 | Featuring unique leadership opportunities for girls to work together, all summer camps offer a complete camp experience with themed and traditional camp activities like crafts, songs and campfires. |
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Day Camp — For Parents
All Girl Scouts San Diego day and overnight camps are accredited through the American Camp Association (ACA). This nationally recognized organization, which focuses on program quality and health and safety issues, requires camp managers to meet rigorous standards in every facet of operation. Girl Scouts San Diego is proud to meet these important criteria.
Day Camp FAQ's
Please click a question to view the answer.
| Q: | I already turned in a Health History form for overnight camp or a previous day camp. Do I need to complete another one?
Yes. Records are not transferred from camp to camp. At day camp, Health History forms are collected at check-in. Records are not collected in advance. For your convenience, you may photocopy an original Health History form and bring a copy to each camp. |
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| Q: | When and where is extended care available? How much does it cost?
Extended care is available for camps based at our Balboa Campus, or with bus service to/from Balboa Campus. Morning care is available from 7:30 a.m. until camp begins (or buses depart). Afternoon care is available after camp until 6 p.m. No reservations are needed. Cost is $5 per morning or afternoon, $10 per day for both. |
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| Q: | My daughter wants to go to horse camp. What is a returning rider?
A returning rider is a camper who attended one of our horse day camps, earlier in the same summer or in a past year. |
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| Q: | How much time does my daughter spend with horses at horse camp?
Girls receive three hours of horse-related instruction at horse camp every day:
- A one-hour riding lesson in an arena
- One hour of horse care instruction and practice
- A one-hour clinic on various equestrian topics, which cover many Try-It and badge requirements
These lessons are presented to small groups of girls. The rest of the day is spent in our "camp" area of the ranch, working on crafts, games and activities related to that week's theme. |
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| Q: | How do I enroll my daughter with a friend?
If you register online, you will be prompted to supply a name of a "camp friend." If you register by mail, staple both girls' applications and payments together. |
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| Q: | Can my daughter's whole troop register together?
Part of the magic of camp is making new friends; please allow the girls to experience and celebrate that! So, we cannot guarantee placement of more than two campers in the same unit. If girls from the same troop attend the same camp, it's fun to carpool together and share their stories on the way home each day. |
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| Q: | What will my daughter need? How will I know?
A confirmation, information guide, and necessary paperwork will be e-mailed to you shortly after your registration is received. The info guide will detail what to expect at camp, including what your daughter might need. Items vary slightly from camp to camp but are generally easy to gather (e.g., swimsuit, towel, bandana, etc.). The camp director may also send a letter shortly before camp begins, with some last-minute reminders and information.
All girls will need the following: a big lunch (refrigeration and microwave are not available), refillable water bottle, sunscreen, lip balm, hand sanitizer or wipes, closed-toed walking shoes, clothing that can get dirty, and a hat for hot days. |
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| Q: | Why is there a service fee for online registration?
Our council uses camp specific online software where a transaction fee is incurred. This fee is split between council and camper. |
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| Q: | What does the COV rate mean?
COV stands for Child of Volunteer; it's a discounted rate offered to campers whose parents volunteer for a week of day camp. For more information, please see the Day Camp Volunteers section. |
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| Q: | What is the difference between day camp Counselor-in-Training (CIT) and resident camp Counselor-in-Training (CIT)?
The day camp and resident camp CIT programs are designed and implemented with the unique characteristics of each program in mind. The programs are completely independent, and completion of one program does not provide eligibility for the other. Each has their own requirements for training, age and eligibility. Campers are encouraged to select the program that best matches their own camp leadership journey. For questions about day camp CIT contact Sandy Sultz, (619) 610-0814. For questions about resident camp CIT contact Gabby Coburn, (619) 610-0816. |
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| Q: | Wondering about Camp Samoa?
Girls who achieve the Camp Samoa cookie incentive will be sent a letter indicating available camp choices after cookie sale ends. Camp Samoa Day Camp will be held June 18-22 at our Escondido Program Center. |
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Day Camp Fast Facts for Parents
Please click a topic to view.
Facilities
- Camps are located throughout San Diego County, including Girl Scout properties, community parks and recreation centers.
Staff
- Qualified, enthusiastic, well-trained staff and volunteers develop and operate the highest quality camp program.
- All staff members are at least 18 years old.
- Each staff member undergoes an extensive application, interview and screening
process.
- All staff members are trained in child development, emergency and safety procedures, bullying prevention, group management, team building and more.
- Fifty percent or more of the staff is Red Cross First Aid and CPR certified.
- Ninety percent of staff members are community or parent volunteers.
- To volunteer at day camp, request a volunteer application.
Program
- All camps incorporate girl planning; campers help determine the program activities.
- Camps offer unique and varied programs to satisfy the interests of all girls.
- Camp activities teach girls new skills and help them learn about themselves as they have fun.
