What is this thing? Well, the encamporee is a weekend that our service unit (our group of Girl Scouts representing North Seattle) rents out an entire girl scout camp, and any troops within the service unit are welcome to attend.
Why is that cool? I don't know how many of you were Girl Scouts, but most Girl Scouts remember camping as one of the highlights of their time. Participating in the encamporee gives our troop a first experience with camping with a relatively easy environment. It also offers the opportunity to experience singing songs in the dining hall, and doing projects and games with older scouts.
When is it? This event is from Friday evening, May 8 through Sunday after breakfast, May 10. It should be possible for girls to stay for only one of the two nights, if that is necessary.
Where are we staying? The encamporee is at Camp River Ranch (https://www.girlscoutsww.org/Things-To-Do/go-to-camp/explore-our-camp-properties/Pages/Girl-Scout-Camp-River-Ranch.aspx), which is one of the amazing properties of GSWW. Our troop has been assigned Troop House 1. This is an indoor, winterized unit: (The troop houses have electric lights and heat. There is also a wood burning stove. The unit has a kitchen with range and refrigerator, unit cooking equipment and place settings. One single bathroom with toilet, sink and shower and one bathroom with 2 toilet stalls, sink and shower. Microwave and coffee makers are provided.)
We requested this type of unit not only because it can accommodate our size, but also because it should offer an easy first experience for our relatively young girls. We will not need to worry about requiring the proper equipment for outdoor temperatures, or introducing out-door privies, but we will be able to offer the girls a camp fire, and outdoor daytime experiences.
How much will it cost? The cost for encamporee is $10 per participant, plus the rental fee for the troop house ($250 = ~$10/participant), plus extra food we have. So, a total of about $20 on the weekend, plus some meals. We will have a better estimate of how much the meals cost after we have been able to do our meal planning with the girls. As of right now we know that there are two meals in the lodge, included in the $10 fee, and we are responsible for the others. Some troops have their girls eat before arrival on Friday night, so we anticipate needing to plan 3-4 meals, snacks, and, of course, S'Mores.
What does my girl need? Our girls will need normal sleep-over type supplies, but appropriate clothes and gear for a couple of days of out door activities. Your girl will also need a sleeping bag, and a mess kit. (Or mess-kit replacement such as a plastic plate and silverware set.) We can discuss an exact supply list in more depth, but, for now, here is a sample:
- ONE carryall, duffel, gym bag or backpack
- ONE bedroll or sleeping bag
- extra blanket
- small pillow
- (optional) air mattress or (optional) foam pad 1
- sit upon
- Rain gear
- Boots or extra shoes
- Warm Sweater
- jacket
- slacks or jeans (extra pair)
- Socks (extra pair)
- Shoes (sturdy & comfortable)
- Toilet articles
- Small towel,
- washcloth,
- soap
- Pajamas (warm sweatsuit with hood)
- Hat (knit cap)
- Flashlight, extra batteries
- Dunk bag (stuffed with…) - drinking cup - plate, bowl - knife, fork, spoon
How can I help prepare my girl? We will do our best to make sure the girls know what to expect. one thing you can do is to make sure your girl has had the opportunity to spend the night away from home, perhaps at one of her fellow girl scouts' houses.
How can I help the troop get ready? We will be giving you more information as soon as we can. We will need help with the planning and getting our equipment prepared, as well as getting our meals planned and prepped.
In the mean time, you can go take this survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PP9X8TX
Some questions have come up:
ReplyDeleteWhat is a sit-upon?
it is basically a cushion to sit on, serving for comfort and keeping one's bottom dry. Its a pretty basic Girl Scout craft, but one we haven't done yet. It is in my mind to actually have the girls make one, but I'm just not sure we will get to that point, even during the day on Saturday. Here are what they are:
http://www.makingfriends.com/scouts/scouts_girls_situpon.htm
You could have your girl bring an old out-door pillow, very small camp chair, small waterproof blanket, or something like that. In a pinch, for the dry bottom purpose, we can use some communal waterproof tablecloths, so don't get stressed out about this.
What is a dunk bag?
http://www.girlscoutshop.com/CAMP-AND-SPORTSWEAR_2/GIRL-SCOUT-STAINLESS-STEEL-MESS-KIT
The dunkbag is a mesh bag. Used to be, each girl would keep their kitchen stuff in the mesh bag, and wash everything all together in the bag. Now, girls wash their mess kit dishes, and hang them to dry in the mesh bag.
Your girl doesn't really need a mess kit for this, if you don't happen to have one. A plastic plate, mug, and silverware you are okay with sending into the woods will do. (I hear GoodWill is a great place to pick this stuff up.)
She also doesn't need a fanyc mesh bag - any old breathable bag will do (a small cloth grocery bag if needed).
Housing:
Our girls are staying in troop house 1. There are two rooms with 11 beds each, and one room with 4 beds each. As such, every girl will be with many of her friends from her home patrol.
(And for those playing the home game, yes, that is 26 spots, for 25 girls and the minimum 4 adults. We are working on being able to house a couple of adults in the adjacent troop house for sleeping purposes. We will not hit space limits for the day-time situations.)
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