2016 Compass Camp Book - Girl Scouts Southeastern Michigan
Transcription
2016 Compass Camp Book - Girl Scouts Southeastern Michigan
6 1 0 2 O GUIDE T G CAMTPDIONOR & OU TION EDUCA AMS PROGR COMPASS Your Next Camping Adventure Awaits! TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 CEO Welcome 4 Outdoor Skills Events 5 New Patches! 6 Outdoor Skills Adventures at Summer Camp 7 Camp Playfair: Facilities, Descriptions, Pictures, & New Add-Ons 8Camp Hawthorn Hollow: Facilities, Descriptions, & Pictures 10 Camp Hawthorn Hollow Troop Camping: Overview & Outdoor Training 11 Camp Hawthorn Hollow Troop Camping: Add-Ons 12 2016 Core Camps 14 Summer Camp: Camp Director Welcome & Overview 15 Summer Ranch Camp—It’s all about the horses! 16 Summer Camp Sessions at a Glance & Descriptions 18 New Trading Post, Unplugged Challenge 19 Summer Camp FAQs 21 Summer Camp Health & Safety Information 22 Camp Pricing & Paying for Camp Get to know CAMP! Visit Camp Open House Camp Playfair Open House Sunday, May 1, 2016 1-5 pm FRE EVENET • Tours of the grounds, Lodges, and A-Frames • Campfire, S’mores, Crafts, Games, & Songs • No pre-registration required Schedule a tour of camp anytime! 2 | COMPASS Camp Hawthorn Hollow Open House FREE Sunday, June 12, 2016 EVENT 1-5 pm • Meet the summer camp counselors • Tours of the grounds, cabins, villages, and Handi Dining Hall • OPEN SWIM at the pool (K-Adult) • Campfire, S’mores, Crafts, Games, & Songs • No pre-registration required If you can’t make it to an open house – don’t fret! Personal tours of Camp Hawthorn Hollow or Camp Playfair are available upon request. To schedule a tour of Camp Hawthorn Hollow, please contact Mary Beffa at [email protected]. To schedule a tour of Camp Playfair, please contact Jeff Grattan at [email protected]. Welcome to your next Outdoor adventure! Outdoor Education is essential to the Girl Scout mission and GSSEM recognizes the enormous benefits and potential that exist when girls experience the out-of-doors! It’s one more way that we help build girls of courage, confidence and character. Camp, in particular, can be an important developmental activity and the ultimate character-building experience. Girls who spend time outdoors become women who love the outdoors and feel a strong sense of ownership to take care of their natural surroundings. Spending time outdoors increases self-esteem, sense of empowerment, accomplishment, and allows everyone to unplug, unwind, and let go of stress. GSSEM has SO many ways for girls to start their next outdoor adventure in 2016. This edition of Compass covers so much of what we offer including camps, skills training, equestrian fun, and badge-earning programs. New events are added to the online calendar throughout the year so be sure and check out gssem.org/calendar frequently for the newest outdoor education and camp offerings. I invite you to read through the pages of COMPASS together with your girls and make plans to experience all the exciting outdoor adventures GSSEM has to offer. Denise Dalrymple CEO 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 3 Outdoor Skills Events! Get CAMP-READY with these great opportunities to build your skills You’re excited about getting outside and now you can learn the skills necessary to make your next outdoor adventure safe and fulfilling. GSSEM is excited to kick-off a new programming year in Outdoor Education with these events that will help girls to venture out and go camping. Each event features hands-on activities that allow both the girls and adults to learn necessary camping safety skills. Outdoor Skills Events are based on girl interests. Girls, alongside their adult leader/mentor/parent, build the outdoor skills that interest them most. These events are for girls and their troop leaders, or Juliettes and their parents/mentors. Participating can help take the pressure off the leaders/ mentors to simultaneously run the camping trip and teach the girls the basics of procedure and safety for each activity during the trip. Keep reading for the progressive steps in outdoor skills opportunities to watch for this year. These are GIRL EVENTS with adult participation! 4 | COMPASS Outdoor Skills Days These events teach the basics of camping and safety in a fun, hands-on experience! Girls and adults will have the opportunity to learn how to build a campfire together, and fire safety. They will also learn about tying knots, erecting pop-up tents, making bedrolls, dressing for the weather, assembling mess kits, and the basics of orienteering. The outdoor skills will be presented in a way that’s easy and fun to learn with games and hands-on learning. Participants will practice learning-by-doing and cooperative learning. Girls will receive the new Outdoor Skills patches for outdoor skills presented. Adults who participate alongside the girls have the opportunity to reinforce concepts taught in the Outdoor II online training through hands-on activities. (Adults must complete online Outdoor Training I prior to attending Outdoor Skills Days). Outdoor Skills Day events are offered once a month at a variety of locations throughout the Council from March through June 2016. They are offered for all Girl Scout levels. For more details and information about when outdoor education events are offered, please check gssem.org/calendar. Outdoor Skills Builders Ready for a more specialized outdoor learning opportunity? Girls can further develop skills at stand-alone events which focus on specific outdoor fun activities including: Outdoor