Trails

Sleepaway adventures at Girl Scouts of Connecticut have come a long way since Camp Yankee Trails first opened in 1959 where attendees had to sleep in open wood cabins, use outhouses and were only allowed to swim in the lake. Now, the state’s premiere girls’ organization has announced the grand re-opening of its popular overnight camp with a variety of exciting, new enhancements such as fully enclosed sleeping yurts, modern showers and family bathrooms and expanded waterway activities. After a two-year hiatus, Girl Scouts of Connecticut today announced the grand re-opening of Camp Yankee Trails for the 2026 summer season starting with a Public Celebration on Saturday, May 9^th at 343 Plains Road in Tolland.

“Girl Scouts have always been a force of nature in the great outdoors where girls make new friends, build campfires, hike trails and connect with the world around them,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, Esq., Chief Executive Officer at Girl Scouts of Connecticut. “Camp Yankee Trails has been transformed with a series of major capital improvements and is ready to welcome more Girl Scouts, troops, families and community friends than ever before!

Camp Yankee Trails is one of four properties that has been part of Girl Scouts of Connecticut’s long-range property plan to expand capacity, improve accessibility, and elevate the camp experience for generations to come.In 2021, the Girl Scouts of Connecticut Board of Directors approved an $11.1M investment to modernize four camp properties including Camp An-Se-Ox in Oxford, which has already benefited thousands of Girl Scouts so far.

Spearman notes the new upgrades at Camp Yankee Trails include:

·An expanded dining hall with sweeping lake views, able to seat up to 240 people

·Six brand new yurt cabins, each sleeping 8 for a cozy camping experience

·Family-accessible bathrooms

·A modern shower house

·Beach access to Sweetheart Lake for swimming, canoeing, and lakeside adventures

All Girl Scouts of Connecticut camp properties are open to the community for programs, summer camp, events, and gatherings that foster connection, learning, and outdoor fun. The properties are also available to rent for private or corporate functions, providing a unique setting to create lasting memories while supporting Girl Scouts.

The Camp Yankee Trails Grand Re-Opening Ceremony runs from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, and consists of a flag ceremony led by Girl Scouts, CEO and community leader remarks, camp stories and memories shared by alumni, a silent auction in support of Girl Scouts of Connecticut, guided camp tours, classic camp fun with sing-alongs, a pop-up retail shop with Girl Scout merchandise and light refreshments. There is no fee to attend, but pre-registration is required for attendees: https://www.gsofct.org/en/sf-events-repository/2026/camp-yankee-trails-ribbon-cutting.html.

“We’re thrilled to bring Camp Yankee Trails back,” adds Spearman. “We look forward to continuing to give generations of girls a place to build confidence, make lifelong friends, and create memories under the stars, while rooted in nature.”

About Girl Scouts of Connecticut

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit www.gsofct.org.