Parent Central / FAQs

Q: When is the deadline to register for camp?
A: Registration closes two weeks prior to the session start date. If a session is full, consider adding your Girl Scout to the waitlist. The waitlist is reviewed on a continual basis and you will be notified more than one week prior to the start of the camp session regarding the status of your registration. 

Q: I'm unsure if my Girl Scout is ready for overnight camp. What other camping options does Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania offer?
A: We offer several camping options, including Troop Camp, Family Camp, and a Me and My Girl Scout Weekend. To learn more about our summer weekend offerings, view our Camp S’more magazine—arriving in mailboxes by the end of January. We are also offering Day Camp at Camp Redwing and Camp Hawthorne Ridge for Daisies and Brownies (select weeks).

Q: Who can go to camp?
A: Girl Scouts is for every girl... and you don't even need to join a troop. Simply become an Individually Registered Girl Scout—Indie Girl—and enjoy all of the activities, programs, and projects that make Girl Scouts so much fun—including camp!

Q. Is financial assistance offered for camp?
A: Girls can earn funds to help pay for camp by participating in our Cookie and MagNut programs, and financial assistance is available to cover one council-sponsored camp per membership year. To request financial assistance, complete the Financial Assistance Form.

Q. What are the sleeping arrangements at overnight camp?
A: Our overnight camps living units include: 

• Rustic Cabins with screen door and windows
• Platform tents with cot style beds
• Lodges with bunk beds

Unit assignments are determined by the Camp Director and based on capacity and session needs. Your Girl Scout(s) will find out their unit assignment at check-in. Each living unit has bathroom facilities. 

Q: I am interested in bringing my troop to Troop Camp. What training is required?
A: Volunteers heading to camp with girls for troop camping are required to complete Outdoor Skills Training and CPR/First Aid Training. See our Adult Training page for more information. Adults accompanying girls to Family Camps aren’t required to have these trainings.

Q. What safety guidelines are in place at camp? 
A: All camps meet established standards for health and safety, site maintenance, program, and personnel, which are set by state and local governments and Girl Scouts of the USA. All GSWPA camps are ACA accredited, for more information please review ACA Accreditation. In addition, all camps have a qualified Camp Nurse on-site and a health center stocked with first aid equipment. Camp staff are trained on safety and emergency procedures. Each unit and program area has a stocked first aid kit.

Q: What are the meals like at camp?
A: Our food service staff at resident camp prepare a variety of pleasing and nutritious meals appropriate for children. Three well-balanced meals and one afternoon snack are served daily. Each meal includes one main dish and two sides. A salad bar is also available at lunch and dinner, and snacks are provided in the afternoon. 

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy free options are available at all meals. If you or your camper has allergies, dietary needs, or requirements based on religious or philosophical beliefs, please contact us at least one week before your arrival so that we can help plan the best meal options for you. 

Q: How can I keep in contact with my Girl Scout(s)? 
A: The best way to keep in contact with your Girl Scout(s) is mail! You can drop off mail for the week during check-in OR send it directly to camp (please include camper's name, session name, and session date).  Mail is distributed at lunch each day. It is a good idea to send your camper(s) with pre-addressed envelopes and stamps in order for them to reply. The Camp team is working on communicating to parents throughout each camp session with some highlights and pictures of what is happening. More details will come soon.

For safety reasons, access to camp properties is limited when camp is in session. If you have an emergency or change in plans, please call the camp director. Camp phone numbers are provided with your confirmation materials, and camp directors will contact the parents in case of an emergency or illness. Please note: Camp phones are limited to camp business only.

Q: What are the check-in/check-out times?
A: Check out our general camp procedures for full details.

Q. What’s a typical day like at camp?
A. Our camp sessions are overflowing with ways to make friends and memories and every day is full of girl-led fun and adventure! Check out our camp page for what a typical day at camp looks like.

Q: Who are the camp staff?
A: Camps have specialists—like a cook, healthcare manager, and activity specialist staff for the horse and adventure programs. These staff members are carefully selected for their skills, as well as how they work with children and adults. Staff members who supervise high-adventure activities such as the pool, water sports, challenge course, archery, and other areas receive additional training and qualifications.

Resident camp unit leaders and counselors are enthusiastic, talented, and caring individuals, who are 18 years of age or older. Campers’ health and safety are our top priorities. We select staff based on their maturity, program skills, experience, and their ability to serve as role models. All staff must attend an intensive pre-camp training program, including safety, activity planning, camper care, team building, and much more. Meet our camp directors.

Q: Is there a camp trading post?
A: Each of our overnight camps (Camp Conshatawba, Camp Hawthorne Ridge, and Camp Skymeadow) have their own, unique trading post! The trading post will be open during check-out. In addition, Girl Scouts will visit the trading post at least once during their time at camp and items range from camp-specific merchandise to patches and camp attire. We suggest that you put money on your camper's trading post account at check-in to ensure that it is not lost during her stay. Money that is not spent during the week will be returned to the parent at check-out. Prices can range from about $1 to $40 depending on the item. 
 

Program Disclaimer
We reserve the right to cancel any program or program activity when weather conditions are unsuitable– including extreme heat, thunderstorms, etc. Refunds are not given when activities are cancelled as a result of “Acts of God.”