We know you have lots of questions about sending your daughter to camp. Here are a lot of answers!
Parent Info
What To Expect Packets
Just for Parents
Swim Evaluation
All swimmers will be under the careful supervision of a lifeguard while at the pool. Campers will be evaluated on their swimming skills by taking a swim test (details included in the What to Expect Packet). Campers will be put into a swimming group based on their ability and given a colored band that indicates their swimming group.
Camper Communication
We work to promote independence and group cohesion in campers and discourage phone use at camp. We require that all cell phones remain at home. The Camp Director team will contact the guardian if a camper is having trouble adjusting to camp life or if there is a health concern. Parents are encouraged to view each camp’s social media and the camper photo library which will be updated periodically. Sleepaway campers also love receiving letters and care packages from home during their stay. You will have an opportunity to drop any mail off at check-in to be delivered during the week. You are also welcome to mail your packages or letters directly to camp. Keep in mind the time it takes to ensure that mail gets to camp before the end of the session. Camps are not responsible for late mail or post office schedules.
Is My Girl Ready for Camp?
To attend Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Girl Scout camps, campers must meet the following essential functions:
• Move independently from place to place
• Participate in activities and camp life in a group setting
• Be able to meet personal needs (bathing, toileting, dressing, diet management, etc.)
• Capable of managing their chronic illness or condition
Need help deciding if your camper is ready for sleepway camp?
We can help!
Health & Safety
Girl Scouts places a high priority on creating a safe and healthy environment for campers. Staff is trained to support physical, mental and emotional health. Each camp has trained medical staff and all staff is First Aid or Wilderness First Aid certified.
This year we will request your health form be completed between March 1 – May 15 with updates closer to camp.
All campers are expected to have a Georgia Proof of Vaccination Form or a doctor-certified medically required exemption letter for all vaccinations required for public schools.
Trading Post
The Trading Posts (camp stores) offer camp essentials and souvenirs such as water bottles, flashlights, day packs, stuffed animals, items for signatures, and more! The Trading Post does not offer snacks or beverages. Items in The Trading Post cost between $1- $30 each.
Staff Selection
The camp staff is made up of individuals 18 years of age or older. We recruit through online platforms, from local colleges and universities as well as recruiting our homegrown Girl Scouts. All camp staff are required to have an interview with a member of the Director Team, provide references and pass a criminal background check. When hiring staff, we are looking for individuals that have a passion for guiding girls through outdoor experiences that create confidence and help them build friendships to last a lifetime. All cabin counselors are female role models, but our activity staff may include males.
Campers with Special Needs
To lay the foundation for success for your Girl Scout, parents and the Camp Director team must partner in sharing information about your camper’s health history and accessibility needs. While our Girl Scout camps can accommodate many needs and abilities, there are some cases that require an environment with staff specifically trained to meet their needs.
Contact camp@gsgatl.org prior to registration if you have questions about whether your camper’s needs can be met at our camps.
When We Contact Parents
We will contact parents or guardians if a camper:
· Experiences extreme homesickness (needing constant attention, clinging to adults, needing someone by her side to fall asleep, disrupting camp activities or crying constantly)
· Experiences behavior challenges (see Behavior Expectation Agreement)
· Spends the night in the health center or misses a day of activities
· Has an acute or sudden illness
· Has a temperature of 100.5 or higher
· Has an active case of head lice
· Falls off a horse
· Needs to be taken to Urgent Care or the hospital
FAQ
Day campers at Camp Timber Ridge will need to bring prepared lunches as food will only be provided to campers at sleepaway camps . Camp Misty Mountain and Camp Meriwether will be able to accommodate vegetarian options and certain dietary restrictions. Please list your camper’s dietary needs and/or allergies during registration. Camp Misty Mountain and Camp Meriwether are pleased to provide food without the following allergens upon request in advance: peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, wheat, milk, and eggs. If you have questions regarding multiple allergen-free foods or allergens not listed, please contact the Camp Registration team at camp@gsgatl.org. They will put you in touch with the Camp Director to make sure we can accommodate your camper prior to registration. Overnight camps are unable to accept food from caregivers to prepare for campers while at camp.
A physical examination is not required to attend Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta Sleepaway or Day Camps. We do require the completion of a Health History available online through your CampInTouch Login. We also recommend that your camper is up-to-date on all of their required immunizations. Please visit vaccines.gov to answer any questions about vaccines.
List all prescribed and over-the-counter medications your camper takes regularly on the Health History Form. All medications, including vitamins, must be in the original container and marked clearly with the camper’s name and directions for use. Only the dosage listed on the original container will be followed at camp. Prescription medication can only be dispensed to the person listed on the original prescription container. All medications for campers and staff are collected at check-in and stored in the Health Center for safety purposes. Medications will be dispensed as directed by our health staff or Director Team. Please be sure to keep all medications out of campers bag as you will be handing it over during check-in.
The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta is not responsible for any lost items. Please label your camper’s items with their full name, so we can return it to them. All lost and found items are displayed during the camp week and at check-out. Any items left will be held till the end of summer camp. Parents/guardians may contact the camp office and arrange a time and date to pick up any items or we can ship the items and you will cover the cost of shipping. At the end of the summer, all items are donated to charity.