This document provides information about Camp Hoover including: - A map and descriptions of facilities such as cabins, tent sites, dining hall, and recreation areas. - Descriptions of tent sites, cabins, and their amenities. - Information about the dining hall, trading post, and recreation studios. - Guidelines for parking, alcohol/drug use, smoking, water activities, and sledding.

1. Camp
LOU HENRY
HOOvER
www.gshnj.org

2. map OF Camp
HOOvER
Map Key
Dining Hall
The Commons
Amphitheater
Creation Studio
Parking
Lake Front
Cabins
Tent Sites
Summer Office
Sports Field
Townley Hall

3. paRkiNg aREa
The parking area holds about 60 to 75 medium sized cars. All vehicles
are to be parked in the upper and lower parking areas. The
exceptions are that an emergency vehicle may be parked at a
campsite where a First Aider is staying, and one extra vehicle may be
parked at each site. This vehicle is to be moved only for transport in
EMERGENCIES. Upon arrival, you may drive (at your own risk) to your
site for unloading gear ONLY.

4. DiNiNg
HaLL
Capacity: The Dining Hall seats approximately 230 people.
Kitchen Facilities: There is a walk-in refrigerator/ freezer, triple
stove, ample cookware (pots, pans, baking sheets, etc.), 14’ x 3’ counter top,
revolving toaster, 4 tray warming station, 5 rack oven, ice maker, food storage, double
sink, microwave, coffee makers, large coolers for soft drinks, utensils, plates, bowls,
cups and serving dishes.
Trading Post: The Trading Post sells T-shirts, sweatshirts, patches,
bandanas, shorts, pants, stuffed animals, key chains, mugs and more. Prices range
from $0.50 to $40.00. They accept cash, checks and some credit cards at this time.
Arrangements must be made for store visits prior to arrival of one’s troop.

5. CREatiON StUDiO
If you go to the left of the dining hall and down the stairs, the first door on
your right is Creation Studio. Creation Studio is a place for everyone to have
fun and express their creativity. They have supplies for crafts of all kinds
including tie-dying, basket-weaving, candle-making, and even just coloring.
There are many tables to accommodate multiple troops.

6. ampHitHEatER
Just beyond Creation Studio and down the stairs, is the Amphitheater. This
is the place where campfires, sing-a-longs and small performances are
held. Everybody always has a fun time here. Often when there’s more than
one troop staying at Hoover they get together here.

7. tOwNLEY HaLL
Townley Hall is a great way to spend a rainy day at Camp Hoover. There is a
main room (39’ x 56.5’) that includes roller skates, pillow polo Equipment,
foosball, scooters, and nok hockey. There is also a smaller room that
contains a piano, as well as a front porch with tables, chairs, a basketball
hoop, and grills. This building is a fun and exciting part of Camp Hoover
for girl scouts to experience.

8. Kitchen:
SiNawik
LODgE
1 full refrigerator
4 burner stove
Large sink
Shelf/cabinet space with
cookware
Sleeps:
4 small sleeping rooms
3 sets of bunk beds per room
Bathroom:
1 large bathroom with
3 showers, 3 toilets, & 3 sinks
Main Room:
4 long tables with 4 small
benches each
1 stone fire place
Heating system
Side notes:
Sinawik Lodge is the cabin
near the Commons and the
Dining Hall.

9. Berry Hill CaBin
Kitchen:
1 full refrigerator
4 burner stove
Large sink
Shelf/cabinet space with cookware
Sleeps:
1 main large sleeping room
2 small sleeping rooms for
counselors/leaders (4 per room)
Sleeps 26 in total
Bathroom:
1 large bathroom with 2 showers,
2 toilets, and 2 sinks
2 small powder rooms connecting
to counselor rooms
Main Room:
4 long tables with 4 benches each
1 stone fire place
Heating system
Side notes:
Located after Sinawik and Skytop
Wheelchair accessible

10. Heronwood
CaBin
Kitchen:
2 full refrigerators
4 burner stove
Large sink
Shelf/cabinet space
sleeps:
2 large sleeping areas:
each sleep 20
1 small sleeping area for 8
Bathroom:
2 bathrooms with:
2 sinks, 2 mirrors,
2 stalls, 2 showers
Main Room:
5 long utility tables
2 benches per table
Wood burning stove
Heating system
Side Notes:
Includes 2 decks with
picnic tables and
benches, a handicap front
entrance and fire pits.

