Frequently Asked Questions
|
How do we register?
Registration MUST be submitted via this website - see the registration page for more information. Registration opens will open once we have a minimum number of volunteers committed for the week. Please sign up for the mailing list to be notified when registration will be open. What communication will I receive?
Please know that everyone organizing camp are volunteers with full time jobs and families. In order to make camp happen for 400+ campers and PAs, we have created a streamlined system. Once registration opens, you will receive a PayPal invoice and instructions to fill out necessary health forms. Please note that we cannot send individual confirmations of payment and health forms - we will follow up with those families who are missing information only. About one week before camp, emails will be sent out with unit placement. At the end of each day, you will receive an email with a wrap-up of the day's events and what to look forward to on the next day. Why should I Volunteer?
Girl Scout Sammamish Day Camp is a 100% volunteer-led camp meaning there are NO paid employees. Through volunteers like yourself, the camp is able to make a huge difference in the number of girls that can participate at camp! Volunteers, requiring adult presence at camp Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm daily, will have guaranteed placement in camp for their campers as long as all paperwork and payment is received no later than April 30th. You can also buddy-up with a friend to cover the week's volunteer commitment and still receive placement for both of your families. |
FRIDAY LUNCH!!!!
Where is Sammamish Day Camp?
Girl Scout Sammamish Day Camp is at the beautiful Beaver Lake Park in Sammamish, WA. |
Can my Preschooler or Son attend camp?
YES!!! Girl Scout Sammamish Day Camp offers both Tagalong and Boy units for children of full time adult volunteers only.
The Tagalong Unit is open to any preschool aged children of adult volunteers (must be potty trained). The Boys Unit is open to all boys entering grades 1st through 5th in the fall. The adult volunteer must be on-site for the Tagalong/Boy to attend camp and the Tagalong/Boy camper must leave if the parent leaves the camp due to Girl Scout safety rules.
YES!!! Girl Scout Sammamish Day Camp offers both Tagalong and Boy units for children of full time adult volunteers only.
The Tagalong Unit is open to any preschool aged children of adult volunteers (must be potty trained). The Boys Unit is open to all boys entering grades 1st through 5th in the fall. The adult volunteer must be on-site for the Tagalong/Boy to attend camp and the Tagalong/Boy camper must leave if the parent leaves the camp due to Girl Scout safety rules.
What is the refund policy?
Registration closes on May 15th and our supply purchasing begins in earnest. If you have to cancel before that date, we can refund your money in full less a $15 processing fee. Request for refunds must be in writing or emailed to mjillian38@gmail.com. If you have to cancel after that date, we may be able to supply your child with some of the items we purchase at camp (after the camp is over) but we will not be able to refund your registration fee.
Registration closes on May 15th and our supply purchasing begins in earnest. If you have to cancel before that date, we can refund your money in full less a $15 processing fee. Request for refunds must be in writing or emailed to mjillian38@gmail.com. If you have to cancel after that date, we may be able to supply your child with some of the items we purchase at camp (after the camp is over) but we will not be able to refund your registration fee.
My child would like to attend with a friend. Can they be together at camp?
Your child has the option to list a "camp buddy" during the online registration process. Note the friend MUST also list your child as their "buddy". Buddy placement is not guaranteed, though we strive to organize camp so that it is the best experience for everyone! The goal is to only have buddy pairs in units so campers can make new friends and no one is left out. Our PAs spend the first day of camp building a cohesive unit through team building activities and get-to-know-you games.
Your child has the option to list a "camp buddy" during the online registration process. Note the friend MUST also list your child as their "buddy". Buddy placement is not guaranteed, though we strive to organize camp so that it is the best experience for everyone! The goal is to only have buddy pairs in units so campers can make new friends and no one is left out. Our PAs spend the first day of camp building a cohesive unit through team building activities and get-to-know-you games.
What should my camper bring to camp?
A camper letter will be sent closer to camp with details but here is an idea of what to bring every day:
A camper letter will be sent closer to camp with details but here is an idea of what to bring every day:
- LARGE LUNCH & HEALTHY SNACKS (remember the campers are very active and often need a larger lunch than usual) - Please help us keep campers safe and send only nut-free foods!
- Reusable water bottle
- Backpack with extra clothes (just in case)
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Bug spray (optional)
- Sweatshirt or jacket (optional for colder mornings)
What should my camper wear to camp?
