Camp Frequently Asked Questions REGISTRATION How do I register my Resident Camp camper? Registration opens November 27, 2017! The last day to register for resident camp is Wednesday, May 31, 2018. No exceptions. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. 1. Visit www.gskentuckiana.org. 2. Log into MY GS. 3. Find your session on the Activity Calendar. 4. Click the link on the activity description page. 5. Follow the prompts on CampDoc.com to complete your registration. My camper is not a Girl Scout. Can she still come to camp? Not a member of Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana? No problem! Visit www.gskentuckiana.org/join to become a member and follow the steps to complete your registration. Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. 1. Visit www.gskentuckiana.org. 2. Log into MY GS. 3. Find your session on the Activity Calendar. 4. Click the link on the activity description page. 5. Follow the prompts on CampDoc.com to complete your registration. What is the last day I can register for Resident Camp? Registration closes Wednesday, May 31, 2018. No exceptions. What is the payment deadline? All payments must be made by Wednesday, May 31, 2018. No exceptions. A non-refundable deposit of $60 per camper is due at the time of registration. Camp fee balances are due in full by Wednesday, May 31, 2018. No exceptions. If payment is not received by this date, unfortunately your camper will be removed from the camp roster, your deposit will be forfeited, and her spot will be offered to a camper on the waitlist. I m an adult who is attending Glamp Like a Girl Scout with my gal pal. Do I also need to register? Yes, both girls and adults will need to register for the Glamp Like a Girl Scout sessions. The cost is $125 per person. Is financial assistance available? The Joyce Seymour Leadership Fund is dedicated to providing leadership opportunities for girls gained through the outdoor experience. Opportunities supported by the fund include resident camp and other GSK outdoor adventures. Applications and instructions are available on the GSK website: www.gskentuckiana.org/jslf. In order for your application to be considered and funded, your application must be received at least one month prior to the resident camp session start date. If you have not done so already, please register your camper for the camp session and pay the $60 nonrefundable deposit to hold her spot. Please note that the Joyce Seymour Scholarship Fund does not cover this deposit.
How can I use Kentuckiana Credits to pay for resident camp? Did your Girl Scout or troop earn Kentuckiana Credits during the MagNut or Cookie Programs? Put those Kentuckiana Credits to good use! Some sessions fill up quickly. If you plan to pay with Kentuckiana Credits but have not received them yet, reserve your spot with a $60 deposit and then pay the balance due with your Credits later (deposits cannot be paid with Kentuckiana Credits). A troop can also fill out a Kentuckiana Credits Swap Form to be reimbursed for payment, and both troops and individual girls can use the credits to pay their balance in any of our five Girl Scout Shops. My camper was placed on the Waitlist. What now? Girls who register for already-filled programs will be placed on a waitlist for their program choice(s). When registering, the $60 deposit must be paid to hold that spot on the waitlist. If space becomes available, girls will be selected on a first come, first served basis, and notifications will be sent by email. Parents/guardians must respond to the notice of placement, letting Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana know if their girl can or cannot attend the camp session. If a girl is not placed in the camp session from the waitlist, a full refund, including the $60 deposit, will be processed. The $60 deposit will not be refunded if you decide to remove your camper from the Waitlist before Wednesday, May 31. Can I transfer my camper to another camp session? If your camper can no longer attend the original registered camp session, we will do our best to transfer her to an available session; however, there are no guarantees. If the price of the session is different, then you are required to pay any price difference needed. The deadline to request a transfer is two weeks prior to the first day of each camp session. Do you offer discounts for Resident Camp? Sign up by these dates and get these awesome discounts: November 27, 2017 ONE DAY ONLY! Cyber Monday 25% Off November 28, 2017 December 31, 2017 20% Discount January 1, 2018 March 31, 2018 10% Discount Please note: Discounts do not apply to CIT 1 session. What happens if I have to cancel? Do I get a refund? We would like to encourage you to transfer your camper to another session, so she can have the experience of summer camp. However, we understand that things come up, and you may need to cancel altogether. Partial Refunds (camp fee minus the $60 non-refundable deposit) will be made if: A written notification of cancellation is received before Wednesday, May 31, 2018, or The camper does not attend due to illness, injury, or other unforeseen medical circumstance. A doctor s/official statement is required. No prorated session fees or refunds will be made for early departures from camp, campers considered no shows (those who do not attend and did not give advance notification of cancellation), or for those who are asked to leave because of behavior issues. Can I register my camper for any unit? This summer, units are designed by Girl Scout level to promote Outdoor Progression. Progression allows girls to learn the skills they need to become competent in the outdoors. You may register your child for any unit within their grade level. To promote outdoor skill progression, we have designed our units to be grade-level specific. Our sessions also have been created to see a progression of skills for each grade-level throughout the summer. This is to make sure that no matter what grade-level, each girl will be in a unit that will help them progress in their outdoor skills regardless of their skill level when they arrive at camp.
