Recently in Camp Category

This is a great time of year if you work for Girl Scouts, because you have the opportunity to get outdoors and ready for camp.   It is always the highlight of my year, as I get to spend time working on things to enrich the girls' summer camp experience.   Some of the projects are in the early stages, others are not quite underway, but we'll get there. 

At this time of year, I like to check with the rangers to see what wildlife we have on our properties.   So far this year, we have had three rattlesnakes on three of the four camps.   The only camp we haven't seen a rattler on yet is Kamp Kiwanis.  

Last year Kamp Kiwanis had a rattlesnake, which is fairly unusual and likely the result of their habitat being destroyed with the tornado.   A few years ago, when we timbered Camp Humming Hills, the guys working on the timber project said they saw a jaguar with two cubs.   Recently, Wanda Smith, the ranger's wife was on the property and saw two jaguars.   They are incredibly elusive, to see them would be a tremendous gift, as their range is huge.  

In an effort to document our wildlife, we will be putting in some trophy cameras.   They take photos of movement, even at night.   They do that with an infrared flash, so they don't spook the wildlife.   I'm hoping we will have some fun and education about what lives at the camps when we aren't around.

We have one zip line installed at Kamp Kiwanis, and some of the board members took their fiduciary responsibility seriously and tried it the afternoon before the annual meeting.   We are intentionally installing the zip lines at girl level, and if they enjoy them, then we will look at putting more in higher places.   Right now, we have the test line in, and once we figure out how that works, we will install a few at Camp Scoutshire Woods.  For girls waiting to use the zip lines, since there's always a line at such things, we have a slack line, much like a balance beam made of a narrow tape between two trees.   It's the new hot thing on college campuses.

Paul Wright, the ranger at Kamp Kiwanis spent a large chunk of his time this winter clearing out the trees between the Pioneer Unit bathhouse and the lake to build a beautiful new dock for the sailing program.   This will keep the sailboat traffic and canoe traffic separate.   We also have more stand-up paddle boards headed to both Kamp Kiwanis and Camp Scoutshire Woods.

Summer Resident Camp information is now up on the web sitefor you to see.  With two amazing camps and many different sessions (including sessions focusing on horseback riding, swimming, boating and traditional camp), there is sure to be camping experiences that are right for your Girl Scout or troop.

We have Mom & Me sessions this year, two for Daisies and one for Brownies so our littlest Girl Scouts can bring a special female grown-up with them to camp.

We are also offering troop camping this year at Kamp Kiwanis. Bring your troop  and two leaders and set your own agenda and pace. We will provide archery, canoeing, arts and crafts directors and even do most of the cooking for you! You can also participate in many of the regular camp activities.

Yes, this is the  time of year that we start planning for summer camp.   It is important for the camp directors to get their plans nailed down so we can get the properties ready for the summer ahead.  Last year we saw a significant decrease in the number of girls attending resident camp, which we hope will not happen again this summer.

I had someone call and suggest we do an abbreviated session for Brownies.   We do offer abbreviated sessions for Brownies; in fact, we have one that includes moms!   Our initial camp registrations last year  were ahead of what they had been the year before.   But, as time went along, both resident camps had fewer girls.   I speculate some of this is from troops saving their funds to go on significant trips this summer.   We have a number going to Rock the Mall in Washington, D.C., and many traveling to Savannah.   Another problem for summer 2012 is the Montgomery School District isn't out of school until much later in June.  Because of these factors, we will reduce the number of camp sessions at both properties from four weeks to three weeks.   Given the number of girls we had last summer, I don't anticipate this will create any issues.   In fact, it should make for better sessions.   Both camp directors have new ideas on how to improve the programs.   They are both working to integrate the new materials from the Girls Guide to Girl Scouting in their programs.   We hope to have more information for resident camp available earlier this year and can't wait to see you at camp next summer! 

Come join the Fun! Learn to sail and have an AWESOME time. This program is to teach girls to grow in confidence, courage, and character through the skills of Sailing! Out of council Girl Scouts welcomed! Any girl 6^th grade or higher (C,S,A), who can swim 50 yards, and loves the water!

The weekends will cover introduction to sailing and sailing safety for the class 1 sailors, while more experienced (those who have attended Summer Sail Away or past weekends) will learn more advanced skills to possibly move to a higher class.

All other classes will be grouped by the level of experience each sailor has had. All classes are taught basic water rescues, parts and rigging a sail boat, points of sail, weather, knots and hitches, and navigation.

Class 1- Beginners Single Sailing and safety (tandem)

Class 2- Intermediate Sailing Open Water (tandem & single)

Class 3- Dingy Sailing (Mainsail, Jib,)

Class 4- Sloop Sailing (Flying Scot,)

Max. Enrollment 24 girls, Leaders come and help where needed

Cost: $35.00 per person attending 

For more information check out the specific weekend info:

October 21-23, 2011

May 4-6, 2012

I was at camp yesterday, getting paid to watch girls learning to use a stand up paddleboard, sail or archery. It was wonderful to see girls push themselves out of their comfort zone to try new things. The weather was beautiful, and girls were enjoying the outdoors, away from their electronics.  And guess what?  They were all having a great time!  They were talking to each other, face to face -- what a wonderful thing.  As times change, we have technology and all sorts of things that consume our time.  It's important to remember, though, that trying new things and talking to your friends, makes the best summer memories!

