Freaking Girl Scout Camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get it, why are they so popular? It is because they are for people that can’t afford sleepaway camp?

They are very reasonably priced. My DD’s program is $525 for a week. They also very outdoor focused and old school. Girls sleep in Glen shelters, use BFFYs, have campfires, no electronics, etc.

+1

[Anonymous]

Just got the email that we're in for 2nd choice at May Flather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get it, why are they so popular? It is because they are for people that can’t afford sleepaway camp?

Yes, they are cheaper than other sleepaway camps (although with a fairly big price hike this year). But it's not just that. If your kid is an active Girl Scout through the year, these camps reinforce those traditions and values and build great memories. They are rustic (latrines!), but focused on getting the kids outside, trying new things, being adventurous, building character, and having a good time with fellow scouts. It fits what a lot of families are looking for in camp experiences for their kids.

Also, they placed 1267 campers (K-11th grade) and were unable to place 367, but still have 170 open spots (there's a mismatch between ages and program preferences between the unplaced kids and the open spots); I wonder how other popular camps compare in terms of demand.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get it, why are they so popular? It is because they are for people that can’t afford sleepaway camp?

Yes, they are cheaper than other sleepaway camps (although with a fairly big price hike this year). But it's not just that. If your kid is an active Girl Scout through the year, these camps reinforce those traditions and values and build great memories. They are rustic (latrines!), but focused on getting the kids outside, trying new things, being adventurous, building character, and having a good time with fellow scouts. It fits what a lot of families are looking for in camp experiences for their kids.

Also, they placed 1267 campers (K-11th grade) and were unable to place 367, but still have 170 open spots (there's a mismatch between ages and program preferences between the unplaced kids and the open spots); I wonder how other popular camps compare in terms of demand.

Interesting. I wonder which age range is the most popular/difficult to get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get it, why are they so popular? It is because they are for people that can’t afford sleepaway camp?

Yes, they are cheaper than other sleepaway camps (although with a fairly big price hike this year). But it's not just that. If your kid is an active Girl Scout through the year, these camps reinforce those traditions and values and build great memories. They are rustic (latrines!), but focused on getting the kids outside, trying new things, being adventurous, building character, and having a good time with fellow scouts. It fits what a lot of families are looking for in camp experiences for their kids.

Also, they placed 1267 campers (K-11th grade) and were unable to place 367, but still have 170 open spots (there's a mismatch between ages and program preferences between the unplaced kids and the open spots); I wonder how other popular camps compare in terms of demand.

Interesting. I wonder which age range is the most popular/difficult to get into.

Daisies (current K-1 graders) and Brownies (2-3) are hardest because the camper:staff ratio is lower so there are fewer spots. It's even worse this year (and last) because they haven't been able to open one of the camps that serves the younger girls due to staffing shortages. They're only opening two camps this year and one of them (May Flather) only serves 4th graders and up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in. I am seriously pissed. Sixth year in a row and now she's out. This is not the organization for us any longer. Way too inept.

So no new girl scout sisters should get a fair shot because your daughter has always gone? Doesn't seem sisterly. More demand than supply, but you are special? Okay....

My kid is as special as yours. The way this whole thing has been handled is unprofessional and chaotic. The largest GS Council in the US mucks it up again.

FWIW, I offered five different weeks. We were not picky.

As special. Not more special. And very lucky to have a parent who was able to register for her for five years at 10 am on a Tuesday.

As special. Right. Not more special. Those were your words.

And you are also right that I made it a priority to be available to register my kid. They announce the date weeks/months in advance. It's not hard to plan, and I WOH in a busy field.

[Anonymous]

Expect disaster on March 1 when those rejected can try, try again. By her own words, she hasn't even tested the system.

Emily Sparrow Reece
Admin

The registration system we're now using is different than gsevents. Unless you've made a campsite or high adventure reservation before, you'll have to make a new account. The account should be in your name, and then once you register it will ask for additional information and that's where you put in your daughter's name. From what I gather it should then be pretty straightforward.

This is how we got into this mess to begin with, back when the original system didn't work. Who is in charge over there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Expect disaster on March 1 when those rejected can try, try again. By her own words, she hasn't even tested the system.

Emily Sparrow Reece
Admin

The registration system we're now using is different than gsevents. Unless you've made a campsite or high adventure reservation before, you'll have to make a new account. The account should be in your name, and then once you register it will ask for additional information and that's where you put in your daughter's name. From what I gather it should then be pretty straightforward.

This is how we got into this mess to begin with, back when the original system didn't work. Who is in charge over there?

They are not using gsevents that cause the meltdown back in January. Sounds like they are using doubleknot which is the gscnc camp site and equipment reservation system. GSCNC put off moving onto gsevents as long as they could. The order came down from GSUSA that had to use this new system. GSEvents sucks and actually makes me miss ebiz and I hated ebiz.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in. I am seriously pissed. Sixth year in a row and now she's out. This is not the organization for us any longer. Way too inept.

So no new girl scout sisters should get a fair shot because your daughter has always gone? Doesn't seem sisterly. More demand than supply, but you are special? Okay....

