Want to learn archery, canoeing, fire building, outdoor cooking, or knots? Do you love bugs (or hate them and don't want to) or want to know more about hiking and compasses? Need to learn about knife safety and sharpen your skills, and find out more about camping? Are you a beginner or a pro? Either way, this is the camp for you! You pick your classes and levels you want to take!
Note: If you're new to an area or don't feel comfortable with it, please pick "beginner". If you've done something several times, and might even want to learn how to help other girls in that area, please pick "advanced." If a course is canceled (due to low enrollment or any other issue), girls will be able to select another class to attend at that time.
For girls and/or adults who want to stay for the entire camp, please select that option and arrive at 9am on Saturday (7/13) and pick-up is 11am on Sunday (7/14). Sunday morning (after breakfast and before clean up), we'll have a discussion about backpacking.
Girls may sign up for an individual course or courses, please plan to check girls in at the lodge 15 minutes before the first course and check-out 15 minutes after the last course (at the lodge). Sign-in will begin at 9am. All girls are welcome to join a "Leave No Trace" course from 9:30am-10am. From 9-10pm, there will be a campfire and all girls are welcome to attend. If girls are not staying the night, please pick them up by 10pm on Saturday.
Please eat breakfast before you arrive on Saturday. Saturday lunch (12pm), dinner (6pm), and Sunday breakfast (8am) will be provided for those at camp during that time.
Lodging for this camp will be tent camping.
Girls entering Kindergarten in Fall 2019, that stay the night, must have a registered and background checked parent or guardian that stays the night with them. All adults staying at camp must be currently registered with BDGSC and have a cleared background check through BDGSC. Please note that per Girl Scout regulations, girls may only tent camp with other girls in the same tent. The only exceptions would be if there are two unrelated females in the tent with girls, or girls may tent camp with their direct relatives (again, all adults staying must be registered and background checked volunteers).
Registration includes: For girls - all program supplies, meals while the girls are at camp (entire camp includes Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, and Sunday breakfast), and a fun patch. For adults - meals while at camp.
View the schedule for the camp here.
Course Descriptions:
Beginner Archery: Participants will learn safety rules and proper form needed to be a successful archer. After skills are taught, participants will have the chance to practice what they’ve learned by using a bow and arrow. This is an entry-level class for Brownies and above who have had little to no experience with archery. (Space will be limited to the first 15 participants to sign up)
Advanced Archery: Participants will be able to perfect their archery skills through a series of games and learning activities including a bow and arrow. This class is for Juniors and above who have experience with archery. Those who are not comfortable with archery yet should take the Beginner Archery class. (Space will be limited to the first 20 participants to sign up)
Backpacking Talk: What are the differences in traditional camping (at a campsite or near the car) versus backpacking? What do you need to do to prepare and what do you need to learn? Find out more in this class and take a look at some backpacking gear! (All girls are welcome to participate in this talk, but backpacking is only permitted for Juniors and up with GSBDC backpacking certified volunteer).
Beginner Bugs: This course is a fun welcome to the world of bugs for girls who have little to no experience with bugs, but are open to learning more.
Advanced Bugs: This course is intended for girls who are comfortable with bugs and want to learn more. This will have more “hands on” activities involving bugs.
Beginner Camp Set Up and Survival Skills: Participants will learn the basics of setting up a proper campsite. Camping safety, supplies, tent safety, what to do in an emergency and basic wilderness first aid are among topics discussed. This course is for girls that have little to no experience tent camping.
Advanced Camp Set Up and Survival Skills: Learn about bear bags, the best items to bring to camp with multiple uses, how to strengthen your tent set-up in high winds, and more. This course is for girls who have some basic experience tent camping.
Beginner Canoeing: Learn safety precautions in and around the water, what to do if you fall overboard, some basic canoe strokes, and go canoeing. This is for girls who have little to no experience with canoeing. Daisies will need to have an adult in their canoes with them. (Space will be limited to the first 20 participants who sign up)
Advanced Canoeing: Learn how to spot the signs of drowning, some basic ways to help someone drowning, several different canoe strokes, and go canoeing. This is for girls who have had some experience canoeing. (Space will be limited to the first 20 participants who sign up)
Camp Crafts: Make a paracord bracelet, learn how to weave a basket, some basic sewing skills, and more. Several options available at this station as it will also be the “downtime” area.
Fire Building: Make fire starters, learn the different materials needed to make a fire, and learn how to build a “log cabin” fire.
Geocaching: Using a GPS, you’ll follow coordinates to a cache holding a small trinket. When it’s found, add your name and date to the logbook. If you take an item, replace it with equal value and make sure the cache is returned so others can look for it too.
Beginner Hiking/Compassing: Learn the essentials you need for going hiking, how to use a compass, and go on an easy to moderate hike.
Advanced Hiking/Compassing: Learn what to take with you for emergencies on a hike, learn how to make a compass out of materials you might have on hand, and go on a moderate to difficult hike.
Beginner Knife Skills: Girls will use cardboard and plastic knives to learn knife safety and will do some basic carving on soap. This is for girls who have little to no experience using a pocket knife.
Advanced Knife Skills: Brownies and up only please. Girls will learn how to properly and safely use pocket knives and the basics of wood carving. This is for girls who have at least some experience using a pocket knife.
Beginner Knots: Learn to tie some basic knots and their uses such as the square knot, clove hitch, and bowline.
Advanced Knots: Learn how to tie some additional knots and their uses such as the double bowline, the taut-line hitch, and more advanced knots.
Beginner Outdoor First Aid: This course is for girls who have little to no experience with outdoor first aid. Some topics will include what to do if you fall or get cut out on a trail, what to include in your first aid kit, how to stay calm in an emergency, and more!
Advanced Outdoor First Aid: This course is for girls who have had prior first aid training. It will include several role-play “what would you do” situations that could occur in the outdoors.
Beginner Outdoor Cooking: Learn the basics of cooking with a pie iron and make a tasty treat. This course is for girls who have little to no experience cooking outdoors.
Advanced Outdoor Cooking: Learn how to cook with a Dutch oven and make a sweet desert. This course is for girls who have at least some experience cooking outdoors.
Outdoor Photography: Participants will learn how to be effective photographers in the great outdoors. Basic camera skills and lighting skills will be taught followed by a short hike around camp to practice skills learned. Participants may bring a DSLR or point-and-shoot camera or may bring a phone or tablet to take photographs. Electronics should be bagged and labeled with girl’s name and will be stored safely in the lodge until class begins.
Minimum Girl Registration: 20
Maximum Girl Registration: 45