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General Information and Reservations
Planning a Troop Overnight? Get Trained.
GSEMA offers many outdoor training opportunities—for a variety of levels and experiences— throughout the year. Our number one priority is to ensure safety of our members, so everyone has fun. Troop camping requires one volunteer who has completed Outdoor Basics or Troop Camping Training, and another adult certified in First Aid and CPR (FA/CPR). The outdoor trainings are a sequence and must be completed in order by the aspiring camping trained volunteer, beginning with Online Overnight Orientation. Note: FA/CPR sessions are offered separately. • Learn more with our Camp Learning Plan. • This Outdoor Progression chart will help you and your Girl Scouts gain outdoors skills.
How to Reserve a Site
Service Unit Coordinators and Encampment Directors:
Please submit an online request form to reserve a camp property for an encampment per the following dates: April 15: Opening date for encampment reservations between September-January November 15: Opening date for encampment reservations between February-August
Girl Scout Troops:
Site reservations will be available to all Girl Scout troops 10 business days after opening day for encampment reservations. To reserve a property, visit our Troop Camping page and click "Reserve Now" in the drop-down menu of the desired camp property.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Written notice of cancellation must be received six weeks prior to your date to receive a refund. Troops that want to postpone a reservation due to low enrollment and reschedule must give four weeks notice in writing in order to transfer payment to a new date in the current Girl Scout year (October 1–September 30).
When to Check In and Check Out
Friday or Saturday check in for an overnight is typically between 4-7 PM with check out the following morning at 10 AM. Saturday or Sunday day use check in begins around 11 AM. Please refer to your camp confirmation packet for specific check in/out procedures.
Facility Rental for Non-GSEMA Troops
All campsites are available for rental by non-GSEMA troops, and are expected to be well-supervised and must abide by all Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts policies and procedures for camping and site use. Groups must also present a Certificate of Liability Insurance for a minimum of $1,000,000 with its reservation prior to secreting a camp site. For more information, please email customercare@gsema.org.
Sleeping Accommodations
A twin-sized mattress pad is available for each guest. Please refer to each property’s facility chart for an overview of a unit’s sleeping accommodations. Some units offer mattress pads on the floor, while others offer mattress pads on a simple metal bed frame
(cot) or on a bunk bed. Facilities that offer a separate room for leaders will have mattress pads on a cot or a bunk bed.
Medical Emergencies
Medical emergencies are the responsibility of the troop/group leader. A certified First Aider with a first aid kit is required for each troop using the site. Please refer to your camping confirmation packet for GSEMA Emergency Procedures instructions to report an accident or illness, and for local emergency numbers with directions to the nearest hospital.
GSEMA Volunteer Policies and Procedures
• Smoking, Alcohol, Drugs, and Weapons
Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and weapons are not permitted anywhere on GSEMA property, including transportation to and from GSEMA properties, alone or in the presence of girls; when carrying out a
Girl Scout program, including meetings in private homes; or otherwise volunteering on behalf of GSEMA.
• Pets
Pets are not permitted for any reason.
Please do not try to keep any found wildlife (e.g., frogs, birds, etc.) as pets.
• Valuables
GSEMA is not responsible for personal equipment (i.e., sports equipment, pocket knives, electronics, vehicles, musical instruments, etc.) brought to camp.
• Community Living/Consideration
Camp quiet time in camp is 10 PM. Groups are expected to reduce noise levels and if taking night walks to respect the rights of other campers by avoiding areas directly adjacent to tent or cabin sites. Consideration of other campers at all times during your stay is appropriate Girl Scout behavior.
Service Projects
If you have an idea for a service project at a GSEMA property, please email customercare@gsema.org with a rough outline of your plan. All projects must be approved before implementation.