Cooking, Archery, First Aid/CPR, Geocaching, Letter Boxing, Outdoor Games & Songs, Backpacking, Bicycling, Astronomy with NASA, High Ropes & Climbing, and more. Check out gssem.org/calendar for more information about these events hosted by communities throughout the Council. Outdoor Skills Adventures Ready to put your awesome outdoor skills to the test at an Outdoor Skills Adventure? In these series, girls meet multiple times to prepare and have the opportunity to venture out and test their skills. Backpacking, Bicycling, and Astronomy with NASA will each be offered as its own series in 2016. Also, see page 6 to find out how these adventures will be offered at Summer Camp! Outdoor Skilled Adults, Program Aides, and Counselors-In-Training GSSEM is looking for those with experience in outdoor skills to run one activity at any of these Outdoor Skills events. Your commitment is as big or as small as you want it to be! Volunteer opportunities are available for a one-day event or a series! If you would like to share your enthusiasm for the out-of-doors with girls by facilitating an activity at an outdoor skills event, please contact Renee Allen, Director of Community and Outdoor Education, at [email protected] or (800) 482-6734, ext. 2432. 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 5 Outdoor Skills Adventures at Camp Hawthorn Hollow Summer Camp! Astronomy with NASA Brownies - Sky Explorers with NASA Juniors - Star Detectives with NASA Cadettes - Extreme Night Owls with NASA Seniors & Ambassadors - Galaxy Investigation with NASA Girls will have the opportunity to participate in NASA programming, learn about the night sky and its objects; learn observation techniques, sky stories, tools and technology, astronomy crafts & games, and learn to use a telescope and receive loads of inspiration. The program was created from the “Train the Trainer” Education Outreach Program of the Near Infrared Camera Team for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (University of Arizona in Tucson). Backpacking Juniors - Backpacking Adventurer Cadettes - Wilderness Backpacking Girls, along with trained and experienced backpacking adults, will be able to prep and experience a true pack-in / pack-out backpacking trip on the back trails of Camp Hawthorn Hollow property. For the first two days, with guidance from their experienced camp counselors, the group will stay in the villages and prep for their trip. The group will hike out on the back trails of camp on Tuesday where they will “primitive camp” for two days and two nights with pop-up tents. During these two days, girls and adults will cook food over a campfire, perfect some outdoor skills and learn new ones, practice Leave-No-Trace, and have loads of fun! They will return to main camp on Thursday and be able to swim, shower, clean and put away their equipment, and join the rest of the camp for dinner and the closing campfire. More Outdoor Skills throughout the year! 2016 GSSEM outdoor education highlights include: • Outdoor Education one-day events & series • Summer Camp with Equestrian sessions • Core Camps • Troop Camping with Add-Ons • Day Camps • Equestrian Day Camps • Community Camps 6 | COMPASS Want even more opportunities to gain outdoor skills? GSSEM is also providing opportunities for girls to complete an entire Journey in one weekend at many of the Core Camps so that girls are better able to qualify for Gold and Silver Awards. Check out all outdoor experiences in this edition of COMPASS find the experience that is right for you! The Camp Playfair Scenic Camp Playfair is located in Lexington, Michigan on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron and offers troops a uniquely different troop camping experience. Nestled in the woods along the quiet Lake Huron shoreline, Playfair offers a scenic setting, hiking trails, woods to explore, and a private, sandy beach for enjoying the sunrise, two GaGa Ball Pits, two tether ball games, and new Nature Center. Camp Playfair is open for Troop Camping every weekend from April 29 - Oct. 14. (A-Frames close Oct. 2). Weekday rentals in the summer are also available. Lodging options at Playfair: Ringler Cabin ($200 per night or $400 per weekend) • Sleeps up to 24 people on bunk beds • Common area with couches • View of Lake Huron • Large outdoor grassy area in the back for games • Fire pit with picnic tables • Full kitchen • Bathroom with flush toilets and showers Trillium Ridge Cabin ($100 per night or $200 per weekend) • Sleeps up to 12 people on bunk beds • Common area with couches • Full Kitchen • Bathroom with flush toilets and shower • Fire Pit with picnic tables A-Frames (Aspen, Birches and Fern Dust) ($60 a night or $120 a weekend) • Sleeps up to 12 people on cots • Bathrooms nearby with flush toilets and showers • Cooking is on campfire • A-Frames have electricity Outdoor Training is required for troop camping. See page 10 for more details on Troop Camping. NEW TH IS ! E Y AR EVEN MORE Programming opportunities available for Troop Camping at Camp Playfair! 2016 offers even more programming and activities designed to enhance troop camping experiences! GSSEM has a new partnership with Camp Cavell, located on Lakeshore Drive just south of Camp Playfair. Camp Cavell will offer various activities to enhance the troop camping experience. All activities are held on Camp Cavell property and must be booked directly with Camp Cavell. To find out more about available program offerings and to book, contact Amy Meeker-Taylor at [email protected]. 