I d like to request a buddy. Can my camper be in the same unit as her friend or sister? We allow campers to request one buddy at resident camp. If your camper wants to enjoy the adventure of camp with a friend, both girls must request each other. Buddies must be registered for the same session. We will do our best to place them in the same cabin, but there are no guarantees. We do not house campers of significantly different ages in the same units and will not grant buddy requests for campers in different grade levels. Campers have many opportunities to mingle with campers of other grade levels and will be able to see a sister or friend daily, even if they are not placed in the same living unit together. Can my troop register together and be in the same unit? Girls within a troop must register individually. We allow campers to request only one buddy at resident camp. We will do our best to place them in the same cabin if they are registered for the same program and are of the same grade level, but there are no guarantees. What health forms do I need to submit? Your camper must have a physical dated within 12 months of the registered camp session, immunization records, health insurance card, and signed orders for any prescriptions/medications uploaded to CampDoc before she arrives at camp. LIFE AT BEAR CREEK AQUATIC CAMP Where is Bear Creek Aquatic Camp? Bear Creek Aquatic Camp 4736 Barge Island Road Benton, KY 42025 Located near Benton, KY, this 183-acre, Bear Creek Aquatic Camp sits on the shores of Kentucky Lake. Nestled on Girl Scout Bay on scenic Kentucky Lake, Bear Creek Aquatic Camp has a little something for everyone. Is transportation provided to and from camp? Transportation is not provided to and from Bear Creek Aquatic Camp. We do encourage you to coordinate with other members of your troop or area to organize carpooling options. What is living at camp like? Bear Creek Aquatic Camp is a rustic camp property. Campers of the same Girl Scout level live in groups called units, and each unit has four or five screened-in cabins. Girls sleep in cabins of 4 8 campers. Cabins are equipped with ceiling fans, however, if you would like to bring a personal fan, make sure it is battery powered, since there are no guaranteed power outlets in the cabins. Each unit has a latrine with a combination of flush and pit toilets, along with an outdoor sink with potable water. There is also a pole light in the latrine area for nighttime safety. Adult counselors do not sleep in the same cabin as the campers, but will have their own identical cabin located within the unit. There is a shower house in the main camp area with private stalls. Seniors and Ambassadors might have the opportunity to sleep in hammocks in an open-air, covered unit that is only a short walk to the shower house. Girls will participate in Kapers and hopping during their stay at camp. Kapers are chores girls share while attending camp, modeled and taught by camp staff as a lesson on caring for their environment and their camp surroundings. Kapers may include upkeep and cleaning of their cabin area, setting tables, cleaning the dining hall, cleaning the shower house, and picking up trash. Proper health and safety procedures are used in completing kapers.
Do you provide a packing list? A packing list will be provided to registered campers in the springtime. All luggage and personal belongings must be plainly marked with the camper s name. What type of bathing suit should I pack with my camper? We highly recommend you send your camper with a single-piece swimsuit. Due to the nature of activities at camp and the large number of hours spent in the sun, we want to make sure to protect your camper as much as possible, and that includes recommending the safest swimwear. What is the staff like at camp? Bear Creek Aquatic Camp is run by well-trained, enthusiastic, and caring individuals from western Kentucky and across the country. Counselors and camp staff are enthusiastic, caring, and supportive. They are selected based on their experience, ability to be strong role models, and their genuine desire to work and live by the Girl Scout Law. All counselors and camp staff are required to pass a background check upon hire. Staff complete a 2-week training prior to the first day of camp and are certified in First-Aid and CPR. Our counselors are trained facilitators in programs like archery, teams course, and sailing. Additionally, certified lifeguards supervise all aquatic activities. Many staff hold additional certifications that will ensure campers are provided with the best care possible! Do counselors sleep in the same cabin as my camper? Per GSUSA guidelines, counselors will sleep in a separate, nearby tent or cabin within the same unit as your camper. What if bad weather happens during camp? Our activities are dependent upon the weather. In the case of bad weather (lightning, thunder, heat, and high winds), it may become too dangerous to continue with the activity. The decision to cancel an activity due to bad weather is left up to the discretion of the Camp Director and staff. Alternative activities will be provided like arts and crafts or indoor games. What will my camper eat? Nutritious, well-balanced meals are served family-style in Honeybee Lodge. Girls may also have the opportunity to plan and cook a meal outdoors. Please make sure to include any dietary restrictions in your camper s health history on CampDoc.com at least one month before camp. These will be taken into consideration for meal planning for your girl s stay at camp. If you have any questions about specific dietary needs, please contact Maggie Peake, mpeake@gskentuckiana.org. Can you accommodate my camper s dietary needs? Our kitchen staff can accommodate most dietary needs, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, and nut-free diets. To ensure the safety of your camper, please contact Maggie Peake, mpeake@gskentuckiana.org with any dietary restrictions or allergies at least one month before camp. We are happy to coordinate alternative food options, if possible. Can my camper bring additional food/treats to camp? So not to attract critters and insects, please do not send any snacks or candy to camp. Food is not allowed in the sleeping areas. If you have any questions about specific dietary needs, please contact Maggie Peake, mpeake@gskentuckiana.org.
