Camper Packet
We are so excited you are joining us for a summer of fun at our camp properties! It’s going to be a great experience. Be sure to read through this information so you feel prepared to arrive at camp and have a fun, safe and fulfilling time while there. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please reach out to us at info@girlscoutsp2p.org or by calling 800-672-2148. We can’t wait to see you soon!
Summer time is here! Are you ready?
We are thrilled to hear that you have registered for one of our summer camp programs. We’ve packed each week full of fun, friends and adventure, and we can’t wait to share it with you. You’ll have the opportunity to do your favorite camp activities like archery, swimming and boating. My hope is that you will also take this time to try out something new this summer and explore all that the great things the outdoors has to offer.
Get ready for summer camp 2024- our best one yet!
Jennifer Wilcox, CEO
MEET THE TEAM
Helpful Tips for Preparing Your Camper
Your camper is going to have a great time making new friends and experiencing new adventures, but that doesn’t mean that she might not miss home every now and then. Here are some helpful tips for making sure your camper feels prepared for their time at camp:
• Be sure your camper feels comfortable with self-care, such as taking a shower independently, brushing teeth and hair daily, putting on deodorant, etc. Our camp staff will do morning check-ins with the campers to make sure they have what they need each day, including clean clothes. A great way to help with this- especially for younger girls- is to put each day’s clean clothes in Ziploc bags that are clearly labeled.
• If this is your camper’s first time away from home, have a conversation about homesickness. Homesickness is natural. Create a plan with your camper for what they will do if they become homesick. Some ideas may be to write a letter home, tell a counselor or try to be a friend to someone else that may be feeling homesick too.
• Have a conversation about camp readiness in general. Has your camper stayed away from home before with no issues? Is she comfortable trying new things or being in new places? Is your camper open-minded to new experiences and meeting new people? Does your camper know what to do if they have a problem at camp? Is she comfortable pitching in on different tasks?
• Camp readiness is just as important for the parent. Are you ready to be away from your camper for multiple days without checking in? Do you trust our camp staff to keep her safe? These are all great questions to ask!
Day at Camp
Each morning of camp includes a flag ceremony, followed by breakfast.
Campers will participate in both morning and afternoon activity sessions. This could include anything from boating and swimming to arts and crafts to session-specific programming.
After lunch, campers will have the opportunity for some quiet time- whether they actually rest or just take time to read, journal, draw, etc. on their own.
Campers gather for a nightly dinner in the dining hall and then participate in evening activitiesmaybe an all-camp campfire or group games- before starting their nightly bedtime routines.
You can find Summer Camp FAQs on our website at www.girlscoutsp2p.org/en/camp/summer-camp-opportunities.html.
Check-in and Check-Out for Resident Camp
• Check-in happens on the first day of the session. Check-in times are assigned by program grade level. If you are dropping off multiple campers in different grade levels, please drop off at the time slot for your youngest camper.
Brownies (rising 2-3 grade): 1-2 p.m.
Juniors (rising 4-5 grade): 2-3 p.m.
Cadette (rising 6-8 grade): 3-4 p.m.
Senior/Ambassador/CIT/RIIT (rising 9-12 grade): 4–5 p.m.
• Your camper’s luggage will be delivered to the unit she is staying in. Adults may accompany their camper to the unit to help set up her bunk but should plan to depart promptly to allow our program to begin and free up space in the parking area.
• If you plan to walk into camp with your camper, please wear appropriate footwear and be aware that you will be traveling on gravel roads and unpaved trails. Keyauwee Program Center is fairly flat, but there are significant hills at Camp Ginger Cascades and Camp Pisgah.
• Check-out is at 4 p.m. on Wednesdays for mini camp sessions and 4 p.m. on Fridays for full week sessions. Parents are invited to attend a Closing Ceremony promptly at 3:45 p.m. on check-out day.
• The trading post will be open during check-out for campers and their families.
• The person picking up your camper must show a photo ID and be listed as an authorized pick-up person on your child’s Medical Form.
• Early Pick-Up: If you need to pick up your camper early, this is not a problem. Please let camp staff know during check-in.
Camp Ginger Cascades
2090 Scout Road Lenoir, NC 28645
828-758-5321
info@girlscoutsp2p.org
Camp Reminders
Keyauwee Program Center
2574 Sweetbriar Road Sophia, NC 27350
336-861-1198
info@girlscoutsp2p.org
• Please make sure that you have completed your pre-camp paperwork before dropping your camper off. Paperwork can be completed in your Campwise account (where you registered your camper). This is where you can let us know about any special dietary needs, medications and medical conditions or significant life events, such as the death of a pet or family changes.
• All medications must be in original packaging and turned in during the health screening. This includes all over-the-counter medications, even vitamins and topical creams. We also can only dispense medication according to the labeled directions unless we receive a note from your physician.
• If your camper is sick for more than 24 hours, has a high fever, gets an injury that requires advanced treatment or if the health supervisor has concerns about their condition, you will be contacted immediately.
• Campers are covered by supplemental insurance for accidents and sickness that may occur while participating in activities; pre-existing conditions are not covered.
Camper Mail
All campers love mail! We recommend dropping off mail at check-in so your camper receives a letter in the first few days. Packages are allowed, but not encouraged, except in special circumstances (e.g. camper’s birthday). Please do not include high-value items or food and candy in packages. If your camper would like to send letters home while she is at camp, we suggest you send her with pre-stamped and addressed stationery.
