Girl Scout Summer Camp 2021
, d a o R n i a t n Mou e Home. Take M
dear girl scouts, Girl Scout Camp isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling. It’s joy as you reunite with your Girl Scout Sisters. It’s pride as you conquer the bouldering wall. It’s curiosity as you track where those animal footprints lead. It’s chill vibes as you hang around the campfire soaking up the sunset and laughing at jokes being made. It can be so many things. Even a second home. Camp community is a beautiful thing to be a part of. The unending support, encouragement, and patience that comes from living, playing, and working together can help campers overcome anything. Staff and campers come together to form a unique camp family where everyone is welcomed and can take comfort in finding another place that some consider home. So, keep following those mountain roads and you’ll find us at home, waving to welcome you through our gates. Anne “Phoenix” Sweney Camp and Outdoor Program Manager annes@gsmw.org Is your girl curious about camp but not quite ready for a whole week away from home? Check out our weekend options on pages 14-15 or look for the “Try-it” camp options available with select camps. These shortened camp options will get your camper ready for a full week of camp later in the summer or next season.
Is your girl ready for camp? This is the most important question to answer before registration! You know better than anyone that sending your girl to an overnight camp is a really big deal. At our camps, campers build independence, self-confidence and leadership skills. Participants can only reap these benefits, however, if they are emotionally prepared for overnight camps. Prepare your girl by getting her outside regularly, having her stay at a relative’s place, or trying a sleepover or backyard campout at a friend’s house. When in doubt, she can attend an early-season GO Camp, Troop Camp or Try-It camp, and then decide if she’s ready for a full-week later in the summer. 2
A day at summer camp 7:30 AM Rise & Shine
3:30 PM Snacks & Rest
8:00 AM Flag Ceremony & Breakfast
4:30 PM Games
(campers’ daily 8:45 AM Kapers responsibilities)
5:45 PM Flag Ceremony & Dinner
Activities & Character 9:30 AM Program Building
7:00 PM Campfire or All Camp Activity
12:00 PM Lunch
9:00 PM Wind Down & Reflect
Activities & Character 1:30 PM Program Building
missing home While at camp, Girls do not have access to the phone to call home, and parents will not be able to call their campers unless it’s an emergency. Girls can write letters and receive letters given to staff at check-in. Send your girl with addressed, stamped envelopes, stationery, and a pen so everything is set to write home. Before your camper comes to camp, it’s important to prepare her for being on her own: • Work with your camper to help her pick a camp, plan, and pack • Spend a practice weekend away from home like having 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 home and camp becomes overwhelming Prepare your camper to use coping strategies, like these, at camp: • Play every game, and participate in every activity • Talk with a camp counselor • Write letters home • Look forward to the new skills and adventures each day at camp For fun video tips, check out GSUSA’s “Ultimate Summer Camp Hacks from the Pros” on YouTube. You’ll find videos that prepare you for packing, making friends, staying healthy, and more at: www.youtube.com/user/Girlscoutvideos/playlists. 3
girl scout Camp Traditions Campfire The start and end of camp is honored around the campfire where campers and staff sing songs, act-out skits, and cherish their special memories from camp.
Spirit Stick Evening Embers Every evening, girls will meet to participate in activities and discussions designed to help create a sense of belonging and purpose within our “kid communities”.
Thursday Dinner We’re introducing a new tradition at camp this year! Thursdays will be a time for last adventures, reflections, and gratitude leading up to the final campfire which starts at dinner and doesn’t end until our embers cool.
Golden Dustpan Each day, campers unite to build character through the responsibility of tidying their cabins. The Camp Director awards the Dustpan to the cabin that has shown the greatest respect and responsibility.
Cookouts Every week, weather and US Forest Service permitting, all GSMW campers get to cook their own meal over an open fire.
Hammock Village Take a siesta and reflect on a day’s life lessons in our coziest spot yet! 4
Throughout the week, campers seek out the spirit stick to gain the ultimate reward of hosting the prized possession for closing campfire.