- Girls develop leadership as they discover, connect and take action with new friends!
- Youth leadership camp opportunities include our programs for Day Camp Aides and Counselors-in-Training
(formerly known as Program Aides).
- Enjoy an inside peek at your camper's experience! Our photographer will post photos to Bunk 1, a secure photo service. Parents have free access to view photos and may order prints for a small fee. Information will be provided in your confirmation materials.
Health care
- Health supervisors with First Aid and CPR training are on site at all day camps.
- Advanced medical consultation is available on call for all camps.
- Campers are reminded to apply their own sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and drink plenty of water on a regular basis.
- Responsible adults are informed of campers' medical history to ensure proper first aid and medical assistance.
- Campers are encouraged to communicate any needs that may arise to camp staff.
Camper illness or injury
- Camp staff contacts the parent or guardian to pick up a camper in case of illness.
- Parents or guardians are expected to pick up the camper in a timely manner.
- Minor injuries are handled on-site, following directions from the parent or guardian listed on the Health History form in the registration packet.
- Parents or guardians are informed before their camper receives medical assistance.
- In life-threatening situations, emergency medical service will be notified before parents or guardians.
Camper medications
- The health care supervisor manages camper medication.
- Prescription medication must be prescribed by a doctor and be in its original prescription container with the camper's name.
- No over-the-counter medication is provided. If your camper takes over-the-counter medication, please provide the medication in its original package, along with written instructions for administration.
Staying safe at camp
- Camper drop-off and pick-up is closely monitored; campers are released only to adults listed by the parent or guardian.
- Campers always travel as "buddies" (in pairs).
- Camps diligently follow (or exceed) adult-to-child supervision ratios specified by Girl Scouts' Safety Activity Checkpoints (formerly Safety-Wise) and American Camp Association standards.
- All camps are located less than 15 minutes from emergency medical services.
Accommodating special needs (dietary, physical, medical and emotional)
- Contact the outdoor education specialist with specific considerations or needs in advance so we can best serve your camper.
- A staff member trained in special needs may be available for additional support upon request.
- We work actively with Kids Included Together to facilitate the successful inclusion of campers who have disabilities. Please contact the outdoor education specialist so we can learn how to support your camper.
Camp meals and special diets
- Campers bring their own sack lunches and beverages daily.
- Send non-perishable foods; no refrigeration is available.
- A nutritious snack is provided at least once a day.
- Indicate special dietary needs on the Health History form. You may wish to send an additional item for snack time if your camper's dietary needs are significant.
Emergency procedures
- Each camp has an established emergency action plan.
- In the event of an emergency, please contact the program assistant at (619) 610-0719.
Clothing and belongings
- Clearly mark all belongings with first and last names.
- Sturdy, closed-toe, closed-heel shoes required at all times.
- A school-size backpack is helpful to keep belongings together.
- Girls are given a camp T-shirt.
- Each girl receives a patch.
Transportation
- Buses are available from Balboa Campus for some camps at no additional cost: Aquatic Adventures, Renaissance Riders, For the Love of Animals, Rodeo Roundup, Painted Ponies, Musicpalooza, and Technology Goddesses.
- Parents are responsible for arranging carpooling.
- If the camper is picked up late, extended care charges will apply at Balboa Campus. At locations where no extended care is available, there will be a $15 late pickup fee.
Lost and found
- Label everything with the camper's first and last names.
- Leave valuables at home; Girl Scouts is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Camp staff makes every effort to return all lost items to their owners.
- All found items are available for pick-up at the Balboa Campus resource center.
Camp fees
- Camp fees defray expenses directly associated with camp operation, including staffing, activity supplies, program equipment, transportation, field trips and a camp T-shirt and patch for each camper.
- Tiered pricing and financial aid keeps camp affordable for all girls.
Extended care
- Extended care is available for camps based at our Balboa Campus, and for camps with bus service to/from Balboa Campus (horse day camps, For the Love of Animals, Musicpalooza, Aquatic Adventures and Technology Goddesses).
- Morning care is available each morning of camp from 7:30 a.m. until camp check-in.
- Afternoon care is available each afternoon from camp check-out until 6 p.m.
- Reservations are no longer required. Morning and afternoon care will be available each day of the camp season.
- Cost is $5 per visit, whether morning or afternoon. For example, if a girl needs care after camp for just one day, the cost is $5. If a girl needs before- and after-care each day, the fee is $10 per day.
- Extended care is provided in Florence Burnham Hall most days, with occasional exceptions (when care will be in the Leadership Center).
- For questions, please e-mail camp@sdgirlscouts.org or call (619) 610-0814.
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Girl Scouts San Diego :: 1231 Upas St, 92103 :: (619) 298-8391 or (800) 643-4798 :: info@sdgirlscouts.org
The GIRL SCOUTS name, mark and all associated trademarks and logotypes, including the trefoil design, are owned by GSUSA. |
