FAQs
How do we register?
Registration form links can be found on the Registration page. Registration opens 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?
Once you have registered, you will receive a confirmation email. Closer to camp dates, you will receive an email with unit placement and other important information.
Why should I volunteer?
Girl Scout Sammamish Day Camp is a 100 percent 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 Scouts that can participate at camp!
Volunteers, requiring adult presence at camp Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, will have guaranteed placement in camp for their campers.
Five-day volunteers in 2024 will be reimbursed their Girl Scout membership fee of $50 at the end of camp.
Where is Sammamish Day Camp?
Girl Scout Sammamish Day Camp Hans Jensen Group Camp in Issaquah.
Can my preschooler or son attend camp?
Five-day volunteers can register their sons and potty-trained preschoolers for the Boys unit (entering kindergarten through 6th grade) and Tagalongs. The parent must be on-site all five days.
What is the refund policy?
Registration closes on May 31. 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 emailed to sammdaycamp@gmail.com.
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.
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:
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
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.
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
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. On Friday, we will offer lunch. More details regarding camp lunch will be in the information email sent closer to camp.
We do not provide snacks or other food throughout the day. Please send your camper with nut-free snacks!
A note on porta-potties...
Campers use porta-potties and camp pit toilets. We aim to keep them as clean as possible. It is important that your child use them when needed to stay safe and healthy. Please have that conversation with your camper. Campers must drink a lot of water throughout the day.
What does a typical day look like?
A typical day schedule is below:
9 to 9:30 a.m. Each day at camp starts at 9 a.m. with drop-off, songs and our opening ceremony.
9:30 a.m. to noon Units rotate through activities focused on our camp theme, e.g. archery, crafts, team-building and outdoor skills.
Noon Lunch is brought from home and lots of conversation is shared!
1 to 3:30 p.m. More unit rotations.
3:30 to 4 p.m. Time to clean up, closing ceremony and then say goodbye to new and old friends.
4 to 4:20 p.m. Pickup, a staggered pickup during that time is helpful for traffic flow.
What happens at camp for different groups?
Campers (entering 1st through 6th grades): Campers show up each day at 9 a.m. and head to the field for songs. They then meet up with their unit at Opening Flag Ceremony. Throughout the day, they move through station rotations with other units within their grade level. They also have scheduled in-unit time for relaxing and team building. Campers entering 6th grade go on a field trip on Friday afternoon, after camp, with the PATs. By the end of the week, campers have developed great friendships, learned new skills, and earned 2 to 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 and become great leaders. They will attend some camp stations, but they spend most of their time working through the Girl Scouts PAT workshops, and shadowing different units, and practicing their leadership skills. They go on a field trip with the 6th graders on Friday. 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 through 12th grades): Program Aides run Sammamish Day Camp. They work in groups of 2 to 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 to 75 hours of volunteer time at camp and in planning for camp.
Boys unit (open to boys in 1st-6th grade): The Boys Unit is open to sons of full-time volunteers. Our boys program runs in tandem with the girls program and is enriching and fun.
Tagalongs (potty-trained preschoolers): The Tagalong Unit is open to younger children of full-time volunteers in the years it’s offered. Taglongs must be potty-trained.
Adult Volunteers (aka "Red Shirts"): Girl Scout members and background-checked Adult Volunteers are necessary to run camp. Volunteers arrive at camp at 8:30 a.m. and learn the plan for the day and get their assignments. Roles range from supporting PAs at stations, facilities needs, and safety and security needs.
Health and safety
Girl Scouts of Western Washington follows the same vaccination laws as public schools and all Covid-related recommendations from the state and county. More information specific to Covid will be in the information letter sent closer to camp as circumstances shift.
What happens if wildfires effect air quality?
In the event of poor air quality caused by wildfires, we will do our best to serve all campers by limiting physical activity and providing extra breaks, and following safety recommendations.
Lost and found
We have a lost and found located at the entrance tent throughout the week. Families have one week to pick up lost items after camp is over. After that, anything left is either thrown out or donated.