General Camp Information

Buddies

Girls are welcome to bring a friend with them to a summer program session. Please be sure they register for the same event at the same time. What a great way to share the joy of Girl Scouting!

Communication and Confirmation

All communication about GSNWGL summer programs will be sent through email, so please make sure that you provide us with a valid email address for you and your camper. If you are not sure if we have your current email address on file, you may contact us at 888.747.6945 or register@gsnwgl.org. Once your registration has been successfully processed, an email will be sent to your email address. This email will contain important information such as the camp session/program you registered for, links to our camp Facebook pages, and a link to the Confirmations page on our website. This is where you can download all confirmation information for Council programs, series, camps, etc., at least one week prior to the program start date. Confirmation information on the website may include required health forms, packing lists, directions, and more.

Cookie Dough

Fund Your Fun! Remember, Cookie Dough earned this year expires December 21, 2012, and funding your summer program fun is a great way to use it! See the Payment section on the next page to learn how to pay for programs and camp using Cookie Dough.

Day Camp Before/After Care

Need to work early or late? Your daughter can still attend day camp! Sign her up for Day Camp Before/After Care. She can arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. and stay as late as 5:30 p.m. Staff supervision and activities will be provided. There is a fee of $2/day, and you may pick one day or all week—we want to work around your schedule! Please note: if you’re using before/after care, your camper will not be able to take the bus to/from camp.

Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance (FA) is available for all girls, if needed.
How to request FA:

  • If using eBiz online registration (for camp sessions only - FA requests for program events and series must use paper forms): Choose the camp session(s) your camper would like to attend and register following the instructions included as an insert. Complete checkout and pay all deposits and fees due. This holds your camper’s spot in the camp session of her choice. Then fully complete the FA request form included in this book, making sure to write on the form that you have already registered and paid the deposit online, and mail it to the Appleton Service Center with any additional payment. You will receive an email with the amount of FA granted as well as the amount of any balance due.

    Please note: FA requests using online registration may only be used through May 31, 2012. FA requests on or after June 1, 2012 must use paper forms. Camp FA will only be granted for one camp session per year, per camper. Multiple requests cannot be granted. FA is not available for additional items - bussing, camp kits, trading post, etc.
  • If using paper registration forms (for camp sessions and/or program events and series): Complete the appropriate registration form included in this book (Program/Event Series Form for program events and series, or the Summer Camp Form for all camp sessions), then complete the Council Program Financial Assistance Form (you’ll need to complete a separate form for each registrant for each program or camp session). Send all forms and payments to the Appleton Service Center (for camp sessions, a minimum deposit of $50 is required). You will receive an email with the amount of FA awarded, as well as any balance due. All balances are due by June 1, 2012.

Girl Planning

Each program description presents an idea of what activities will likely be included at camp, however, girl input will help determine what activities actually happen. Helping to decide what happens at camp gives each girl an opportunity to discover a stronger sense of self by identifying her interests, to connect with other girls by engaging in cooperation and teambuilding, and to take action as a resourceful problem-solver in deciding how to reach everyone’s goals.

Grades

All grades listed for summer program events and camp sessions refer to the grades girls will be entering in the fall of 2012.

Health Forms

Each participant is required to provide a signed Program Health History Form to attend any summer program. A physical exam is needed for participants attending any program with three or more overnights and must be signed by medical personnel within 24 months of the last day of the program.

Non-Members

All girls are welcome at any Girl Scout camp, program event, or series program! If a girl is not yet a registered Girl Scout, please complete registration online or indicate on a paper registration form and include an additional $12 for the membership fee (includes insurance coverage) and we will register her through September 30, 2012. Adults who are attending any GSNWGL program will also need to be registered Girl Scout members.

Payment

All programs that are $100 or less require payment in full at the time of registration. For programs that are over $100 or if you are requesting financial assistance, a $50 deposit must be included with registration. Registrations will not be processed until all of the above requirements are met. Additional items—bus stops, camp kits, trading post, etc.—must be paid in full at the time of registration. All balances must be paid in full by June 1, 2012. Registrations after June 1, 2012 will need to be paid in full at the time of registration.
Please note: If you would like to use Cookie Dough but do not yet have it at the time of camp registration, you will need to pay all required deposits/fees; after you receive your Cookie Dough you may contact the GSNWGL Receipter at the Appleton Service Center to apply your Cookie Dough to your camp session. If the amount of Cookie Dough used plus the amount of your deposit exceeds the total cost of your camp fees, you will receive a refund for the overage.

