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In tough economic times, Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council is making its summer camp available to even more girls at a lower price.

Camp Tanasi is located on 450 wooded acres on Norris Lake near Andersonville and has hosted generations of Girl Scouts for more than half a century.

To better serve girls in 2009, Tanasi is piloting a flexible summer program with a shorter resident camp window and two types of experiences. Girls may attend either theme adventure weekends with parents or troops or enjoy traditional troop camping during summer weekdays.

"This new camp experience really strikes a chord with families," says Lucille Griffo, chief executive officer for Tanasi Council. "Parents will enjoy the camping experience with their daughters, and girls are looking forward to camping with their troop friends."

The cost for three days and two nights at camp has been lowered from $150 in 2008 to $40 in 2009. Involving more community partners allows the cost to go down, while ensuring all traditional camp activities -- from water adventures to horseback riding -- remain available.

In planning the new program, council staff also considered growing trends in youth camping. For more than 20 years, national attendance at traditional week-long summer camps has been declining. And girls today have more choices than at any other time in history, making summer camp just one option in a busy market place.

"In this economy, you have to do what's best for families and be good stewards of your resources," says Lise Bender, director of programming for Tanasi Council. "That's just what we are doing for our Girl Scout family at Camp Tanasi."

Girl Scouts of Tanasi Council, Inc. is based in Knoxville, and has more than 13,000 members in 16 East Tennessee counties.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's largest organization dedicated to helping all girls everywhere build character and gain skills for success. Founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts' membership has grown from 18 members in Savannah, Georgia, to nearly four million members throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and in more than 80 countries through USA Girl Scouts Overseas.

For more information, contact the Camp Tanasi registrar at 688-9440.