GSSOAZ Camp Guide 2023

20 23 Camp Guide

Learning, friendship and fun in the sun! Register today. It's

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Table of Contents

•Welcome Campers!

•Campership (financial assistance)

A Letter from Your Camp Directors! 2–3

•Camp Then and Now

•Transportation and Lodging

All About Camp 4–5

• Get to Know Camp & Staff

•Registration Notes

•Help Us Help Your Camper

•Online Registration

•Care Kits and Trading Posts

•COVID-19

•Cell Phone Policy The

• General Camp Overview

•Preparing for Independence

•Tried and True Camp Traditions

•Missing Home

• Girl Scout Leadership Experience

•Outdoor

•Camp

•Intern

•Camp

•Quantum

Scout Camp helps develop important life skills and positive characteristics.

*Source: Girl Scout Research Institute, "From Girl Scout Camp to Real-World Champ" (2019)

A Word from Our CEO

Dearest Campers and Families,

Your summer adventure awaits! We are thrilled to welcome you, and for many, welcome you back, to a summer of exploration, discovery, and wonder. Camp is the perfect place to disconnect from day-to-day life and immerse one’s self with sisterhood and adventure in the beautiful outdoors. We have an incredible program ready for you. It is our commitment to provide a nurturing space for your Girl Scout. This year we are instituting our Camp Culture Code, an essential resource for creating a healthy camp environment for your camper. Please be sure explore all of the wonderful resources for you upon registration.

It is so important that we connect with nature whether that be in the magical pines or in the beautiful Sonoran Desert, and what fun it is to do so along with your sister Girl Scouts. You’ll enjoy nature hikes, archery, creating art with the beautiful mountains as your backdrop, star gazing, singing, swimming, and much more – such great fun ahead!

Kristen García-Hernandez

Camp is for EVERY Girl Scout!

As part of our dedication to investing in Girl Scouts' leadership, our council makes campership funds available to support all members who need financial assistance.

Camperships may be granted for half-cost of one in-person camp session, and will not cover late registration fees or add-ons, if applicable. All information provided is confidential. Your Girl Scout must be (or become) a registered Girl Scout to apply for financial assistance and to attend camp.

Camp requests will be processed as quickly as possible, and the deposit will hold your Girl Scout's spot. Please make sure that you register at least two weeks prior to the camp to guarantee on-time delivery and understand that processing time will vary based on number of applicants.

Scan the QR code to apply for a campership today.

A Letter from Your Camp Directors!

Welcome to camp! Your summer at camp is all about new friendships, experiencing new things, finding joy in dancing, skits, songs and laughter. We can’t wait to welcome you to a place where everyone is valued, respected and seen. Welcome to finding out who you are and growing into who you want to become. Welcome to new-found confidence and resilience. These are our camps.

Camp Whispering Pines and Hacienda Day Camp have been in the family for quite some time, but we are still learning, growing and committed to the best camper experience. Today, we offer campers their choice in camp activities, from high ropes and pottery to in-water time and inventive crafts.

Camp is truly inspired by the best parts of family. Our counselors care about our campers, they are mentors, supporters and keep safety and fun at top of mind. Whether you choose day camp, or overnight camp, campers are working together to build a vibrant space to explore and create. They come back year after year, forming meaningful, lifelong friendships. Welcome to the Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona Camp Family, where you’re a camper for life!

Meet Your Camp Directors

Sequoia Smith she/her "Pixie" Day Camp Director

Caity Martin she/her "Cupcake" CWP Camp Director

Camp Then and Now

Camp may not look the same as it did fifty years ago, but the magic has stayed the same! Camp has been and always will be a place for Girl Scouts to be their authentic selves, whether they're gathered around a campfire or are making friendship bracelets. It provides the opportunity to explore new hobbies, gain invaluable skills, make new friends, grow your community, and make memories that last a lifetime.

