A Guide for Parents: Is She Ready?

Independent, youth-development experiences are a vital part of the growing up process. You are the best judge of when your daughter is ready for camp. Some 2nd graders are ready while other girls come to camp for the first time when they reach 3rd or 4th grade. Others attend for the first time in their teens.

Girls who have developed these traits are most likely ready for camp:

• Independent: She can choose her own clothes, brush her teeth, and take care of chores without a lot of supervision.
  
• Confident: She handles new situations without becoming overly anxious.
  
• Aware: She has already stayed overnight away from her family and knows she can do it.
  
• Social: She has been with other girls her own age while apart from 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.
  

Are You Ready?

Your daughter will be more comfortable in her camp experience if she knows you are confident in her ability to succeed while she's away. For many parents, sending a child to camp for the first time is an emotional experience. Before sending your daughter to camp, take time to evaluate whether YOU are ready for her to go.

Remember, camp staff and camp directors are available to answer questions and address concerns during your daughter's camp session. We want PARENTS to have positive camp experiences, too!

For more information, and for help in determining your family's readiness for camp, visit www.campparents.org.

Resident Camp Parent Orientation

TBD - March 2009
Check back for specific information in Janurary, 2009
Santa Fe Trail Room, Girl Scouts of NE KS & NW MO Headquarters
8383 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, Mo. 64133

Summer resident camp is just around the corner! Calm some of your first-time parent jitters and get your questions answered at parent orientation. All parents are invited to spend an evening with a panel of parents, campers and Girl Scout staff discussing the benefits and the nuts and bolts of sending your child to camp this summer. Every child can benefit from a camp experience—learn how in this informative and interactive presentation.

There will be substantial time for question and answer, as well as a time to meet and talk with camp directors and administrators. This orientation is free and open to the public. Please register via phone or e-mail.

RSVP: Delores Huitt at ascop@girlscoutsksmo.org or (816) 358-8755, ext. 3050. Directions to the Girl Scout headquarters can be found at www.girlscoutsksmo.org.

Camp Open House

Dates and locations will be posted January, 2009

At Open House, you can meet the camp director, ask questions, wander around, and register for camp. Question and answer sessions will be held and guided tours will depart from a central location periodically throughout the afternoon.

Bring your questions, your camp registration and your walking shoes! Please leave pets at home.

Click here to register, or contact Delores Huitt at ascop@girlscoutsksmo.org or (816) 358-8755, ext. 3050. A map to camp will be sent upon registration for this event.

Health Information

How Does the Camp Handle Health Care and Special Diets?
A health center is located at every camp and staffed round-the-clock by a health supervisor certified in First Aid and CPR. Parents are always contacted at the earliest opportunity in the event of serious injury or illness during camp. Each camp has an on-going relationship with a health care facility nearby for consultation and emergency medical services if needed.

A physician from the facility serves as the on-call physician for the camp. Written treatment instructions are reviewed and approved by the on-call physician at the beginning of each summer. All medical treatment at camp is recorded in a health log.

Camper medications are stored at the health center and dispensed by the health supervisor. Parents describe medical conditions, medications, dietary needs and any issues that impact their daughter's health and well-being on the health form requested when camp registration is confirmed. A dietician approves camp menus and most special dietary needs can be met with advance notice.

Parents are always welcome to contact the camp director to talk about any health or dietary concerns before registering their daughters for camp.

Parents fill out the health information section; the health exam section needs to be completed by your daughter's physician or other medical professional qualified to give physical exams.