The Girl Scout outdoor program is designed to provide girls with a progression of activities. Girls are encouraged to select age-appropriate outdoor activities as part of their broad Girl Scout program. Leaders may work with consultants and/or trained volunteers to assist them in the delivery of the outdoor program. An outdoor meeting, a hike around a meeting site, and backpacking are equally appropriate outdoor activities depending on the age, readiness and skills of the girls. Leaders/advisors must refer to the Safety Activity Checkpoints when planning activities in the out-of-doors. Troops who plan to camp and cook out-of-doors must have: a volunteer that is a Nation’s Capital camp-qualified adult, (the process begins with Cookout & Campout training), as well as a First Aider with current First Aid/CPR certification.
An overnight camping experience is planned and carried out by a troop and its leaders. Troops may camp on Nation’s Capital camp properties by submitting the Campsite Reservation Eligibility Form (each year) which makes the troop eligible to access the campsite reservation system.
Council must be notified using the Troop Overnight and Travel Approval Form when: a troop goes camping on a non-Council site for two or fewer nights, goes on a day trip outside of DC, MD, VA or WV, and all trips outside the continental United States. For trips of 3 nights or more and international trips, approval is contingent upon the receipt of the trip itinerary, roster, budget, copy of rental agreements and/or contracts with facilities and/or vendors.
Service units, associations or teen groups typically sponsor large group camping experiences. Encampments are planned by volunteers and girls within the sponsoring group and provide program opportunities as designed by the sponsoring group. Encampments are typically held in the fall and early spring. Encampment sites may be on our camp properties or non-Council campsites. Information and applications for service unit encampments on Council sites are posted on our website in the fall for spring camps and in the spring for fall camps. www.gscnc.org/suencampments.html
Core camps are weekend camping events in which the programming and meals are provided by a teen troop. Activities are designed to acquaint leaders and girls with program resources and the opportunity to explore the out-of-doors in a more structured setting. Various events are held in the fall and spring for all grade levels. Core Camp information is published on our website. www.gscnc.org/core_camp.html
Summer Sleep Away Camp is a sustained camping experience ranging from three days to two weeks, based on the age of the girls. Participation is by individual girl. Girls from all parts of the camp on our campsite under the guidance of carefully trained counselors. Girls form units based on their selected program themes and participate in activities related to that theme as well as “traditional” Girl Scout camp activities. Sleep Away camp information is distributed in January. Chapter 7: Camp and Outdoor Programs page 72