The document provides information for volunteers on camping procedures and guidelines for Girl Scout troops. It discusses the value of camping, safety resources like Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints, reserving campsites, supervision requirements, health forms, activities at the four camps, site managers, safety procedures including fire, first aid and medications, prohibited items, and preparing for camp. The overall document aims to prepare volunteers to lead safe and enjoyable camping trips for Girl Scout troops.

1. Camp Information &
Procedures
Girl Scouts of Kentucky’s Wilderness
Road Council

2. By the time you complete this course, you
should have an understanding of the
following:
• The value of troop camping in a Girl Scout setting
• Volunteer Essentials and Safety Activity Checkpoints
• What is available at Kentucky’s Wilderness Road’s camps
• How to make a reservation
• Procedures for the use of camp properties

3. Camping is:
• FUN!!
• Provides an opportunity to be active and exercise
• Promotes healthy relationships both with people and the
environment
• Creates memories
• Teaches independent living skills
• Teaches girls new skills
• Lets girls discover, connect and take action
• Promotes team work
• Gives girls an opportunity to practice leadership

4. Girl Scout camping teaches girls more than
outdoor skills. They also learn self confidence,
teamwork, and leadership skills

5. What do I do first?
Whenever you are taking girls on an outing, at camp or
otherwise, you should always check two resources:
Volunteer Essentials
Safety Activity Checkpoints
Both resources are available through the Kentucky’s Wilderness
Road website and each troop should receive a CD which
includes both documents.

6. Volunteer Essentials
You should be familiar with the Chapter 4 - Safety Wise in Volunteer
Essentials. It covers the following topics:
Knowing Your Responsibilities
Responsibilities of the Volunteer
Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians
Responsibilities of Girls
Knowing How Many Volunteers You Need
Transporting Girls
Hosting a girl-led event
Approaching Activities
Health Histories
Girl Scout Activity Insurance
Providing Emergency Care

7. Safety Activity Checkpoints
You now have the ability to download the
safety information for particular activities
you will be doing with your troop. You
may want to print them for the girls and
for other volunteers who will be
participating.
In addition to a Safety Activity Checkpoint
for camping, you will also find
checkpoints for archery, hiking, outdoor
cooking and many other outdoor
activities you and your girls may choose
to do while camping.
Be sure to read all the checkpoints that
will apply.

8. Safety Activity Checkpoints
You now have the ability to download the safety
information for particular activities you will be doing with
your troop. You may want to print them for the girls and for
other volunteers who will be participating.
In addition to a Safety Activity Checkpoint for camping, you will
also find checkpoints for archery, hiking, outdoor cooking and
many other outdoor activities you and your girls may choose
to do while camping.
Be sure to read all the checkpoints that will apply

9. How many adults do we need?
Group Group meetings: Events, travel, Events, travel,
meetings: and camping: and camping:
Plus one adult for
Two non-related each additional Two unrelated Plus one adult
adults (at least number of girls adults (at least for each
one of whom is one of whom is additional
female) for this female) for each number of girls
number of girls number of girls
Girl Scout Daisies 12 6 6 4
(K– grade 1)
Girl Scout 20 8 12 6
Brownies
(grades 2–3)
Girl Scout Juniors 25 10 16
(grades 4–5) 45
8
Girl Scout 25 12 20 10
Cadettes
(grades 6–8)
Girl Scout Seniors 30 15 24 12
(grades 9–10)
Girl Scout 30 15 24 12
Ambassadors
(grades 11–12)

10. How many adults do we need?
This previous chart can be found in Volunteer
Essentials and shows the number of adults
needed for activities with girls of different grade
levels.
For example: A Girl Scout Brownie troop of 14 girls
would need to take 3 adults along on a camping
trip.
Girls should be supervised at all times.

11. How do I reserve a campsite?
The most current forms for campsite reservations can be
found on the council web site under FORMS – Council
Forms.
You will need to download the:
5-59 Wilderness Road Council Camp Application
We recommend that you plan a few months in advance
for a troop camping trip. Some camps and some sites
are very popular and fill up quickly.

12. Camp Use Procedures
1. You may go onto the web site and download the
Camp Handbook. This publication has a list of all
units at all camps and the cost for rental.
2. Once you have decided on a campsite and a date
call the council office and talk to the program
department on the availability of that site.
3. As soon as you know the site is available- send in
your camp application with your deposit.

13. Camp Use Procedures
4. When your camp application is received at the
council office, your campsite will be secured and a
camp packet will be mailed to you.
5. This packet will contain information important for
your stay at camp and directions to the camp.
6. Camp check in is 4 pm and check out is 3 pm
7. Be sure to leave your attendance sheet with the site
manager before you leave camp.

14. Paperwork
Troops should have the following paperwork with them at all
times:
• A troop roster of emergency contact information for each
person, including adults
• Permission slips
• Health History forms
• If participating in adventure programs, you must also have
the high risk permission slip. These programs include
things like the climbing tower, zip line and equestrian
programs.
While our hope is that no one has an emergency, having
these forms with you will keep you from delaying
treatment in the event it is needed.

