Girl Scout camp--do I have a chance?

[Anonymous]

First year trying to get into Girl Scout Camp and I am trying for two lottery based camps, specifically Burke Lake and Fairfax (in Reston). Does my daughter have any realistic shot at getting in if I don't volunteer? I am debating signing up for another camp one of the same weeks, but it has a 50$ cancel fee and I would rather DD go to GS camp. I just don't want to be completely out of luck with all camps as you don't find out about GS camp until some time in April. THoughts?

[Anonymous]

DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

OP is willing to volunteer so I think she doesn't need the aftercare but wants her daughter in GS camp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

OP is willing to volunteer so I think she doesn't need the aftercare but wants her daughter in GS camp.

Or maybe not. I just reread the OP. Can't tell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

Oh gee--what a good idea! I'll just tell my boss I'm bringing a bunch of girls to work with me for a few hours.

I'm not saying the volunteers need to be out like that. But I would pay double if the hours were more accommodating. I just find the lack of consideration in supporting working women to be in conflict with the mission of Girl Scouts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

Oh gee--what a good idea! I'll just tell my boss I'm bringing a bunch of girls to work with me for a few hours.

I'm not saying the volunteers need to be out like that. But I would pay double if the hours were more accommodating. I just find the lack of consideration in supporting working women to be in conflict with the mission of Girl Scouts.

No one gets paid to work at the camp. They all VOLUNTEER their time. They are outside ALL DAY LONG. I do it every year and by 6-7hrs, I am drained. I go home, shower myself and my 2 girls, check for ticks, clean out/wash our gear, make dinner, make lunches for the next day and go to bed. That is our life for 2 weeks so we can offer kids a ridiculously cheap fun day-camp experience. They do a sleepover one night too so to expect anyone of those teen or mom/dad volunteers to stay a minute later to accommodate a working mom is the most selfish thing I have ever heard of. Do you know many of them have jobs and use vacation time to volunteer??

If you want 10hr camps, you need to look elsewhere or look at Girl Scout sleep-away camps.
Otherwise, hire a teen with a car that can help you out. Ask one of the teen counselors to watch your daughter for those 2hrs and pay her well. Find a SAHM neighbor and swap taking care of kids with you watching their kids on the weekends sometimes. There are so many things you could do besides complain to make it work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

Oh gee--what a good idea! I'll just tell my boss I'm bringing a bunch of girls to work with me for a few hours.

I'm not saying the volunteers need to be out like that. But I would pay double if the hours were more accommodating. I just find the lack of consideration in supporting working women to be in conflict with the mission of Girl Scouts.

No one gets paid to work at the camp. They all VOLUNTEER their time. They are outside ALL DAY LONG. I do it every year and by 6-7hrs, I am drained. I go home, shower myself and my 2 girls, check for ticks, clean out/wash our gear, make dinner, make lunches for the next day and go to bed. That is our life for 2 weeks so we can offer kids a ridiculously cheap fun day-camp experience. They do a sleepover one night too so to expect anyone of those teen or mom/dad volunteers to stay a minute later to accommodate a working mom is the most selfish thing I have ever heard of. Do you know many of them have jobs and use vacation time to volunteer??

If you want 10hr camps, you need to look elsewhere or look at Girl Scout sleep-away camps.
Otherwise, hire a teen with a car that can help you out. Ask one of the teen counselors to watch your daughter for those 2hrs and pay her well. Find a SAHM neighbor and swap taking care of kids with you watching their kids on the weekends sometimes. There are so many things you could do besides complain to make it work.

Totally missing the point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

Oh gee--what a good idea! I'll just tell my boss I'm bringing a bunch of girls to work with me for a few hours.

I'm not saying the volunteers need to be out like that. But I would pay double if the hours were more accommodating. I just find the lack of consideration in supporting working women to be in conflict with the mission of Girl Scouts.

No one gets paid to work at the camp. They all VOLUNTEER their time. They are outside ALL DAY LONG. I do it every year and by 6-7hrs, I am drained. I go home, shower myself and my 2 girls, check for ticks, clean out/wash our gear, make dinner, make lunches for the next day and go to bed. That is our life for 2 weeks so we can offer kids a ridiculously cheap fun day-camp experience. They do a sleepover one night too so to expect anyone of those teen or mom/dad volunteers to stay a minute later to accommodate a working mom is the most selfish thing I have ever heard of. Do you know many of them have jobs and use vacation time to volunteer??

If you want 10hr camps, you need to look elsewhere or look at Girl Scout sleep-away camps.
Otherwise, hire a teen with a car that can help you out. Ask one of the teen counselors to watch your daughter for those 2hrs and pay her well. Find a SAHM neighbor and swap taking care of kids with you watching their kids on the weekends sometimes. There are so many things you could do besides complain to make it work.

Totally missing the point.

+1 No one said it needed to be volunteers staffing the after care.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

Oh gee--what a good idea! I'll just tell my boss I'm bringing a bunch of girls to work with me for a few hours.

