Camp Information & Procedures

Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Council

By the time you complete this course, you should have an understanding of the

following:

• The value of troop camping in a Girl Scout setting• Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints• What is available at Kentucky’s Wilderness Road’s camps• How to make a reservation• Procedures for the use of camp properties

Camping is:

• FUN!!• Provides an opportunity to be active and exercise• Promotes healthy relationships both with people and the

environment• Creates memories• Teaches independent living skills• Teaches girls new skills• Lets girls discover, connect and take action• Promotes team work• Gives girls an opportunity to practice leadership

Girl Scout camping teaches girls more than outdoor skills. They also learn self confidence,

teamwork, and leadership skills

What do I do first?

Whenever you are taking girls on an outing, at camp or otherwise, you should always check two resources:

Volunteer Essentials Safety Activity Checkpoints

Both resources are available through the Kentucky’s Wilderness Road website and each troop should receive a CD which includes both documents.

Volunteer Essentials

You should be familiar with the Chapter 4 - Safety Wise in Volunteer Essentials. It covers the following topics:

Knowing Your ResponsibilitiesResponsibilities of the Volunteer

Responsibilities of Parents/GuardiansResponsibilities of Girls

Knowing How Many Volunteers You NeedTransporting Girls

Hosting a girl-led eventApproaching Activities

Health HistoriesGirl Scout Activity Insurance

Providing Emergency Care

Safety Activity Checkpoints

You now have the ability to download the safety information for particular activities you will be doing with your troop. You may want to print them for the girls and for other volunteers who will be participating.

In addition to a Safety Activity Checkpoint for camping, you will also find checkpoints for archery, hiking, outdoor cooking and many other outdoor activities you and your girls may choose to do while camping.

Be sure to read all the checkpoints that will apply.

Safety Activity Checkpoints

You now have the ability to download the safety information for particular activities you will be doing with

your troop. You may want to print them for the girls and for other volunteers who will be participating.

In addition to a Safety Activity Checkpoint for camping, you will

also find checkpoints for archery, hiking, outdoor cooking and many other outdoor activities you and your girls may choose

to do while camping.

Be sure to read all the checkpoints that will apply

How many adults do we need?

Group meetings:

Two non-related adults (at least one of whom is female) for this number of girls

Group meetings:

Plus one adult for each additional number of girls

Events, travel, and camping:

Two unrelated adults (at least one of whom is female) for each number of girls

Events, travel, and camping:

Plus one adult for each additional number of girls

Girl Scout Daisies

(K– grade 1)

12 6 6 4

Girl Scout Brownies

(grades 2–3)

20 8 12 6

Girl Scout Juniors

(grades 4–5)

25 10 16

45

8

Girl Scout Cadettes

(grades 6–8)

25 12 20 10

Girl Scout Seniors

(grades 9–10)

30 15 24 12

Girl Scout Ambassadors

(grades 11–12)

30 15 24 12

How many adults do we need?

This previous chart can be found in Volunteer Essentials and shows the number of adults needed for activities with girls of different grade levels.

For example: A Girl Scout Brownie troop of 14 girls would need to take 3 adults along on a camping trip.

Girls should be supervised at all times.

How do I reserve a campsite?

The most current forms for campsite reservations can be found on the council web site under FORMS – Council

Forms.You will need to download the:

5-59 Wilderness Road Council Camp Application

We recommend that you plan a few months in advance for a troop camping trip. Some camps and some sites

are very popular and fill up quickly.

Camp Use Procedures

1. You may go onto the web site and download the Camp Handbook. This publication has a list of all units at all camps and the cost for rental.

2. Once you have decided on a campsite and a date call the council office and talk to the program department on the availability of that site.

3. As soon as you know the site is available- send in your camp application with your deposit.

Camp Use Procedures

4. When your camp application is received at the council office, your campsite will be secured and a camp packet will be mailed to you.

5. This packet will contain information important for your stay at camp and directions to the camp.

6. Camp check in is 4 pm and check out is 3 pm7. Be sure to leave your attendance sheet with the site

manager before you leave camp.

Paperwork

Troops should have the following paperwork with them at all times:

• A troop roster of emergency contact information for each person, including adults

• Permission slips• Health History forms• If participating in adventure programs, you must also have the

high risk permission slip. These programs include things like the climbing tower, zip line and equestrian programs.

While our hope is that no one has an emergency, having these forms with you will keep you from delaying treatment in the

event it is needed.

