Resident Camp FAQs

Do I have to be a Girl Scout to attend camp?
All girls are welcome and will benefit from attending our camps. Girls who are not members of Girl Scouts when they sign up for camp pay $10 in addition to the fee and become registered members.

Who goes to Girl Scout camp?
Our summer programs are open to all girls of appropriate age, regardless of race, nationality, religious affiliation, sexual orientation and disability. We welcome girls of all physical and mental abilities, and every effort will be made to make reasonable accommodations for special needs. Call us at 508 923 0800 x43 to schedule a meeting to select programs that suit your child.

Can I visit camp to see what it’s like before I decide to go?
Yes, come to Open House (and you can bring the whole family!)  Spend an afternoon at camp, meet the director and some of the staff, see the facilities and learn about resident and day camp programs. There will be Q&A sessions with the camp directors. Call 800 242 0925 x18 for directions.  Open House at WIP: June 1, 1:00-4:00, Plymouth

What consideration is given to health and safety?
Health and safety are our top priorities. Our programs are conducted according to the high standards of Girl Scouts of the USA, state laws and local requirements. Camp Wind-in-the-Pines is accredited by the American Camp Association, which reviews their operations thoroughly, from staff qualifications and training to emergency management, to ensure that they meet over 300 standards.

Is Financial Aid available?
Yes, to registered members of our council if they qualify. Many families of moderate income do qualify, so it is wise to apply. All information is kept confidential. Apply for Financial Aid as part of the required Camp Application Packet.  Print ... (6p)

Do I have to have a physical exam to attend camp?
Resident campers must have had a physical exam within 24 months of entering camp. A completed Medical History and Consent for Treatment form including a record of that exam and of immunizations must be signed by a licensed physician and submitted to the council at the time of registration.

Can my family visit me at camp?
We encourage family adults to visit camp during Open House and when they drop off or pick up their campers. Visits and calls while camp is in session can be disruptive and cause homesickness and disappointment among girls whose family adults do not visit or call.

How do I get to and from camp?
The camper’s family is responsible for her transportation to and from resident camp. Bus service is available for island residents to and from the ferry.  Email mschafe@gscsm.org by June 1 to reserve a seat.

How is the staff selected?
Experience, skills, certifications, care, responsibility and character are foremost qualifications in our staff. The council does criminal background and reference checks. Resident camp staff receive a week of training before the camp season begins. Day camp is run by a Camp Director and is facilitated by volunteers. Day camp staff receive training as required by state regulation.

I want to bunk in the same tent as my friend at resident camp. Can this be guaranteed?
99.9%, if two friends are enrolled in the same program and both of them indicate one another as buddies on the registration form. Just one buddy per camper, please.

How do picky eaters survive at resident camp?
We serve things that have been traditionally popular with the majority of girls of all ages summer after summer, and we always have an alternative to the main dish. Our meals and snacks are well-balanced and nutritious. Vegetarians and girls with dietary restrictions can be accommodated with tasty, varied and healthy meals.

What are the tents and bathroom facilities like?
Resident campers at WIP sleep 4 or 5 to a platform tent — a large, house-shaped, all-weather tent on a wooden foundation and frame. They have cots and mattresses. MV and Nantucket resident campers sleep in platform tents. Counselors sleep in separate tents within sight and hearing of all of the girls’ tents. Meals at Camp WIP are served in the dining hall unless a group is cooking out. Campsites have electricity, flush toilets, running water and hot showers.