Wacky Themed Days From Pirate day to Western Wednesdays, girls will enjoy the wild antics added to these special camp days. Feel free to send your camper with a costume, wacky socks and hats, and color options!
Gaga Ball With slightly more votes than archery, girls say their favorite camp activity is Gaga Ball. This action packed game gets the heart rate up while teaching strategy, fair play, and respect.
Camp locations TIMBERCREST CAMP - RED LODGE, MONTANA Nestled in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, camp stretches across forty acres running along the pristine West Fork of Rock Creek. Boulders are scattered across the hillside in a canyon that leads campers to nearby Wild Bill Lake. Girls will spend their days exploring the property, enjoying the historic log cabin program facilities, and spending nights in their rustic sleeping cabins or the new tipis.
CAMP CASTLE ROCK - BUTTE, MONTANA Just south of “Butte, America,” among the rolling hills and aspen groves of the Little Basin Valley, lies historical Camp Castle Rock. At the center of camp stands the beautiful log lodge built in the 1920s. This year, we are unveiling a new commons pavilion and new grasses and flowers should be emerging near the new cabins.
CAMP SACAJAWEA - CASPER, WYOMING High atop Casper Mountain, above the city of Casper, you’ll find Camp Sacajawea. The camp sits on 180 acres of forested vistas. A land that is entrenched in Wyoming history and lore, the first camp at Camp Sac was held in 1936. While the old camp used only classic wall tents, we’ve since added a modern lodge, a spacious art barn, cozy yurts and bouldering wall.
Camp THEMES The next few pages will show descriptions for Week-long, Try-it, Weekend, Leadership, Sailing and National Parks programs. You’ll see what themes are offered at each of our camp locations along with dates, grade levels* and pricing for each camp. Locations are depicted by icons as shown above. *Grade level is based on grade entering in fall 2021.
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high adventure camps mountain mission Introducing girls to adventure-based outdoor sports, camping, and survival skills. Archery, rock climbing and river living all await those risk takers on this Mountain Mission. Location Timbercrest* Timbercrest* Castle Rock**
Dates June 13-18 June 20-25 July 25-28**
Grades 6-12 4-8 4-8
Price (Early/Reg) $320/$345 $320/$345 $260/$285
* Timbercrest campers will experience breath-taking whitewater rafting ** Castle Rock campers will float a serene river with options for tubing and stand up paddle boarding (SUP); shortened week
extreme explorations Calling all older campers ready to step-up their outdoor adventure game! Climb to lofty heights and float on pristine rivers, and then enjoy a horseback ride through the wilds of Montana’s landscapes. Location Timbercrest* Castle Rock**
Dates June 27-July 2 July 18-23
Grades 6-12 6-12
Price (Early/Reg) $395/$420 $395/$420
* Timbercrest campers will experience breath-taking whitewater rafting and end their horseback trail ride with a hearty chuck wagon meal ** Castle Rock campers will tack-on a day of cave exploration in addition to horseback riding 6
girl scout vs. wild Picture yourself stranded in the woods, far from civilization, armed only with your intelligence and your friends to help you find your way home. Early in the week, these determined campers will practice skills essential to surviving life in the Rocky Mountain wild. Navigation, fire starting, plant ID and knots are just the start of skills needed to survive this special course. After their training, campers will get an opportunity to put their new skills to the test by teaming up to “survive” a trek from the wild, back to the comfort of camp. Location Timbercrest Timbercrest Castle Rock Castle Rock
Dates June 13-18 June 20-25 July 18-23 July 25-28*
Grade 2-6 2-6 4-8 2-6
Price (Early/Reg) $285/$310 $285/$310 $285/$310 $225/$250
*Shortened week
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classic camps Good Pods & Great Bakes Girls will get to direct, record, and star in their own podcast episode. Campers will also create baked desserts like cakes and cookies, and decorate them with all the flair you’d see on a top-notch baking show. Location Timbercrest Castle Rock
Dates June 13-18 July 11-16
Grades 4-8 2-6
Price (Early/Reg) $275/$300 $275/$300
forest of mystery Head into the forest each day to overcome challenges and solve mysteries that will test your teamwork, problem solving skills, and creativity. Can you outsmart, outlast, and outplay your fellow campers? Location Timbercrest Timbercrest
Dates June 20-25 June 20-23*
Grades 2-6 2-6