Camp Progression

The Girl Scout program is built on the foundation of progression – acquiring the skills needed to progress to more difficult or highly skilled activities.

Progression underlies all avenues of Girl Scouting, from grade level handbooks to cooking, from cabin camping to tent camping to back packing, from roasting a marshmallow to preparing a gourmet dish using a Dutch oven.

Whatever the avenue chosen, it is important to remember that following progression will make all the difference in the outcome.Our outdoor program and camp usages is designed using

progression.

Camp Progression

The first level is the progression is called Picnic Ticket! Troop leaders who have completed their

“Planning Trips” course can reserve a picnic site at one of our council camps for the day. The picnic

ticket is an excellent way to introduce young Daisies to a first time outdoor experience.

Remember at least least one person must also have a current First Aid/CPR certification when

reserving a shelter for day use.

Camp Progression

The sites that can be reserved using the picnic ticket are:

Camp Cardinal: Flag deck-Tut’s HutCamp Judy Layne: Tall Timbers Shelter and

Whippoorwill Shelter. You may also rent the pool but must have a certified lifeguard.

Camp Richard Clark: Shelter HouseCamp Shawano: Sky Ridge Shelter

Camp Progression Out and About

You may reserve sites at council camps for an overnight, using facilities with indoor kitchen and bathrooms

once you have completed the “Out and About” course. All cooking must be done in the kitchen but

you may build an outdoor fire for evening programming

This is an online course with a 1 ½ hour classroom session on fire building and safety

Camp Progression Out and About

One adult camping with the troop must have completed this course, along with an adult with a current First Aid/CPR

certification.With an “Out and About” certification, troops may reserve

the following facilities:Camp Cardinal: Sleepy Hollow Cabin

Camp Judy Layne: ABC LodgeCamp Shawano: Woodview Lodge

Lookout Lodge “Out and About” is perfect for Brownie age girls ready for an

overnight or Juniors who have not been camping before.

Camp ProgressionTroop Camp Certification

Troop Camp training is a week-end course that prepares you to take a troop overnight camping in a cabin or

tent while cooking on an open fire. With this level of certification, you may

reserve any of the council camp sites.

This type of experience is great for the Girl Scout Brownie and Junior who have had an out and about

camping trip.

Kentucky’s Wilderness Road Camps

Kentucky’s Wilderness Road operates four camps. Each camp has unique features and we encourage you to visit all four. You can find more information about council camps on the

council web site.

Camp CardinalAdventure Have n Unit

Bathhouse

Pine Point Unit

Camp Cardinal is 156 acres situation in Eastern Kentucky in Carter County. The camp is a short hiking distance from Carter Caves State Park.This camp has three units with platform tents, Sleepy Hollow cabin with kitchen and bathroom, dining hall, bathroom/shower facilities, hiking trails, staples unit, amphitheatre and program facilities. Cabins are being built and should be ready for campers in the summer of 2012

Commercial caving, swimming and miniature golf is available at Carter Caves

State Park for a fee

Camp Judy LayneSwimming Pool

Whippoorwill Unit

Camp Judy Layne is located in Morgan County, a short drive from Cave Run Lake. This camp’s adventure based opportunities abound in over 180 acres of beautiful woodland sitting on the ridge of Daniel Boone National Forest.This camp has platform tent units, cabin units, bathroom/shower facilities, dining hall, swimming pool, low ropes course, 35 ft. climbing tower, zip line, amphitheatre and great hiking trails

This is also the site of summer resident camp.

Camp Richard ClarkCamp Richard Clark is 110 acres located in Clark County, just outside of Winchester. Perhaps the most historic of all the council’s camp properties, the camp is located where a grand hotel with mineral springs operated as a health spa that attracted many patrons from all over the nation in the 1850’s. It’s history, seclusion and pleasantly unusual terrain make this site an interesting place to visit.

Camp Richard Clark has limited facilities and is the location for the Clark County

Summer Day Camp.

Camp ShawanoWoodview Lodge

Bird’s Nest

Set on the outskirts of Lexington on the Kentucky River, Camp Shawano is 146 acres of cedar and hardwood forest and a number of open meadows which provide great sites for outdoor activities. This camp offers a progression of camping opportunities from modern lodges to quaint little cabins to platform tent units, bathroom/shower facilities, program buildings and a 40 ft. climbing tower with a zip line.

Camp Shawano is a very popular camp and early reservations is a must. This is also the site of the Fayette - Jessamine

Summer Day Camp.