So what has changed? We've got more applicable life lessons, more opportunities for growth, and much cooler style ... no offense to our Girl Scout predecessors!

Transportation and Lodging

Girl Scouts of Southern Arizona will be providing transportation/lodging for Yuma and Santa Cruz Girl Scouts for the week of June 11th through the 16th, to participate in either Hacienda Day camp or Camp Whispering Pines, if they may have not had the chance due to distance and/or transportation issues.

This will be available to a limited amount of Girl Scouts due to transportation, and the option to sign up for this will be available on DoubleKnot if they are looking for the transportation/ meals/lodging.

All About Camp

Camp is much more than just songs, games, crafts, camp activities and spending time in nature. It’s all that PLUS the confidence that comes from trying new things, helping others, and building life long friendships.

Camp helps our Girl Scouts build resilience, confidence and learn how to build healthy communities. Our trained and caring staff members support Girl Scouts ages 5-17 in discovering who they are and what they can become. If you’re not a Girl Scout yet, you can always join in a way that works for you during registration.

Our engaging and experiential programs are designed with age in mind, and we empower campers to choose what activities they are interested in! Our programs support campers to grow their passions and take healthy and age-appropriate risks in a supportive environment.

Get to Know Camp & Staff

We are hosting self-guided virtual Open Houses this year! Interact with this website to learn more about our camps, meet our staff and help your Girl Scout prepare for camp!

Registration Notes

Girl Scouts who sell 875+ boxes of Girl Scout Cookies can select to receive a FREE session of Day Camp! Girl Scouts may also upgrade this experience to Overnight Camp for the remainder of the balance difference ($150.)

• March 1st -Registration for 2023 Camps opens. Register before March 15th for the $20 early bird discount

• Registration stays open until a session is full

• A $50 deposit is due for all camps, at the time of registration

• We believe that every Girl Scout should have a chance to camp! Visit our Financial Assistance form (previously mentioned) to apply for camp scholarships

Help Us Help Your Camper

Please contact customercare@girlscoutssoaz.org for campers requiring accommodations; this can include dietary needs, health care and emotional needs, physical or developmental needs, or behavioral needs. Together we can discuss the nature of your camper’s needs to determine the best way to support your Girl Scout and ensure a safe and successful camp experience.

Online Registration

Visit girlscoutssoaz.org and visit the camp page to begin the registration process. After completing your registration, and paying the $50 deposit, you will receive a confirmation email. For camper health, we utilize the Campdoc software system. You will receive an automated email from Campdoc to submit your camper health history information. Prior to camp, emails will come from both council and Campdoc, so check your junk email folder regularly. We will also email you a packing list, information about checking in and out, important information updates about COVID-19, and all the information you will need to prepare for camp. Requests for a refund must be received, via email, 14 days prior to the first day of camp.

For help registering for camp, connect with us at customercare@girlscoutssoaz.org.

Care Kits and Trading Post

Camper Care Kits are specially packed bags with camp essentials, Girl Scout swag, and extra mementos to take home after camp. They are available during registration for $30 and are distributed to campers shortly after arrival. Other fun camp items are available during registration as well as at the Trading Posts at camp. Valid Cookie Dough is accepted as a form of payment at Trading Posts!

Waterbottle with sleeve, autograph pillowcase wih marker, plush toy, bandana cooling scarf—all inside a cute drawstring backpack!

*Items pictured are subject to availability

With the continuation of the pandemic and ongoing changes to state, local, and federal guidelines, as well as CDC best practices, we will continually evaluate and modify our safety protocols and procedures as necessary. We are working diligently to maintain the health and safety of all in our summer camp community and appreciate your help to keep our camps a COVID-free setting. Any camps with an overnight component will continue to require a negative COVID-19 test prior to arrival. More information and detail on these policies and procedures is available after registration in your caregiver packet.

Cell Phone Policy

All of our camps follow a no cell phone policy to ensure Girl Scout safety and inclusion in our camp spaces. This means that visible cell phones will be collected by camp staff, powered down and held until checkout for safekeeping.

