2021 Summer Camp Parent/Caregiver Handbook

1 Welcome

Welcome to the Girls Scout of Chesapeake Bay Summer Camp programs! We feel honored that you have chosen us for your summer camp experience, and we take this responsibility seriously. The purpose of this handbook is to provide you with information about our camps and to open communications between our camp staff and you.

In this packet you will find:

¤ Mission 2 ¤ Camper and Program Goals 3 ¤ How to Contact Us 4 ¤ Arrival 5 ¤ Departure 5 ¤ Code of Conduct 6 ¤ Homesickness 7 ¤ COVID-19 Precautions 7 ¤ Accidents and Illness 8 ¤ Caregiver Communication 8 ¤ Medication 9 ¤ Transportation 10 ¤ Camper-specific Needs 10 ¤ Program Overview 11 ¤ Program Progression; Daisy - Ambassador 12 ¤ Environmental Activities 12 ¤ What to Bring 12-14 ¤ What Not to Bring 14 ¤ Lost and Found 14 ¤ Behavior and Positive Guidance 14 ¤ ACA Accredidation 15 ¤ Staff Training 15 ¤ Camp Properties 16

1 Our Mission

Our mission is to build girls of COURAGE, CONFIDENCE and CHARACTER who make the world a better place.

Rights and Dignity

Girls Scouts of Chesapeake Bay respects the rights and dignity of all campers and staff, including individuals with varying abilities, cultures, genders, sexuality, race and religions. We expect all individuals to act respectfully when they are on our properties and to respect others regardless of their differences.

We are unique not because of what we do, but how we do it.

Our girl-driven, cooperative, experiential process allows girls to discover their skills and abilities; connect with others who either share or complement their own talents; and take action collectively to make the world a better place.

We are unique not because of what we do, but how we do it.

2 Camper and Program Goals

The Girl Scouts of Chesapeake Bay Camp programs believe all children deserve to be cared for by adults who children can look up to, learn from, and feel safe around.

There are 9 areas of impact in youth development and three have been identified that have the most impact on youth; Belonging, Achievement, and Relationships. We use the phrase raising the BAR (Belonging, Achievement, and Relationships). All programming should answer YES to the below questions:

¤ Belonging & Courage; Are youth connected to and feeling supported by their peers? ¤ Achievement & Confidence; Are youth learning and developing important skills, resulting in increased confidence and self-esteem? ¤ Relationships & Character; Are youth making friends and being supported by positive adult role models?

Camper Goals ¤ Girls will be able to develop a strong sense of self. ¤ Girls will be able to develop positive values. ¤ Girls will be able to gain practical life skills, outdoor skills and lifelong hobbies. ¤ Girls will be able to seek challenges and take healthy risks. ¤ Girls will be able to develop critical thinking.

Program Goals and Outcomes ¤ Sense of Belonging - Girls are connected to and feel supported by peers and staff. • Be a part of something bigger than them - the camp community/family. • Experience opportunities to share and express their ideas with the group. • Experience opportunities to make choices for themselves and the group. • Experience the camp spirit within them and enjoy sharing it with others. • Respect themselves, others and nature.

¤ Sense of Achievement - Girls learn and develop important skills resulting in increased confidence and self-esteem • Experience new things. • Experience a variety of activities - outdoor, physical and creative. • Use their imagination

3 ¤ Sense of Achievement (cont.) • Experience a sense of pride in their actions, choices and projects • Enjoy reading through storytelling, silent reading and reading aloud

¤ Building Relationships - Girls make friends and be supported by positive adult role models • Make friends, have fun and enjoy being a kid • Develop relationships with adults who believe in them • Become a productive member of a group

How to Contact Us

If you need further assistance in your preparation for camp, please contact Member Care at [email protected].

¤ Ivy Sheehan, Camp Director at Camp Country Center day camp • 302-456-7150 x173 • Camp Office phone; 302-234-6619 • Cell Number 302-420-3758 (Please only use between 7 am – 7 pm. Reception is spotty at all camps.) • Email; [email protected]

¤ Danielle Lubbers, Camp Coordinator at resident camps • 302-456-7150 x 312 • Camp Office phone; Camp Grove Point (410-275-2800), Camp Sandy Pines (410-479-2101), Camp Todd (410-742-3438) • Email; [email protected]

During the camp season the days are jam packed with activities, program and meals. Please be patient and leave a message if needed. 4 Arrival/Departure

Resident Camp - Arrival

Each week we will welcome campers on Sunday at 4 pm (Wednesday at 4 pm for our 07/09-11 campers). Drop off will be quick and families must remain in thier car. Our staff will greet you at your car and take the temperature of your camper(s). Camper(s) will then exit the car, wash hands, and receive a health check. Once this is complete, staff will return to your car to intake any medication and luggage for the week.