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 7 Hawthorn Hollow Troop Camping Rental Information Camp Hawthorn Hollow is 330 acres of wetlands, forests and fields located between Richmond and Marysville, Michigan in Columbus Township. Miles of beautiful hiking trails, a pond for nature study, two amphitheaters, and a picnic pavilion for activities are nestled in the woods. Hawthorn Hollow has a volleyball court, baseball field, soccer field, and a sports shed full of sports equipment. Pick-up games available are Gaga pit, tetherball, and 4 Square. All Cabins: $500 per weekend Maple View • Sleeps 22 on bunk beds • 18 in main room, four in side room • Full kitchen (stove, oven, refrigerator, double sink) • Lounge area with couches • Tables and chairs • Bathrooms with flush toilets •Deck • Outdoor fire pit with picnic tables • Shower house nearby Trillium • Two story • Sleeps 28 in rooms of four each with bunk beds • Full kitchen (stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, sinks) • Lounge area with couches and foosball table • Covered deck with picnic tables • Three bathrooms with flush toilets and showers (Two downstairs and one upstairs) Linden, Beech Tree • Sleeps 32 on bunk beds—28 in main room and four in side room • Larger kitchens than other cabins (refrigerator, stove, oven, double sink) • Bathroom with flush toilets • Shower house nearby • Outside fire pit with picnic tables 8 | COMPASS White Pine, Witch Hazel, Ash Grove, Birch Tree, Shady Oak • Sleeps 32 on bunk beds—28 in main room and four in side room • Full kitchen (refrigerator, stove, oven, double sink) • Bathroom with flush toilets • Shower house nearby • Outside fire pit with picnic tables Villages ($260 per weekend) Otsikita, Metro, Fairwinds, Waterways • Each village contains five semi rustic mini cabins that sleep four people each on cots. • Each mini cabin has one main light (no electrical plugs) • Each set of two villages share a screened in multi-purpose room with two refrigerators, charcoal grills, flush toilets, sinks and electrical plugs • Each village has its own fire circle with picnic tables • Villages are available for rental April 29-Oct. 2 Tent camping is available upon request, in warm weather. Tent Camping is $6 per girl. Please e-mail Camp Director, Mary Beffa at [email protected] to set up a tent camping experience. 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 9 Troop Camping Information and Program Add-Ons What is Troop Camping? Troop Camping is all about girls and adults working together to plan out the optimal weekend at Hawthorn Hollow. Troops that want to camp together can rent either cabins, villages, or bring their own tents and go tent camping. With troop camping, girls plan their own meals and troop adults provide programming and experience everything that Hawthorn Hollow has to offer all year long. Troops pay a per-building price and are in charge of providing all meals and activities for the stay (Add-Ons are extra). Troop campers have access to many of the property’s free amenities, including: • Hiking Trails • Volleyball court • Baseball field • Soccer Field • GaGa pit •Tetherball • 4 Square • Sports shed full of sports equipment • Two Amphitheaters • Picnic Pavilion • Pond for nature study (swimming is prohibited in the pond) Visit gssem.org/calendar for available Troop Camping dates. 10 | COMPASS Add-On Programing available for Troop Camping at Hawthorn Hollow Add-Ons provide the group hands-on programming facilitated by experienced camp staff. Choose From: • Campfire, S’mores, & Songs • Arts & Crafts • Animal Tracking •Orienteering •Geocaching •Letterboxing •Archery • Low Ropes/Teambuilding • Night Hike/Stargazing • Pool (availability based on when pool is open for the summer season) • Outdoor Sports – activities vary by season Each activity is approximately two hours and is $5 per girl. Minimum of 10-person groups. Contact the Camp Director, Mary Beffa, at [email protected]. Add-Ons are booked on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to staff availability. Outdoor Training is required for Troop Camping Training for staying in a cabin at Hawthorn Hollow or Camp Playfair Outdoor 1 Training: Trip and Camp Readiness is required. This self-paced, online training covers topics related to trip and camp readiness, including day trips, and overnight cabin camping. Training for staying in a Village at Hawthorn Hollow or an A-Frame at Camp Playfair Outdoor 2 Training: Camping Beyond the Cabin is required. This self-paced, online training prepares volunteers to take girls on camping trips when girls will be sleeping out in platform cabins/tents, A-Frames, or backpacking with tents. It provides introductory skills necessary to support teaching girls how to build campfires and cook in an outdoor setting. Both of these trainings can be found online at gssem.org. Click the Volunteer tab at the top of the page and select the Training tab on the left. 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 11 Hawthorn Hollow Core Camps A core camp is an all-inclusive weekend camp experience for Girl Scouts. Each core camp has a theme based on the Journey or badges the girls will be earning. Core Camps are planned by the camp director and led by weekend GSSEM camp staff. Core Camps are open to troops with adult/girl ratio and girl/adult pairs. Troops will be sharing cabins with other Troops and should be prepared to make new friends. The per-person price includes meals, lodging, a core camp patch, and any badges or Journey the girls earn that weekend. In addition to the Journey or badges earned, every Core Camp participant will receive a Core Camp patch for the back of their vest of sash. **Teen Retreat – For information on activities options to choose from including badges, go to the calendar of events at gssem.org/calendar. 