15. Camp Progression
The Girl Scout program is built on the foundation of
progression – acquiring the skills needed to progress to
more difficult or highly skilled activities.
Progression underlies all avenues of Girl Scouting, from
grade level handbooks to cooking, from cabin camping to
tent camping to back packing, from roasting a marshmallow
to preparing a gourmet dish using a Dutch oven.
Whatever the avenue chosen, it is important to remember
that following progression will make all the difference in
the outcome.
Our outdoor program and camp usages is designed using
progression.

16. Camp Progression
The first level is the progression is called Picnic
Ticket! Troop leaders who have completed their
“Planning Trips” course can reserve a picnic site
at one of our council camps for the day. The
picnic ticket is an excellent way to introduce
young Daisies to a first time outdoor experience.
Remember at least least one person must also
have a current First Aid/CPR certification when
reserving a shelter for day use.

17. Camp Progression
The sites that can be reserved using the picnic
ticket are:
Camp Cardinal: Flag deck-Tut’s Hut
Camp Judy Layne: Tall Timbers Shelter and
Whippoorwill Shelter. You may also rent the
pool but must have a certified lifeguard.
Camp Richard Clark: Shelter House
Camp Shawano: Sky Ridge Shelter

18. Camp Progression
Out and About
You may reserve sites at council camps for an
overnight, using facilities with indoor kitchen and
bathrooms once you have completed the “Out and
About” course. All cooking must be done in the
kitchen but you may build an outdoor fire for evening
programming
This is an online course with a 1 ½ hour classroom
session on fire building and safety

19. Camp Progression
Out and About
One adult camping with the troop must have completed
this course, along with an adult with a current First
Aid/CPR certification.
With an “Out and About” certification, troops may reserve
the following facilities:
Camp Cardinal: Sleepy Hollow Cabin
Camp Judy Layne: ABC Lodge
Camp Shawano: Woodview Lodge
Lookout Lodge
“Out and About” is perfect for Brownie age girls ready for
an overnight or Juniors who have not been camping
before.

20. Camp Progression
Troop Camp Certification
Troop Camp training is a week-end course that
prepares you to take a troop overnight camping in a
cabin or tent while cooking on an open fire. With
this level of certification, you may
reserve any of the council
camp sites.
This type of experience is great for the Girl Scout
Brownie and Junior who have had an out and about
camping trip.

21. Kentucky’s Wilderness Road
Camps
Kentucky’s Wilderness Road operates four camps. Each camp
has unique features and we encourage you to visit all four.
You can find more information about council camps on the
council web site.

22. Camp Cardinal
Adventure Have n Unit Camp Cardinal is 156 acres situation in
Eastern Kentucky in Carter County. The
camp is a short hiking distance from
Carter Caves State Park.
This camp has three units with platform
tents, Sleepy Hollow cabin with kitchen
Bathhouse and bathroom, dining hall,
bathroom/shower facilities, hiking trails,
staples unit, amphitheatre and program
facilities. Cabins are being built and
should be ready for campers in the
summer of 2012
Pine Point Unit Commercial caving, swimming and
miniature golf is available at Carter Caves
State Park for a fee

23. Camp Judy Layne
Swimming Pool Camp Judy Layne is located in Morgan
County, a short drive from Cave Run Lake.
This camp’s adventure based
opportunities abound in over 180 acres of
beautiful woodland sitting on the ridge of
Daniel Boone National Forest.
Whippoorwill Unit This camp has platform tent units, cabin
units, bathroom/shower facilities, dining
hall, swimming pool, low ropes course, 35
ft. climbing tower, zip line, amphitheatre
and great hiking trails
This is also the site of summer resident
camp.

24. Camp Richard Clark
Camp Richard Clark is 110 acres located
in Clark County, just outside of
Winchester. Perhaps the most historic of
all the council’s camp properties, the
camp is located where a grand hotel with
mineral springs operated as a health spa
that attracted many patrons from all over
the nation in the 1850’s. It’s history,
seclusion and pleasantly unusual terrain
make this site an interesting place to visit.
Camp Richard Clark has limited facilities
and is the location for the Clark County
Summer Day Camp.

25. Camp Shawano
Woodview Lodge Set on the outskirts of Lexington on the
Kentucky River, Camp Shawano is 146
acres of cedar and hardwood forest and a
number of open meadows which provide
great sites for outdoor activities. This
camp offers a progression of camping
opportunities from modern lodges to
Bird’s Nest quaint little cabins to platform tent units,
bathroom/shower facilities, program
buildings and a 40 ft. climbing tower with
a zip line.
Camp Shawano is a very popular camp
and early reservations is a must. This is
also the site of the Fayette - Jessamine
Summer Day Camp.

