Freaking Girl Scout Camp

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t register this year (too much uncertainty for me with schedules, etc) but for those of you that send your kids-do they go with a friend or alone? I’d like my daughter to go at some point but will she be the odd person out if she’s on her own?

My daughter has always gone alone, and I think most of the people in her cabins were alone too.

[Anonymous]

They've always been super popular -- they are super cheap compared to other sleep away camps, and really pull from a broad section of society across not only the DMV, but as far as West Virginia. People complain about the cookie sales, but the way that GSCNC is able to offer such great camps that are really cheap and hugely popular is through cookie proceeds.

The camp that's close in and also has flush toilets is the one with the worst waiting list. If you are willing to go to the one without flush, and/or the ones that are further from the DMV, it's a bit easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They've always been super popular -- they are super cheap compared to other sleep away camps, and really pull from a broad section of society across not only the DMV, but as far as West Virginia. People complain about the cookie sales, but the way that GSCNC is able to offer such great camps that are really cheap and hugely popular is through cookie proceeds.

The camp that's close in and also has flush toilets is the one with the worst waiting list. If you are willing to go to the one without flush, and/or the ones that are further from the DMV, it's a bit easier.

You are talking about Winona. The reg for it and May Flather is tomorrow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t register this year (too much uncertainty for me with schedules, etc) but for those of you that send your kids-do they go with a friend or alone? I’d like my daughter to go at some point but will she be the odd person out if she’s on her own?

My daughter has always gone alone, and I think most of the people in her cabins were alone too.

My child went alone one year and was the only one there without a buddy from home. She was unhappy the whole week and no one from the camp called me to let me know.

I spent many years as a camp counselor and as head staff at a camp, and attended GS camps as a child, so I’m familiar with how kids adjust to camp. I think that allowing every child to be placed in a unit with a friend from home makes it very difficult when one child is the odd one out. Especially in Girl Scouts, which as an organization has always encouraged girls to make new friends.

I was appalled that no one contacted me about my child’s adjustment and how we could work together to help her. I was surprised that the camps were run this way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just saw kids have to wear masks all day except while eating sleeping (so breathing with 5 other friends all night) and swimming. We are pro-mask, but that does not sound like a great way to spend summer camp.

The council is doing 50% capacity in shelters for sleeping, so a shelter that usually sleeps 6 will have 3 kids sleeping with their heads in different corners, so 12 feet apart. The shelters are screened in and the curtains will be open unless there is driving rain.

It will be 4 per glen. Usually it’s 7-8.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t register this year (too much uncertainty for me with schedules, etc) but for those of you that send your kids-do they go with a friend or alone? I’d like my daughter to go at some point but will she be the odd person out if she’s on her own?

My daughter has always gone alone, and I think most of the people in her cabins were alone too.

My child went alone one year and was the only one there without a buddy from home. She was unhappy the whole week and no one from the camp called me to let me know.

I spent many years as a camp counselor and as head staff at a camp, and attended GS camps as a child, so I’m familiar with how kids adjust to camp. I think that allowing every child to be placed in a unit with a friend from home makes it very difficult when one child is the odd one out. Especially in Girl Scouts, which as an organization has always encouraged girls to make new friends.

I was appalled that no one contacted me about my child’s adjustment and how we could work together to help her. I was surprised that the camps were run this way.

That has not been our daughter’s experience - she has gone to camp alone twice and made new friends both times. We’ve had a great experience with the staff at Winona in particular.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t register this year (too much uncertainty for me with schedules, etc) but for those of you that send your kids-do they go with a friend or alone? I’d like my daughter to go at some point but will she be the odd person out if she’s on her own?

My daughter has always gone alone, and I think most of the people in her cabins were alone too.

My child went alone one year and was the only one there without a buddy from home. She was unhappy the whole week and no one from the camp called me to let me know.

I spent many years as a camp counselor and as head staff at a camp, and attended GS camps as a child, so I’m familiar with how kids adjust to camp. I think that allowing every child to be placed in a unit with a friend from home makes it very difficult when one child is the odd one out. Especially in Girl Scouts, which as an organization has always encouraged girls to make new friends.

I was appalled that no one contacted me about my child’s adjustment and how we could work together to help her. I was surprised that the camps were run this way.

That has not been our daughter’s experience - she has gone to camp alone twice and made new friends both times. We’ve had a great experience with the staff at Winona in particular.

Former counselor and director speaking. I second this -- your kiddo will get more out of sleepaway camp if they go alone. Camp is for meeting new people, trying new things, and getting to explore your identity.

Also, sleepaway camp isn't for everyone! My general suggestion to parents with is to give it a couple of tries in different types of programs. If they still HATE it, just go with a day camp or yes, try sending a buddy. Just know that those buddy pairs are VERY often the ones who end up fighting, isolating themselves, or isolating the single kids in the cabin. It's often an anchor on the benefit of the experience, even if they do have fun.

[Anonymous]

Today was not stressful! I was 50th in line and have already confirmed and paid. My kid was the first in her session

[Anonymous]

I'm currently 250th in line. Fingers crossed!

[Anonymous]

I was ~230 at the beginning, and just got in and registered my two girls for their top choices at Winona. Good luck to all!

[Anonymous]

I started out roughly 500th and was able to register at around 10:25 for my first choice at May Flather.

Now waiting to see if her friends (twins, which means two spots) are able to get in.

[Anonymous]

I was 1200 but DD's friends had much better numbers. They got in together and we're on the waitlist. We did get a different session so I guess that's something. I know someone that was 1700.

[Anonymous]

Anyone have feedback on May Flather?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is the shittiest system I've ever had to use for camps. Logged in immediately at the stroke of 10 and was 700th in line! Waited 35 minutes to have the system boot me back out and refuse to recognize my login. Called and got that reset and tried to register. Choice #1 had 2 spots left. Put in all of the information and then the system booted me back out AGAIN. Logged in again and now she's waitlisted. So annoying!

I'm sorry you had that experience. Weirdly, I find GS to be the best system I've engaged with because the "Queue Now" system is transparent. You log in by 10, they randomly sort you into line, and then you get regular updates on where you stand.

[Anonymous]

^^i liked that I didn't have to refresh anything.