General Camp FAQ

Required Paperwork for Camp toggle arrow

Health & Permission Form (ONLINE)
- Due 3 weeks prior to event.
Medical Form (PDF)
Camper Contract (PDF)
Additional facility waivers may also be required.

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To ensure the camp operates smoothly, we depend on volunteers to enhance campers' experiences. Volunteers support camp staff by offering assistance wherever necessary. Each camp offers various roles based on activities, such as cooks, camp nurses, patrol leaders, and more. If interested in volunteering at a camp, email ge@gsdakotahorizons.org.

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If your daughter requires any medication, it must be sent to camp in its original container in a clearly labeled Ziploc bag with your daughter’s full name on it. This includes any prescription medication as well as over-the counter medication. The medicine will be given to the certified First Aider at camp at check-in. The First Aider will dispense the medication according to the directions on the bottle.

Inhalers and epi-pens will be kept with the girl at all times. Please inform the First Aider so we are aware of the situation.

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Should a camper become ill or injured at camp, the camp first-aider will administer first aid. If it is deemed necessary, this may include a visit to a local doctor’s office or emergency room after hours.
If a camper requires a long rest period for recovery or she cannot remain at camp, she will be sent home. Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging pickup in a timely manner.
If a camper’s illness or injury is severe, she will be given emergency care at the scene and be transported to the hospital emergency room.
When a camper becomes ill or injured, parents/guardians will be notified of the camper’s condition. In life-threatening situations, treatment will begin before notification.
If your camper is exhibiting symptoms of a contagious illness such as influenza you will be asked to come get your camper immediately.

Homesickness

Being homesick is a completely natural experience and is experienced by all campers on some level. Learning to cope with homesickness is a great life skill to learn, and we are well-equipped to help them through this at camp! Camp volunteers receive guidance on how to help campers cope with homesickness.

You can help your camper cope with homesickness by:

Discussing it with her prior to camp. Encourage her to talk to camp staff about how she is feeling and what she is thinking about camp—both the good and the bad. Role-play at home so she will find it easier to talk about her feelings.
Making her aware of what camp life is like: deep woods, sounds of nature, bugs, platform tents, latrines, outdoor cooking, making new friends, learning new skills, rainy days, sunny days, hot days, bugs and, most of all, fun times.
Encouraging her to bring something familiar from home, such as a favorite stuffed animal, a favorite book or new paperback she has wanted to read, a photo album, or stationery to write letters.
Please do not tell your camper that she can call you or you will pick her up if she becomes homesick. Calling home is often contraindicative and makes the situation worse. Handling homesickness is vital to her development and to learning coping skills. Tell her that you believe in her and know she can do it!

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Jackets/Long Pants
Girls should always bring a jacket and long pants to overnight camps, as evenings can get chilly. It also serves as protection against ticks and mosquitos. Long pants are also required for adventure activities such as high ropes, zipline and horseback riding.

Sandals/Flip-Flops/ Sleeveless Shirts/Tank Tops
Because the girls are out in the elements during camp, we want to prevent them from getting injured. Sandals/flip-flops aren’t allowed because the ground at camp is uneven. Sleeveless shirts and tank tops aren’t allowed because we don’t want girls getting unnecessary sunburns or bug bites.

Water Shoes
Water shoes are required to swim at camp. Water shoes are designed to be worn in and around the water, and they are specifically made to get wet whilst providing protection. A certified lifeguard is supervising during swim time.

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Tents
If a camp requires a tent, tents and tarps may be reserved and checked out from a Girl Scout Service Center. They must be picked up and dropped off at the service center; not at camp.

SWAPS
(Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere) A tradition of Girl Scouts exchanging keepsakes that started back in the 1950s. Girls don’t need to bring them but it is encouraged as a way to meet friends. Girls can make as little or many as they wish to give out.

Dunk Bag/Kit
A dunk bag is a mesh bag with a drawstring or zipper closure used for transporting, cleaning and/or air-drying a mess kit. Dunk kits may be purchased at the Girl Scout retail store or made to include a plastic plate, bowl, utensils, water bottle, and a mesh bag.

Sit-Upon
A sit-upon is a cushion used to sit on when the ground is too wet, hot, cold, or hard. Sit-upons may be purchased or homemade.

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Refunds
View the cancellation policy.

Pick-Up
If there is a change in who is picking up your camper, notify the camp director or service center.

Late Arrival/Early Release
If for any reason your camper is going to be arriving late or leaving camp early, notify the camp director or service center.

Check-In
Instructions for check-in vary depending on your specific session. You will receive details about check-in from the camp director approximately two weeks prior to your camp session start date.

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If you need to get ahold of your camper, contact the camp director. Contact information will be provided in the camp confirmation email.

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Camp activities may change due to weather. If the weather is inclement, girls may not be able to participate in activities that are affected by rain, storms and extreme heat.

Activities and schedules will be modified as necessary. When severe weather occurs, all girls are safely moved to a designated building for shelter and activities take place to occupy them, such as singing, dancing or glow party. This helps to ease the girls concerns about the weather and keeps the focus on the fun!