Property Management

All GSNWGL camp properties follow the recommended guidelines of GSUSA with regard to health and safety, and permits are renewed annually by the State following health and safety inspections. Camp Birch Trails is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). The ACA is a community of camp professionals dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults through the camp experience. Accreditation is voluntary and involves scrutiny of camp staff, facilities, safety, and risk. Accreditation is your assurance this camp has been evaluated and is nationally recognized in every area of operation and management.

Refund Policy

Program Events and Series
To keep costs low, refunds will only be issued if the program is cancelled by our Council or for a family/medical emergency (requests must be made in writing). If, by the registration deadline, you cannot attend the event for which you have paid, you may transfer the fee within two months to another Council program.

Camp Sessions
If you register for camp by June 1, 2012: Cancellations must be made in writing and received by GSNWGL’s Registration Department by June 1, 2012. If a cancellation is due to a camper’s illness, medical reasons, or other uncontrollable circumstance, you may request a refund (minus the deposit).

If you register for camp after June 1, 2012:
Contact GSNWGL’s Registration Department as soon as possible to cancel your registration. Refund requests must be made in writing and received by GSNWGL’s Outdoor Program Manager by August 31, 2012. All such requests may require a doctor’s note or official statement in order to qualify for a refund. Any camp fees paid, including deposit, are not refundable for non-medical requests.

All summer sessions are subject to cancellation or rescheduling by GSNWGL staff. Any session that does not have sufficient enrollment may be cancelled by GSNWGL. If a session is cancelled and the camper is unable to attend an alternate session, all fees paid will be refunded, including deposit.

Registration

Registration opens February 1, 2012!

eBiz Online Registration
Did you know that you can register online for most GSNWGL program opportunities, including summer camp? It’s true, and it’s so easy! Whether you’re a Troop Leader registering several members of your troop for a Council one-time or series program, or a parent/guardian registering your Girl Scout for camp, eBiz is the place to go for online program registration!

There are many benefits to using eBiz for online registration:

  • Your eBiz online registration is immediate, ensuring that your Girl Scout’s place in the program is secure, eliminating the often significant amount of time it takes for paper forms to be mailed and manually processed!
  • Using eBiz online registration supports Girl Scouting’s efforts to go green, saving tons of paper and resources each year! This also translates into monetary savings, meaning we can all put those savings back into providing the best Girl Scout Leadership Experience opportunities for our girls!
  • eBiz is available virtually 24/7, when it’s convenient for you!

View this page for step-by-step instructions for eBiz online camp registration.
Please note: Troop Leaders are not able to register troop members for a camp through the Troop Management Hub at this time. Therefore, parents/guardians must register their Girl Scouts for camp.

Paper Registration

Online registration (http://gsnw.gl/reg) is encouraged and preferred! Some camp sessions and programs fill quickly, and paper forms may take several days to process, so we recommend using eBiz—our online registration site—for immediate placement in the program of your Girl Scout’s choice.

To register for summer programs using a paper registration form, complete the applicable form (either for camp sessions or program events/series). You must submit a separate form for each camper/registrant attending each session/program. For camp registration, your camper will be placed in the first or second choice as space is available. If both sessions are full, you will be informed and given an opportunity to choose another camp session. Please mail paper registration forms directly to:
Appleton Service Center
4693 N. Lynndale Dr.
Appleton, WI 54913

Safety

Safety is our number one concern! All staff are well-trained in safety procedures to keep your daughter safe. All camps follow Girl Scout and State standards for health and safety.

Special Needs

All camps are prepared to accommodate a wide variety of abilities, special needs, or dietary restrictions. Please contact the camp prior to registering so preparations can be made to make your camper’s experience the best it can be. Be sure to list all special needs in the appropriate field during registration.

Transportation

Bus transportation is available for most camp sessions for an additional fee. Please see each camp’s page for specific bussing information and costs. Specific bus stop locations and pick up/drop off times will be listed on our website in the camp bus stops section.

Bully-Free Zone

Bullying is NOT tolerated at GSNWGL. It takes our entire Girl Scout community to create an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome. Check out our website to find more information on preventing bullying.