11. evergreen
CaBin
Kitchen:
Refrigerator
Double sink
4 burner stove
Shelf/cabinet space
with cookware
Sleeps:
2 large sleeping areas:
each sleeps 20
1 small sleeping area
for 8
Bathroom:
2 bathrooms including
2 sinks, 2 stalls,
2 showers and 2 mirrors
Main Room:
5 tables with benches
Wood burning stove
Extra refrigerator
Heating system
Side Notes:
2 outdoor decks
Picnic tables, and fire pit

12. Skytop Summer offiCe
Skytop is a camp office but also a cabin for a small troop. There are two
bedrooms with 5 bunk beds for 10 people. The first bedroom is 10’ x 11’ and
sleeps 4, and the second bedroom is 12’ x 10.5’, and sleeps 6. The kitchen
includes a refrigerator, stove, microwave, sink, pots, and pans. The
bathroom has 1 sink, shower, and toilet. The main room/office (16’ x 13.5’) has
a couch and TV. Like all other cabins there is heat in the winter. The back
porch has tables, chairs and benches to seat 15 people.

13. tent platform
Camping
Each Site Includes:
Site
View
Tent V iew
Program
Shelter
5 Sites:
maple glen
oak knoll
BirCH Hollow
Cedar ridge
HiCkory Hill
Bathroom facilities:
3 showers, 3 toilets,
and 4 sinks
8 platform tents:
Each with 5 cots, 5 mattresses, and
5 crates for belongings
Leader’s Cabin
Fire Circles
Program Shelter:
Electricity
Emergency phone
Cooking equipment
Tables and benches
Intercom
Charcoal stove
Grills
Pots, pans, and other cooking
equipment

14. HiCkory Hill
CampSite
2 Fire Circles
Program Shelter
Electricity, emergency phone, cooking
equipment, tables and benches
Cindy
With flush toilets, hot showers and sinks
8 Platform Tents
5 cots, 5 mattresses, and 5 crates
Leader’s Cabin
Electricity, cots, mattresses, and
crates for 6 campers
Program shelter

15. Cedar ridge
CampSite
2 Fire Circles
Program Shelter
Electricity, emergency phone,
cooking equipment, tables and
benches
Cindy
With flush toilets, hot showers
and sinks
8 Platform Tents
5 cots, 5 mattresses, and
5 crates
Leader’s Cabin
Electricity, cots, mattresses, and
crates for 6 campers

16. BirCH Hollow
CampSite
2 Fire Circles
Program Shelter
Electricity, emergency phone, cooking
equipment, tables and benches
Cindy
Flush toilets, hot showers and sinks
8 Platform Tents
5 cots, 5 mattresses, and 5 crates
Leader’s Cabin
Electricity, cots, mattresses, and
crates for 6 campers
Cindy

17. Maple Glen
CaMpSITe
3 Fire circles
Program Shelter
Electricity, emergency phone,
cooking equipment, tables and
benches
Cindy
With flush toilets, hot showers
and sinks
8 Platform Tents
5 cots, 5 mattresses, and
5 crates
Leader’s Cabin
Electricity, cots, mattresses, and
crates for 6 campers
Leader’s Cabin

18. Oak knOll
CaMpSITe
2 Fire circles
Program Shelter
Electricity, emergency phone, cooking
equipment, tables and benches
Cindy
With flush toilets, hot showers and
sinks
8 Platform Tents
5 cots, 5 mattresses, and 5 crates
Leader’s Cabin
Electricity, cots, mattresses, and
crates for 6 campers
Camp Hoover’s Oak Knoll Tent Site

