2023 Summer Guide

Girl Scout Camp 2023

CAMP IS FOR EVERYONE!

Summer camp is a Girl Scout tradition that is even more necessary in our busy post-pandemic lives. Taking time to unplug and reconnect with nature and friends does a world of good for confidence, mental health, and grit. It’s also a ton of fun and is consistently rated as the number one activity on our member survey!

Camp with us this year and find out why camp life is the best life!

QUICK FAQs

• Any girl is welcome at Girl Scout camp – no previous Girl Scout experience is necessary.

• You can attend camp with a buddy, but most girls come on their own, and everyone is ready to make new friends.

• We’re here to support your girl at camp! Each camper will complete a health profile in CampDoc, which includes physical and mental health needs, dietary needs, buddy requests, family information, etc.

• Campers spend almost all of their time outdoors, and access to air conditioning is limited.

• Girls can earn camp through the Girl Scout Cookie Program! Super Sellers at the 1200, 2023, 2800, and 4000 level can choose a week at sleepaway camp as a reward.

• In addition, Girl Scout Bucks earned at all levels can be applied to all summer camp options.

CAMP LOCATIONS

Day

Camp grows with you

Family Camp and Troop Camp at Camp Gambill offers a sleepaway camp experience in the company of trusted family or friends.

STEM Day Camp and Volunteer-led Day or Twilight Camp allow girls to experience camp activities and traditions and still return home to their families for the night.

If she’s ready for more adventure, she can register for sleepaway camp at Camp Bette Perot. As girls grow, they focus on what interests them and continue to practice skills and take on new challenges.

High school-aged campers have a unique leadership experience either at the Biomedical Engineering Destination or with our Counselor-In-Training and Wrangler-In-Training programs where they practice and develop their leadership skills while enjoying fun & friends at camp.

Sleepaway Camp at Camp Bette Perot in Palestine

Day Camp and Biomedical Engineering Destination at The STEM Center in Dallas

or Twilight Camp led by local volunteers in several communities

Family Camp and Troop Camp at Camp Gambill in Sumner

SLEEPAWAY CAMP AT CAMP BETTE PEROT

Camp Bette Perot is our sleepaway camp for summer 2023. Girls experience independence in our safe and supportive camp environment. Their week at camp (Sunday-Friday) is centered around the horses. A trip to the barn is the highlight of each day. Hands-on horse activities include trail rides, badges, arena classes, and much more! Campers can also swim, shoot archery and slingshots, and complete ropes course challenges. They’ll even try their hands at leatherworking and wilderness exploration. Camp activities progress by age. As girls grow through the program, they get fun new opportunities. High school Girl Scouts: Check out the Counselor-in-Training (CIT) and Wrangler-in-Training (WIT) leadership experiences on page 5. $550/week

5TH GRADERS MEET THE EPIC CHALLENGE OF RACOON RIDGE

Platform tents are the original Girl Scout camp experience and foster a camper’s progression, grit, and accomplishment. The tents in Racoon Ridge have wooden floors, wood support frames, heavy canvas roofs, and beds equipped with bed nets, cute cubbies, and twinkle lights. Counselors are ready to help campers conquer challenges and see what they are capable of. This year, it comes with new freedoms to choose your activities at camp and an exclusive new patch. Join us for this amazing adventure and make memories to last a lifetime!

OLDER GIRLS CHOOSE THEIR ACTIVITIES

When they get to camp, Girl Scouts 5th grade and up get to customize their week by selecting their activities. Everyone has barn time each day, but if she wants to focus on crafts, archery, or swimming, she gets to choose where her time is spent. She can choose to have more variety or more time to develop skills in certain areas.

BUDDY REQUESTS

Buddy requests can be made for two campers of the same grade level –we attempt to honor one mutual buddy request. It can be comforting to have a buddy at camp, but we also encourage all girls to make new friends. If you want to camp with a larger group, please explore Troop Camp at Camp Gambill.

*Due to a significant reduction in girls using bus transportation in 2022, buses from JoAnn Fogg to Camp Bette Perot will not be available for summer 2023. Campers will be dropped off and picked up directly from Camp Bette Perot by families at designated times.