I'm not saying the volunteers need to be out like that. But I would pay double if the hours were more accommodating. I just find the lack of consideration in supporting working women to be in conflict with the mission of Girl Scouts.

No one gets paid to work at the camp. They all VOLUNTEER their time. They are outside ALL DAY LONG. I do it every year and by 6-7hrs, I am drained. I go home, shower myself and my 2 girls, check for ticks, clean out/wash our gear, make dinner, make lunches for the next day and go to bed. That is our life for 2 weeks so we can offer kids a ridiculously cheap fun day-camp experience. They do a sleepover one night too so to expect anyone of those teen or mom/dad volunteers to stay a minute later to accommodate a working mom is the most selfish thing I have ever heard of. Do you know many of them have jobs and use vacation time to volunteer??

If you want 10hr camps, you need to look elsewhere or look at Girl Scout sleep-away camps.
Otherwise, hire a teen with a car that can help you out. Ask one of the teen counselors to watch your daughter for those 2hrs and pay her well. Find a SAHM neighbor and swap taking care of kids with you watching their kids on the weekends sometimes. There are so many things you could do besides complain to make it work.

Totally missing the point.

+1 No one said it needed to be volunteers staffing the after care.

Not the PP but you are both idiots. Girls Scouts only have volunteers. They don't pay people to watch other kids because some parents are too lazy to set up their own childcare. Like the PP said, it is a day camp all outside in the woods. There is no where to do aftercare or refrigeration for food/drinks that late in the day. Thunderstorms come in the afternoon. It isn't a 10 hour day indoor childcare setting. I wouldn't even want my young kid outside for 10hrs straight. They need downtime. It is a day camp people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DD got into Lake Fairfax on our 2nd try and I didn't volunteer.

FWIW, she loved it, but the lack of before/after care was tough for us. I would think Girl Scouts would be a bit more supportive of women in the workplace and have it for at least some of their day camps.

Why don't you set up your own aftercare? The kids and mom volunteers shouldn't be in the woods for 10 hours a day in the summer to help some people with childcare. It is a CAMP and a cheap one at that. Geez!

Oh gee--what a good idea! I'll just tell my boss I'm bringing a bunch of girls to work with me for a few hours.

I'm not saying the volunteers need to be out like that. But I would pay double if the hours were more accommodating. I just find the lack of consideration in supporting working women to be in conflict with the mission of Girl Scouts.

No one gets paid to work at the camp. They all VOLUNTEER their time. They are outside ALL DAY LONG. I do it every year and by 6-7hrs, I am drained. I go home, shower myself and my 2 girls, check for ticks, clean out/wash our gear, make dinner, make lunches for the next day and go to bed. That is our life for 2 weeks so we can offer kids a ridiculously cheap fun day-camp experience. They do a sleepover one night too so to expect anyone of those teen or mom/dad volunteers to stay a minute later to accommodate a working mom is the most selfish thing I have ever heard of. Do you know many of them have jobs and use vacation time to volunteer??

If you want 10hr camps, you need to look elsewhere or look at Girl Scout sleep-away camps.
Otherwise, hire a teen with a car that can help you out. Ask one of the teen counselors to watch your daughter for those 2hrs and pay her well. Find a SAHM neighbor and swap taking care of kids with you watching their kids on the weekends sometimes. There are so many things you could do besides complain to make it work.

Totally missing the point.

+1 No one said it needed to be volunteers staffing the after care.

Not the PP but you are both idiots. Girls Scouts only have volunteers. They don't pay people to watch other kids because some parents are too lazy to set up their own childcare. Like the PP said, it is a day camp all outside in the woods. There is no where to do aftercare or refrigeration for food/drinks that late in the day. Thunderstorms come in the afternoon. It isn't a 10 hour day indoor childcare setting. I wouldn't even want my young kid outside for 10hrs straight. They need downtime. It is a day camp people.

Nice coddling.

Somehow, the YMCA has figured out how to have before and after care outside, in the exact same park, no less. I know this for a fact, since I send my children there and they do just fine.

And Girl Scouts has employees. Lots of them.

[Anonymous]

OP here. A lot of replies but only one useful one. I just want to know, am I signing up for a camp that 500 people want in but only 200 get picked, or are my chances better than that? I never mentioned aftercare, nor do I need it. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Wouldn't hold my breathe. You'll likely not get in until your 3rd try, when it's guaranteed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. A lot of replies but only one useful one. I just want to know, am I signing up for a camp that 500 people want in but only 200 get picked, or are my chances better than that? I never mentioned aftercare, nor do I need it. Thank you.

It is usually a 1 in 2-4 chance depending on enrollment and how many volunteers have kid versus volunteers who have teen aides or no kids at all. Then they obviously can fit more kids than a normal year. If you can't volunteer, still try (it truly is a lottery) but have a backup plan just in case. Good luck!