Campers should wear seasonally and weather appropriate clothing.
Campers should wear seasonally and weather appropriate clothing.
- Shorts (typically)
- Any shirt that can be worn under a camp t-shirt. (Campers receive shirts to wear at camp and bring them home the last day.)
- Closed toes shoes (open-toed, sandals or flip flops are NOT allowed) (Keen-type shoes with closed toes are acceptable.)
- Sweatshirt or jacket
- Thursday is Water Day! Please send your camper (1st-5th grades) with a swimsuit for sprinklers. Sixth graders and PATs will be on a field trip.
What will my child eat at camp?
Your camper must bring a large lunch to camp (Monday through Thursday) as campers are very active and often need a larger lunch than usual. Friday's activities include an all camp lunch provided by the camp. The camp letter sent home closer to camp will include more details about the Friday lunch. If your camper is a picky eater or has allergies, you may want to send along additional food on Friday.
Please note, we will no longer be providing daily snacks! Please send your camper with nut-free snacks!
Your camper must bring a large lunch to camp (Monday through Thursday) as campers are very active and often need a larger lunch than usual. Friday's activities include an all camp lunch provided by the camp. The camp letter sent home closer to camp will include more details about the Friday lunch. If your camper is a picky eater or has allergies, you may want to send along additional food on Friday.
Please note, we will no longer be providing daily snacks! Please send your camper with nut-free snacks!
A note on Porta Potties...
The park does not have enough toilets to service the hundreds of campers at Sammamish Day Camp, so we bring in multiple portable toilets. They are set up for our campers the day before camp and locked overnight. We have them professionally cleaned and serviced twice during the week. Please set appropriate expectations for your camper to use these toilets. We ask that they drink a lot of water throughout the day to stay healthy.
The park does not have enough toilets to service the hundreds of campers at Sammamish Day Camp, so we bring in multiple portable toilets. They are set up for our campers the day before camp and locked overnight. We have them professionally cleaned and serviced twice during the week. Please set appropriate expectations for your camper to use these toilets. We ask that they drink a lot of water throughout the day to stay healthy.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day schedule is below:
9am - 10am Each day at camp starts at 9am with drop-off, songs and our opening ceremony.
10am - Noon Units rotate through activities focused on our camp theme, e.g. games, team-building, outdoor skills, etc.
Noon Lunch is brought from home and lots of conversation is shared!
1pm - 3pm Lots more activities with more unit rotations.
3pm - 4pm Time to clean up, closing ceremony and then say goodbye to new and old friends.
4pm "Hi Mom & Dad - let me tell you what a great day I had at camp!"
A typical day schedule is below:
9am - 10am Each day at camp starts at 9am with drop-off, songs and our opening ceremony.
10am - Noon Units rotate through activities focused on our camp theme, e.g. games, team-building, outdoor skills, etc.
Noon Lunch is brought from home and lots of conversation is shared!
1pm - 3pm Lots more activities with more unit rotations.
3pm - 4pm Time to clean up, closing ceremony and then say goodbye to new and old friends.
4pm "Hi Mom & Dad - let me tell you what a great day I had at camp!"
What happens at camp for different groups?
- Campers (Entering 1st-6th Grade): Campers show up each day at 9am and head to the Pavilion for songs. They then meet up with their unit at Opening Flag Ceremony. Throughout the day, they move through station rotations with other units of their grade. They also have scheduled in-unit time for relaxing and team building. Campers entering 6th grade go on a field trip on Thursday with the PATs. By the end of the week, campers have developed great friendships, learned new skills, and earned 2-3 badges.
- PATs (Typically entering 7th Grade but open to older Girl Scouts if needed): Program Aides in Training are learning how to run camp. They will attend some camp stations, but they spend most of their time working through the Girl Scouts PAT workshop and shadowing different units. They run the Camp Carnival on Wednesday and go on a field trip with the 6th graders on Thursday. By the end of the week, they have earned their PA Award, LIA Award, a couple of badges, and are prepared to work the following year to help run camp.
- PAs (entering 8th-12th Grade): Program Aids run Sammamish Day Camp. They work in groups of 2-3 to run a unit. They all have their PA and LIA awards. Once they are entering 10th grade, they have the opportunity to earn their VIT award and become a lead PA. PAs are continually working to build better leaders in themselves, their fellow PAs, and their campers. They are given opportunities throughout the year to help plan camp themes, activities, and programs. PAs typically put in 50-75 hours of volunteer time at camp and in planning for camp.
