2023 Spring Encamporee
An Encamporee is an opportunity for Girl Scouts of all ages to participate in a weekend camp full of fun, engaging, hands-on experiences together!
Priority Registration for Whatcom County Girl Scouts is held until February 15th. After January 15th, registration opens to Girl Scouts outside of Whatcom County until full.
STEP 1: Registration
STEP 2: Payment - Square, Cookie Dough Or Financial Assistance
Step 3: Kapers
Participant Registration
One participant per form
PDF for you to see what information we are collecting before you start!
Payment - Square
Deposit OR Pay-In-Full
OR Pay Balance
Payment
Financial Assistance
or Cookie Dough
Kaper & Schedule Sign-Ups
For Troops or Individuals
(Link available by End of March/Early April - Registrants will be notified!)
Date: Friday, April 14, 2023 - Sunday, April 16, 2023
Arrival Time: DRAFT - Probably between 3:30 and 7:30pm
Check Out Time: DRAFT - Probably between 10:30am - 11:30pm, depending on how long it takes to complete our checkout clean-up tasks!
Location & Parking : Camp Kirby, Samish Island - See details below!
Cost: $90.00 per participant - Youth & Adult (Financial Assistance Available and Cookie Dough Eligible)
Deposit: $35 Non-Refundable Deposit (CAN be transferred)
Deposit Due: Wednesday, February 15th
Balance Due: Friday, March 31st
Discount: $3 discount per person if paying by check. Discount applies on the balance due or paid-in-full.
URGENT: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SUBMISSIONS DUE (Green Button above):
Thursday, March 23 EVENING!
Cost Includes:
2 Nights at Camp Kirby (Indoor and Outdoor Units Available)
ALL MEALS (7 Meals Total) provided in the Lodge - Camp Menu Below
Dietary restrictions can be accommodated
Friday Dinner, Friday S'mores / Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, Activity Snack, Dinner & Dessert / Sunday Breakfast
Vibrant and Exciting Program
Exploding Things - It's awesome - more details to come!
Hands-On STEM Experiments (Messy!)
Skill: Fire Building & Outdoor Cooking
Campfire Celebration
Archery/Sling Shots and/or Climbing Wall
Down Time to Explore the Beach and Trails
Themed Patch
Financial Accessibility Support: Making Sure Camp Is ACCESSIBLE for ALL!
Girl Scouts in Whatcom County serve Girl Scouts of all income and resources, and we make sure everyone who wants to attend our Spring Encamporee is able to.. One of our Superpowers is finding resources (financial & gear) to make sure all who can attend - do!
Participation Expectations
All Participants are expected to be kind & follow the Girl Scout Promise & Law.
All participants are expected to do general camp upkeep, bussing their tables, and picking up litter.
Adults attending are expected to participate in designated Camp Kaper shift(s).
Camp Kapers are pre-selected by (insert deadline).
Adults attending who do not select by the (insert deadline) will be assigned.
Troops attending are expected to perform a Troop Kaper - such as "Keeping the bathroom near them tidy," and will be assigned.
Accommodations
We value inclusion and love Girl Scouts with all kinds of Super Powers.
Please let our Directorship Team know if any of our participants will need accommodations and supports.
We will always do our best to set everyone up for success!
Financial Assistance - Youth or Adult
OVERVIEW
Financial Assistance is available as an Event Grant for both Girl Scouts and Adults.
Adults are eligible for 3 Event Grants
Girl Scout Youth are eligible for 3 Grants (Mix and Match: Events, Supplies, Dues)
In addition to the 3 Mix & Match Grants, Girl Scout Youth are eligible for 1 WEEK LONG "Camp Grant."
(Although this is "Camping," it is not a "Camp Grant." This is an EVENT Grant.)
Applicants must have at least 1 grant that is unused that we can use for this event
Step 1 - Prequalify with GSWW
Please work with your Troop Leader for who fills out the Financial Assistance Digital Application for pre-qualification.