19. Valhalla Open ShelTer
and MISTy knOll
VALHALLA
is a large open
shelter with secure storage, sinks
and flush toilets. It is divided into
two sections. There is ample
space for setting up your own
small tents around the shelter.
In addition, tables, benches, a
charcoal stove, pots, pans and
assorted cooking equipment are
also available.
Take the path past Berry Hill Cabin
and continue straight ahead about
1000 feet.
MISTY KNOLL
is our true
primitive site. It is found on the Explorer
Trail behind Townley Hall. It provides
locations for pitching tents and for fire
circles. Water available, but no
electricity or flush toilets.

20. SpOrTS FaCIlITIeS
Equipment Shed Supplies
Baseball
Wiffleball
Badminton
Tennis
Volleyball
Basketball
Soccer
Horseshoes
Hula Hoops
Softballs
Frisbees
Jump ropes
Tug-of-war ropes
Dodgeballs
Tetherballs
Sportin’ Around Patch
Listed below are the requirements for this patch. Daisies and
Brownies need to complete four of these activities, Juniors
must complete five activities, and Cadets/
Seniors must
complete all seven activities. This patch, once completed can
be purchased at the Camp Hoover store.
1.
Make sure you put everything back where you found it. Pick
up any litter on the ground and leave the Playfield cleaner
than you found it!
2.
W your group, complete 5-10 different warm-up stretches.
ith
3.
Go over safety rules and try to think of some of your own.
4.
Learn/
play 3 non-competitive games. Ex.: Spud, tag, cocktail
party. (There is a book of games in the Playfield shed)
5.
Play at least one organized game of any sport you’d like with
any of the equipment we have at the Playfield. (Ex.: Softball,
soccer, volleyball, etc.)
6.
Using as much equipment as you can, create an obstacle
course or relay race, and complete with your group.
7.
Pick any sport; change the rules (keeping safety in mind) and
then play with your group. For example: Combine two sports
(soccer, football), Use hands rather than feet and vise versa,
or use different balls than the ones needed to play that
particular sport (footballs instead of soccer balls)

21. lake FaCIlITIeS
Down the hill behind Sinawik Cabin is beautiful
Swartswood Lake. There are many fun water
activities to participate in during the warmer
months such as:
Funyaking (Kayaking)
Swimming
Cookouts on knoll
Canoeing
Fishing
Rowing
Rowing
Pond Study
Sand Candles

22. hIkInG TraIlS
I HIKED HOOVER’S
HILLS PATCH
TROOPS AND CAMPOREES CAN PURCHASE
THIS PATCH FOR $1.50 AT THE CAMP HOOVER
AND COUNCIL STORES. BELOW IS A LIST OF
SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES TO MAKE RECEIVING
THE PATCH MORE MEANINGFUL AND TO MAKE
YOUR STAY AT HOOVER A LOT MORE FUN.
Complete these activities while at Hoover:
•Learn something new. E.g. A skill, song, game, names of three trees,
name all of Hoover’s units, animals on site, Hoover history, etc.
•Go somewhere in camp that you haven’t visited before or try a new
trail. Mark this place on your Hoover map.
Teare Drop Trail
Hiltop Trail
Self-Guiding Nature Trail
Flashlight Trail
Explorer Trail
•Do something with another group that is camping at Hoover. Make
arrangements to share a meal or a campfire, teach other new songs or
anything else you would like.
•Do something for Camp Hoover, e.g. pick up all the litter that you
see. Leave your campsite in better shape than you found it.
•Do something nice for your leaders; thank them for your trip.
•Do something nice for yourself – Make up a story or poem, draw a
picture, or write a new song about your trip to Hoover.
•W
rite your own requirements!!!
If you want to do something more for Camp Hoover to make it the
best, call the Council office for more information. Have Fun!!!

