IS THERE A BUS TO AND FROM CAMP?

Yes.  This year, the buses will pick up and drop off from:

Westridge Middle School

9300 Nieman Road, Overland Park, KS 66214

·         Please Arrive by - 7:00 AM and find your camper’s bus.

·         7:30 AM - The buses will leave promptly. 

 

Before you get to Westridge: 

·         Have your camper use the restroom and eat breakfast before getting on the bus. There are no restrooms until we reach camp; lunch may be several hours after they arrive. 

·         Apply sunscreen and bug spray (NO CUTTER BRAND due to Allergy of a camper)

 

Once you get to Westridge:

·         To find your camper’s bus, please find your camper’s troop in the chart below to determine what bus your camper will ride. Then look for the matching color-coded bandana on the bus.

·         Please have campers check in on their bus with their bus monitor volunteer before boarding so we can take attendance before leaving. Adults attending will ride the same bus as their camper.

 

When do buses return?

Typically, when the buses are on their way back, we have our troop leaders (or one of the other parents with that troop for the day) text the other parents in their troop with a general ETA. We will also post on our GSKSMO SU 638 Day Camp 2024" Facebook page when the bus leaves. The buses leave Prairie Schooner around 4:15 pm but depending on traffic, it can be close to 5 pm before the buses arrive back at Westridge.

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An assigned adult always rides the bus.  Your camper will check in with this adult every time before she gets on the bus. Checking in takes time, so please arrive early so everyone has time to check in and the bus can depart by 7:30 a.m.

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DOES CAMP STILL GO ON EVEN IF IT IS RAINING?

Yes.  Camp happens - rain or shine.  Please send rain gear (poncho or jacket) with your camper.  If it is really wet, you may want rain boots.  Please no umbrellas.

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WHAT ABOUT EXTREME WEATHER? 

In the event of thunderstorms, all activities will move inside until the storm has moved more than 15 miles away from camp. The appointed weather watcher and Girl Scout Council camp staff will be monitoring the weather throughout camp. In the event of severe weather, all campers are to remain inside. In the event of a Tornado Warning, all campers should proceed to the nearest storm shelter. If severe weather is present at bus loading times, this process should be delayed until weather has passed or subsided. 

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Camp Staff will utilize our GSKSMO SU 638 Day Camp 2024 Facebook group to communicate with guardians at camp/home.  The camp staff will communicate with teen leaders, station leaders and adult volunteers utilizing our internal camp communication process (Band App and text message).

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WHAT SHOULD MY CAMPER WEAR?

Comfortable closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes, comfortable shorts and Camp T-shirt. Dress for the weather. Clothes (and your camper) will get dirty, so have them wear something they don't mind getting dirty.

 

We walk a lot at camp.  Again, make sure they wear comfortable closed-toed and closed-heel shoes.  Tennis (or athletic) shoes are the best option.  

 

Flip-flops and water shoes may only be worn at the pool. 

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See the full Pack List here! 

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WHAT ARE SWAPS?

Girl Scouts often make small tokens of friendship to exchange with the Girl Scouts they meet while traveling. These little gifts are called ”SWAPS,” which stands for “Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere". Visit the Girl Scout Site for more information and examples.

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WHAT IS A SIT-UPON?

A sit-upon is a homemade waterproof cushion.  Girls will use them when sitting around the campfire or attending activities where they will be sitting on the ground.  There are many different ways to make them.  If your Girl Scout needs one for camp, do a search on the web and you will get many ideas on how to make one.

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What should my camper bring to camp? 

• Camp Shirt everyday - No Tank tops or halter tops. We expect shoulders to be covered to minimize sunburns. If your camper is ziplining - we recommend longer shorts on that day so the harness will not rub their legs. 

• Closed-toe/Closed heel tennis shoes - there will be lots of walking

• Warm weather-appropriate clothing that is okay to get dirty

• Hat or other head covering – to protect from ticks around camp

• Water bottle - very important to stay hydrated. We will have places all over camp to refill as needed

• Swimsuit/towel - on the designated swim day only

• One Gallon Ziploc Bag – for wet swimsuit

• Ziploc bag for Swaps that will be collected and traded or swap hat if you have one already

• Bug Spray/Sunscreen - please apply liberally at home (not at the bus stop, please - the fumes can get overwhelming) but have them ready for reapplication throughout the day.

• Sack Lunch - please consider that these will not be refrigerated before lunchtime. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided by Day Camp and distributed through the unit teens. *Please remember no peanuts or tree nuts at camp due to allergies of other campers.

• Rain Poncho – Check the weather forecast to see if a poncho is needed. Please, no umbrellas.

Campers SHOULD NOT bring to camp: Gum, soda, cell phones, radios, portable games, etc. If you have any questions, please contact our camp directors. 

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Do the Campers swim? 

·         Everyone gets to swim at some point during the three days of camp. You will see on your campers' schedule what day they will be swimming, to be prepared with a swimsuit and towel. 

·         Wet towels and swimsuits can be stored with the teen's unit bucket "home base," so the campers will not need to carry them around camp all day.  Having a gallon-size plastic ziplock will be nice to store the wet swimsuit in after they have a chance to swim. 

·         On their swim day, everyone will have a swim test conducted by the GSKSMO staff lifeguards before their swim session, and life jackets are available for weak swimmers.