Summer Camp General Information - Girl Scouts of Central Illinois

REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration Opens FEBRUARY 4, 2015
ALL CLOSING DATES ARE 2 WEEKS PRIOR
TO PROGRAM (UNLESS OTHERWISE
NOTED). Each camper will recive a FREE
t-shirt!
4 Easy Ways to Register for Camp
BEST
WAY
eRegistration
www.GetYourGirlPower.org
Click on the red eReg tab.
Please note that a debit or credit card must be used for online payment.
Guarantees your reservation
immediately!
Online Program Registration Form
www.GetYourGirlPower.org/
program-registration-form
Just fill out the online form along with your payment
information and hit submit!
GENERAL CAMP INFORMATION
Mail
Send payment and form to:
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
Champaign Service Center
701 Devonshire, Suite B16
Champaign, IL 61820
Fax
Champaign Service Center
fax: 217-328-1548
Must include credit card
information for
payment with form.
Buddy Requests
Two campers who want to share a tent at
resident camp must complete the Buddy
line on the registration form. Campers may
only request ONE buddy, and placement is
not guaranteed. Large buddy group
placement in the same tent or unit is not
possible. Day campers do not need
buddies as they are put into age-level
groups for better camper experience.
Friday Family Lunch
Join your camper for a camp-style meal
from noon-1:00 p.m. Check-in begins at
11:45 a.m. and the cost for this lunch is $6
per visiting family member, with a limit of
two visitors per family. Not available at
Community Day Camps.
Gift Bags
Show your camper you are thinking of her
by sending her a special camp gift bag.
Please complete the applicable portion of
the registration form to purchase.
Happy Camper Bag - $15
(includes camp bag and four
fun camp items)
S’mores Bag - $25
(includes camp bag and six fun camp items)
Submitting the Form
For most expedient processing, utilize
online eRegistration. Paper registrations
received by end of business day on
February 4, 2015, will be drawn randomly
for placement in camp sessions, ensuring
that all campers have an equal opportunity
to attend their first choice. Registrations
received after February 4, 2015, will be
placed as space is available and waiting lists
will be kept as needed. Registration closes
two weeks prior to the start of the camp
session. Submit a completed registration
form with a non-refundable deposit of
$25 for each camp session or full
payment for sessions $100 or under.
No phone registrations will be accepted.
Cookie Dough may not be used for deposit.
Camps fill quickly, so be sure to add second
and third choices on form, and register
early.
Mail or fax to:
Girl Scouts of Central Illinois
701 Devonshire, Suite B16
Champaign, IL 61820
Fax: 217-328-1548
Phone: 888-623-1237
We must have a valid email address!
(Don’t forget to check your spam/junk email for GSCI)
Medical Records
All campers must have a completed health
history and all resident campers (including
mini-resident) must also have a physical
completed within 12 months of the last
day of their camp session. Keep a copy of
the health form for your records. Bring the
health form and all other camp paperwork
to camp check-in. Please contact the camp
director two weeks prior to camp if there
are any special medical or dietary needs.
Payment
All camp fees must be paid in full two weeks
prior to the camp session. Campers who
carry an outstanding balance two weeks
prior to the camp session will lose their spot
and deposit. Camp payment is not
accepted at camp. Cookie Dough/Nutty
Bucks must be sent in prior to, or with, the
final payment and cannot be accepted
after the final bill is paid. Cookie Dough/
Nutty Bucks cannot be submitted for a
cash refund or used as the initial deposit.
Financial Assistance - Camperships
If the camp fee is a concern, you may
complete the Campership Financial
Assistance application (in forms section)
or online at GetYourGirlPower.org. Camp
scholarships are made possible by the
council and generous donors in the
community who want every girl to be able
to attend camp. Campers must first use
any available Cookie Dough toward the
camp fee. Campers may only attend one
session on financial assistance. All
information will remain confidential.
Refund Policy
Refund requests must be submitted in
writing and will be considered at the
discretion of the Director of Program. No
refund will be issued if a camper is sent
home due to unacceptable behavior or
homesickness or if the camper is a “no
show” for the session. The deposit fee will
not be refunded once the registration has
been processed.
Confirmations will be emailed
2 weeks prior to each session.
Girl Planning and Badge Work
One of the ways we see that our campers grow in courage, confidence, and character is by allowing them to work together to create
their own experience at camp. Counselors facilitate this process as campers create the rules for the group as well as the schedule for
the week. Counselors work with campers to focus activities on Girl Scout Journeys and badges. Campers may choose topics that are
unrelated to their program area or stick to their program area. Badges will not be included; earned badges may purchased after camp at
your local service center.