¤ Safe temperature is <100.4 degrees ¤ Health check involves a quick check of hair for lice and feet to check for blisters or athlete fungus. ¤ Intake any medication your camper needs accompanied by their Medication Authorization Form. See page 9 for more details about medication at camp. ¤ Bring copy of negative COVID test taken within the last three days, COVID vaccination record or positive COVID diagnosis in the last 90 days, unless previously provided to GSCB. See page 7 for more details about required COVID test. ¤ Check in will be... • At the main camp parking lot for Camp Grove Point (2930 Grove Neck Rd, Earleville, MD 21919, the second entrance). • At the main parking lot for Camp Sandy Pines (27157 Riverside Drive Extension, Fruitland, MD 21856) • At the main parking lot for Camp Todd (25012 Beauchamp Branch Rd. Denton, MD 21629)

Resident Camp - Departure

Campers will have items packed to go home and are expected to be picked up at 4pm on Friday.

¤ Everyone picking up a camper must be on the authorized pick-up list in the registration form. You must present your photo ID. ¤ If you would like to update your authorized pick-up list, please reach out to us at [email protected] or 302-456-7150. ¤ Our staff will bring your camper and her items to your car. ¤ You will sign out your Girl Scout and check that you received all medication your camper brought to camp. 5 Day Camp - Arrival 7:30AM - 9:00AM

Campers are welcome to check in daily between 7:30-9:00 am. Please contact Ivy if you will arrive after 9:00 am. Campers will be greeted at your car by our staff and will have their their temperature taken. If their temperature is <100.4, you will sign in your Girl Scout. Camper will grab their day pack and lunch, then proceed to handwashing sink to start their camp day.

¤ Check in will be... • At the STEM Lodge at Camp Country Center (1051 Sharpless Rd. Hockessin, DE 19707).

Day Camp - Departure 4:00PM - 5:30PM

Drive up, stay in your car. A staff person will greet you, check your ID and confirm that you are listed on authorized pick up list. Then we will call for your camper and ask you to sign out your camper. Please bring your Photo ID with you. If you would like to update your authorized pickup list, please reach out to us at [email protected] or 302-456-7150.

Code of Conduct

We require and expect camp staff and campers treat each other, their personal property, and GSCB property and supplies in accordance with the character values of our Girl Scout Promise and Law.

Girl Scout Promise Girl Scout Law On my honor, I will try; I will do my best to be To serve God and my country, Honest and fair, to help people at all times, Friendly and helpful, and to live by the Girl Scout Law. Considerate and caring, Courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to, respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

6 Homesickness

It is not a sickness, but feels very real to some children. It should be call “missing home” and it is normal for children to experience moments of missing home. We have found that it can be identified in many different ways, but most commonly presents as the camper saying they do not feel well or they have a belly ache. Some cry when it is bedtime or when they wake up in morning. This is a part of practicing coping skills and independence. Our staff works with individuals to give assurance, to calm and to redirect their thoughts. We have a busy schedule, and in most cases, we will see campers miss home, and as they learn to regulate their emotions, run off to another activity.

We will not encourage contact with home because this will only bring on more emotions. Some campers like to have a picture of their family with them. Maybe have a special moment at home as you pack a picture of the family in their luggage. (Nothing breakable!) Practice saying when you are leaving and that you will return.

Check out our “Is my Girl Scout ready for summer camp?” question on our FAQ s .

COVID-19 Precautions

¤ Masks/face coverings ¤ 6 ft. distancing and/or stable groups ¤ Temperature checks daily at breakfast and drop-off ¤ Hand washing ¤ Eat at an assigned area (stable group) ¤ No transportation ¤ Resident camp sleeping 6 ft. distance and head-to-feet ¤ For resident camp ONLY: The state of Maryland requires a negative COVID test within 1-3 days before arrival for all individuals attending a residential camp in Maryland. The only exemptions are for individuals whom have been fully vaccinated or had COVID19 in the last 90 days. More on this can be found HERE. You MUST provide this documentation to [email protected] before or at your arrival to camp. If you do not submit this documentation prior to or are able to show the documentation day of, your camper will not be permitted to stay. 7 Illness or Accident

Any time a camper hits their head or requires further medical attention camper parent will be called. If we are unable to reach parents or emergency contact camp director/council staff will determine whether a camper should be taken for advanced medical care. Parents are responsible for all medical charges including physician, hospital, X-ray, pharmacy, transportation, and any expense that may be incurred.

