Camp Green Eyrie - Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts

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CAMP LIFE Day camp provides campers the opportunity to live, work and play with a community of their peers in a safe and supportive environment. Campers are grouped by age. Each small group is assigned an adult staff member and paired with 1-2 other small groups for some activities. The “buddy system” is utilized both for camp safety and to help campers meet and interact with all of the girls in her unit . CAMPER BEHAVIOR Girl Scout camp provides a unique opportunity for campers and staff to work together as a community. It is important that all campers follow camp rules. If camper behavior at camp or on the bus becomes a problem, parents/guardians will be contacted for their support in resolving the situation. Any camper who consistently exhibits unsuitable behavior may be sent home without a refund. PREPARING FOR SUMMER CAMP Camp is an exciting adventure, full of new experiences, friends and fun! As with any new experience, it is normal for some campers (and parents too) to feel a little anxious as they prepare for summer camp. Here is a “packing list” of attitudes for campers, which will help them to really prepare for a successful summer at camp! ATTITUDES TO BRING TO CAMP • Expect camp to be a new experience. • Be ready to be a friend and you will make friends! • Be prepared to expect the unexpected and to see it as a fun surprise! • For Returning Campers: Remember that each year is different with new friends, special programs, and different counselors. GETTING READY FOR CAMP! There are a few other things that you can do to make certain that your camper is ready for the fun of summer: • Review the camp brochure. Look at the pictures. Talk about what the campers are doing and what your camper might do this summer. • Plan to attend the Open House. • Review the “What to Bring” list. Make sure that your camper helps to prepare things for camp. It is important that she knows what she is bringing, and how to use it. • Prepare your camper by telling her how excited you are for her. Use positive messages when discussing camp and avoid negative phrases. STAYING HEALTHY AT CAMP Camper health and safety are important to our staff. Girls will receive orientation to the camp site and safety rules at camp. A health center is maintained to monitor our health care program, administer medications and to provide routine or emergency care. STAYING HEALTHY AT CAMP (cont.) MEDICATIONS AT CAMP All medications sent to camp must be in their original container and listed on the health form. Over-the-counter medications need not be sent to camp as the Health Center is stocked to meet common needs. All medications will be kept by the Health Care Supervisor in the Health Center while at camp, or in the controlled possession of a staff member. Over-the-counter medications will be administered for routine illness/injury unless their use is restricted as noted on the camp health form. HEALTH SUPERVISION AND PARENT NOTIFICATION OF ILLNESS Our Health Care Supervisor works in consultation with a written Health Care Plan and Standing Orders approved by the camp doctor. The doctor is also available to consult as needed. The Health Care Supervisor is trained in First Aid and CPR. Counselors and Lifeguards are First Aid Certified and provide First Aid for minor cuts and bruises. All other health concerns are brought to the Health Center where the Health Care Supervisor will determine medical attention needed and contact parents if necessary. Every effort will be made to establish phone contact with parents/guardians in an emergency. It is also general camp practice to contact parents/guardians when there is concern about a camper’s health and/or when a situation is not progressing as expected. Our Health Center is not equipped to care for campers who are injured or ill. Should your camper become sick at camp, has a temperature of 100.4° or higher, or sustains an injury requiring professional medical evaluation, you will be contacted to pick her up from camp. Campers should not be sent to camp if ill or “coming down with something." KEEPING HEALTHY Keeping healthy at camp is, in part, the responsibility of each camper and parent. Please review the following with your camper prior to camp: • Drink Fluids. It is important that girls drink a lot of juice and water each day. Campers should drink fluids at each meal and carry a water bottle with them throughout the day. • Eat Well. Each day should start with a substantial breakfast. A full lunch should be sent to camp daily. Campers should help to plan their lunches so that they will eat everything that is packed! • Sun Protection. Campers are outdoors all day and will see a lot of sunshine. Please provide your camper with sunscreen and show her how to use it. Instruct her to reapply sunscreen several times a day, including after she goes swimming. A wide-brimmed or billed hat will also help to protect her face. • Insect Protection. It is important that girls bring insect repellent. Bug bites are a part of camp, but can be decreased by using a good quality repellent. See last page for additional information on bug sprays.
WHAT TO BRING Camp is a great place for old clothes. Campers are most comfortable in simple play clothes that they can get dirty. Rain gear must be included, and shoes and socks are required. Please mark all personal belongings with your camper’s name! LOST AND FOUND GSCWM cannot be responsible for camper property. Lost and found items will be held until August 31 and then will be donated to a charitable organization. If something is forgotten, please call camp within five days of the camp session. BRING/WEAR DAILY ___ Shirt (no halter tops or spaghetti strap tank tops) ___ Pants or Shorts as appropriate ___ Sturdy Closed-Toe Shoes ___ Socks ___ Hat ___ Day Pack or Bag Containing __ Swimsuit* and Towel *swimsuit must be a one piece, or provide full coverage, no string bikinis __ Raincoat or poncho __ Lunch and Snack __ Water Bottle __ Sunscreen (non-aerosol) __ Insect Repellent (non-aerosol) OPTIONAL ITEMS ___ Water shoes (no flip flops) ___ Sweatshirt for cooler days PLEASE DO NOT BRING/SEND • Cell Phones/Pagers • Video Games/Personal Electronics • Money/Valuables HELPFUL HINT: We’ve heard from parents that it’s a good idea to send a plastic grocery bag to camp with your child. She can then put her wet swimsuit and towel into it for the ride home! Weapons, alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted on the camp site. Campers may not bring personal vehicles without written parental permission. MEALS AND SNACKS LUNCHES: Campers should bring their lunch and a healthy snack daily. Please send only non-perishable items, as refrigeration is not available for storing lunches. SNACKS FOR THE BUS: Food is NOT allowed to be eaten on the buses. This is a safety precaution required by the bus company. SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS: Campers with special dietary requirements should indicate restrictions on the Updated Health Information Form. Dietary requirements can generally be accommodated for our cookout meal, however, depending on the nature of the restriction, a camper may be asked to provide some of her own special foods. ABOUT OUR STAFF Camp staff members are selected because of their experiences and their interest in working with children in the outdoors. Staff members are selected through rigorous processes of: application, interview, background check, and reference evaluation, in an effort to secure the most qualified and capable role models for our campers. Staff members participate in pre-camp training designed to prepare them for their specific roles in camp. Staff members review camper needs, program skills, leadership, communication, emergency, and safety procedures during training. Specialty staff members have certifications and experiences that make them qualified for the job. STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS Camp Green Eyrie complies with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430) and is licensed by the Harvard Board of Health. Information on these regulations can be obtained at 617- 983-6761. Parents/guardians may request acknowledgement of staff background checks, and policies on health care and discipline as allowed by law. Camp Green Eyrie is also accredited by the American Camp Association. SPECIAL NEEDS Please contact CGE Camp Director, Lizz Gordon, at 800-462-9100 (in MA) or 413-584-2602 x4038 if you have any concerns or questions regarding the nature of the camp experience or its appropriateness for your camper. Parents of campers with physical, mental, or emotional needs should also contact Lizz so that together we can ensure the best experience for your camper. All special needs should also be noted on the camper’s health form. MORE INFORMATION Copies of our policies on background checks, health care, and disciplinary matters are available upon request. Please contact camp@gscwm.org with requests or to file any grievances.
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Camp Green Eyrie - Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts

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