>>> COMPLETE THIS FORM RIGHT AWAY, IF IT IS NOT ALREADY COMPLETED.
Once each participant has been pre-qualified, our Business Manager will apply for the Service Unit Event Grant from GSWW.
>> DO NOT APPLY FOR THE EVENT GRANT YOURSELF. We will do it for you!
Financial Assistance is not available for Tagalongs (under 5) or Boys Unit (Cisgender Male, Age 5+).
STEP 2 - Complete our ENCAMPOREE Financial Assistance Form - Button Above
This alerts our Business Manager to request the Event Grant on your behalf.
Cookie Dough
Girl Scouts who have earned Cookie Dough prior to the 2023 Season can use their Cookie Dough to pay for the Camp.
Complete the Form - Button Above - to give us information needed so that the Business Manager can process the payment.
Adult Participants - Volunteers
Adult participants are welcome, and must be a registered, background checked GSUSA Member to attend.
Adult participants are required to pay the fee to attend, and may use Financial Assistance.
1) All adults attending are expected to help in myriad ways:
Camp Kapers - Preassigned before Camp. Most Kapers are with your Troop, some Kapers are independent of the Troop.
Helping with general Camp upkeep - scraping dishes, keeping your unit/sleeping area tidy, keeping the grounds clean.
Helping with being extra hands for activities.
Said another way - All Adults standing around are fair game to be tasked with something to help! Thanks for your great attitude!
2) If your Girl Scouts Youth needs your direct attention as a support/accommodation, please indicate so on your registration. This information will be kept confidential among Camp Leadership and Staff.
Register here: https://mygs.girlscouts.org/
Leadership Positions Needed
Leadership Positions Needed!
We are looking for a few people to help as:
Kitchen Staff -- Our Quantity Cook is "Puff" (also known as Maria in real life!).
Full-Time Camp Cook Assistant
Additional Camp Cook Helpers will be rotated in
Food Shopper Assistant (Support Puff with Purchasing and Transporting Food)
Equipment Quartermaster - Purchase or Procure items needed for the Program and Event. Arrange for transporting Equipment to Camp. It is useful if you have access to a Truck and/or Trailer.
Equipment Transportation - Getting gear to Camp Kirby.
Hostess & Kaper Manager - make sure everyone knows what to do, when do it, and follows through to make sure that it is done well.
Photographer
NOTE: Please consider the age and experience of your Girl Scouts and any extra attending adults before you volunteer to do something camp-wide.
Tagalongs (under 5) & Dragonalongs - Boys Unit
Tagalongs (under 5) or Boys Unit (Cisgender Male, Age 5+).
We understand that sometimes families need and/or enjoy attending Girl Scouts together, and we are happy to purchase additional insurance to have these participants attend.
While we welcome Tagalongs and Boys to our our Camp, we do have some stipulations for their privilege of attending this Girl Scout Camp. Camp Staff has successfully managed Tagalongs and Boys at camps before, and this is a trial year for this community.
Tagalongs:
We are not providing a Tagalong "unit" with separate activities.
Must be under the direct supervision of their caregiver at all times.
Caregivers of Tagalongs may band together to allow for the kids to play together, at the agreement of other Caregivers.
Caregivers banding together may hand back Tagalongs at any time.
Tagalongs may participate in our camp activities, and Staff may put limits or exclusions on their participation on a case-by-case basis.
We understand developmental stages and expect meltdowns! When there is a disruptive or loud meltdown, please swoop your child up quickly and take them away from the program area, returning once the disruption is complete.
Make sure that your Older Girl Scout has a "back up" adult to make sure they are able to continue participating fully while the Tagalong is being managed.
Tagalongs will stay in the cabin with their parent OR, if needed, we will ask that a separate family tent be brought. (We can help source the tent.)