2016 Core Camp pricing $80 per person (girl or adult) Daisies can choose a one- or two-night stay. A one-night stay (from Saturday at 7:45 am until Sunday at noon) is $65. Daisy Troops - Be sure you are registering for the correct Daisy option. General Core Camp Overview Friday • Arrival between 6-8 pm • Snack in your cabin • Self-guided activity provided in your cabin • S.W.A.P.-making in your cabin Saturday •Breakfast • Activity Rotations •Lunch • Activity Rotations •Dinner • All-camp evening activity with snack Sunday • Closing Ceremony •Breakfast • Pack up and check out by 1 pm Camp meals are served in the dining hall by trained food service staff. Special considerations are available for campers with dietary needs or allergy concerns. Please contact the Camp Director, Mary Beffa, at [email protected] after registering for an event if your child has food allergies. 12 | COMPASS 2016 Core Camps by Scout Level Level Name Date Daisy Flower Friends March 11-13 Blooms, Books & Butterflies May 13-15 Soaring Scouts December 2-4 Brownie Frozen Fanatics February 26-28 Camp Friends April 1-3 Outdoor Explorers May 6-8 Adventure Trails September 30- October 2 Outdoor Explorers April 1-3 Outdoor Quest October 14-16 Junior You Snow Girl! February 19-21 Camp Habitat April 8-10 Garden Girls May 20-22 Camp Rangers June 24-26 Outdoor Agents of Change October 21-23 C.S.I. – Camp Scene November 4-6 Investigation Cadette Just Breathe March 4-6 Twilight Trails May 13-15 Teen Retreat November 11-13 Senior/ A Mission for Justice February 5-7 Ambassador What Bliss April 22-24 Teen Retreat November 11-13 Badge/Journey Received Journey - Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden Journey - 5 Flowers, 4 Stories, 3 Cheers for Animals Journey - Between Earth and Sky Journey - Wow! Wonders of Water Journey –World of Girls Badges - Outdoor Adventurer, Letterboxer Badges - Hiker, Letterboxer Badges - Outdoor Adventurer, Letterboxer Journey - Brownie Quest Journey - Get Moving Badges - Animal Habitats, Camper Badges - Gardner, Camper Badges - Flower, Camper Journey - Agent of Change Badges - Animal Habitats, Detective Journey - Breathe Badges - Night Owl, Trees Activity Options Your Choice** Journey - Mission Sisterhood or Justice Journey - Sow What or Bliss Activity Options Your Choice** **Teen Retreat – For information on options for activities including badges, go to the calendar of events at gssem.org/calendar. 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 13 Dear Camper and Parent: Summer Camp is a safe setting where girls are free to be more and dare to try new things. At camp, girls routinely: • Learn new skills and challenge themselves; • Develop healthy relationships and learn to work well with others; • Feel empowered to make a difference in the world; • Gain a better understanding of cooperative and team-building skills; • Appreciate and protect their natural surroundings. Camping at Hawthorn Hollow provides girls hands-on interactions with the great outdoors while providing ample opportunities to make friends and memories that will last a lifetime. Every camp activity is focused on the three keys to Girl Scout leadership: Discover, Connect, and Take Action. This ensures girls leave camp feeling empowered to make a difference in their school and community. We look forward to seeing you this summer! Mary Beffa Camp Director What is Summer Camp? Camp Hawthorn Hollow’s Summer Camp offers traditional and theme-based activities tailored to each girl’s Scouting level. Girls can come to camp as individuals or with a buddy for a themed four or six-day program. Each program will have activities based on their chosen theme along with traditional camp activities like: •Archery •Swimming • Tie Dye • Camp Arts & Crafts • Campfire and S’mores • Low Ropes • High Ropes* • Climbing Tower/ Zip Line* • Teambuilding Activities • Sports and Games •Hiking •Gardening • Camp Songs *These activities have age restrictions. Summer Camp Sample Daily Schedule 7:45 am Flag 8:00 am Breakfast 9:00 am - noon Activity Session Rotations Some Ranch Campers off site at stables 12:30 pm Lunch 1:30 pm Rest Hour 2:30 - 5:30 pm 6:00 pm 6:45 pm 7:30 pm 9:00 pm 10:00 pm Activity Session Rotations Some Ranch Campers off site at stables Dinner Free Time All Camp Activity Closing Flag Ceremony and Cabin Reflections Lights out Summer Ranch Camp— It’s all about the horses! At Ranch Camp girls will spend half of each day at a local Equestrian Center learning all things horses from hands-on ground lessons on horse care to progressive mounted lessons that will help girls develop their skills. When not at an Equestrian Center, girls will have opportunities to explore the fun of summer camp and engage in additional camp-related activities. NEW FOR 2016! Choose either Western or English style of riding! The basics of Western and English riding styles are very similar. One is not more difficult to learn than the other. Becoming proficient in either style takes time, dedication, and practice. There are primary differences between the two styles: A Western saddle is a bit larger and is known best for the saddle horn. An English saddle is smaller and designed to give the rider closer contact with the horse’s