Changes in Activities
The number and types of activities completed by campers depends on girl planning and interests of the group and may vary from the
session description. Activities may be modified or rescheduled depending on weather, group behavior, or available materials. If the
weather is inclement, girls may not be able to participate in activities that are affected by rain, storms, and extreme heat, including but
not limited to horseback riding, boating, and archery.
Meals
Day campers receive a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack (snacks only at Community Day Camps) and resident campers will
receive all meals, as well as girl-planned snacks. Meals are nutritious, balanced, and served family style, allowing campers to control what
goes on their plates. Assorted healthy snacks are available in the dining hall during the day. For campers with special dietary needs due to
medical conditions and/or religious beliefs, contact the camp director two weeks prior to camp to discuss the scheduled menu and
necessary accommodations. In these cases campers may be allowed to bring supplemental/alternative food items, which must be
turned in at check-in. Do not pack food/snacks into camper’s luggage, as it attracts animals and insects into the tents. For family events,
road trips, and core camping, meal availability is indicated in the description of the event or activity.
Counselor/ Camper Ratio
Girl Scout Daisies (entering grade 1) –2 adults per 6 girls, Girl Scout Brownies (entering grades 2 – 3) –2 adults per 12 girls
Girl Scout Juniors (entering grades 4 – 5) –2 adults per 16 girls, Teens (entering grades 6 – 12) –2 adults per 20 girls
Note: Day and mini-resident campers are put into age-level groups. A camper will never be alone with an adult at camp; she will always be with an
additional staff member or another camper. In situations where one-on-one conversations or medical attention must take place the camper and staff
member will be within eyesight of other staff or campers.
Cell Phones and Electronics
In order to provide participants with the best possible camp experience, cell phones and electronic devices are not allowed at camp
(with the exception of Camp SOAR) and girls do not have readily available access to phones or computers. We understand that in our
technology-based society, this may be a challenge; however, this gives campers the opportunity to challenge themselves, trust others,
and solve problems on their own. Parents are welcome to call and speak to the camp director about their camper. In case of an emergency, parents/guardians or the emergency contact person will be contacted. We encourage families to send mail, care packages, and
one-way e-mail to their campers.
Trading Post
Each GSCI camp has a camp store offering a variety of camp souvenirs: T-shirts, bags, water bottles, stuffed animals, pens, patches, and
more. Campers typically find that $15-$25 will give them the ability to buy what they would like. This money is collected at check-in.
2
ADVENTURES SUMMER CAMP | 2015
IMPORTANT!
View the Camper Booklet online at
GetYourGirl Power.org/summeractivities-information for everything
about camp and all the camp forms
your camper will need!
Who should come to camp and
what’s it all about?
Our summer activities are open to all girls,
including non-Girl Scouts. Any girl
entering first grade through twelfth grade is
welcome at camp. You don’t have to have
any camping experience to come to camp,
and you don’t have to come with friends or
a troop. You’ll make new friends while you’re
here. The GSCI summer camp experience
is available in many forms: resident camp;
day camp; family events; and core camping, where troops stay at camp and camp
staff run activities.
Campership Assistance Fund
On the registration forms you will
notice a place to make an optional
contribution to our Campership Assistance
Fund. This fund allows families to make a
gift on behalf of girls who otherwise would
not be able to afford to attend Girl Scout
camp and summer activities. Your support
will help provide the Girl Scout experience
to girls with a financial need, thereby
assisting us in our goal to give every girl
within our jurisdiction access to the
leadership development, character
building, and fun that Girl Scouting
provides.
Who are the camp staff?
Our camp staff are enthusiastic,
talented, and caring adults who are excited
about having lots of fun at camp and
building girls of courage, confidence, and
character. The selection process for camp
staff includes screening their experience,
their ability to serve as role models for
girls, and their genuine desire to work with
children. Interviews, reference checks,
and thorough background screening are all
part of the selection process. Staff training
includes a full week of first aid, CPR, safety
and emergency management, outdoor
skills, team building, helping children deal
with homesickness, understanding age
level characteristics, and more. Staff who
facilitate high adventure, horseback riding,
water activities, and trips are trained and/or
have certifications. Many of our camp staff
return year after year, building relationships
with returning campers and furthering their
own development as camp professionals.
Volunteers and council staff also assist as
necessary.
Facebook
Each camp has their own individual
facebook page that the camp
directors post on. Please LIKE our
camp facebook page and keep current with
activities and events.
SUMMER CAMP DIRECTORS
Lynne “Hoot” Franco - Camp Kiwanis
Hoot is looking forward to her third summer
as a GSCI camp director. She has worked
at several other summer camps and is
looking forward to having great experiences
and trying new things this summer. Hoot
believes that day camp is a wonderful place
for girls to discover camp, try new things,
and hang out with their friends during the
day. When not at camp, Hoot is designing
and leading fun and interesting programs as
a program specialist for GSCI. She can be
reached at lfranco@girlscouts-gsci.org.