Wednesdays – Saturdays this summer, bring your family or troop to our waterfront camp for an outdoor adventure that includes all activities and meals! Camp staff provide great experiences while families and troop volunteers look after their Girl Scouts. $240/person

FAMILY CAMP - Weeks 1-4

Think of it as a super easy family vacation, or a great way to introduce your Girl Scout to camp life. Enjoy four days and three nights of meals together in the dining hall; daytime activities like archery, arts and crafts, swimming, log-rolling and sailing and evening events like campfires, stargazing, and cookouts. All ages and genders are welcome to attend with their Girl Scout, and each family is housed in their own one-room cabin. Latrines are shared with other families. Cabins in the Frog Unit sleep up to eight in bunk and single beds. Cabins in the Sleepy Unit can accommodate up to six in single beds. Select your cabin and pay according to the number of family members. Children ages four and under are free. Please note that camp does not provide cribs, bassinets, or changing tables, so families will need to bring their own if desired.

TROOP

CAMP - Weeks 5-7

You asked for it and now you’ve got it. Bring your troop to camp this summer! Similar to family camp, the four-day, three-night experience includes all activities, meals,

What is turtle time? Every day campers rest by having some quiet time in their unit – just like turtles retreat into their shells. This time is designed for reading books, taking naps or playing quiet games.

Morning

Morning activities

Afternoon

Evening

Evening activity

Flashlight

A typical day at Camp Bette Perot and Camp Gambill LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCES - GRADES 9-12

What are kapers? A kaper is a job or chore that contributes to community life. At camp, we divide kapers so that each girl plays a part in keeping the community successful.

What is trading post? Trading post is what we call our mid-day snack time. It’s also where campers are delivered the mail that friends and family send to camp.

Adventure, fun, leadership, growth!

Next-level Girl Scout Camp experiences for high school girls.

Counselor-in-Training (CIT)

There are three parts of the CIT leadership program:

1. Team-building and fun personal exploration with their peers.

2. Assisting with a camp activity of their choice, in partnership with counselors.

3. Daily mentoring with younger groups.

Leadership activities fit around the regular camper experience. Girls will still go to the barn each day and can choose their own adventure as they experience hands-on activities, relaxing in nature, swimming, archery, and fun with friends.

Great for all older girls – even if being a camp counselor isn't in her future.

Wrangler-in-Training (WIT) (application only)

I’ve been to five camps in four Girl Scout Councils (including this one). This camp was the best in terms of having resources for girls. Shirts to tie dye, pool floats, and even the fun patch to prepare girls for camp I think are the smartest things for a camp to have. I don’t think I will ever work at a camp, but if I did, I’d choose this one.

– 2022 CIT

Wranglers-in-Training (WITs) are essential to the summer equestrian program at Camp Bette Perot. WITs rise early and spend the day at the barn working with barn staff to catch, feed, saddle, and move an assigned set of horses. You’ll work in the barn, help younger girls on and off their horses, lead trail rides and demonstrate turns, trot, and lope in arena classes. You’ll also enjoy camp favorites like swimming, archery, evening activities, and fun with friends. Application available online spring of 2023.

STEM CENTER DAY CAMPS

Day camps at The STEM Center are more than just a place to be. They’re a place to learn, grow, experiment, and engage. STEM Center Day camps bring girls into the outdoors with a perfect combination of crafts, cooking, experiments and exploration, partnered with traditional camp activities such as archery, swimming, hiking, and team building on the ropes course.

All Day Camps at The STEM Center are from 9 AM - 5 PM.

WEEK 1

JUNE 26-29 | $265

Brownie Everyday Eatery*

Entering Grades 2 & 3

From delectable dishes to fabulous finishes. Come and explore everything that the STEM Center can whip up in this exciting culinary course. Learn about kitchen safety, knife safety, and proper food handling techniques. Girl Scouts will earn the Snacks Badge.

Junior Planes & Pilots

Entering Grades 4 & 5

Turn to the sky and see if you have what it takes to pilot an aircraft in this aviation focused summer camp. Girl Scouts will discover the forces and physics of things in flight. Girl Scouts will earn steps 1 and 2 of the Think Like an Engineer Journey.