back. The main difference in riding is that in English riding, the rider uses a direct rein (one rein in each hand), while in Western, the rider uses neck reining (both reins in one hand). One style is not better than the other because they are both trying to accomplish different things. Beginner riders would be fine trying either style on their first time in lessons! Where are the horses housed? Girls will be accompanied by their camp counselors to one of two equestrian centers in our local community: Red Tail Acres Equestrian Center in Richmond or Rattle Run Farms in St. Clair. Our Ribbon Program challenges riders of any level and any age! Our six level ribbon program provides structured and uniform goals for all riders no matter the session or facility. Each girl will be placed in a level appropriate to their riding ability (determined by their riding instructor). At the end of the week, girls will receive a Ranch Camp patch, and progression card for the level they entered that session. At the end of the week girls will be evaluated on horsemanship, equitation, and horse knowledge, then receive a ribbon for completion or a certificate for a partial completion of a level. 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 15 Summer Camp 2016 Sessions at Hawthorn Hollow Session Dates Brownie Junior Session 1 June 27-30 (Mini Week 1) Session 2 July 10-15 Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Budding Artist Sky Explorers w/NASA Session 3 July 17-22 Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Splash! Center Stage Session 4 July 24-29 Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Splash! Budding Artist Western Ranch Camp Session 5 Aug 7-12 English Ranch Camp Twist and Shout! Cadette Senior/Ambassador Trail Mix 1 Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Camp H2Ohhh Backpacking Adventurer Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Star Detectives w/NASA Art-rageous Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Camp H2Ohhh Lights, Camera, Action! Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Sweet Tooth Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp On Belay Waterlogged Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Waterlogged Wilderness Backpacking Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp On Your Mark… Extreme Night Owl w/NASA Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp On Your Mark… Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Outdoor Leader Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp CIT I (2-week program) Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp CIT I (2-week program) CIT 2 (1-week program) Western Ranch Camp English Ranch Camp Galaxy Investigation w/NASA Trail Mix Mini Session Available for girls at all age levels and of various camping experience. In this 4-day/3-night session you will be able to enjoy many favorite camp activities and maybe try out a few new ones! Brownie Programs Budding Artist Badges earned: Painting, Hiker Painting, drawing, pottery making, and jewelry making— all with a camping twist! This program is for all levels of artists. Twist and Shout! Badges earned: Fair Play, Dancer No formal dance experience is required as this is a fun, get-your-wiggles-out kind of session for girls of all abilities. Splash! Badges earned: Fair Play, Home Scientist Enjoy pool games, pool parties, water-themed crafts and water-based science experiments. Spend half of each day poolside. Center Stage Badges earned: Fair Play, Dancer Work with the other girls in your group, alongside a camp staffer with an acting background, to develop your own play and put on a performance at the end of the week for the entire camp! Sky Explorers with NASA Earned: NASA patch, Astronomy Outdoor Skill patch Learn the basics of Astronomy, have a star party, and stay up late to observe the night sky through a telescope. See page 6 for further information. Junior Programs Camp H2Ohhhh Badges earned: Camper, Staying Fit Spend half your day poolside as you make new friends, learn new pool games and create memories to last a lifetime. Sweet Tooth Badges earned: Simple Meals, Camper Work alongside the camp kitchen staff and test out your baking skills, and make delicious treats for all the campers at camp. Try making some candy and coming up with unique sweet creations. Lights, Camera, Action! Badges earned: Musician, Playing the Past Learn the tricks of the trade from a camp staff member with an acting background. Work with the other girls in your cabin to design and preform a play from your imagination. Art-Rageous Badges earned: Drawing, Jeweler Drawing, painting, jewelry making, camp crafts and more! Learn about art from all around the world and try your hand at creating art using different mediums. Star Detectives with NASA Patches earned: NASA, Astronomy Outdoor Skill Learn the basics of Astronomy, have a star party, and sleep out under the stars to observe the night sky through a telescope. See page 6 for further information. Backpacking Adventurer (min. 6 max 12) Patches Earned: Camper Badge, Backpacking Outdoor Skill patch See page 6 for further information on this program. Cadette Programs On Belay Badges earned: Trees, GS Way Spend half of each day out on our adventure course. Challenge yourself on the Climbing Tower, high ropes, low ropes, and two zip lines. Water Logged Badges earned: Science of Happiness, Cadette First Aid Pool games and sports, water Olympics, new friends and tons of fun in the sun are all a part of this adventure! On