FB: LynneFranco7
Stacy “Wildcat” Marksberry - CampTastic
Stacy is looking forward to her second
summer as a GSCI Camp Director. When
camp is not in session, she is busy
planning and leading programs as a
Program Specialist. She grew up as a
Girl Scout and believe Girl Scout camp is
the perfect place for girls to experience
new things and make new friends.
Contact Stacy at
smarksberry@girlscouts-gsci.org.
Katie “Bugs” Nolan - Camp Tapawingo
Bugs is looking forward to her ninth summer
as a GSCI camp director and her twelfth
summer working at Girl Scout camp. Bugs
has shared her experience and expertise
with other camp professionals at the
American Camp Association’s Mid-States
Convention as a workshop co-leader.
Whether you are a returning camper or
brand new to the experience, Bugs looks
forward to greeting you at the camp front
gate and joining you for campfires,
swimming, outdoor cooking, and stargazing.
Contact Katie at
knolan@girlscouts-gsci.org.
FB: KatieBugs
Lisa “Deli” Sons - Travel Trail
Deli loves the outdoors and has worked in
various positions with children and
environmental education for 15 years.
She has helped with camp since she
started working for the council in 2007. As a
program specialist, Deli creates fun and
interesting programs for Girl Scouts
throughout the year and at camp. Deli
believes that each girl has the ability to
grow in confidence, independence,
character, and her ability to do anything
she sets her mind to. ContactLisa at
lsons@girlscouts-gsci.org.
FB: LisaDeli
Lisa “Boots” Wall - Camp Widjiwagan
This will be Boots’ third year at Camp
Widjiwagan. She believes that attending
camp builds girls’ confidence. She enjoys
helping girls connect with nature, learn
new skills, and make life-long friendships
through the camp experience. Boots is
dedicated to helping Camp Widjiwagan
evolve into a camp for today’s Girl Scout
while preserving the traditions that have
made Camp Widjiwagan a treasured
memory for so many Girl Scouts. Contact
Lisa at lwall@girlscouts-gsci.org.
FB: BootsAnnBling
Jessica “Birdie” Yeager - Camp SOAR
Birdie is so excited about Camp SOAR’s
first summer camp season! She was a
Girl Scout and can’t wait to share all of the
amazing camp experiences with scouts this
summer. She has a passion for working with
children and for helping girls to feel
empowered and learn skills through
scouting that will serve them for the rest of
their lives. She is looking forward to building
relationships with the community to help
camp become a vital and vibrant part of the
area. Contact Jessica at
jyeager@girlscouts-gsci.org.
GENERAL CAMP INFORMATION
American Camp Association (ACA)
All of GSCI’s camp
facilities are proud
to hold current
accreditation by the
American Camp
Association (ACA). ACA
accreditation is the best evidence parents
have of a camp’s commitment to a safe and
nurturing environment for their
children. This voluntary accreditation
assures parents that camp practices have
been measured against national standards
and go a step beyond a state’s basic
licensing requirements. Accreditation is
based on a commitment by the camp to
undergo a thorough review of its operations
– from staff qualifications and training to
emergency management. The American
Camp Association has created a website
for parents and families which includes tips
on getting your camper ready for camp at
www.campparents.org
CAMP INFORMATION
Certified Horsemanship Association
Our Equestrian Program
and Equestrian Center is
accredited by the Certified
Horsemanship
Association. Accreditation
means that GSCI voluntarily requested
CHA to review our equestrian facilities,
program and management to deem it as
meeting CHA and equine industry safety
and operational standards. Additionally,
our Equestrian Program Coordinator, Ann
Bower, is certified at the highest level of instructor given by CHA in both the Western
and English riding disciplines. The
purpose of Certified Horsemanship
Association is to promote excellence in
safety and education for the benefit of the
entire horse industry. CHA is also
recognized by GSUSA.
Yemiymah “Dovie” Yisra’el - Camp Peairs
Dovie’s passion is working with youth to
provide them with the tools they need in
order to improve their own quality of life
experiences. She has worked with children
and young adults for 15 years. This will be
Dovie’s third summer working at Camp
Peairs, and her first summer working as
Camp Director for GSCI. She is looking
forward to forming a Bloomington Area
Program Committee in order to put her
creative ideas to work with the help of those
who will participate in her programs. She
cannot wait to offer weekends and family
outings at Camp Peairs. Contact Yemi at
yyisrael@girlscouts-gsci.org.
FB: YemiymahDovieGSCI
GETYOURGIRLPOWER.ORG
3