Price (Early/Reg) $285/$310 $110/$120
*Try-It Camp - shortened for girls that aren’t ready for a week away from home
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mountain magic The mountains hold a certain magic, and during this one special week at Timbercrest, girls will perfect a handful of mysterious enigmas and jaw-dropping illusions. Campers will practice their magic so that by the end of the week, they can entertain the camp community. Location Timbercrest
Dates June 27-July 2
Grades 2-6
Price (Early/Reg) $285/$310
wildcrafters Girls who love nature, animals, and crafts will find everything to fit their fancy during this week of camp. Campers will learn to identify and use native plants to create useful concoctions of essential oils, scented candles, and aroma-therapeutic soaps. Location Timbercrest* Castle Rock
Dates June 27-July 2 July 18-23
Grades 4-8 2-6
Price (Early/Reg) $275/$300 $275/$300
Castle Rock Camp Sacajawea Camp Sacajawea
July 18-21** August 8-13 August 8-11**
2-6 2-6 2-6
$110/$120 $275/$300 $110/$120
*Timbercrest campers will visit the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary to get animal inspiration for their artistic creations **Try-It Camp - shortened for girls that aren’t ready for a week away from home
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classic camps continued Gs summer games In celebration of this summer’s Olympics, campers will experience games they’ve never seen as well as Olympic classics. Every camper will have the chance to climb atop the medal podium after playing all sorts of strategic, bizarre and spirited contests. Location Castle Rock Sacajawea
Dates July 25-28* August 8-13
Grades 6-12 6-12
Price (Early/Reg) $225/$250 $275/$300
Grades 4-8
Price (Early/Reg) $225/$250
*Shortened week
digging history Join us on a tour of everything dug-up, archaeological and geological from the depths of Butte, America. Campers will spend a day at the World Museum of Mining, take a tour of a 100-foot deep mine, and visit Lewis & Clark Caverns for an underground cave tour. Location Castle Rock
Dates July 11-16
night owl Explore the wonders of the natural world using your senses… at night! The world magically transforms and reveals secrets that day dwellers just won’t understand. Explore the Planetarium in Casper, create a star map, and raid the kitchen before a night hike. Location Sacajawea 10
Dates August 1-6
Grades 4-8
Price (Early/Reg) $285/$310
aces of archery Every day, campers will learn/practice new archery skills through personalized instruction and creative archery games. Archers will also learn about archery competition and tournament play by practicing scoring. They will then participate in a competition with their new camp friends. Location Castle Rock Sacajawea
Dates July 11-16 August 1-6
Grades 6-12 6-12
Price (Early/Reg) $275/$300 $275/$300
Grades 2-12 2-12
Price (Early/Reg) $395/$420 $395/$420
silver spurs GSMW and Reach 4A Star are offering another great session of horseback riding skills and adventure. Campers will study horse anatomy and health, build a relationship with a horse, control a horse while walking and trotting, learn horse care, and barn management. Location Sacajawea Sacajawea
Dates August 1-6 August 8-13
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sailing programs Experience the adventure, wonder, and fun on the waters of Canyon Ferry Lake near Helena, Montana! Girls will get their fill of soaking wet adventure through sailing, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding (SUP) and swimming.
swim, splash, sail I Beginning sailors will learn the basics of sailing, water safety and rescue. Each day, campers will spend time learning how to sail their own boats, and experience camp classics like evening campfire. Location Canyon Ferry, MT
Dates August 1- 5
Grades 6-12
Price (Early/Reg) $310/$335
swim, splash, sail II This session is reserved for those who have participated in SSS I or who have previous sailing experience. Learn advanced sailing skills and water rescue maneuvers, while also having a ton of fun. Location Canyon Ferry, MT
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Dates August 8-12
Grades 6-12
Price (Early/Reg) $310/$335
leadership programs Camp Aides, CITs, and Junior Counselors will gain leadership skills by encouraging an inclusive community. They will lead games, songs, and activities, facilitate group conversations, and manage peer relationships. Leadership programs require an online application that can be found at gsmw.org/camp. After applying, girls will receive an email with directions on how to register for their Leadership Program. Please do not register without applying!