My kid is as special as yours. The way this whole thing has been handled is unprofessional and chaotic. The largest GS Council in the US mucks it up again.

FWIW, I offered five different weeks. We were not picky.

As special. Not more special. And very lucky to have a parent who was able to register for her for five years at 10 am on a Tuesday.

As special. Right. Not more special. Those were your words.

And you are also right that I made it a priority to be available to register my kid. They announce the date weeks/months in advance. It's not hard to plan, and I WOH in a busy field.

Wow. Ok.

For a lot of parents, it's not about "making it a priority." It's about whether or not they are able to register at 10 am on a Tuesday. Many parents do not have access to the internet where they work, or are not allowed to use the internet for personal use on work hours. They may not have the privilege of your flexibilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t get it, why are they so popular? It is because they are for people that can’t afford sleepaway camp?

They are very reasonably priced. My DD’s program is $525 for a week. They also very outdoor focused and old school. Girls sleep in Glen shelters, use BFFYs, have campfires, no electronics, etc.

I actually wish they used a sliding scale or FA, with a higher fee on the top end. It would dampen demand slightly and bring more money to the program. I specifically want DD in Girl Scout camp and can/would pay the going rate charged by similar local camps. People who have money but aren't looking for that experience might go elsewhere; people who don't have money could still afford it on sliding scale.

For example, it's nuts that daycamp costs $150 a week in this expensive area, but then there's a huge crush from over-demand. Charge $450 at the top of the scale and expand the program with the extra funds so more girls can attend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I Hope all of you parents and your girls remember this in the future - because they are short staffed. Your girls CAN go back to camp - as counselors in the future.

If my kid has never been able to get into camp as a camper, why on earth would she want to be a counselor?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in. I am seriously pissed. Sixth year in a row and now she's out. This is not the organization for us any longer. Way too inept.

So no new girl scout sisters should get a fair shot because your daughter has always gone? Doesn't seem sisterly. More demand than supply, but you are special? Okay....

My kid is as special as yours. The way this whole thing has been handled is unprofessional and chaotic. The largest GS Council in the US mucks it up again.

FWIW, I offered five different weeks. We were not picky.

As special. Not more special. And very lucky to have a parent who was able to register for her for five years at 10 am on a Tuesday.

As special. Right. Not more special. Those were your words.

And you are also right that I made it a priority to be available to register my kid. They announce the date weeks/months in advance. It's not hard to plan, and I WOH in a busy field.

Wow. Ok.

For a lot of parents, it's not about "making it a priority." It's about whether or not they are able to register at 10 am on a Tuesday. Many parents do not have access to the internet where they work, or are not allowed to use the internet for personal use on work hours. They may not have the privilege of your flexibilities.

That's not my problem. Ok? Ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in. I am seriously pissed. Sixth year in a row and now she's out. This is not the organization for us any longer. Way too inept.

So no new girl scout sisters should get a fair shot because your daughter has always gone? Doesn't seem sisterly. More demand than supply, but you are special? Okay....

My kid is as special as yours. The way this whole thing has been handled is unprofessional and chaotic. The largest GS Council in the US mucks it up again.

FWIW, I offered five different weeks. We were not picky.

As special. Not more special. And very lucky to have a parent who was able to register for her for five years at 10 am on a Tuesday.

As special. Right. Not more special. Those were your words.

And you are also right that I made it a priority to be available to register my kid. They announce the date weeks/months in advance. It's not hard to plan, and I WOH in a busy field.

Wow. Ok.

For a lot of parents, it's not about "making it a priority." It's about whether or not they are able to register at 10 am on a Tuesday. Many parents do not have access to the internet where they work, or are not allowed to use the internet for personal use on work hours. They may not have the privilege of your flexibilities.

That's not my problem. Ok? Ok.

You are horrible.

I am a leader for 2 troops, SU volunteer, and have donated thousands to council. My two girls did not get spots and that's okay. I would be ashamed to be one of these women bleating on about this. Admit it, you want cheap sleepaway camp, we know. We all know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not in. I am seriously pissed. Sixth year in a row and now she's out. This is not the organization for us any longer. Way too inept.

So no new girl scout sisters should get a fair shot because your daughter has always gone? Doesn't seem sisterly. More demand than supply, but you are special? Okay....

My kid is as special as yours. The way this whole thing has been handled is unprofessional and chaotic. The largest GS Council in the US mucks it up again.

FWIW, I offered five different weeks. We were not picky.

As special. Not more special. And very lucky to have a parent who was able to register for her for five years at 10 am on a Tuesday.

As special. Right. Not more special. Those were your words.

And you are also right that I made it a priority to be available to register my kid. They announce the date weeks/months in advance. It's not hard to plan, and I WOH in a busy field.

Wow. Ok.

For a lot of parents, it's not about "making it a priority." It's about whether or not they are able to register at 10 am on a Tuesday. Many parents do not have access to the internet where they work, or are not allowed to use the internet for personal use on work hours. They may not have the privilege of your flexibilities.

That's not my problem. Ok? Ok.

Wow, aren't you a princess? You're not special and neither is your kid. OK? OK.

[Anonymous]

Registration for non-lottery selectees is now open. We were able to squeeze out a spot for my Brownie.