Is there a camp store? Yes! The camp store, or Trading Post, has lots for sale, including water bottles, t-shirts, and many other fun items. The Trading Post will be open for parents and girls during check-in and check-out of each session. Girls will also have the chance to visit the Trading Post during their session. Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana is not responsible for lost or missing money. We recommend purchasing a GSK Gift Card prior to arriving at camp as this eliminates the need for loose cash. All money is held at the Trading Post. Please note that the Trading Post does not stock any food, candy items, or postage stamps. The Trading Post accepts cash, credit, check, Kentuckiana Credit cards, and GSK gift cards during check-in and check-out. If you would like to leave funds for your camper to use during her session, they will be transferred to a GSK gift card to eliminate the handling of loose cash during summer camp. We will send your camper home with her gift card if there is a remaining balance at the end of each camp session. No cash refunds will be given for GSK gift cards with remaining balances. This gift card can be used at any PLC Gift Shop in the council. Can my camper bring her cell phone to camp? We do not recommend that electronic devices, such as ipods, ipads, computer notebooks or tablets, cell phones, etc. be brought to camp. Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana bears no responsibility if your camper brings electronics to camp and something is lost or broken. If electronics become a distraction to your camper s or other campers experience, or are used in inappropriate ways, your camper may be asked to leave camp. How can I communicate with my camper? We have found that the best method of communication for campers and their families/friends is not via phone, but with written methods. Below is a list of approved communication options: CampGrams: CampGrams allow you to easily send messages to your camper. You may sign up for CampGrams on CampDoc. To participate, you create the message, and we print and distribute them to campers daily. The option is comparable to a postage stamp without having to wait at the post office only $0.50 per CampGram! Best of all, any remaining CampGram credits at the end of the session will roll over the next session or to the following summer. Mail: Mail may be sent through USPS or dropped off with a staff member during check-in. Please label envelopes: Phone Calls: Camper Name BCAC Session Name 4736 Barge Island Rd. Benton, KY 42025 o Parents: At any time, parents/guardians can call the GSK Volunteer Care Team with questions or concerns about your girl. If you have an emergency, you will be able to speak to your girl on the phone as soon as possible. o Campers: As with many resident camps, Bear Creek does not provide girls general access to phones during their stay. However, there are circumstances in which we find it appropriate for a phone call home, such as for injury/illness, the Camp Director will call the person listed as the emergency contact first, and then determine if it is appropriate for the camper to speak with their emergency contact. What if my camper misses home? We want your camper to have the best possible experience at Bear Creek. Some girls miss home, whether it is their first or fifteenth time away from home. Attending camp is a wonderful developmental step for your girl and with a little coaching from you prior to her departure and from our counselors while at camp, almost all girls will overcome homesickness. Our camp staff is trained to help each girl get the most out of her camp experience, including what
to do when homesickness strikes. Here are some things you can do at home to help prepare your camper for being away from home: Involve your girl in the preparation of camp. Help her as she packs her suitcase and rolls her sleeping bag, making sure everything is labeled with her name. Let your camper experience being away from home with overnight visits with her friends, family, or Girl Scouts Troop. Send CampGrams or leave pre-written letters for her while she s at camp. Avoid statements in your letters that may make her feel guilty for being away from home. Mention goals for camp like making friends, doing a cannonball, or learning a skill that she can share with you after camp is completed. Campers feel the emotional burden of anxious parents. Speak positively about camp. You are setting her up for success! Avoid negative statements like, Rover won t have anyone to play with. What will I do without you around the house? I m going to miss you so much. Try instead, Rover is going to love hearing all the new songs you ll learn, and I can t wait to hear about your cookout. Maybe you can teach me some new campfire foods! Assure her that you will be back to pick her up on closing day. Avoid planning special family events that she will miss out on while at camp. Avoid pick-up deals, such as saying, If you miss home, just call and we will pick you up! We help campers empower themselves to handle emotions in a healthy way and will happily coach a camper through her homesickness. But it is easy for campers to fixate on pick-up deals and not enjoy the fun around her. Can you accommodate my camper s medical needs? We strive to accommodate all campers and ensure your girl has a safe and positive camp experience, but this is only possible with advance notice. We