Cadette Skilled Savants

Entering Grades 6, 7 & 8

MakeHERs gonna make, make, make. Explore different making mediums from woodworking projects to pottery. Put your DIY skills to the test with this awesome summer camp week. Girl Scouts will earn the Woodworker Badge.

WEEK 2

JULY 4-6 | $215

Brownie MakeHers Gonna Make

Entering Grades 2 & 3

MakHERs gonna make, make, make. Explore different making mediums from using Polymer Clay in different projects to pottery. Put your DIY skills to the test with this awesome summer camp week. Girl Scouts will earn the Pottery Badge.

Junior Meals & Morsels*

Entering Grades 4 & 5

Girl Scouts will send their taste buds on the journey of a lifetime in this exciting summer camp week. Travel the globe with tasty meals from around the world all while learning the skills you need to be a world class chef. Girl Scouts will earn the Simple Meals Badge.

Cadette Spellcasters

Entering Grades 6, 7 & 8

Pondering what happens when a dragon produces it’s flame or why the Goblet of Fire burns green? Become part of the magic in this week as you create memories fit for a Pensieve with inspiring classes and risk-taking adventures. Girl Scouts will earn steps 1 and 2 of the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey.

*The food Girl Scouts prepare may contain common allergens such as dairy, eggs, and gluten. Girl Scouts sensitive to these restrictions can still participate but may not be able to sample the food that is prepared. If your Girl Scout plans to participate, but unable to sample, please pack her with an appropriate lunch/snack.

WEEK 3

JULY 17-20 | $265

Brownie Perfect Pilots

Entering Grades 2 & 3

A lot of brainstorming, designing, and testing is needed for the creation of aircrafts. Could you be the one to pioneer new plane designs into the sky? Girl Scouts will earn steps 1 and 2 of the Think Like an Engineer Journey.

Junior DIY Doers

Entering Grades 4 & 5

MakHERs gonna make, make, make. Explore different making mediums from using polymer clay in different projects to DIY wood working. Put your DIY skills to the test with this awesome summer camp week. Girl Scouts will earn the Jeweler Badge.

Cadette Drone Designers

Entering Grades 6, 7 & 8

Explore drones and how they change the world. Earn the TRUST Drone Certification, construct your own drone, and master flying indoors and outdoors! Girl Scouts will earn the “E” in the GSNETX STEM Seal of Approval Patch.

WEEK 4

JULY 24-27 | $265

Brownie Drone Drivers

Entering Grades 2 & 3

Explore drones and how they change the world. Earn the TRUST Drone Certification, learn to code and drive a drone, and fly a drone through various courses and challenges! Girl Scouts will earn the “E” in the GSNETX STEM Seal of Approval Patch

Junior Whimsical Witches

Entering Grades 4 & 5

If you’ve ever fancied a lesson in Herbology, or wanted to explore the wonders of charms, this is the camp for you. Feast in your own Great Hall and learn about potions in this week that you won’t want to miss. Apparate soon! Girl Scouts will earn the Gardener Badge.

Cadette Cooking Connoisseurs*

Entering Grades 6, 7 & 8

Delve into the world of decadent desserts and savory sensations in this feast-for-the-senses summer camp week. Go global with your flavors as you master the kitchen and become a cooking connoisseur. Girl Scouts will earn the New Cuisine Badge.

WEEK 5

JULY 31 – AUGUST 3 | $265

Brownie Magic Makers

Entering Grades 2 & 3

Merlin’s beard! If you seek a magical potion, if you’ve ever wanted a dragon named Norbert, or if you simply want to see which magical house you will be sorted into, then join us for this week inspired by the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Girl Scouts will earn the Home Scientist Badge.

Junior Project Drone

Entering Grades 4 & 5

Explore drones and how they change the world. Earn the TRUST Drone Certification and learn FAA rules and regulations to confidently fly indoor and outdoor drones. Girl Scouts will earn the “E” in the GSNETX STEM Seal of Approval Patch.

Cadette Practically Pilots

Entering Grades 6, 7 & 8

Calling all future pilots! We are jetting off to explore the evolution of flight from fly gliders to rockets. Discover what it takes to get an aircraft to lift off and stay in the sky. Girl Scouts will earn steps 1 and 2 of the Think Like an Engineer Journey.

