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Summer Camp

Summer Camp

Friendship, Fun, and Adventure!

Thanks for a great summer! Whether it was paddling the bay, saddling your horse, or hiking through waterfalls this summer had no shortage of friendships, fun, and adventure. Thanks for spending it with us!

See you next summer!

Nuts, Bolts, & FAQs

Are Sessions Based on My Camper's Grade?

Camp is a great place for progression and we feel it is important to focus on your child's developmental needs at different ages. For this reason, you’ll find that many of our sessions are now focused on specific ages aligning with the Girl Scout program levels. Campers of similar ages will be housed together and participate in activities designed for their age group. Campers will participate in activities with their cabin mates. Campers’ schedules are set based on age and sessions: younger campers will have set schedules while older campers will have more flexibility.  

Bunk Buddies

What is a Bunk Buddy?
Campers may choose to attend summer camp with a bunk buddy. A bunk buddy is someone who is attending the same session and would like to stay in the same cabin as your child.  

Requesting a Bunk Buddy
Bunk buddies must be registered for the same camp session and select each other mutually during registration. Campers may only select ONE bunk buddy. If more than one is selected, only one will be honored. Bunk buddy requests are not required. Be sure to fill out your bunk buddy requests during registration and coordinate with the guardians of your child's bunk buddy so that they also select your camper when they register. We may not be able to accomodate last minute requests.

Camp Staff

Our camp staff are selected based on their experience, enthusiasm, and desire to work with children in a camp setting. Our counselors strive to be role models with a focus on the needs of campers both in individual and group settings.

They model the Girl Scout Promise and Law and receive extensive training in a variety of topics (including youth development and risk management) so your child will be successful throughout their summer camp adventure. We screen each applicant through in-depth interviews and multiple reference and background checks, as well as a drug screening.

Camp staff go through more than ten days of training, including CPR and First Aid, safety and risk management, emergency response, activity leadership and outdoor skills, how to support campers' mental health (including homesickness and bullying), and much more. Staff who supervise specialized activities (such as swimming and archery) have additional training and qualifications.

CITs & Camp Ambassadors

Calling all future camp counselors! If you are ready to unlock your leadership potential and your love of the outdoors, you can start working towards your Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Awards.

In our CIT program, you will gain the tools you need to become a mentor to younger campers. This training is aligned with the CIT Awards Girl Scouts can earn and display on their uniform. Once you begin working on our CIT II Award, you may choose to take one of our specialty tracks, including a focus on the equestrian, challenge course, or waterfront programs.

These leadership programs are the first steps toward learning the skills necessary to one day work as a volunteer CIT and then a full-fledged camp counselor!

CIT Progression
CIT ▶ CIT II ▶ Camp Ambassador

The CIT Award is only the beginning. Here's how you can go from trainee to paid camp counselor. 

  1. CITs must attend the two-week CIT I Camp to complete their CIT I Award. 
  2. CITs then attend at least one CIT II Camp session. The CIT I Award is a prerequisite for this session.
  3. If they have earned both the CIT I and CIT II Awards and are still enrolled in high school, they may apply to be a Camp Ambassador at one of our summer camps. 
Electronic Devices

Summer camp offers a great opportunity to learn about and navigate social situations while disconnecting to the digital world. We have a “no electronics” policy at all camps.

If your child is experiencing a major challenge at camp, we will contact you to discuss the best way to help her navigate. We ask that campers leave all iPods, cell phones, tablets, e-readers, and smart watches at home. Standalone digital cameras are encouraged and allowed.

Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF) is not responsible for any loss or damage to your child’s electronic equipment.

Prohibited electronics that are brought to camp will be placed in a secure location with the owner’s name and returned to parents at checkout. Please note that camp staff use phones for communication among staff member, to play music, and take the photos you see on WaldoPhotos.

Financial Information & Camperships

Deposits
A non-refundable deposit is required for each camp session. The deposit for day camp is $25 per session. The deposit for overnight camp is $50 per session. The deposit for Travel camp is $100 per session. The deposit for Family Camp is $25 per person.

Payment Plans
Payments can be made on camp balances in any amount at any time up to the deadline. All camps must be paid in full by May 15 for camps in June, and June 15 for camps in July. Failure to pay in full may result in deposit and space forfeited. CampDoc has a feature where you can set up automatic payments. 

Financial Assistance ("Camperships")
Camperships are available on an as-needed basis for registered GSWCF members whose financial circumstances might otherwise prevent them from attending camp. To apply for assistance, you must register and pay a deposit to hold your camper’s spot in a session. Then apply for camperships by completing this form. Deposits will be refunded if the scholarship amount is not sufficient to meet your needs. If your family cannot pay the deposit, please contact us to discuss alternative options. 

