By KENDRA GENTRY
phillyBurbs.com

Emilee Kemmerer wants to grow up to be like Gil Grissom.

The 9-year-old Girl Scout said Tuesday she considers the “CSI” television character her role model. Grissom, a crime scene investigator on the show, is known for using science to solve crimes. And that is exactly what Emilee wants to do — with a few exceptions. “I wouldn't want to be the person who takes the dead bodies, but I would like to be the one who solves the mysteries and crimes,” said Emilee, a fifth-grader at Manor Elementary in the Levittown section of Falls.

Identifying the characteristics of role models was all part of activities needed to complete the “Being My Best” badge, which Girl Scouts worked on Tuesday during the Historic Trails Girl Scout Unit Day Camp.

The five-day camp is being held this week at Trinity Lutheran Church, also in Falls. About 40 girls, from Brownie and Junior troops, are participating in games, arts and crafts, cooking and badge work, said Valerie Niedrist, the service unit manager. Historic Trails consists of several different Girl Scout troops in the area, she said.

The theme of this year's camp is “Birthday Bash,” in connection with the national organization's 95th anniversary.  Each day, the campgoers have looked back in history at some famous women who were Girl Scouts.  Tuesday celebrated former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who was active in women's rights causes.

The troops also are celebrating the decades of Girl Scouts, from the 1910s through today. On Thursday, the camp will feature a 1950s-style sock hop and dance-a-thon.

Mixing lessons with activities is what makes the camp special to the troops, who range from first- to sixth-graders, said Raelynn Seriani, a camp counselor and Girl Scout who helped organize the week. “Every year we find more ways to make it fun for the girls,” said the 16-year-old junior at Pennsbury High School. “It's always an experience for them and us.”

Kerrie Balcom, 8, hopes to be a camp counselor when she gets older. She liked how the older girls made sure to interact with younger troops. “They are cool! They play all of our games,” Kerrie said while sitting on the sidelines of the church's all-purpose room.

Moments before, the third-grader at St. Joseph the Worker had received a bump to the arm when playing the game “Red Rover.” But even with an ice pack, Kerrie was all smiles when saying she is excited about returning to the camp again next year. She also said the soggy weather couldn't keep her from meeting new friends or having a good time. “I don't like the rain, but I always have fun,” she said.