Camp Staff reserve the right to say, "This is not working! Let's try again in the future!" should a tagalong be having a hard time that continues to stay unresolved. There will be no refunds for Tagalongs, Caregivers, or Campers who need to leave because they are not yet ready to be successful, as we have already purchased supplies on their behalf.
Dragonalongs (Boys Unit):
Dragonalongs comes from the phrase: Draggin' Along!! I think it's clever!
We are excited to provide a Boys Unit who will engage in MOST of the same activities as the rest of the campers.
We may also provide additional options for the Boys Unit in order to support camaraderie!
We don't actually know what that will look like yet! We'll let you know when we know!
We understand that some members of the Boys Unit may need caregiver support and other accommodations. Please let us know on the registration form.
Older Boys Unit participants will be assigned to sleep with the Men. This is generally a fun and lively (and likley smelly) experience.
To be eligible, we will look together to make sure: Can this Young Man follow directions? Respect Camp Rules without support? Sleep independently? Get themselves to the bathroom at night (bathrooms may be indoors, outdoors, near, or far), and trusted to remember to take a buddy?
Younger Boys Unit participants who still need night-time parenting or are not quite ready will be assigned to sleep with their caregivers.
If their caregiver is also sleeping with the men, then that becomes an option.
In other words, the Boys Unit Staff will NOT be providing overnight support (except for emergencies).
The Boys Unit, as well as all Campers, are expected to maintain Rated G or PG humor.
Camp Staff reserve the right to say, "This is not working! Let's try again in the future!" should a Boys Unit participant have a hard time following directions, staying self-regulated, and being trustworthy & safe. There will be no refunds for Tagalongs, Caregivers, or Campers who need to leave because they are not yet ready to be successful, as we have already purchased supplies on their behalf.
Meal Plan
All dietary restrictions can be accommodated. Be sure to indicate your needs on the registration form!
Friday Dinner - In the Lodge, come as it works for your Girl Scouts!
Baked Potato Bar: Chili & Baked Potato Bar
Green Salad
Evening Snack - At Campfire!
S'mores!
Saturday Breakfast
Breakfast Casserole - Options: Meat / Vegetarian / Extra Veggies / Vegan / French Toast
Bagels, Oatmeal
Bananas & Oranges
Daytime Snack:
Brownie in an Orange (here is an example)
Saturday Lunch
Pasta
Meatballs
Sauce: Tomato, Butter
Gluten Free Option: Zucchini Noodles
Vegetarian Option: Eggplant Parmesan
Salad
Saturday Snack
Trail Mix Surprise - Each Troop/Group bring something GORPy (as assigned)
Saturday Dinner
Taco Salad Bar
Pop Rocks!
Sunday Breakfast
Banana Split Breakfast Bar
Bagels & Cream Cheese
Available at each meal:
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Coffee - for adults only
Camp Kirby & Sleeping Accommodations
Camp Kirby is beautiful and easily accessible for mobility. Please let us know what you need!
Indoor units with electricity are available for those with sleeping machines. Please indicate this in your Registration Form.
Girl Scout Troops will be assigned sleeping cabins by the Event Staff and kept together as a group.
Cisgender Men and Boys Unit attending will sleep separately. (Exceptions made for young boys).
Learn more about Camp Kirby here: https://www.campfiresamish.org/rent-camp-kirby/
Pictures here: https://www.campfiresamish.org/rent-camp-kirby/camp-kirby-rental-photos/
Camp Names
Camp Names a fun tradition that differs between regions, different camps, different troops.
For this Camp:
Girl Scouts may select their Camp Name (and they may change it!).
Adults generally stick to their Camp Name (unless they think of something that is perfect and upgrade!).
Camp Names are not required.
Gear & Packing List (a printable list is coming soon!)
If you need help sourcing any of this gear, please let us know!
There is a spot on the Registration Form to indicate needs.
Please label ALL items with Camper First and Last Name!
Personal Packing List - for each Participant
Bedding - Pack these in a large PLASTIC bag and write your name on it. All Cabins have Mattresses.