Changes, Cancellations, and Refunds
Requests for session transfers (space permitting) and cancellations must be made via email to CustomerConnections@gswcf.org three weeks before the session to be completed and/or receive a refund, minus the deposit. No refunds will be offered within two weeks before the start of the session unless canceled by GSWCF, the camper is required to attend summer school (notice from school required), or due to illness (physician’s note is required). We do not offer refunds for no-shows or campers leaving camp early due to behavior, homesickness, or health issues. Refunds are not offered for campers arriving at camp with head lice. 

Let Cookies Pay Your Way to Camp
Did you know that your child can use any council money they earn through our Product Sale Programs (GS Sweets & Treats and the Girl Scout Cookie Program) to help pay for camp? Whether it’s Council Dough or Council Credit, your vouchers can be applied to some, most, or all of your camp costs or toward items at the Trading Post! Contact us CustomerConnections@gswcf.org for assistance. 

Food, Health, and Safety

What will my camper eat will my camper eat? 
Meals provided at camp are kid-friendly and well-balanced. Our overnight campers receive three meals and one snack a day. Day campers receive a morning snack, lunch, and an afternoon snack.

What about health and dietary needs?
The health and safety of your camper is our utmost concern. If your camper has a physical need, food allergy, religious dietary restriction, or any other special considerations, please specify in writing on the Health History form you complete online using CampDoc.com. Vegetarian meals are an option and must be noted on forms. We are able to work with parents and guardians to meet a variety of diets due to allergies or other medical issues. If you would like to discuss any special considerations or diets before registering for camp, please contact us at CustomerConnections@gswcf.org. 

Not a Girl Scout? Not A Problem!

Girls entering grades 1–12 in Fall 2022 can attend camp. Non-Girl Scouts will be contacted to pay a $25 membership fee in addition to the camp fee to become a registered Girl Scout. Upon joining, girls will have all of the benefits of Girl Scout membership through Sept. 2022!

Photos and Email With WaldoPhotos

We partner with WaldoPhotos for camper pictures and email. Parents and guardians will receive an email on how to sign up for the paid service that sends photos of your camper directly to your phone!

The best part? 50% of the fee goes to GSWCF’s Campership fund! All camper families may view photos for free by visiting waldophotos.com and entering your camp specific information, which will be emailed to you after registration. Waldo Photos also offers Waldograms™, or electronic mail to and from your camper for a small fee.

Registration Information

Summer Camp registration is being hosted on CampDocs. Use any of the "Register Now" buttons on this page to register for one of our incredible camp sessions.

Returning campers should use the CampDocs login they created last year to sign in and register for this year's camp sessions. New campers will need to create a profile prior to registering for their chosen session(s). 

Resources
Sample Schedules

What’s an average day at camp like? Whether you’re an overnight resident or a day camper, you can expect to have an action-packed schedule while at camp! Camp schedules may vary by session, location, and weather. 

Sample Overnight Camper Schedule

7:15 a.m. — Rise and shine!
8 a.m.  — Breakfast
8:45 a.m. — Morning flag ceremony
9:15 a.m. - noon  — Morning activity rotations
Noon  — Lunch
1 p.m.  — Turtle Time
2-5:30 p.m. — Afternoon activity rotations
5:45 p.m.  — Evening flag ceremony
6 p.m. —  Dinner
7:15 p.m. — All-Camp Activity
8:15 p.m. — Showers
9:30 p.m. —  Lights out for younger campers
10:30 p.m.  — Lights out for younger campers 

Sample Day Camper Schedule

8 - 9 a.m.  — Camper drop-off
8:45 a.m. — Morning flag ceremony
9:15 a.m. - noon  — Morning activity rotations
Noon  — Lunch
1 p.m.  — Pool
2-5:30 p.m. — Afternoon activity rotations
5:30-6 p.m.  — Camper pick-up

Special Needs Accommodations

It is our hope to be able to serve all girls wishing to attend camp. We strive to make accommodations for special needs and are able to in many cases. Girls must be able to function in a 6:1 girl-to-adult ratio.

Special needs may include a range of physical, medical, developmental, dietary, behavioral, or communicative abilities. Providing a safe and positive experience to all campers is of the utmost importance to us. We reserve the right to make decisions of participation based on the extent of the girl’s needs and our ability to meet those needs in a camp setting.

Please contact the camp director if you have any questions or concerns about your camper attending camp.  

Weather

Camp is open rain or shine! Programs may be modified in extreme weather conditions, including extreme heat. If severe weather is present, campers are moved to a safe location and alternative activities are offered. For specific weather-related emergency plans, please contact us at CustomerConnections@gswcf.org.