23. OTher
aCTIVITIeS
There is a wide variety of terrains and habitats to explore, including a transitional
forest, animal and plant life, and vestiges of the past such as arrowheads, a lime kiln,
and old rock walls.
Fishing: Year round except during stocking times and when state laws prohibit.
Sledding: On the sports field hill only and STRICTLY AT YOUR OWN RISK!!
ARCHERY: Available Spring and Fall. Learn the basics of archery; including
safety, how to hold bow and shoot.
ROPES COURSE: Available Spring and Fall. An adult trained by the Council is
required to facilitate this activity. This is a group cooperation and problem solving
activity.
SWIMMING FACILITIES: Available June through September. The camp has
a swim dock on Swartswood Lake and all safety equipment. Campers must have
parental permission and a health history. All personnel (Lifeguards and Waterfront
Manager) must be approved by the Council Office with documentation prior to your
trip. Qualifications are listed in Waterfront Procedures for Camporees/Groups.
BOATING FACILITIES: Available April, May, June, September and October.
Campers must have parental permission and a health history. All personnel
(Lifeguards, Boating Instructors and Waterfront Manager) must be approved by the
Council Office. Qualifications are listed in Waterfront Procedures for
Camporees/Groups.

24. CabIn equIpMenT lIST
Berry Hill
Supplies
Evergreen
Sky Top
Heronwood
Sinawik
Kitchen
Large Fry Pan
1
2
2
Extra Large Pot & Lid
1
1
1
Large Pot & Lid
1
2
2
Medium Pot & Lid
1
2
2
Small Pot & Lid
1
2
2
Colander
1
1
1
Griddle
1
1
1
Baking Sheets
1
2
2
Kettle
1
1
1
Coffee Pots & Innards
1
1
1
Pitchers
2
4
5
Mixing Bowls
2
3
4
Dish Drain, Mat, Dish Pan
1
1
1
Serving Bowls & Spoons
5
7
10
Serving Platters
3
4
5
Cups, Plates, Bowls,
12
26
50
Measuring Cup & Spoons
1
1
2
Tong, Peeler, Can Opener
2
2
2
Knives, Forks, Spoons

25. Cabin EquipmEnt
Berry Hill
Sinawik
- ContinuEd
Heronwood
Supplies
Sky Top
Evergreen
Bread Knife, Paring Knife
2
2
4
Potato Masher or Wire Whip
1
1
1
Long Handled Fork Spoon
Turner, Ladle
1
2
2
Garbage Pails
3
3
3
Recycling Pails
Bathroom
1
1
1
Mop, Mop Bucket, Dust Pan,
Toilet Brush, Plunger
Miscellaneous
Fire Buckets
1
2
3
2
2
2
Stand Up Grills
2
2
2
Charcoal Stoves
2
2
Rake, Shovel
1
1
1
Brooms
3
4
5
Out door Garbage Pail
2
2
2
2

26. Camp RulEs

Alcohol is never permitted when you are in a leadership or chaperoning position and responsible
for children. DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ON CAMP HOOVER’S GROUNDS IS
STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. CONTROLLED DRUGS ARE NOT ALLOW ANY TIME.
ED

Smoking is to be confined to designated smoking areas only i.e., Sky Top porch and fire-circles.
ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING IN THE TENTS OR BUILDINGS.

All cars, vans, and buses must be parked in designated parking lots. ONE CAR MAY BE
PARKED AT EACH SITE FOR EMERGENCIES. One car must be on hand at all times in the
parking lot in case of emergency.

NO ONE MAY SW OR BOAT W
IM
ITHOUT PROPERLY TRAINED COUNCIL APPROVED
LIFEGUARDS & W
ATERFRONT MANAGER.

Sledding on the playfield only. SLEDDING IS STRICTLY AT YOUR OW RISK!!
N

While troop camping, no one may leave the unit alone or without permission. Have a strict
“Buddy System” for safety. Children may never go to the waterfront unless an adult is present.