Your Mark Badges earned: Field Day, Archery Learn and perfect your archery, climbing tower, high ropes, and low ropes skills. Then learn and follow an outdoor compass course. Spend your nights cooking over a campfire. Extreme Night Owls with NASA Earned: Night Owl Badge, Astronomy Outdoor Skill patch, NASA patch Learn the basics of Astronomy, have a star party, and sleep out under the stars to observe the night sky through a telescope. Wilderness Backpacking (min. 6 / max 12) Earned: Trailblazing Badge, Backpacking Outdoor Skill patch See page 6 for further information on this program. CIT II - Counselor in Training II Seniors or Ambassadors interested in mentoring younger girls in a specific program area of camp as they build their skills toward becoming camp counselors should consider pursuing this GSUSA national award. This session builds on the CIT 1 program. CIT 1 is a prerequisite to participation in CIT 2. Galaxy Investigation with NASA Earned: A special NASA patch and an outdoor skill builder patch for Astronomy. Learn the basics of Astronomy, have a star party, and sleep out under the stars to observe the night sky through a telescope. Senior/ Ambassador Outdoor Leader Learn about the advanced principals of “leave no trace,” create outdoor shelters and learn about the camp environment. Then use your new skills to teach the younger campers. CIT I - Counselor in Training – mandatory 2 weeks Seniors or Ambassadors interested in mentoring younger girls in a camp setting can earn this GSUSA national award. Build skills in working with younger girls! 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 17 Check out the NEW & IMPROVED Trading Post! The Trading Post is Camp Hawthorn Hollow’s camp store and it has new items best fitted for your stay at camp! It has Camp Hawthorn Hollow clothing, camp wear, camp equipment, and even personal necessities that may have been forgotten. Items range from $5-$45. Money for the Trading Post can be deposited when registering for camp. This enables campers to make purchases without the worry of handling money. The money is deposited in each girl’s name on a GSSEM gift card during a camp session. Any money left over will be returned on check-out day on a GSSEM gift card. (Average deposit is $25). Every camper coming to Summer Resident Camp will receive a Summer Camp T-shirt and Summer Camp patch per each session they attend. The Unplugged Challenge Campers are busy from sun up to sun down and because we cannot provide protection from the elements and natural surroundings, we strongly suggest that all iPads, iPods, MP3 players, and any electronic devices be left at home. Electronic devices brought to camp are at your own risk. Camp Hawthorn Hollow and GSSEM are not responsible for damage or theft. Digital cameras and cell phones are allowed. Cell phones will be kept with counselors and campers will have approximately 20 minutes a day to use them. However, in an emergency or as necessary, parents can always contact the Camp Director, Mary Beffa, who can put them in contact with their camper right away. Campers who do not bring cell phones and those who do, but do not use them, will earn a special “I Unplugged at Camp” patch. 18 | COMPASS Camp Hawthorn Hollow Summer Camp Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) When does registration open? Registration is open right now! Go to gssem.org/calendar for program offerings. Who can attend Summer Camp? Any girl entering grades 2-12 in fall 2016, and graduating seniors can attend Summer Camp. If she is not currently a Girl Scout, go to gssem.org, to register as a Girl Scout, and then proceed to register for camp. Girl Scout membership is $15. What are the required forms? You will receive a confirmation email with links to the required forms once you register for Summer Camp. All required forms for Summer Camps are located at gssemcamps.org/forms. Can my camper come to camp with a buddy or friend? We love to see new faces at Camp Hawthorn Hollow! Of course, a buddy can be requested! Only one buddy at a time and buddies must be attending the same session, same program, and be the same Girl Scout level. We are not able to accommodate multiple buddy requests or multiple girl level buddy requests due to session and sleeping limitations. Do campers get to choose their activities? Yes, by choosing her camp session theme, she is choosing her activities. Camper activities will be based on the program that they are attending. Additional activities may be decided on by the cabin group once the campers are at camp. No camper will be forced to do any activity that they don’t want to do. What are the sleeping arrangements? All campers attending Summer Camps live together in groups based on the program they are attending and their age. Our campers live in cabins that have bunk beds, a full kitchen, and bathrooms with flush toilets. A shower house is nearby. Campers participating in the backpacking program will be staying the first two nights and the last night in the villages with cots and bathrooms next door. The backpackers will hike the camp trails with packs to the primitive site and will be staying two nights in pop-up tents as a group. What are the drop off and pick up times? For full week sessions, campers arrive on Sunday afternoon and depart on Friday afternoon. For the Trail Mix mini session, campers arrive on Monday afternoon and depart on Thursday afternoon. Refer to your camp registration confirmation for exact times for your session. What if my daughter