This policy may apply to other technology or devices if it is deemed a safety issue or a distraction to group activities. If your Girl Scout uses technology as an assistive device, please connect with us at customercare@girlscoutssoaz.org to ensure we have the best support in place. We welcome adult campers’ use of cellphones for photos, but reliable cellular service

COVID-19

The Life of a Girl Scout Camper

Hacienda Day Camp

Our Day Camp in Tucson is designed with exploration and fun in mind! Day Campers can discover aquatic insects at the pond in the morning, play endless rounds of gaga ball, and cool off in the pool in the afternoon. Day campers also get to dive into the theme of the week with themed craft projects and creative works of art, and test their skills at archery or slingshots. Day Camp serves campers ages 5-17, and Girl Scouts are divided into groups according to age.

Camp Whispering Pines (CWP)

Camp Whispering Pines atop Mt. Lemmon requires campers to have an overnight readiness! This is the most important question to answer before registration! You know better than anyone that sending your Girl Scout to an overnight camp is a really big deal. At Camp Whispering Pines, campers build independence, self-confidence and leadership skills. However, participants can only reap these benefits if they are emotionally prepared for overnight camp.

Preparing for Independence

Before your camper arrives at camp, it's important to prepare them for independence.

• Work with your camper to help pick a camp, plan and pack.

• If your camper is attending an overnight camp, practice a weekend away from home, like a sleepover at a friend’s house.

• Invite a friend to attend the same camp.

• Before camp starts, strategize steps to take if the separation between camp and home becomes overwhelming. We find that things like talking with a counselor, writing a letter, and looking forward to the new adventures at camp work well!

• Teach your Girl Scout to be their own advocate and vocalize needs—if we don't know about it, we can't help out!

• For fun video tips, check out GSUSA’s “Ultimate Summer Camp Hacks from the Pros” on YouTube. You’ll find videos that prepare you and your Girl Scout for packing, making friends, staying healthy and more by scanning the QR code!

Tried and True Camp Traditions

A typical week at CWP includes a mix of traditional camp fun like archery, tie-dye, hiking, campfires, songs, and s’mores, campers also get to select their ‘specialty session’ to focus in on something they love, like art, drama or the outdoors!

Opening and Closing Campfires—These times, where campers and staff gather around a campfire, are special moments for everyone to unleash their silly side in a skit, sing, and connect as a camp community, with s’mores of course!

Theme Night—Talk about a party! We encourage campers to embrace the theme and dress up, down, or just silly! Feel free to send your camper with a costume, wacky socks, hats, and fun options based on the weeks theme.

New This Year!—We will be running one main theme per session, and will divide into smaller units based on age.

Missing Home

While at camp, campers do not have access to the phone to call home, and for camper safety, cell phones are not permitted. We request that caregivers help us to ensure our camp phone lines are open, and only call in the event of an emergency. At sleepaway camp, Girl Scouts are encouraged to write letters and can receive letters from caregivers that are given to staff at check-in, or sent at least 1–2 weeks ahead of the camp session.

Send your camper with addressed, stamped envelopes, stationary and a pen so that everything is ready for them to write home.

Girl Scout Leadership Experience

Here are just a few ways the camp benefits Girl Scouts through the Leadership Experience:

• Girl Scout-Led—Girl Scouts are invited to lead activities and step out of their comoft zone, safely. Every day, a portion of the camp schedule is designated to be Girl Scout-Led where campers lead the charge!

• Cooperative Learning—Girl Scouts work together as a team in games and activities, with being together throughout the week, they will overcome hurdles and develop confidence and skills, all along the way.

• Learning by Doing—Hands-on activities are fun for Girl Scouts of any age, but they also help them feel empowered to shape their own experience while at camp. Girl Scouts unlock their “I got this” attitude as they discover they can always dust themselves off and try again when things don’t go according to plan.