Site Managers

Camp Shawano has a full time site manager available on the property to assist you with any maintenance, security or safety issues during your stay at camp. They are also happy to answer questions you have about the facilities you will be using.

Camp Cardinal has a part time site manager who does not live on the property but lives near the camp. He will have the property in good working order before you arrive.

Site Managers

Camp Judy LayneGirl Scout troops that camp at Judy Layne may take

advantage of age appropriate outdoor activities that are provided by the Program/Site Manager. Activities include badge work, hiking, environmental studies and much more. Information about these programs is included in the Camp Confirmation Packet. She will also assist you with any maintenance, security or safety issues during your stay at camp.

Site Managers

Camp Richard Clark does not have a site manager. The site manager working at Camp Shawano will have the gate open and property ready for your stay.

We ask that you contact the site manager immediately when an accident or injury occurs on camp that would require medical attention.

Please report unfamiliar persons, animals or potential dangers to the site manager.

Keeping Girls Safe at Camp

The following list of guidelines will help you keep girls safe at camp:

Closed toe and closed heel shoes should always be worn; no flip flops No tank tops at camp. Ponchos should be used instead of umbrellas. Only visit adventure program sites with trained facilitators. Program

sites include pools, teams courses, climbing and rappelling areas, etc. Without appropriate supervision girls could be injured or sites could be damaged.

No running in camp unless in an organized activity. No standing or climbing on structures such tables, benches, etc.

Keeping Girls Safe at Camp

Use the buddy systemTwo girls always travel together, there are no

exceptions!Girls should either choose or be assigned a buddy. Everyone needs to understand how

the buddy system works, and leaders need to review all possible hazards with the girls.

Conduct periodic buddy checksLeaders should buddy up too!

Dispensing of Medications

Any medications needing to be dispensed while on a trip should be kept with the troop first aider. Parents should provide written instruction to the troop first aider for dispensing medications and medicines must be in their original containers.

While you may desire to have girls serving as troop first aide helpers and able to access bandages and basic first aid supplies, medications should be kept out of reach at all times and dispensed by adults ONLY.

Items Not to Bring to Camp

The following items should never be brought to Girl Scout camps:

Pets Weapons Illegal drugs AlcoholGirl Scout camps are all non-smoking properties.

Fire Safety

Fires are allowed only in designated fire circles, fire pits or fire places.

There should never be open flames in or near tents. Box ovens and Dutch ovens should be used on non-flammable

surfaces – never, for instance, on picnic tables. Propane stoves must be used outdoors – never in enclosed

areas. Indoor cooking should only be done in facilities with a kitchen. Girls should be supervised around a fire at all times and

should not stand on the rocks designating the fire safety circle.

Parking and Driving at Camp

Vehicles must obey all posted speed limit and parking signs.Do not park on the grass unless specifically instructed otherwise.Always follow state laws including seatbelt regulations.Never allow girls to ride in the back of a pick up truck even on camp properties.Once you arrive at camp, your troop should plan to walk around camp. Do not drive girls to programming sites. Part of the camping experience should be “hiking” from place to place.Back your car into the parking space rather than pulling it in.

Male Participation Guidelines

We understand the importance of positive male role models in the girls’ lives and we encourage male participation. However, we would like to take some extra precautions to keep everyone comfortable.

We ask that you follow these guidelines:

Men should never be alone with girls.Men need to be in company of an adult female who is not their spouse.Inform parents that men will be attending an overnight event.When registering with a camp site – add that men will be attending to your reservation form.Men should sleep in specific male only tent.Men should have a separate bathroom facility.Men should not be around the girls after they change into pajamas or before they are full dressed in the morning.

Please remember that males need privacy as much as girls and adult females.

Be Prepared

The Girl Scout motto is “Be Prepared”. Some simple things will help prepare you and your troop for camp:

Bring a well stocked first aid kit. Familiarize yourself and your troop with the camp. Read camp emergency procedures (posted in each

unit) upon arriving at camp. Develop an emergency signal system with your troop. Have the girls help you develop the safety plans.

Leave No Trace

Part of the Girl Scout Law reads: “I will do my best to . . . Use resources wisely . . . Make the world a better place.” In living the Girl Scout Law, volunteers and girls should take care of camp resources.

Stay on paths. Do not pick flowers and other wild plants. No painting, drawing, or carving on structures, furniture or

trees. No swinging on doors or gates. No food or drinks in tents or cabins – this attracts unwanted

insects and animals. Leave your camp site better than you found it.

Girl Scout Camp is a great place full of fun, adventure, excitement,

friends and memories.