has special needs, disabilities, or dietary restrictions? Can you accommodate her? Girl Scout camp is for all girls and we would like your daughter to have a safe a fulfilling camp experience. To help us provide the best possible camp experience for your daughter in regard any special needs, disabilities, mobility limitations, dietary restrictions, or severe food 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 19 allergies, please contact the Camp Director, Mary Beffa, at [email protected]. You can discuss with her the nature of your camper’s needs and determine if the camp can provide the proper support, supervision, and make the necessary accommodations for your camper to have a safe, fun, and fulfilling camp experience. What does my camper need to pack for her stay at camp? Please refer to the packing list located in the Summer Camp Parent Confirmation Packet located at www.gssem.org/forms. In the forms search field, type: Summer Camp Parent Confirmation Packet. Does my camper need a physical? Camper physicals are not required, however, the health section in the Camp On-Site Check-In Packet must be filled out by the parent and the immunization history must be attached. What are the meals like? Our meals are prepared by our professional food service staff and served in our dining hall. All meals provide a variety of food that is both healthy and kid friendly. Campers will also have some meals in their cabin and will participate in one cook out meal per week. Visitors We invite camp families to visit during the scheduled Summer Camp Open house on June 12 (see page 2). This event is free and open to everyone. Come and view the facilities, meet the camp staff, and participate in some fun camp activities. You will also be able to see your camper at camp on opening and closing days during drop off and pick up times. During Summer Camp all campers are busy in activities all day. For this reason, it is not convenient for parents/friends to visit during the summer camp. Problems can develop when some campers have visitors and others do not. We thank you for your cooperation in considering the best interests of all campers and not visiting camp during the week. Parent-Camper Communication Post Mail: Everyone loves mail, especially campers away from home. The easiest way for your camper to get mail, (with no cost to you) is to pre-write letters to your camper and drop them off in the camp office on check-in day. Make sure that you write your camper’s full name, their session name, and the day that you want each letter given to her. You may also drop off packages as well. E-mail: Send your camper up to one e-mail per day at [email protected]. Campers will get them after lunch each day. Please do not send pictures. We cannot accommodate printing them. Campers cannot respond to e-mail. Blog: Each day of Summer Camp one of our camp staff will post a blog about the day’s events. This helps parents stay connected and see what’s happening at camp. Blogs may contain pictures and/or stories, but we cannot guarantee pictures or stories about every girl. Shutterfly: Every day we have a staff member who will be taking pictures around camp. Each evening these pictures will be posted to our Shutterfly account so that you can view them. If you have a Shutterfly account, you can share the pictures with your account and then print the pictures you want. Health & Safety The Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan Council ensures the highest standards of health and safety as set forth by the Girl Scouts of the USA, the State of Michigan, and local regulations. Your camper’s safety and health are our first priority and all programs are planned and staffed according to these standards. Camp Hawthorn Hollow is private property owned and operated by The Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan, where our summer program provides a safe environment under guidance and supervision of trained and caring adults. Each program maintains a girl-to-adult ratio appropriate to Girl Scout of the USA and state requirements. A Health Supervisor is on duty at all times during the camp sessions to supervise the health and safety of all campers and to dispense all prescribed medications. Our Health Supervisor is supported by the on-call services of a local physician and emergency medical care. Due to federal regulations, medications must be given to the Health Supervisor upon check in and they must be in the original prescription bottle to verify accurate dose and prescription. If dosage has changed, a medical note from the prescribing doctor must accompany the prescription. Non-prescription medications must also be in the original packaging and will be given based on the instructions provided on the health forms. In the event of a health emergency, parents/ guardians will be contacted immediately to ensure the highest level of care. Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan has a “no-nit” policy regarding head lice. Upon arrival, campers go through a health check to ensure the health of all campers. If a camper is found to have nits, she cannot stay at camp and may not return until she is nit-free for 24hours. If the family is unable to bring the camper back that week, we will work with the parents to make arrangements for her to attend another available program. Camper Behavior & Emotional Health Our camp is a bully-free zone. Our staff are trained in conflict resolution, bullying prevention, and homesickness. We know that being away from home is an emotional step for some girls and parents. In the event of a severe situation, parents/guardians will be notified. Site Safety Our camp is completely fenced in with only three points of entry. Two of the entries have locked gates at all times and the front gate is closed in the evening until morning. Visitors must check in with supervising personnel. Staff are trained in the event of unapproved visitors on camp property. Staffing Our staff consists of adults who are carefully screened and selected for their ability to work with children in an outdoor setting and for their past experiences, program skills, leadership skills, and maturity. All staff must pass a strict hiring process which includes a thorough background screening, personal interview, employment and past employer checks, and a review of Girl Scout and camp experiences to ensure that they are a perfect fit for our camp. All staff must believe in the Girl Scout Promise and Law and have good communication and behavior management skills. Our summer staff receive in-depth two-week pre-camp training. All summer staff are certified in AED, First Aid, CPR or higher as well as an epi-pen training. Only certified staff direct the pool, high adventure, horseback riding, healthcare, and food service areas. Summer ranch camp equestrian instruction is facilitated by trained staff at Girl Scout approved stables located close to Camp Hawthorn Hollow. 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 21 Paying for Resident and Ranch Camp Registration is open right now! Current and prospective Girl Scouts go to the GSSEM online Calendar of Events at www.gssem.org/calendar, click dates desired, and it will link to register. For assistance or questions with registering, contact Customer Care at 1 (800) 482-6734 ext. 4. Summer Camp is open to all girls. If not currently a Girl Scout, go to gssem.org to register as a Girl Scout, then proceed to register for camp. Girl Scout membership is $15. Cashew Cash and Cookie Dough Cashew Cash and Cookie Dough can be used as payment for all types of camping experiences, including summer camp. Use the paper GSSEM Program Registration form and include your Cashew or Cookie Dough card number along with amount being paid by the card. The GSSEM Program Registration form can be found at gssem.org/forms. Camperships and Financial Assistance Any registered Girl Scout who wishes to attend camp, but is unable to pay the entire fee, may apply for financial assistance to cover a portion of the cost. Financial assistance consideration is based on several factors, but is needs-based. Please apply for financial assistance if this will make attending camp a reality for your girl. The Camp Financial Assistance Application can be found at gssem.org/forms. Refunds and Cancellations For facility rentals and troop camping: Refunds for cancellations (minus a 25% cancellation fee) are available when requested in writing (email is acceptable) no later than 15 days in advance of the arrival date. After this no refunds of any amount will be issued. For Summer Camp, Ranch Camp, and Core Camps: Refunds for cancellations (minus the non-refundable $50 deposit) are available when requested in writing (email is acceptable) before the registration deadline of your camp session. After this date no refunds of any amount will be available except in the case of medically documented illness or injury that prevents your child from attending. Refunds will not be made in the case of alterations in activities due to weather or due to early release of a camper or for loss of time at camp for medical or behavioral reasons. Core Camps Weekend program $80 per person (girl and adult) Daisies can choose a one- or two-night stay. A one-night stay (from Saturday at 7:45 am until Sunday at noon) is $65. Daisy Troops - Be sure you are registering for the correct Daisy option. Summer Resident Camp Session 1 mini session Sessions 2 - 5 Tier 1 - $320 Tier 1 - $480 Tier 2 - $240 Tier 2 - $360 Ranch Camp Sessions 2 - 5 Tier 1 - $640 Tier 2 - $520 (This includes base camp price plus $40 riding/care lesson per girl per day for four days (M-Th)) Troop Camping Troop Camping Pricing ranges from $100 per night to $500 per weekend depending on the accommodations and camp property you choose. For more information visit gssem.org/calendar and pick the dates that interest you! 2016 Guide to Camping & Outdoor Education Programs | 23 Outdoor Enthusiasts Wanted GSSEM is looking for those whose love for the out-of-doors matches their love to help girls discover their potential! Adults, Cadettes, Seniors, or Ambassadors, If you ever wanted to come out to camp for a day and play, we’d love to have you! Your commitment is as big or as small as you want it to be! Volunteer opportunities (and service hours for girls) are always available. If you would like to share your enthusiasm for the out-of-doors with girls, please contact Renee Allen, Director of Community and Outdoor Education, at [email protected] or (800) 482-6734, ext. 2432. 3011 W. Grand Blvd. Fisher Bldg., Suite 500 Detroit, MI 48202 www.facebook.com/gssem www.twitter.com/gssem www.youtube.com/gssem1 www.pinterest.com/gssem www.instagram.com/gssem Camp and Education Outdoor Conta Camp Reg istration Q cts: Sylvana Le uestions: e-Smith, R egistration (313) 870-2 Associate 549 slee@gsse m.org General C am p Questio Mary Beffa ns , Camp Dir ector (810) 720-9 042 mbeffa@g ssem.org Camp Pla yfair Que stions Jeff Gratta n, Camp P layfair Ran (313) 590-1 ger 929 jgrattan@ gssem.or g