Camp is just one part of the larger scale of what progression looks like in Girl Scouts! Find out more about what progression looks like in the outdoors and camp by scanning the QR code for a fun and comprehensive graphic.

Camp Themes

Day Camp—Girl Scouts Ages 5-12

Overnight Camp—Ages 9-17

Cosmic Camp

Houston, we have a camp. Blast off on an adventure of intergalactic proportions. Join us for a week of out-of-this-world activities including stellar twists on camp favorites like crafts, science, archery and teambuilding. Ready to explore galaxies far, far away?

Under the Sea

You’re o-fish-ally invited to dive into all that our camps have to offer! This week we’ll make a splash with aquatic-inspired activities like making sea slime and totally tubular tie dye, while staying current with the best environmental practicessave the turtles! H2–OH the things you'll see!

Animal Planet

Slither, hop, and gallop to sign up for this camp!

We’re calling all the party animals to join us for a week of adventure including radical renditions of classic camp activities. Spread your wings and discover the unique and diverse wildlife of our desert and mountain ecosystems. Get ready for this week of ferocious fun!

Camp Champs

Get your game on! Test your skills in challenges that build confidence, trust, and teamwork! Go for the gold in archery, water sports, and other competitions while experiencing all the joys of camp. This week is for the MVPs—next stop, the hall of fame!

Day Camp Throwback Thrills

Ready for a blast from the past? Whether it's a distant memory or ancient history, you're going to love these decades-themed throwbacks at camp. Dress up, get crafty, and go wild with musical and cultural tie-ins to the classic camp hustle and bustle. Strike a pose, rock and roll, and cha-cha real smooth!

Wands, Wings, and Your Wildest Dreams

Welcome to wonderland! We've got it all, from the magical and mystical to the fierce and fantastical. Construct clever creations, try your hand at archery, and explore the flora and fauna that surrounds you at camp. If you can dream it, you can do it!

* non-refundable deposit

** participants under five years old are free

Quick Camps

Operation Red Shirt

July 5th-7th, Girl Scouts Ages 7-17

$50 NRD—Remainder is grant-funded

All Girl Scouts with parents or caregivers serving in the military are invited to come to Operation Red Shirt! Spend a weekend building lasting friendships with Girl Scouts who are just like you and take pride in being a part of a military family. Create unforgettable memories on the trails, on the archery range, and under the stars! Theme: Around the World!

Camp Whispering Pines Sampler

July 5th-7th, Girl Scouts Ages 7-14

$300 | $50 Non-refundable deposit (NRD)

Adventure awaits! Travel up to CWP on an overnight camp expedition. Learn all about new cultures while experiencing all that the mountains have to offer. Spend a day on the ropes or take a trip to archery. You’re in for a treat as you tour our camp!

Theme: Around the World!

Troop Camp

$180-$200 per person, volunteers are required per safety ratio are free. Additional registered adults are full price, all participants must be registered members.

Troops will strengthen their bonds while also forming new friendships, enjoying classic camp activities like crafts, songs, skits stories and s’mores gathered around the campfire. Take aim with archery, or take a hike, whatever you choose it’s sure to be a blast!

• Troops must include two or more registered adults and meet GSUSA’s required adult-togirl ratio

• Troop Leaders can register their entire troop at once

• Adults participate in activities and supervise Girl Scouts

• All meals and activities are included

Troop Camp Themes

Troop Camp 1: Sherlock Gnomes!

June 20th-22nd

$180 per person

Are you ready to solve the mysteries of camp? Dust off your critical thinking skills as we discover clues, make curious crafts, and uncover what makes camp so exciting! Between decoding clues and solving riddles, your troop will also explore classic camp activities.

Troop Camp 2: Glow for it!

June 30th-July 2nd

$200 per person

Join us for a weekend of neon niceties! We can’t wait to light up the weekend with your troop during electrifying camp activities like crafts, archery, and teambuilding! Gather around the campfire with your troop and make bonds to last a lifetime! You glow it to yourself to sign up for this one!