Register at gsnetx.org/daycamp

Back by popular demand and only available at The STEM Center of Excellence! Biomedical engineering is not just about understanding medicine; it’s also about having the engineering skills to create the tools doctors use every day to help diagnose, treat, and assist patients. Explore this diverse STEM field through exciting hands-on activities and interactive breakout sessions. This is a sleepaway experience. All meals and field trip expenses are included.

VOLUNTEER-LED DAY AND TWILIGHT CAMPS

Day and Twilight Camps are regional camps led by volunteers. Some operate during the day (day camp) and some take advantage of the cool of the evening (twilight camp). Many of these camps have been in operation for generations and provide an accessible and rewarding Girl Scout camp experience. Girl Scouts can begin as campers and progress to Camp Aides and Youth Staffers as they grow. Each camp is independently operated and features creative themes and traditions. Most include traditional camp activities such as archery, crafts, campfires, and singing. As our most accessible and affordable summer options, these camps fill fast!

Firewheel Twilight Camp: Garland

June 5 – June 9, 6 - 10 PM

Firewheel Golf Park Girls will be able to stay until midnight the last day

Dance is more than just moving to the beat, dancing to the rhythm. It is about learning different styles, genres, and cultures, and telling a story through the motions. Experience all the usual fun and excitement that camp brings with games, hikes, crafts, archery, and of course s’mores, all with a dance twist.

Adult Volunteer .......................................... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs ................................ $30 Camper ........................................................... $60

Amiga Day Camp: Irving

June 12 – June 16, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Trinity View Park

Camp Amiga goes Through the Looking Glass! With Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland characters as our guides we look at themes related to self-esteem, mindfulness and navigating interpersonal relationships while completing a Girl Scout Journey & patch programs.

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff ....... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs $40 Camper $80

Eagles Nest Twilight Camp: Allen

June 12 – June 16, 6 - 10 PM

Ford Park West

Get ready, Player One! Grab your remote and press start to

join us for an adventure in video gaming. Girls will learn about game theory, storytelling, and video games through the decades. We proudly offer a traditional Girl Scout outdoor experience with cooking, songs, hiking, and archery/hatchets, all themed around video games. Come to Eagles Nest to Level Up!

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff ....... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs $30 Camper ........................................................... $60 Tagalaongs ..................................................... $30

Summer Sensations: Tyler

June 12- June 15, 8 AM - 3 PM

East Texas Regional Center

Into the woods we go! Join Girl Scouts as they get back to the basics and learn all the fun things camp has to offer. Expereince things like making s’mores, target sports, hiking and crafts. Whether you sign up with your troop or on your own, everyone will make new friends to enjoy these summer traditions with!

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff ....... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs $40 Camper ........................................................... $80

Treasure Hollow Day Camp: Lucas

June 12 – June 16, 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Brockdale Park Juniors and up stay overnight on the last day. Pickup will be June 17 at 7 AM

Join us for a week of adventures as you and your Girl Scout friends ride the waves and explore the wonders of the

ocean! Campers will participate in ocean themed crafts, the games, and science, as well as traditional camp activities like outdoor cooking and archery. It’s a traditional outdoor camp experience at a scenic park by Lavon Lake, minutes away from Allen, Wylie, McKinney and Plano.

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff ....... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs $30 Camper $60

Twilight Hollow Twilight Camp: Plano

June 12 – June 16, 6 - 10 PM

Bob Woodruff Park North

Journey through our Greek Odyssey – the road to Olympus leads to Bob Woodruff Park in Plano! Immerse yourself in hands-on activities such as ziplining, archery, cookout night and, (for older Girl Scouts), hatchet throwing! At a pre-camp meeting the week of May 8-19, girls will choose their program activities.

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff ....... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs ................................ $30 Camper $60

Twilight Oaks Twilight Camp: Mesquite

June 12 – June 16, 6:30 - 10 PM

Rorie-Galloway Park

Sleep-over on Friday night for rising 4th graders or those who have a parent volunteer staying with them overnight. Pick up is 8 AM Saturday, June 17.

Ahoy Matey! Join in the fun for Treasure Island adventures. We will be treasure hunting, seeing new sights, and collecting new skills as we explore far away lands. Leather stamping, silk tie dying, camp fire cooking, catapult building, and more await you as you collect clues to solve the mystery of the buried treasure.