Cell Phone and Electronics
Summer camp is an opportunity for girls to be unplugged from normal, everyday devices and experience the magic of camp without the influence of technology. Girls are not allowed to have cell phones or other communication devices on camp property. However, if an issue arises or in cases of extended homesickness, camp staff will contact you and allow you to speak with your camper.
Camper E-mail
Parents and family members can also e-mail their campers during their time at camp. To use this one-way e-mail service, e-mail p2pcamper@girlscoutsp2p.org. In the subject line, include your camper’s name and their program grade level (e.g. Juliette Low, Junior, 4th grade). E-mails will be printed off at 11 a.m. daily and given out with the day’s mail.
Camper Photos
You can view photos of your camper while they are away at camp through our photo service, Waldo. To enroll in this free service, scan the QR code or text GSCP2P2024 to 735-343.
Meal Times
All meals and snacks are provided at camp. Meals are communal, family-style experiences supervised by staff. We strive to make all meals tasty, balanced and camper-friendly and will share weekly menus with families at check-in. We employ a kitchen team of trained chefs and helpers who prepare all food from scratch. Accommodations are made for dietary restrictions (vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, etc.). We do not encourage “try it bites” or “clean plate club,” but rather allow campers to eat what and how much they like. Alternatives like sunbutter and jelly sandwiches and cereal are always available in addition to the primary meal. We are a nut and shellfish free facility and are happy to accommodate all food allergies.
Camp Songs
If you are excited to get into the spirit of camp, you can learn our favorite camp songs with our song book!
Visit wp.me/pa8fyg-Yt for silly song fun. Campers will also receive a copy of the 2024 Camp Song Book to take home with them.
Packing List
�Sleeping bag or blanket, twin-size sheets
�Pillow
�Shirts and shorts/pants for each day
�Long sleeve T-shirt or rash guard
�Jacket/sweatshirt
�Pajamas
�Underwear for each day, plus one extra
�Socks for each day, plus one extra
�Closed-toed shoes
�Sports sandals (with a thick sole and back strap) or water shoes
�Hat/sunglasses (with strap if needed)
�Sunscreen
�Bug Spray
�Raincoat/poncho
�Swimsuits (2)
�Pool/lake towel and shower towel
�Toiletries and carrying case, including shampoo and other hair care products, soap or body wash, toothbrush & toothpaste, hairbrush and hair ties/clips, deodorant and feminine hygiene products
�Day pack/small backpack
�Dirty laundry bag
�Flashlight
�Mess kit/plastic dishes/utensils
�Water bottle
�Medications in original packaging with camper’s name on it
Horse Camp Packing Items
�Long pants: Long pants are required for campers when participating in horse activities. Some suggested options for long pants include cotton or yoga-type leggings or riding pants. Jeans can restrict movement, but are also appropriate for riding.
�Boots: Circle C Equestrian Center has boots that campers can borrow, but many girls like to have their own. The important safety feature to look for is a mostly smooth sole and a small flat heel. Boots to avoid are any kind of fashion boots that have zippers running up the inside of the leg, chunky sole hiking boots and rubber rain boots.
�Riding Helmets: Only ASTMSEI-approved riding helmets are provided for campers. If a camper has their own riding helmet that they would like to use, they may bring it with them, but our staff will inspect for suitability and appropriate fit.
WHAT NOT TO PACK FOR CAMP:
ACA Accredited Properties
Physical safety is important to Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P), and we take safety very seriously in every way. Besides the carefully chosen and well-trained people who run things, our camp programs at Camp Ginger Cascades, Keyauwee Program Center and Camp Pisgah are accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). With the ACA’s and the state of North Carolina’s guidance and our decades of experience, our camps ensure all the best safety protocols and procedures are in place. Knowing everything is safe means we can focus on fun. Our staff also go through extensive precamp training including how to deal with sensitive issues that may arise. These include (but are not limited to) self-harm, eating disorders and bullying. If these issues arise, the camp staff are trained to facilitate a conversation and the camp director will contact you to discuss your camper’s situation.
Diversity & Inclusion at Camp
GSCP2P is the place where all girls can belong and thrive. Each girl can be herself as she discovers her strengths, develops courage, confidence and character and makes the world a better place. We are committed to creating an environment where all girls and their families, volunteers and professional staff can participate, learn and grow together. We value diversity and inclusiveness and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, marital status, familial status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, national origin, physical or developmental disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We are committed to a welcoming and inclusive environment for all girls and their families, and we strive to ensure our members have safe spaces to learn, grow, take healthy risks and make new friends while being themselves and feeling affirmed and respected for who they are. We humbly acknowledge that we do not have all the answers on our journey toward diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). However, our commitment is unwavering. We are dedicated to learning and growing together as an organization and as a community to foster a more inclusive world. We recognize that this path may be challenging, but it is essential for progress, and we invite everyone to join us in this ongoing endeavor.
Property Rules
No outside visitors are allowed while camp is in session. Vehicles are not allowed past the camp check-in location without permission from the camp staff. A parking lot is available at the entrance of camp for all guests. All our properties are tobacco, alcohol and smoke free. This includes cigarettes, vaping, chewing, etc. Firearms and ammunition are not allowed on the site except for on duty law enforcement officers or other officials as authorized by the council. Pets are not allowed on site (unless they are a certified service animal).
More Girl Scout Fun
Learn what camp has to offer year-round at www.CampLikeAGirl.org.
Check out upcoming events and programs listed on our calendar!