We have had the chance this summer to spend time at both Camp Scoutshire Woods and Kamp Kiwanis watching those who attend have a great time!   We have seen the girls do fun things like learning to ride on horseback and mastering the intricate balance of a stand up paddle boat.    Because of a successful cookie sale, we were able to purchase a number of new boats, paddleboards and other equipment to enhance the camp experience for our girls. 

Although in February our camp numbers were ahead of where they were last year, when it came time for camp, the number of campers actually declined from last year.  We have been wondering why this has happened, and ask that, if you have ideas or suggestions, please let us know.  We assume many girls are saving their cookie bucks for 100th anniversary trips, but we are trying to determine if there are other things we can do to attract more girls to camp.  Kamp Kiwanis has five air-conditioned buildings, so beating the heat is easy to do.   There is a new camp director there this year Dana Jones, who is a familiar face to many and an experienced service unit manager from Citronelle.   The focus of that camp is aquatics, archery, environmental awareness and science.   Anna Marie Phelps returned as the long-time camp director at Scoutshire Woods.   Last year they built a huge teepee, and this year they intend to build a larger one.   We had open slots in the Camp Scoutshire horse camps, which is a very unusual thing, so we are wondering how to increase our enrollments.  If you have thoughts or suggestions, please let us know at communications@girlscoutssa.org.   Thanks.

Camp Scoutshire Woods is in need of a wonderful nurse, who would love to be at camp for a week or two! Dates needed are: June 19-June 24, and/or June 26-July 2. You have the option to be paid staff (pay is modest) or you can volunteer as the camp nurse, and bring one camper (daughter/granddaughter) free for each week that you volunteer. We are looking for an RN, LPN, or emergency first responder licensee. Other positions open are:

• Boating Director/counselor 17 years or older

• Lifeguard/counselor 17 years or older

• Assistant to Horse Director 17 years or older, experienced in working with children and horses

E-mail Woody at pbjk@peanutbutter-n-jellykids.com  
 
Kamp Kiwanis is also looking for nurses. Dates needed are: June 19-June 24, and/or July 3-8. You have the option to be paid staff (pay is modest) or you can volunteer as the camp nurse, and bring one camper (daughter/granddaughter) free for each week that you volunteer. We are looking for an RN, LPN, or emergency first responder licensee.
Additional volunteer opportunity:

• Kitchen Assistant: if you volunteer for a week you can bring a camper for free

E-mail Bossy at kiwanis@girlscoutssa.org

We are offering four additional fun Resident Camps at Kamp Kiwanis this summer -- click on the session title to check them out!

Mom and Me Camp: July 3 - 8 (Daisy, Brownie, Junior)
Ever wanted to go to camp when you were a girl and didn't get a chance?  Maybe your daughter really wants to try summer camp but doesn't want to try it without you.  Here's your chance.  Come spend your Fourth of July holiday at Kamp Kiwanis on beautiful Lake Martin.  Moms and girls will get a chance to experience all the fun of  kamp including arts and crafts, swimming, canoeing, riding in the banana boats, experience the magic of the last campfire and have many other adventures.  Best of all...you can do it together.

Mom and Me Camp Short Term: June 26 - 29 (Daisy, Brownie, Junior)
This session is the same as our regular mom and me camp session just on a smaller scale.  If you want to have the camp experience, but you don't want to stay the week try this camp session. You'll still get to try all the fun things at camp such as swimming, canoeing, arts and crafts and banana boating; and you'll get to share the experience together.  Come and see how much fun summer camp can be.

You Can't Do That At Camp: June 26 - July 1 (Cadettes)
If you want to come to Kamp but not leave the fun stuff home this is the Kamp session for you.  Not your traditional Kamp session, but with all the traditional camp fun.  In this session you'll do all the traditional kamp activities including swimming, canoeing, campfires and much more but....bring your stuff to camp with you.  In this session you can have your iPods and mp3 players and other electronic stuff (no cell phones please).  We'll raid the kitchen for a late night snack and watch a late night movie or two. Come enjoy camp with a twist!

Alumnae Weekend - July 1 - 3
This is your chance to come back to camp and have the enjoy some of the experiences from "the good ole days".  Come in late Friday and stay up late visiting with old friends and make some new ones.  On Saturday, we will do a project to improve camp and then spend the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying some of your old favorites.  Have a campfire on Saturday night and head out Sunday morning.  Some of the camp fee will go toward making improvements at camp.  There are a minimum number of campers, so bring your friends.
Who: Girl Scout Alumnae over the age of 18

So, here we are sitting around feeling like we've accomplished a lot.  The camp information is up, cookie sales are going well, the Thin Mint Sprint planning is coming right along ... and we get a call that the camp info that is up is from last summer!  

Certainly, that can't be, we thought.  So many of us have looked at the camp page and had a piece in getting the information out.  Certainly, not one of us realized it was last year's camp booklet.  

Well, that's the case.  For those of you who looked at the camp info over the last week and were busy planning out your summers around the sessions, we apologize.  The 2011 programs will be posted tonight, and we're so sorry for any confusion this created.

The plus side? If you were excited about the 2010 programs, just wait to see what's really in store for 2011!

Are you a nurse who like the outdoors?  Does your daughter want to attend camp for free?  Kamp Kiwanis is looking for nurses for summer resident camp. We need one registered nurse per week, June 13-July 8, 2011, to serve as camp nurse.  Duties include dispensing medication to campers, assisting campers who are ill, etc.  In exchange for your time volunteering, your daughter will be able to spend one week at Kamp Kiwanis free of charge. If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact Dana Jones, Kamp Kiwanis resident camp director, at djones@girlscoutssa.org.