¤ Please do not send your child to camp if she is not feeling well. ¤ Parents or emergency contacts are responsible for picking up their ill child promptly. ¤ Camp staff, certified in first aid, will treat minor injuries (small cuts, scrapes, bumps, etc.) and log the incident in the health log. ¤ Caregivers are notified immediately of illness or injury that may need further medical attention. ¤ Campers who require further medical attention will be taken to a local hospital. • Camp Country Center - AI Dupont Hospital for Children • Camp Grove Point - Union Hospital in Elkton, MD or Middletown Emergency Department in Middletown, DE • Camp Todd - University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton, MD • Camp Sandy Pines - Peninsual Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, MD

Caregiver Communication

You will be contacted by the Camp Director or Camp Coordinator by phone if your camper:

¤ Experiences atypical homesickness (needing constant attention, clinging to adults, needing someone by her side to fall asleep, disrupting camp activities or excessive crying) ¤ Experiences behavior challenges (see Code of Conduct and Rights and Dignity) ¤ Spends the night in the health center or misses a day of activities ¤ Has an acute, sudden illness ¤ Has a temperature of 100.50 or higher ¤ Has an active case of head lice ¤ Hits, bumps or injures head 8 Resident Medication

¤ All medication brought to camp must be accompanied by a Medication Authorization Form. This includes prescription medications, daily over- the-counter (ie. Allegra and lactose pills) and vitamins. Your healthcare provider’s signature is required on line 14a (cannot be a guardian). Without this form signed by the prescriber and guardian, the medication cannot be accepted at camp. If the medication is for asthma, please complete the Asthma Action Plan Form with your prescriber instead of the medication administration authorization form. • Please only send the required supply of medication. Example: One pill daily = send 5 pills • Medication must be in original container with pharmacy label. • All medications will be stored in the medical center in a locked cabinet, away from campers. ¤ GSCB stocks a variety of over-the-counter medication in the medical center that campers and staff may require during their stay. The state of Maryland requires the MDH-4858-B form be completed for any of the as needed/PRN medications that GSCB stocks to be given as treatment at camp. Please refer to the below list of over-the-counter medications that GSCB stocks when completing your form. Please pay special attention to the required prescriber’s name and signature on lines 4/5. Please work with your healthcare provider when completing the as needed/PRN medication reason section for needing while filing this form out with your healthcare provider. A camper cannot be given any of the below over-the-counter medication in the health center that are not listed on this form and accompanied by the prescriber and guardian’s signature. ¤ Please submit all resident camp medical forms online HERE.

9 Transportation

GSCB is not providing camp transportation for the 2021 camp season.

Camper-specific Needs

Our camp programs welcome all children and their families. Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay uses the Girl Scout Promise and Law and the BAR philosophy to guide and nurture the children in our care. We respect and value input from caregivers and encourage families to share information about their child and cultural, emotional, medical, dietary and physical needs. We will use the information provided to do our best to create an appropriate environment for all, as applicable. In addition, if your child has an IEP/IFSP, we request that you provide a copy to the Camp Director. It is beneficial to meet with the parent/ legal guardian to review the plan and work together to ensure that the guidelines are understood. Children with varying needs will be together in our program to support all opportunities for growth. We are determined to provide a safe and secure environment where all children are respected and valued in an atmosphere conducive to learning and making friends.

10 Program Overview

The Girls Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) guides our programing. GSLE encourages girls to Discover themselves, Connect with others, and Take Action to make the world a better place. Guided by our camp staff and peers, Girl Scouts engage in age-appropriate activities that are girl-led, cooperative, and hands- on. Our Girl Scouts are growing up in an increasingly competitive and stressful world. We provide girls with activities that offer experience progression, challenge and success. As a result, our campers will be exposed to arts and crafts, STEM, reading, teambuilding, boating, swimming, water study, outdoor skills, camping safety and Leave No Trace Principles, along with mindfulness techniques such as breathing and journaling.

11 Program Progression

Our camp program allows for progression in swimming, boating, environmental education, teambuilding and games. We use our levels; Daisy through Ambassador to provide and plan age-appropriate challenges and events.

Environmental Activities

Outdoors is important to us. At camp, we spend most of our time outdoors and want all of our girls to learn about sustainability, conservation and protecting wildlife. The components of our program are Leave no Trace Principles, ECO Hikes, camping safety and campfire safety and impact. We value the benefits the outdoors provides, and partake in activities which reduce or eliminate pressure on the environment, wildlife and ourselves.

Sit spot is a place in nature to journal or live in the moment and look at nature.

Study Plot is and area usually defined by sticks you choose to place in one spot to observe nature and learn or spark curiosity about what you see.

