2023 Camp Adventure Guide

Overnight Camp Readiness Quiz

Top Ten Tips For First-Time Overnight Campers and Their Caregivers 1. Mentally Prepare Your Girl Scout For Overnight Adventures: Prepare your Girl Scout for Overnight Camp by sending them to sleepovers with trusted friends or relatives first. 2. Help Them Visualize Camp: Before Overnight Camp, look with your Girl Scout at the camp property photos online at girlscoutsem.org/camp , or attend one of our open house events. 3. Let Your Child Take Charge: Shop together for supplies and have your Girl Scout pick out practical items that they need, and a few fun small items as well. Then, after your shopping trip, pack everything together. 4. Have a Pep Talk: As a first-timer staying at an Overnight Camp, your child will no doubt feel nervous. Help them understand this is totally natural and other newbies will feel the same way. Let them know that pushing past their comfort zone will help her grow and have an adventure of a lifetime. 5. Make Exciting Goals: Brainstormwith your Girl Scout positive and realistic goals for Overnight Camp. For example, make a new friend, learn a new skill, or face a fear. 6. Give Them A Taste of Home: Overnight Camp is an incredible adventure, but that doesn’t mean that homesickness won’t come into the equation. When you are packing together, make sure to slip in a couple photos from home. 7. Write Positive Letters: Campers love to receive mail from home! However, be cautious what you write. Avoid telling them that you are lonely without them, or adding in bad news. Instead, give them positive news from home and ask lots of questions about their experience. 8. Don’t Spoil Their Experience: Do not make promises that will spoil their experience. For example, don’t promise to pick them up early if they aren’t having a good time! 9. Overnight Camp Is a Break for Caregivers, Too: Whether caregivers enjoy a night out, or take some time to re-charge their batteries, enjoy some self-care time! 10. Short and Sweet Goodbyes : Don’t engage in a long emotional and tearful goodbye. Feel free to blub away once you get back to the car!

Caregivers, when deciding if an Overnight Camp experience is right for your Girl Scout, please include her in the decision-making process. To help youmake the right decision for your family, have your Girl Scout take our camp readiness quiz. Circle the answer that best describes how she feels, then add the value of each circled answer to determine her score. 1. Do you enjoy staying over at a friend or relative’s house without feeling sad or lonely?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

2. Would you be okay staying in a tent with other campers, knowing your counselor was close by?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

3. Do you like to try new things?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

4. Can you survive a few days without a cell phone, video games or television?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

5. Can you live by the Girl Scout Promise and Law?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

6. Do you enjoy participating in group activities?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

7. Are you willing to help with basic camp chores like sweeping, setting tables and picking up trash?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

8. Are you excited to go to camp?

1. No Way!

2. Maybe

3. Yes!

Total Score: 19-24: You are going to be a natural!

You love adventure, trying new things and making new friends. Sounds like you are ready to sign up for a week-long Overnight Camp! 18-13: You are ready to try something new! This summer, try a shorter Overnight Camp experience or Camp Quest with your family or troop. Get ready to have a blast! 12-8: A one-day camp is a perfect fit! Prepare for Overnight Camp next year with a one day camp or an overnight with a caregiver.

Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 27 Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri 27

Girl Scouts of Eastern M ssouri 27