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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 overnight camp, troop camp, and family camp. To learn more about our summer offerings, view our Camp S'more magazine.
Q: Who can go to camp?
A: Girl Scouts is for every girl... and you don't even need to join a troop. If you're not a Girl Scout member already, simply become an Individually Registered Girl Scout—Indie Girl Scout—and you can enjoy summer camp and all of the other activities and programs that make Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania so much fun!
Q. Is financial assistance offered for camp?
A: Girls can earn funds to help pay for camp by participating in our Cookie and Gifts & Goodies programs, and financial assistance is available for girls who qualify to help 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 camp 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. 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 Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania camps are ACA accredited—for more information please review ACA Accreditation. In addition, all camps have a qualified Camp Heathcare Manager 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 if my Girl Scout needs to take medication while she is at camp?
A: All camp participants are required to complete their health history and medication information in CampDoc prior to coming to camp. CampDoc is the electronic health record system that Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania (GSWPA) uses to track camper health information. Below is additional information related to healthcare at GSWPA camps:
- What is considered a medication?
- GSWPA’s definition of medication is any drug deemed safe and effective for its intended use by the FDA, in addition to select dietary supplements, including multivitamins and melatonin. GSWPA will not administer any substance that contains Cannabidiol (CBD) or Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). GSWPA reserves the right to assess each camper’s medication regimen and the camp’s ability to safely provide medication administration for each camper.
- Does my camper need a prescription?
- All medications, including over-the-counter medications (per GSWPA's definition), are required to have a physician order (prescription) for them to be given at camp. This policy aligns with Pennsylvania State Law and the Pennsylvania Nurse Practice Act.
- Prescription Medications
- GSWPA recommends that camp families send medications in pharmacist-sorted medication packs (med packs). This can be done by requesting med-packing through your regular pharmacy. Most of the major pharmacies in the region offer med-packing services at no additional cost to the customer. Med-packing is covered by most insurance plans. An additional resource for med-packing is Amazon Pharmacy.
- If you are unable to access med-packing, the other option is for prescription medications to be brought to camp in their original pharmacy containers.
- Over-the-Counter Medications
- Over-the-counter (OTC) medications will be accepted in their original containers as long as a physician order is present with the medication. Orders for OTC medications must include the medication, vitamin, or supplement name, the dose prescribed by the physician, time of administration, why the medication is prescribed, and have the physician's signature and date on the order.
- Rescue Medications
- Rescue medications include (but are not limited to) medications such as inhalers, EPIPens, diabetes medications, and seizure medications. These medications will be in the possession of the camper’s counselor and with the camper at all times. GSWPA’s procedure for rescue medications instructs the camp nurse to collect all rescue medications and ensure the camp counselors understand when and how to use them.
As a reminder, the camp nurse will be on-site daily for overnight camps but not 24/7. Medications will be administered by the camp nurse or self-administered by campers under the supervision of camp staff. A nurse is not present on-site for day camp. Campers are encouraged to take their medications during non-camp times. Otherwise, medications will be self-administered by campers under the supervision of the camp staff.
If your camper has additional healthcare needs, please reach out to council prior to their camp session to ensure we are prepared to meet your camper’s needs.
Q: What are the meals like at camp?
A: Our food service staff at overnight 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 will also post photos and highlights from camp on Rallyhood. You will receive an email invite you join your camp Rally prior to the start of the camp session.
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, camp nurse, 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.
Overnight 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 camps has its own, unique trading post! At overnight camp, 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 overnight camp and items range from camp-specific merchandise to patches and camp attire. Prices can range from about $1 to $40, depending on the item.
Adding money to your trading post account is optional. We recommend about $25/week. Girl Scouts can purchase apparel, souvenirs, toys, camping supplies, and more at our camp Trading Posts!
We’re going cashless again for overnight camps!
Here’s how to make shopping easy:
- Use our online form to add money before camp using a credit card, Girl Scout Bucks, or Indie Girl Scout Program Rewards.
- Any leftover balance will be refunded to your card after camp.
- Prepaid credit cards will also work.
Use our online form to make your deposit or shop for your favorite camp merch before you arrive!
2026 Camp Pre-Orders
Caregivers, get your Girl Scout ready for camp by preordering their essentials! Pre-ordered items will be given to your camper upon her arrival at camp. Please note: Pre-order kits must be ordered at least one week before your girl’s camp session.
Official Summer Camp Care Kits
Kits include items to cuddle, share, capture your memories, enjoy nighttime fun, and replace common forgotten things (items will vary).
Popular Bunk Decorating Kits
Kits include four pennants and rope for hanging, camp and alphabet stickers, 3.3 ft. string of fairy lights (batteries included), and s’more temporary tattoos to share (items may vary).
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 canceled as a result of “Acts of God.”
