BSA camps indeed stress the Scout belonging to the troop, even though the camp merit badge activities for individual scouts are done separately in classes. However, there is an option for scouts to participate in a contingency troop, where adult leaders are provided by the council. This is offered for cases when a girl can’t participate with her troop because of scheduling purposes. However, your girl already needs to belong to a Scouts BSA troop in order to sign up for a contingency troop. We don’t offer Scouts BSA summer camps for individual non-members because we are not a public accommodation.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So jealous of Girl Scout camp. I wish that BSA did something similar because I loved Girl Scout camp so much. Jealous.

+1 why is BSA so uninteresting compared to GS (rhetorical)? I have two boys and a girl and we tried GSA and gave up, meanwhile my daughter is having a blast as a Girl Scout.

We love BSA and the regular program but the camps are structured so differently. It is more of an emphasis on the Troop as a unit and less on the individual camp. Both are valid but I really wish that BSA had camp options like Girl Scouts because those work so well for the individual kid and offer more opportunities to find something that you like.

My kid goes to Goshen? Isn't that the same?

Not unless Girl Scout camp has changed. BSA camps tend to be Troops picking a week and going to a camp, there are a bunch to go to. They go as a Troop and parents come as the chaperones. The kids can choose activities to do at the camp, most based on having fun and completing a merit badge. Most are tent camping, like platforms with space for a tent or a three side canvas structure with an open face so that the week counts towards a Scouts total number of camping nights, which is needed for advancement and some merit badges.

Girl Scout camp, as I remember them, are things that girls can sign up as an individual. They had either cabins or a full canvas style tent with 4-6 girls in them. You went for a specific type of camp, I did horseback riding and camping specializations. There were activities everyone could do around camp but you also did special activities based on the type of camp you attended. There were no parents, only Counselors. And they tended to be in locations where the temperature was more comfortable like the mountains.

I think the big thing that stands out to me is the requirement to provide your own adult supervision for the camping elements, there are counselors for the various activities, and the emphasis on group camping vs individual camping.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So jealous of Girl Scout camp. I wish that BSA did something similar because I loved Girl Scout camp so much. Jealous.

+1 why is BSA so uninteresting compared to GS (rhetorical)? I have two boys and a girl and we tried GSA and gave up, meanwhile my daughter is having a blast as a Girl Scout.

We love BSA and the regular program but the camps are structured so differently. It is more of an emphasis on the Troop as a unit and less on the individual camp. Both are valid but I really wish that BSA had camp options like Girl Scouts because those work so well for the individual kid and offer more opportunities to find something that you like.

My kid goes to Goshen? Isn't that the same?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So jealous of Girl Scout camp. I wish that BSA did something similar because I loved Girl Scout camp so much. Jealous.

+1 why is BSA so uninteresting compared to GS (rhetorical)? I have two boys and a girl and we tried GSA and gave up, meanwhile my daughter is having a blast as a Girl Scout.

We love BSA and the regular program but the camps are structured so differently. It is more of an emphasis on the Troop as a unit and less on the individual camp. Both are valid but I really wish that BSA had camp options like Girl Scouts because those work so well for the individual kid and offer more opportunities to find something that you like.

Anonymous wrote:So jealous of Girl Scout camp. I wish that BSA did something similar because I loved Girl Scout camp so much. Jealous.

+1 why is BSA so uninteresting compared to GS (rhetorical)? I have two boys and a girl and we tried GSA and gave up, meanwhile my daughter is having a blast as a Girl Scout.

So jealous of Girl Scout camp. I wish that BSA did something similar because I loved Girl Scout camp so much. Jealous.

Glad they're doing a lottery again. I was always able to get my daughters in to camp with the old system, but it was stressful and unfair. When they pivoted to the lottery last year, they did a thoughtful job in implementing it and it seemed to go smoothly. Also looks like they've added a lot of new programs this year and that they'll have three camps (bringing Winona back), which should help.

Here's the program grid:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CGMz45JDXXue5fUb3-LRDNV0gF47yN3Yo0PlMf-PUXo/edit?fbclid=IwAR2Hu_kwgwVrTkRSW9O413Ocn6eI8IZ5zBQQgTg_4j3mXW4ziNGzYxONaYY#gid=1486438808

GSCNC has posted their Summer Camp Plans for 2023.

It will be a lottery again this year for Sleep-away camp.

Here is the timeline:

Registration Timeline

January 11: Lottery Opens for May Flather, Potomac Woods, and Winona

January 25: Sleep Away Camp Lottery Closes

February 13: General Registration Opens for any remaining Sleep Away Camp Spaces

Registration for Summer Day and Evening Camps 2023 opens at 10 AM

February 21st: Virginia based Day/Evening Camps

February 22nd: Camp Tag-a-Long

February 23rd: Maryland based Day/Evening Camps

More info here: https://www.gscnc.org/en/camp/explore-our-camps/summer-sleep-away-camps.html

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I still haven't received the email! I know they can't make everyone happy, but making it dependent on which order it sends a mass email is particularly galling. We had a spot in original registration, btw.

Following up to say I received it at 1:15. All Brownie spots are full, except that week in August where the put the extra spots.

It wasn't in my spam, and my connection isn't slow. The nature of big email pushes is that not everyone receives the email at the same time. Sucks.

I'm sorry - I know that sucks. A few people recommended checking neighboring councils as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that there will be cancellations in your favor.

I really hope that they get a better system, or be able to offer more capacity next year.

Thank you for your sympathy. And if you got in, I am truly happy for your family. GS camp is fantastic.

My one silver lining is that DD is rising 4th, so next year there should hopefully be a lot more options. It's K-3rd that is the most constrained.

I got it at 1:18. Not surprised, GSCNC technology is run by people with the same aptitude as my grandma.

We gave up on GSCNC camps and are going out of the area.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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

I still haven't received the email! I know they can't make everyone happy, but making it dependent on which order it sends a mass email is particularly galling. We had a spot in original registration, btw.

Following up to say I received it at 1:15. All Brownie spots are full, except that week in August where the put the extra spots.

It wasn't in my spam, and my connection isn't slow. The nature of big email pushes is that not everyone receives the email at the same time. Sucks.

I'm sorry - I know that sucks. A few people recommended checking neighboring councils as well. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that there will be cancellations in your favor.

I really hope that they get a better system, or be able to offer more capacity next year.

Anonymous wrote:

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

I still haven't received the email! I know they can't make everyone happy, but making it dependent on which order it sends a mass email is particularly galling. We had a spot in original registration, btw.

Following up to say I received it at 1:15. All Brownie spots are full, except that week in August where the put the extra spots.

It wasn't in my spam, and my connection isn't slow. The nature of big email pushes is that not everyone receives the email at the same time. Sucks.

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

Hooray! I'm glad you were able to get a spot in spite of all the stress.

Anonymous wrote:

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

I still haven't received the email! I know they can't make everyone happy, but making it dependent on which order it sends a mass email is particularly galling. We had a spot in original registration, btw.

Check your spam - I got it right at 1pm and we had an original spot as well. The link seems specific or else I'd post it here (plus I don't want folks who shouldn't be registering at this time to get into the system and screw it up again). Good luck

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

I still haven't received the email! I know they can't make everyone happy, but making it dependent on which order it sends a mass email is particularly galling. We had a spot in original registration, btw.