Girl Power! Resident Camp 2007

Experience Girl Power this summer! This summer's Resident Camp being held at Camp Whispering Pines from June 3-July 13 is sure to be fun, so don't delay signing up. Resident camp provides girls in 2nd - 12th grade a fun-filled atmosphere which encourages them to develop their talents, explore new things, strengthen their self-worth, develop group living skills and broadens their awareness of nature as well as their surrounding natural resources.

Brochures and Important Forms

PDF Icon Camp brochures (here in PDF format) are being mailed February 19!

PDF Icon Click here for a copy of the Resident Camp Registration Form

PDF Icon Financial Assistance form

PDF Icon Health cards can be found here.

Additional forms and more information for already registered campers is here >

Please Join Us…

At Camp Whispering Pines for
OPEN HOUSE 2007
Sunday, April 22, 1 - 3 p.m.

If you're a parent/guardian sending your child to camp for the first time…
If it's been years since you've visited camp…
If you haven't seen some of the changes at the camp properties…
If you want to hear about the exciting summer programs…
The camp open house will provide an opportunity for the girl(s) and her parents/guardians to explore camp, visit the camp sites, and receive information before camp begins.

Please remember that exploring camp means "WALKING." Wear comfortable shoes (no sandals or flip flops) and casual clothing.

Tours will not be conducted during summer sessions or check in!

Camp Sessions

Selecting your camper's session is simple! Just pick the correct age level and the date preferred! That's it!

Camp Sessions are for girls entering 2 - 12 grade. Girls will participate in swimming daily (weather permitting) night swims, boating (row boating or canoeing), tubing, hiking to the Tangipahoa River for a beach activity, nature exploration, arts and crafts, sports and games, star gazing, hay ride, lots of singing, skits, dancing, planning a menu and cooking out, and of course making new friends! Girls entering or in 9-12 grade will have the opportunity to learn counseling skills and work with girls of a younger age.

Please list your preferred dates on the registration form provided in this brochure. Please mark three choices in the order of your preference. Girls will be placed in units with girls of similar ages. All 6 day sessions cost $250 and the July 1-3 session costs $125. If your camper would like to participate in one horseback riding activity at a local stable, please include an additional $25. This fee includes one trail ride and bus transportation. Balance is due upon receipt.

Brownie Explorers: Girls entering 2nd and 3rd grade or 7-8 years old.

June 3-8
June 10-15
June 17-2
July 8-132
June 24- 29
July 1-3 (3 day session, limited activities, no horseback riding option)

Junior Adventure: Girls entering 4th, 5th, 6th grade or 9-11 years old.

June 3-8
June 10-15
June 17-22
June 24- 29
July 1-3 (3 day session, limited activities, no horseback riding option)
July 8-13

Cadette Campers: Girls entering 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th grade or 11-14 years old.

June 3-8
June 10-15
June 17-22
June 24- 29
July 1-3 (3 day session, limited activities, no horseback riding option)
July 8-13

Sensational Seniors: Girls entering 9th, 10th, 11th 12th grade or 14-17 years old.

June 3-8
June 10-15
June 17-22
June 24- 29
July 1-3(3 day session, limited activities, no horseback riding option)
July 8-13

Guardians should make the decision to place their camper in sessions based on maturity level of girl if there is more than one choice for her age/grade level.

About Us

ACA Accreditation

Girl Scout Camp Whispering Pines is accredited by the American Camp Association. Accreditation means that the camp undergoes a thorough review process by outside camping professionals every three years. Our Girl Scout camps consistently achieve the highest standard in the areas of personnel, program, site administration, and health care.

Three Cheers to the Camp Staff

There is a ratio of one staff member for every 6-8 girls. Camp staff members are chosen for their character, understanding of girls, love of the outdoors and special skills. Staff members receive extensive training in program skills, first aid and emergency procedures prior to the beginning of camp. A Health Supervisor lives on the camp site during the camp season and a licensed physician is on call at all times. All staff working directly with campers undergo a Louisiana Investigative Background check. Each camp is governed by the American Camp Association's Youth Camp Regulations and operated under Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.'s guidelines and standards.

A Typical Week at Camp

Sunday

Check-in, settle in, and meet new friends, discuss week's activities. Dinner 6 p.m. followed by "Welcome to Camp!!!!" And s'mores!

Monday-Thursday

Flag Ceremony/ Breakfast 7:45 a.m.
Activities 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Lunch/ Turtle Time 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.
Activities 2 - 5:30 p.m.
Flag/ Dinner 5:45 p.m.
Evening Activities 7 - 9 p.m.
Wednesday night is Cook Out Night!
Showers/Bed- Lights Out 10 p.m.

Friday

Breakfast, pack up, kapers.
Scheduled activity
Lunch
Check out -- See you next summer!
* Girls swim every day (weather permitting)

Evening activities during the week include:

Sunday - Welcome to camp and s'mores!!
Monday - Units may choose a night swim, star gazing, night hike, dance, crafts, camp out or just hanging out.
Tuesday - crazy theme meal and evening activity
Wednesday - Following Cook Out, units may choose a night swim, star gazing, night hike, dance, camp out, crafts or just hanging out.
Thursday - Closing Camp Fire
Friday - Home

All About Camp

Who can go to camp?