26. Site Managers
Camp Shawano has a full time site manager
available on the property to assist you with any
maintenance, security or safety issues during
your stay at camp. They are also happy to answer
questions you have about the facilities you will be
using.
Camp Cardinal has a part time site manager who
does not live on the property but lives near the
camp. He will have the property in good working
order before you arrive.

27. Site Managers
Camp Judy Layne
Girl Scout troops that camp at Judy Layne may take
advantage of age appropriate outdoor activities
that are provided by the Program/Site Manager.
Activities include badge work, hiking,
environmental studies and much more.
Information about these programs is included in
the Camp Confirmation Packet. She will also
assist you with any maintenance, security or
safety issues during your stay at camp.

28. Site Managers
Camp Richard Clark does not have a site manager.
The site manager working at Camp Shawano will
have the gate open and property ready for your
stay.
We ask that you contact the site manager
immediately when an accident or injury occurs on
camp that would require medical attention.
Please report unfamiliar persons, animals or
potential dangers to the site manager.

29. Keeping Girls Safe at Camp
The following list of guidelines will help you keep girls
safe at camp:
 Closed toe and closed heel shoes should always be worn; no flip flops
 No tank tops at camp.
 Ponchos should be used instead of umbrellas.
 Only visit adventure program sites with trained facilitators. Program
sites include pools, teams courses, climbing and rappelling areas, etc.
Without appropriate supervision girls could be injured or sites could be
damaged.
 No running in camp unless in an organized activity.
 No standing or climbing on structures such tables, benches, etc.

30. Keeping Girls Safe at Camp
Use the buddy system
Two girls always travel together, there are no
exceptions!
Girls should either choose or be assigned a
buddy. Everyone needs to understand how
the buddy system works, and leaders need
to review all possible hazards with the girls.
Conduct periodic buddy checks
Leaders should buddy up too!

31. Dispensing of Medications
Any medications needing to be dispensed while on a trip
should be kept with the troop first aider. Parents should
provide written instruction to the troop first aider for
dispensing medications and medicines must be in their
original containers.
While you may desire to have girls serving as troop first aide
helpers and able to access bandages and basic first aid
supplies, medications should be kept out of reach at all
times and dispensed by adults ONLY.

32. Items Not to Bring to Camp
The following items should never be brought to
Girl Scout camps:
 Pets
 Weapons
 Illegal drugs
 Alcohol
Girl Scout camps are all non-smoking properties.

33. Fire Safety
 Fires are allowed only in designated fire circles, fire pits or
fire places.
 There should never be open flames in or near tents.
 Box ovens and Dutch ovens should be used on non-
flammable surfaces – never, for instance, on picnic tables.
 Propane stoves must be used outdoors – never in enclosed
areas.
 Indoor cooking should only be done in facilities with a
kitchen.
 Girls should be supervised around a fire at all times and
should not stand on the rocks designating the fire safety
circle.

34. Parking and Driving at Camp
Vehicles must obey all posted speed
limit and parking signs.
Do not park on the grass unless
specifically instructed otherwise.
Always follow state laws including
seatbelt regulations.
Never allow girls to ride in the back of a
pick up truck even on camp properties.
Once you arrive at camp, your troop
should plan to walk around camp. Do
not drive girls to programming sites. Part
of the camping experience should be
“hiking” from place to place.
Back your car into the parking space
rather than pulling it in.

35. Male Participation Guidelines
We ask that you follow these guidelines:
Men should never be alone with girls.
Men need to be in company of an adult
female who is not their spouse.
Inform parents that men will be attending an
overnight event.
When registering with a camp site – add that
men will be attending to your reservation form.
Men should sleep in specific male only tent.
Men should have a separate bathroom facility.
Men should not be around the girls after they
change into pajamas or before they are full
We understand the importance of dressed in the morning.
positive male role models in the girls’ lives
Please remember that males need privacy
and we encourage male participation.
as much as girls and adult females.
However, we would like to take some
extra precautions to keep everyone
comfortable.

36. Be Prepared
The Girl Scout motto is “Be Prepared”. Some simple
things will help prepare you and your troop for camp:
 Bring a well stocked first aid kit.
 Familiarize yourself and your troop with the camp.
 Read camp emergency procedures (posted in each
unit) upon arriving at camp.
 Develop an emergency signal system with your troop.
 Have the girls help you develop the safety plans.

37. Leave No Trace
Part of the Girl Scout Law reads: “I will do my best to . . . Use
resources wisely . . . Make the world a better place.” In
living the Girl Scout Law, volunteers and girls should take
care of camp resources.
 Stay on paths.
 Do not pick flowers and other wild plants.
 No painting, drawing, or carving on structures, furniture or
trees.
 No swinging on doors or gates.
 No food or drinks in tents or cabins – this attracts
unwanted insects and animals.
 Leave your camp site better than you found it.

38. Girl Scout Camp is a great place
full of fun, adventure, excitement,
friends and memories.