Friends and Family Camp

Join in on the fun with Friends and Family Camp! Pack up for an adventure at Camp Whispering Pines. You will enjoy provided meals and optional activities, and be able to choose from activities like hiking, archery, art and more. See what your Girl Scouts do at camp, and spend quality time in the pines.

• Adults participate in activities and supervise their youth

• All meals and activities are included

Friends and Family Camp

Throwback Thrills

July 14th-16th, All Ages

$200 per person, participants under five years old are free. Ready for a blast from the past? Whether it’s a distant memory or ancient history, you’re going to love these decades-themed throwbacks at camp. Dress up, get crafty, and go wild with musical and cultural tie-ins to the classic camp hustle and bustle. Strike a pose, rock and roll and cha-cha real smooth!

Leadership Programs

NEW THIS YEAR—Day Camp Leadership Program

Camp Aide (CA)—Girl Scouts Ages 12-17

Each full week of Day Camp—$350

Have you ever wondered what it takes to work at camp? This is your chance to develop the leadership skills that will put you on track! Work alongside Day Camp Staff to help younger Girl Scouts discover, connect, and take action.

CIT, CIT II, Intern (Overnight Camp)

Counselor in Training (CIT)—this program is not only designed to create amazing leaders for the camp community, but focuses on growth through community service, sisterhood, and professional development. Campers still experience the most quintessential parts of camp, between brushing up on archery and expressing their creativity in the art shack, while also gaining marketable skills for their future!

CIT

June 11th-16th

$500

Learn to create lesson plans, develop behavior management strategies and improve camping skills. For Girl Scouts entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.

CIT II

Week One: June 25th-30th (Camp Break, June 30th-July 7th)

Week Two: July 7th-14th

$600

Campers wanting to participate must complete CIT I prior to this program. This session is all about leadership skill building, facilitation and giving and receiving feedback. For Girl Scouts entering 11th or 12th grade.

Intern

This program is by application only, applicants are strongly encouraged to complete CIT I and CIT II prior to this program. Help facilitate the entire camp season, experience check in/ check out procedures, with the help of counselors plan an amazing week of activities for the campers. For Girl Scouts entering 12th grade.

Speciality Camps

Camp Fury

May 30th-June 3rd, Girl Scouts ages 14-18

$500 per person

Shatter glass ceilings! At Camp Fury, you will join the ranks of firefighters and law enforcement personnel to learn how they ensure public safety for our communities. In this five-day, four-night experience, you will practice search and rescue skills, crime scene investigation techniques, and perform physical fitness drills. Meet women who are breaking down barriers and stereotypes in these male-dominated career fields. At the end of camp, we will celebrate your accomplishments at a graduation ceremony with family and friends.

Staff

We are always ready to welcome stellar staff to our camp team! If you know someone incredible who is 18+ and would love to work with Girl Scouts for the full camp summer, please send them our way!

Camp is a spectacular place for our staff to develop interpersonal skills, gain work experience and help campers create memories that last a lifetime.

The Friends I Made at Camp

One is Silver and the other is Gold.

Tucson Resource Center 4300 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85711

520-327-2288

Sierra Vista Resource Center

2200 El Mercado Loop, St. 1164

Sierra Vista, AZ 85635

520-319-3192

Nogales Resource Center

1831 N. Mastick Way

Nogales, AZ 85621

520-319-3195

Yuma Resource Center

3250 S. 4th Ave. St. F Yuma, AZ 85364

928-782-9193

928-782-1599

Angel Charity Place for Girls

4330 E. Broadway Blvd

Tucson, AZ 85711

520-327-2288

Hacienda Program Center

3101 N. Sabino Canyon Rd. Tucson, AZ 85715

Camp Whispering Pines

PO Box 760

Mt. Lemmon, AZ 85619

520-576-1403