Camp Aide – entering 9th grade Spend your days working with girls, aiding staff, leading songs and games, and learning valuable leadership skills.
Counselor-In-Training (CIT) – entering 10, 11 or 12th grade CIT I: Learn to create lesson plans, develop behavior
management strategies, and improve camping skills. CIT II: Applicants must complete CIT I prior to this program. Partner with one of our camp directors to delve deeper into the camp leadership experience.
Junior Counselors – entering 11 or 12th grade Applicants must complete CIT I & II prior to this program. Help facilitate a week of camp, experience check-in/out procedures, plan a week of activities with co-counselors, and plan evening programs. Location Timbercrest Castle Rock
Dates June 20-25 July 11-16
Grades 9-12 9-12
Price (Early/Reg) $225/$250 $225/$250
Camp Sacajawea
August 8-13
9-12
$225/$250
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Weekend programs Weekend camps give campers an introductory-level Girl Scout Camp experience. Find your adventure with a trusted companion or your troop.
Troop camps For all Troop Camps, please note: • Troops must include two registered adults and meet GSUSA’s required adult-to-girl ratios • Troop leaders can register their entire troop at once • Adults participate in activities and supervise girls • Adults will have separate sleeping quarters from girls per GSUSA regulations
Troop camp: traditions Troops will strengthen their bonds while also forming new friendships, creating classic camp crafts and sharing songs, skits, stories and s’mores around the campfire. Experience a variety of traditional camp activities like tie-dye, leather-stamping, hiking and friendship bracelet making. Location Timbercrest Castle Rock
Dates June 11-13 July 9-11
Grades 2-12 & Adults 2-12 & Adults
Price (Early/Reg) $90/$100 $90/$100
Troop camp: primitive camping skills Learn all the basics of camping, cooking outdoors and survival. Troops will have a chance to campout in tents and tipis to earn their troop’s backpacking certification. Adult campers can choose to fulfill the in-person portion of GSMW’s Outdoor Training, which includes fire safety and cookout activities. Find more information and complete the online portion prior to camp, found at: www.gsmw.org/outdoor-training. Location Castle Rock Sacajawea 14
Dates July 16-18 August 6-8
Grades 2-12 & Adults 2-12 & Adults
Price (Early/Reg) $90/$100 $90/$100
Weekend programs continued go (girls only) camps For all GO Camps, please note: • Prepare for adults to have separate sleeping quarters from girls per GSUSA Regulations. Number of registrants will determine the availability of mother/daughter cabins. • Campers must be accompanied by a female adult companion who is a registered Girl Scout volunteer with a valid background check, registered for the camp, and 18 years old or older.
go camp: camper’s choice Campers at this easy-going weekend camp will experience camp traditions and ceremonies with their favorite female adult. Spend two nights at Girl Scout camp, and choose the activities you want to do the most, like going for a hike or taking aim on the archery range. Location Timbercrest Sacajawea
Dates June 25-27 August 13-15
Grades K-5 & Adults K-5 & Adults
Price (Early/Reg) $90/$100 $90/$100
go camp: nature close-up GSMW is pairing-up with the Montana Natural History Center (MNHC) to provide a camp for campers who love nature. You’ll spend the whole day with naturalists from MNHC who specialize in teaching about nature. Location Castle Rock
Dates July 23-25
Grades 2-8 & Adults
Price (Early/Reg) $90/$100 15
national parks programs We are collaborating with our Parks Partners to hold programs for this upcoming fall and winter. The Yellowstone and Glacier programs have been among our most popular of programs in the past and while we hope to provide them this year, the Parks have yet to confirm dates. Once dates have been confirmed, GSMW will advertise these programs outside of the camp brochure.
glacier national park service adventure Take action this summer and assist the Glacier National Park Rangers in service projects to earn the “National Park Service Resource Stewardship” and “Glacier Park Girl Scout Ranger” patches. Projects are focused on preservation, conservation, and protection of the “Crown of the Continent”. Girls will be engaged for 15 hours of service and during non-service hours they’ll swim, attend ranger talks, and learn camping skills.