Adult Volunteer FREE Camp Aide ...................................................... $30 Camper ........................................................... $60

Rainbow Ridge Day Camp: Dallas

June 19 – June 23, 8 AM - 3 PM

Camp Whispering Cedars

Cadette and up sleep over the night before - arrive at 5pm on June 18, 2023.

There’s magic in the air at Rainbow Ridge 2023! Join us at Camp Whispering Cedars for days full of traditions like target sports, singing, and swimming. The magic will really come to life through exciting engineering, magical batiking, and more. We’ve got plenty of tricks up our sleeves to keep your girls engaged all day long!

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff ....... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs ................................ $40 Camper $80

Breckinridge Trails Twilight Camp: Richardson

June 26 – June 30, 4:30 - 8:30 PM

Breckinridge Park

Join us outside, under the shady trees, as we go WILD! We’ll explore wild beasts, furry friends, service animals, and their habitats. Visit with our naturalist Sequoia, and maybe even meet some critters! Experience traditional camp activities: archery, tie-dye, making and trading SWAPs, nightly snow cones, going on a scavenger hunt, and earning a badge.

Adult Volunteer .......................................... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs ................................ $30 Camper ........................................................... $60

Kinship Twilight Camp: Little Elm

June 26 – June 30, 6 - 9:30 PM

Little Elm Park

Something is a little crazy at Camp Kinship this year! Come join us for a week of Mad Science! Go crazy for animals in the biology lab, whip up some snacks while cooking with STEM, blast off with a rocket, solve a mystery, pop some bubbles, and turn reactions into art.

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs ............................... $30 Camper .......................................................... $60

Camp Lone Star: Dallas

July 10 –July 14, 6 - 10 PM

Camp Whispering Cedars Camp aides will stay overnight

At Lone Star Twilight Camp, Girl Scouts will enjoy four full evenings of swimming, archery, nature hikes, and other well-loved Girl Scout traditions. Programing is planned with our Cadette, Seniors and Ambassadors in mind. We hope to see you at camp this summer.

Adult Volunteer & Camp Youth Staff ....... FREE Camp Aide & Tagalongs ............................... $30 Camper .......................................................... $60

Register at gsnetx.org/daytwilight

Is your girl ready for sleepaway camp?

Determining whether a Girl Scout is ready for sleepaway camp is a family responsibility. There are many factors that go into making this decision. Here’s a list of expectations to discuss with your girl to help you decide if sleepaway camp is right for her. If she’s not ready, it’s okay because we have other camp options available.

• Girl wants to come to sleepaway camp.

• Girl has successfully spent nights away from home in the past and can get herself to sleep at night.

• Girl wants to eat, sleep, and play in a diverse group environment that offers limited opportunities for privacy.

• Girl can manage their own belongings and hygiene, including bathing, toothbrushing, hair care, sunscreen, bug spray, and dressing in activity-appropriate attire (swimsuit, for example).

• Girl and caregivers are committed to girl remaining at camp the entire week and working through any homesickness that arises. Our staff are ready to help your girl succeed.

• Girl and caregivers are comfortable forgoing all direct contact for the week (no phone calls, email responses, or other direct updates). This is a chance for girls to have independent adventures and to reconnect with family at the end of the week. But don’t worry – in the event of a family emergency, caregivers can contact the camp.

Check out our helpful parent videos at youtube.com/gsnetx

Girl Scout Camp builds girls of courage, confidence, and character through community life outdoors. 6001 Summerside Drive | Dallas, TX 75252 972.349.2400 | gsnetx.org

We Value Diversity

We are thankful to have a diverse group of campers and staff joining us this summer. Girl Scouts can expect the opportunity to live and play with girls who are different from one another. These differences may include geography, family structure, race and ethnicity, culture, appearance, ability, interests, and more.

Safety is our top priority

Safety at GSNETX camps is a top priority. Camp staff and volunteers are trained in emergency procedures and required to report any unexpected persons or other concerns. Our camp properties are equipped with security gates that remain closed. Surveillance cameras help ensure security at the entrance and other areas. Access to properties is limited to campers, staff, certified program providers, volunteers, and delivery vehicles.