- Boys Unit (open to boys in 1st-6th grade): The Boys Units are open to sons of full time volunteers. Depending on how many boys register at different ages, we will often split the Boys Unit into two groups. They run through most camp stations learning the skills and having a great time. The PAs also work to build different in-unit actities based on the ages of the boys and interest levels.
- Tagalongs (potty-trained preschoolers): The Tagalong Unit is open to younger children of full time volunteers. This unit may be led by adult volunteers if necessary. Tags go through most stations at camp with some extra help. They have extra in-unit activities based on age and interest.
- Adult Volunteers (aka "Red Shirts"): Girl Scout members and background checked Adult Volunteers are necessary to run camp. Volunteers arrive at camp at 8:30am to meet at the Lodge and learn the plan for the day and get their assignments. Most Adults work facilitating station activities throught the day. We strive to make camp fun for everyone, including adult volunteers, so we try to schedule adults to activities they will like. At the end of the day, volunteers help getting campers picked up and safely in their cars. Please thank the volunteers who are helping yoru campers have a great time!
How is SDC keeping up-to-date with the new vaccination requirements?
Girl Scouts of Western Washington follows the same laws for public schools.
From the Department of Health: In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine required for school and child care entry.
The bill takes effect July 28, 2019 and applies to public and private schools and child cares. The law removes the option for a personal/philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine requirement for schools and child cares. It also requires employees and volunteers at child care centers to provide immunization records indicating they have received the MMR vaccine or proof of immunity.
We know there is great interest in the effects of this bill. The department and its partners are working on interpreting the law and creating new forms. As we prepare for the new law to take effect, we’ll continue our work in helping parents and the public understand the safety record of vaccines and the critical role they have in saving lives.
This page contains quick information and resources on this change to school and child care immunization requirements. Find more detailed information in the Frequently Asked Questions. As more information becomes available, we will share it.
Girl Scouts of Western Washington follows the same laws for public schools.
From the Department of Health: In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal and philosophical option to exempt children from the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine required for school and child care entry.
The bill takes effect July 28, 2019 and applies to public and private schools and child cares. The law removes the option for a personal/philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine requirement for schools and child cares. It also requires employees and volunteers at child care centers to provide immunization records indicating they have received the MMR vaccine or proof of immunity.
We know there is great interest in the effects of this bill. The department and its partners are working on interpreting the law and creating new forms. As we prepare for the new law to take effect, we’ll continue our work in helping parents and the public understand the safety record of vaccines and the critical role they have in saving lives.
This page contains quick information and resources on this change to school and child care immunization requirements. Find more detailed information in the Frequently Asked Questions. As more information becomes available, we will share it.
What happens if wildfires effect air quality?
Our camp serves about 500 campers, PATs, PAs, and Adult Volunteers. We cannot easily cancel camp due to poor air quality. Sending your child to camp is ultimately up to your discrestion.
In the event of wildfires cause poor air quality, we will do our best to serve all campers by limiting physical activity and providing extra breaks. However, we must have enough Volunteers to meet the required Safety Ratios. After our opening ceremony, we will check the number of volunteers and campers on site. If we cannot meet safety ratios, we will begin calling parents to pick up campers starting in the first grade units. If possible, we will keep the older girls at camp.
Our camp serves about 500 campers, PATs, PAs, and Adult Volunteers. We cannot easily cancel camp due to poor air quality. Sending your child to camp is ultimately up to your discrestion.
In the event of wildfires cause poor air quality, we will do our best to serve all campers by limiting physical activity and providing extra breaks. However, we must have enough Volunteers to meet the required Safety Ratios. After our opening ceremony, we will check the number of volunteers and campers on site. If we cannot meet safety ratios, we will begin calling parents to pick up campers starting in the first grade units. If possible, we will keep the older girls at camp.
Lost & Found
We have a Lost & Found located at the Beaver Lake Lodge throughout the week at camp. After camp, a box is set up on the porch of one of the Director's homes for one week. After that, anything left is either thrown out or donated.
We have a Lost & Found located at the Beaver Lake Lodge throughout the week at camp. After camp, a box is set up on the porch of one of the Director's homes for one week. After that, anything left is either thrown out or donated.