strongly encourage parents/guardians to be as thorough as possible when completing your camper s health profile on CampDoc. Please contact Maggie Peake, mpeake@gskentuckiana.org if your camper has any physical, emotional, dietary, or medical needs at least one month before camp. Does staff screen for head lice at check-in? All campers will be checked for head lice during the check-in process by the Health Supervisor. If a camper is found to have evidence of nits or lice, she is not permitted to be left at camp by parents. Please check your camper leading up to the first day of camp to allow time for treatment of your child should it be needed. Visit www.headlice.org for a resource. If your camper is found to have evidence of nits or lice, we will do our best to place her in a future session, only if she is properly treated. The payment for your session will be applied to a future camp in the summer, if a spot is available. If we are unable to make that accommodation, or you decide not to place her in a future session, you will receive a refund, minus the $60 deposit. What if my camper takes prescription medications? All prescription medications must be in their original containers with instructions clearly labeled. With permission from the camper s parent/guardian and physician, we administer prescription medications to the person named on the label according to the directions written on the pharmacist s label on the bottle. Self-administering medications, such as rescue inhalers and Epi-Pens, must be clearly labeled in original containers and checked, documented, and cleared by the Health Center Supervisor upon check-in. Self-administering medications will be allowed to stay with the camper s group at the discretion of the Health Center Supervisor. As a precaution, campers should bring two rescue inhalers.
Should my camper pack over-the-counter medications? There is no need to bring over-the-counter medications as the Health Center stocks most of these medications. Parents will be asked to upload a permission form on CampDoc to determine which, if any, over-the-counter medications the Health Center may administer to your camper during her stay at camp. What sort of safety precautions do you take at camp? Staff are trained to anticipate and respond to most situations that might arise at camp, including: Injuries and Illness Fire Emergencies Inclement Weather Waterfront Emergencies Stranger(s) on Camp Property Lost Camper In addition, we contact local fire department/police/coast guard to provide emergency response as needed. Girls and staff together practice emergency drills at least once during each session. If your girl is on camp during an emergency, families will be notified by phone as soon as it is safe to do so. Girls should come to camp prepared for all types of weather. Camp is open rain or shine, and programs may be modified in extreme weather conditions. Is Bear Creek Aquatic Camp accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA)? Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana and Bear Creek Aquatic Camp are proud to be accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA) and meet its high standards for program design and activities, site and food service, transportation, facilities management, health and wellness, operation management, and human resources. COUNSELOR IN TRAINING I What is the CIT I Program? Counselor In Training I is back this summer and will help girls learn what it takes to become a camp counselor and find the leader within! The program focuses on responsibility, program goals, contemporary issues, leadership styles, child development, outdoor living skills, group dynamics, conflict resolution and interaction with campers all while enjoying traditional camp activities. Who can apply for CIT I Girls what have completed 10th grade or are 15 years of age or older may apply for the CIT I program. Twelve girls will be accepted into the CIT I program on a first-come, first-served basis and must attend the entire CIT program session. To be considered for CIT I, reserve your spot with a $60 deposit, and complete the application posted on the GSK website as soon as possible. All applications received by Wednesday, May 31 will be considered, and your family will be notified within two business days from submission if you are accepted into the CIT I program. Do you offer a discount for the CIT I Program? Discounts do not apply to CIT I session. How long is the CIT I Program? The CIT I session is 13 nights. Girls must attend the entire CIT program session.
What happens after my Girl Scout completes CIT I? CIT II builds on what you learned in CIT I, in part around the leadership goals that you ll set for yourself. Acceptance into the CIT II program includes an application and interview process. CIT II is excellent preparation for the Junior Counselor program! What are the benefits of being a CIT? Do you dream of becoming a camp counselor? CIT I is the first step in learning what it takes to find the leader in you! Identify fun with a purpose and the benefits of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Perform and teach the outdoor skills necessary for living at camp. Increase your ability to manage groups effectively Go beyond learning activities to creating high-quality experiences for girls that will help them be leaders in their lives. Learn more about camper development how younger girls develop physically and emotionally.