Camp Whispering Pines welcomes all girls! Our programs are designed to meet the need for fun for both our Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, abilities, or socio-economic factors. Our campers must be at least 7 years old or entering 2nd grade in the fall of 2007. Your camper may attend an unlimited number of sessions.

How do I know if she is ready?

Here are some helpful guidelines. Many girls who have developed these traits are most likely ready for camp.

  • Independent- she can choose her own clothes, brush her teeth, do her hair, take a shower on her own and ,take care of chores without a lot of supervision
  • Confident- she can handle new situations without becoming overly anxious
  • Aware- she has already stayed overnight away from her family and she knows she can do it
  • Social- she has been with other girls her own age apart form her family
  • Self-reliant-she knows her own mind and is able to make decisions for herself
  • Enthusiastic about going- she really wants to go and looks forward to being out-of-doors

What about the heat?

At resident camp, girls adapt easily to the climate. Campers naturally adapt to living in the summer heat without air conditioning or fans by staying hydrated, resting during the hottest part of the day, and wearing cool, cotton clothing. The equipment list included in the confirmation will include all necessary equipment to help beat the heat.

Food

Ample, kid friendly, well-balanced dietician planned meals are served in the main dining hall. Special dietary needs must be noted on the health card. No food may be sent with camper! Food in the living areas attracts unwanted critters. All food brought to camp will be confiscated by camp staff.

Who will be my camper(s) counselors?

Our counselors are selected based on their program skills, maturity, education, caring attitude, and experience with children. Program areas, such as swimming and boating, are directed by certified and trained staff. All of our staff must successfully complete pre-camp staff training and become members of Girl Scouts of the USA.

Camp Buddies

Two girls wishing to attend camp together as buddies must provide that information on their registration form. Space is provided on the registration form to indicate ONE friend's name. Cabin/tent mate requests will be honored for one friend only.

Units

Girls of comparable age are organized into groups living in platform tents or cabins, called units. The unit counselors are housed in tents or cabins within close proximity to the campers. Each platform tent or cabin is equipped with cots and foam mattresses. The tents are on raised wooden platforms, 2 ½ feet off the ground with 256 square feet of living space. Mosquito nets and poles should be purchased for all campers staying in platform tents.

Opening and Closing of Camp

Campers will arrive between 2 - 3 p.m. on opening day and depart between 4- 6 p.m. closing day. Special checkout arrangements are for emergency purposes only and require camp director approval. The camp gates will remain closed until the time indicated. Directions to camp will be forwarded with the confirmation notice.

Camper Physical Exam

Every camper is covered by health and accident insurance. Campers are required to have a physical examination within 24 months prior to entering Resident camp. The health form must be filled out and signed by a licensed physician or nurse practitioner. Campers must have this form completed in order to attend camp. All immunizations and vaccinations need to be listed on the form. Health forms from previous years of camp are not available as they are permanently stored upon closure of camp season. Please keep a copy of the health form for your records. The health card must be in the Girl Scout office three weeks before your daughter's session begins.

Girl Power! Resident Camp Registration Information

PLACEMENT BEGINS ON MARCH 19. Although March 19 is the date of the first placement draw, camp registration will be received at any time. After March 19 applications will be processed in the order received. Confirmation packets will be mailed by April 20.

NON-REFUNDABLE REGISTRATION DEPOSIT: $50. The registration deposit for each session must accompany the registration form. This deposit is not refundable once a girl is placed. The deposit is applied to the camp fee.

BALANCE DUE - The balance of the camp fee is due upon receipt. NO FEES WILL BE ACCEPTED AT CAMP.

REFUNDS - All but the deposit may be refunded if the written request is received at least three weeks prior to the opening day of the session. Within three weeks prior to the opening date of the session, a refund may be secured if the Council receives a written certificate from a licensed M.D. stating she is unable to attend her camp session.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS - Financial assistance applications are due on April 16, 2007 to be eligible for the first round of allocations. After this date funds may be limited, but applications will be accepted for review. Return the confidential application with your daughter's camp registration form.

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE INCENTIVE - Girls selling 450+ boxes of cookies during the 2007 sale can use their $30 cookie certificate toward the balance of the camping fee.

Resident Camp Employment Opportunities

PDF Icon Resident Camp Application & Information

PDF Icon Returning Staff Application

Girls who have graduated high school or are 18 years old or older are encouraged to apply as camp counselors. Camp counseling is a wonderful and rewarding job for girls who like making new friends and making a difference in their lives and the lives of others. Spend seven weeks enjoying the out of doors, working with other female staff, and working with girls aged 7 - 17. For more information on how to join our summer resident camp team, please email Allison Pastor at apastor@girlscoutssela.org or call (504) 733-8220, ext. 234.