Yellowstone national park ranger experience
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Travel deep below the bubbling surface into the mysterious geology and history of Yellowstone Park. Join GSMW and the wonderfully inspirational park rangers of Yellowstone National Park for an immersive outdoor program steeped in science, art, and history. Side-by-side with dedicated Park Rangers, girls will provide service to the Park and earn their Girl Scout Resource Stewardship patch from the National Park Service.
registration notes Girls who sell 1,000+ boxes of Girl Scout Cookies earn a FREE session of Summer Camp! • April 19 - Registration for past years Cookie Reward Earners begins • April 21 - Registration for 2021 Cookie Reward Earners begins • April 28 - Early bird registration opens for all girls • May 12 - Campers pay full price At the time of registration a $50 deposit is due for Week-long and Try-It camps and payment is due in full for weekend camps.
online registration Follow the links found at www.gsmw.org/camp to begin the registration process. If you don’t have a CampDoc account already, your first step will be to create an account. You’ll then register for your camp, pay a $50 deposit, and submit or update your camper’s health history information. • Keep an eye on your email! After you complete a CampDoc profile, you’ll receive emailed directions to help you complete the rest of your registration. Emails will come from both GSMW and CampDoc so CHECK YOUR JUNK EMAIL FOLDER REGULARLY! • CampDoc will also email you a digital confirmation letter with your packing list, check-in and check-out times, and all the information you need to prepare for camp. Again, check your junk email folder. A hard copy of the confirmation letter will arrive in your mailbox about 10 days before camp. • For online registration, CampDoc security requires you to use the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari. For help with registration, please contact GSMW’s Customer Care at 800-7365243 or customercare@gsmw.org.
different abilities & special needs Please contact customercare@gsmw.org for campers with different abilities and special needs like dietary restrictions, health care and emotional needs, physical or developmental limitations, or behavioral needs. Together, we can discuss the nature of your camper’s needs to determine a course of action to support your girls safe and successful camp experience.
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covID-19 Updates for summer camP GSMW will be implementing safety measures such as non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) for campers and staff. COVID-19 Screening: GSMW will be using a two-part screening process for campers beginning 2 weeks prior to their camping experience with the second taking place upon arrival at camp. Social Distancing: Camp themes and activities will be focused on campers participating outside as often as possible to allow for social distancing and breaks from mask wearing. Handwashing and Sanitation: Extra time will be dedicated to include handwashing and sanitation procedures. Medical grade hand sanitizer will be available and distributed to all activity and living units. Healthcare Staff: Each summer, our Healthcare Supervisor assists in training staff regarding medical policy and protocols which will include a potential COVID-19 event. Cleaning and Sanitation: Procedures will be in place to increase the frequency that high contact areas are sanitized (such as bathrooms, living and eating spaces) as outlined by each local health department.
FAQs You may have a few questions about Girl Scout Camp such as • How do I register my girl for summer camp? • How can a Girl Scout pay for camp? • When is camp check-in and check-out? • Is there a refund policy? You can find the answers to these questions and others at www.gsmw.org/camp.
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FREE Camp with girl scout cookies Earn Girls who sell 1,000 boxes or more of Girl Scout Cookies become “Cookie Camp Reward Earners”. Not only do these top sellers get to attend any camp session of their choice for FREE, they also get to select their camp early!
Camp Care Bag GSMW stuffs camp care bags with items to spice-up cabin life and keep the camp experience alive when your camper returns home. Camp care bags are available for purchase through the CampDoc registration process for an additional $35. Girls can also contact GSMW to use their G.I.R.L. Cards to pay for Camp Care Bags! Girls will receive their care bags during camp check-in.
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2303 Grand Avenue Billings, MT 59102
Ea r l y re bird g i s t rat W i e o d n n ope esd a y , Apr ns i l th 2 8 !
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