No pedestrians are allowed on Rainbow Road, the main asphalt road to camp. Pedestrians are to
use to walking roads to Townley Hall and the waterfront.

No one should run on the site except during supervised activities on the playfield & commons.

Report all injuries/illnesses to your First Aider. Fill Out and send in First Aid/Incident Report to
Council office immediately after trip. (Available in Dining Hall)

27. Camp RulEs ContinuEd

Report any hazards to Camp Ranger.

Knowledge of fire drill, camp evacuation, lost camper and lost swimmers rescue is essential to
ensure everyone’s safety. (Posted on walls in all sites)

Confine all fires to established fire circles and fireplaces in camp. Leave no fire unattended. And
always have a fire bucket available.

Please observe camp quiet time – 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.

Observe Camp Hoover recycling procedures for the disposal of garbage.

All groups at Camp Hoover are held financially responsible for damages incurred during their
stay.

All groups must clean their sites and follow check out procedures before leaving camp.

Arrival Time: No earlier than 2:00 PM and no later than 9:00 PM without prior arrangements.

Departure Time: No later than 1:00 PM without prior arrangements.

28. Camp RulEs ContinuEd
Check In: Please go directly to your site; review the Handy Dandy Check In-Check Out sheet to ensure the
cabin is to your satisfaction. Contact the Caretaker with any problem.
Self-Check Out: Use the Handy Dandy Check-In Check Out Sheet. Complete all required duties and
leave sheet at site for Caretaker to pick up. There is a $50 charge for sites left unclean.
Communications/ Emergencies: There are camp telephones located in all sites except
Valhalla, the playfield, and Misty Knoll. These phones will connect you with other sites, the Caretaker, and 911. The
Caretaker should receive emergency incoming calls. Please do not answer the phone if you are passing by in
the Dining Hall hallway. Every effort will be made to deliver any messages received. It is important that the
Caretaker or Site Director know how to reach the person in charge of the group at all times. A schedule will help.
Sanitation: Please sweep and wash your bathroom facilities daily. Place all garbage in plastic bags in cans,
all recycling (Glass, cans, newspaper, plastic, and cardboard) in the appropriate bins.
Moving and Borrow ing Equipment : Moving and borrowing equipment is strongly
discouraged. If you do borrow anything from another site PLEASE RETURN IT, remember the next group will need
the equipment where is belongs. The Caretaker is not to move beds, mattresses and other equipment.
Don’t Forget The Supplies: First aid kit, disinfectant, detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, plastic
bags etc.
Certifications: Adults with Step 1 Outdoor and Overnight Training can bring their girls cabin or tent
camping and use stoves in building. Adults with Step 2 Outdoor and Overnight Training are able to make campfires
and Adults with Step 3 Outdoor and Overnight Training are able to cookout with their girls. Please provide the
appropriate copies of certifications to the Council Office. Once on site each group should self-monitor themselves
regarding what they can and cannot do. One adult per group must be CPR and First Aid Certified.
Fires and Fire Bans: Please confine ALL fires to established fire circles in camp LEAVE NO FIRE
UNATTENDED. Always have a bucket of water near the fire. If the area is excessively dry the State will impose a
fire ban. If there is a fire ban, all fires must be confined to charcoal stoves found at your site. You will be notified of
fire bans. Do not use fluids to start fires.

29. How to REsERvE a sitE
Please check our web site www.gshnj.org/camp
for applications and site availability
Please complete the application and send w ith a
$100 non-refundable deposit to:
GSHNJ
Atten. Camp Support
201 Grove Street East
Westfield, NJ 07090
For questions please contact:
campsupport@gshnj.org

30. tHank you!
thank you for watching our
presentation.
we hope you consider Camp Lou Henry
Hoover for your next camping trip!
Produced by Westfield Troop 813
Copyright Spring 2010
Julia Abbattista, Helen Keating, Katie Lafemina,
Grace O’Connor, Kelly O’Connor, and Kristen Ryan