What to Bring

Packing best practices for campers:

¤ All camper items must be labelled with your camper’s name. We recommend packing in a plastic tub or trunk. ¤ Send/wear old clothes that can get dirty and return home damaged. ¤ Leave items that are valuable or sentimental at home. ¤ Limit camper’s luggage to 1 piece and backpack (trunks or a large plastic tub work best). ¤ Mesh bag for dirty laundry helps clothes to dry. 12 Resident Camp Packing List

CLOTHES PERSONAL HYGIENE/BEDDING ¤ T-shirt (1 per day + 2 extra) ¤ Masks/face covering (8) ¤ Shorts (1 per day + 2 extra) ¤ Wash cloth & soap ¤ Socks (1 pair per day + 2 extra) ¤ Bath towel ¤ Close-toed shoes/sneakers/boots (2 pair) ¤ Shampoo + conditioner ¤ River water shoes (Old sneakers are best) ¤ Feminine products ¤ Shower shoes/flip flops ¤ 1 set of twin sheets ¤ Raincoat or Poncho ¤ Blanket or sleeping bag ¤ Pajamas or nightshirt (3 sets) ¤ Pillow and pillowcase ¤ Bathing suits (2) - No Bikinis ¤ Small backpack for day use ¤ Swimming towel (2) ¤ Laundry bag for dirty clothes ¤ Underwear (1 per day + 4 extra) ¤ Flashlight + extra batteries ¤ Hat or visor ¤ Reusable water bottle ¤ Sunscreen PERSONAL ITEMS ¤ Bug Spray ¤ Camera ¤ Brush/comb ¤ Stuffed animal ¤ Deodorant ¤ Photo of family/friends ¤ Toothbrush + toothpaste ¤ Book ¤ Stationary, pen and stamps

13 Day Camp Packing List

¤ Day Pack/Backpack/Old Bookbag ¤ Refillable Water Bottle ¤ Change of clothes ¤ Sunscreen ¤ Bug Spray ¤ Towel ¤ Bathing Suit - No Bikinis ¤ Brush/comb ¤ Sweatshirt or light weight jacket

What NOT to Bring

Thank you, in advance, for respecting our camp facilities when you visit. We ask that you leave your pets at home, do not use tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs while on the property, leave guns, knives, or other weapons at home, and refrain from use of personal sports equipment (playground balls, jump ropes, etc.) while visiting us.

Lost and Found

Items found throughout the day will be gathered and placed in a common area for campers to claim. Items that are not claimed will be washed and held for one week. If items are not claimed after the next session, items will be donated to homeless (clothing) and/or pet shelters (towels).

Behavior and Positive Guidance

Counselors will encourage appropriate choices and make every effort to redirect inappropriate behavior. Parents will be called to work with the counselor and camper to achieve a positive outcome. Campers who repeatedly misbehave or put themselves or other camp participants in harms way may be dismissed form the camp program.

14 Property Info

ACA Accredidation - Camp Grove Point is an ACA-accredited camp, and all of our camps follow the ACA standards.

A little more from ACA - “ACA Accreditation means that your child’s summer camp cares enough to undergo a thorough peer review of its operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. American Camp Association collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth-serving agencies to assure that current practices at your child’s camp reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. Camps and ACA form a partnership that promotes growth and fun in an environment committed to safety.”

Staff Information - Our staff provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, while implementing age appropriated activities. The following are required of all staff to ensure that children receive a high-quality experience. At no time will a staff person be one on one with a camper. Our ratios will follow ACA ratios.

Here are some rigorous trainings and checks that our camp staff complete: ¤ Background Checks ¤ Fingerprinting ¤ Delaware Adult Abuse Check ¤ Staff Orientation ¤ Child Abuse Prevention Training ¤ CPR First Aid/AED Certification ¤ Annual Summer Child Development Training

15 Overview of Camp Properties

Camp Country Center - Hockessin, DE ¤ 40.5 acres ¤ Enjoy forest, meadows and creek

¤ Amenities and activities include a science 1 and technology lodge with STEM lab and Cecil

commercial kitchen, digital media center New with computer lab and maker space, archery, Castle hiking and low ropes, with Adirondack cabins and platform tents. Kent Camp Grove Point - Earleville, MD

¤ 200 acres Queen Kent ¤ Enjoy woods, wetlands and a sandy beach Anne’s along the Sassafras River ¤ Amenities and activities include a program Caroline center, small lodges, rustic camping units, Talbot Adirondack cabins, platform tents, a pool and boating. Sussex ¤ ACA Accredited

Camp Todd - Denton, MD Dorchester 2 ¤ 64 acres Wicomico ¤ Enjoy beautiful lake views ¤ Amenities and activities include the Worcester waterfront, zip line, archery range, hiking Somerset trails, outdoor classrooms for art and music, program center, rustic platform tents, Adirondack cabins and lodges.

Camp Sandy Pines - Fruitland, MD ¤ 48 acres Accomack ¤ Enjoy woods and a sandy meadow ¤ Amenities and activities include a main lodge, cabin unit and treehouse cabins with hiking trails and archery range

Northampton

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