Sleeping bag designed for warmth.
Extra blanket
Pillow
(Optional) Twin-Size Mattress Cover or Tarp
Stuffed Animal/sleeping buddy if desired
Clothing:
Note 1: This is a messy camp. Bring things you can get messy in.
Note 2: This is April. Dress for Layers. Pack extra in case it gets wet.
Warm pajamas (sweats work best)
Warm Hat - Wear at Bedtime
2 pairs of sturdy shoes. Suggest first as a hiking boot or tennis shoe. Mud boots are an excellent choice as a second choice.
3 pairs of underwear.
3 pairs of socks for bedtime.
3 pairs of socks for daytime.
Warm Jacket
Warm Sweatshirt or Hoodie
2-3 pairs of long pants.
2-3 shirts
Raincoat or Poncho
Plastic bags for dirty or wet clothing
Toiletries:
Hair Ties (long hair must be pulled back near fire)
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Comb, Brush
Washcloth / Small Towel for face (NO SHOWERS)
Deodorant (if necessary)
Menstrual Supplies (if needed)
Gear:
Day Pack (small backpack to use during the day to avoid trips to back to the cabin)
Water bottle
Flashlight & Extra Batteries
Sun Protection (Sun Screen, Sun Glasses)
Insect repellent
Whistle
Sit-Upon
Optional Gear:
Knife / Multi-Tool
Emergency Shelter (Reflective Space Blanket)
Navigation - Compass & Map
First Aid Kit (Personal Size)
Fire (Matches, Fire Starters)
Watch
Mirror (for signalling)
DO NOT BRING:
Candy or Gum (these WILL be confiscated)
Other food unless pre-arranged with Kitchen and Nurse.
Medications, unless given to your troop leader.
Anything with Fragrance - we are a FRAGRANCE - FREE CAMP.
GS Uniform or books.
No flip flops allowed at camp at ANY TIME.
Cellular Phones, Screens, Electronic Entertainment Devises of any kind.
Cellular Phone Exception: Adults may bring & use cellular phones, and must use them according to the Cellular Phone Agreement described on this website.
Camp Chairs for YOUTH
Troop / Group / IRM Supply List
Snack for "Trail Mix Surprise!" (sign up sheet by Mid March).
Troop First Aid Kit (band aids, alcohol pads...)
Walkie Talkie or Cellular Phone for emergencies
Whistle (for emergencies)
Sharpie
Scissors
Duct Tape
Extra Water Bottle
Lantern
Digital Camera (on Cellular Phone is OK)
Camp Chair - Adults ONLY
Extra Sleeping Bag / Blankets
Troop Flag (optional)
Bath Towel
Extra Rain Gear & Layers (Poncho, Sweatshirt, Socks)
Wagon (optional)
Leader Helps (song, hike cards, story boxes that have been handed out in past years)
If you have extra (sign up sheet will be available by Mid-March):
Roasting Sticks for your troop – make sure they are labeled
Cast Iron Dutch Oven
Canopies
Firewood for camp fires
Charcoal for Outdoor Cooking
Matches
Non-Scented Tea Light Candles
Tempura Paint
Cellular Phone Guidelines - DRAFT
DRAFT - JUNE 24
This is a great opportunity to leave our phones in the car or at home! There is so much evidence of the value of BEING in the outdoors, and being together!
Cellular phones can be a useful tool especially with taking pictures and in an emergency. AND, Cellular phones can be a distraction.
These are our community agreements:
Cellular phones are brought at your own risk. Camp is an outdoor environment with lots of water, rocks, and mud!
We will not replace or repair any damage or lost Cellular Phones.
Cellular phones may be brought and used by adults only.
Please take care to be aware of Girl Scouts right to privacy.
ONLY take pictures of YOUR Girl Scouts that you post on Social Media.
Be aware of Girl Scouts & Adults who have opted-out of photos.
Pictures of groups with faces that you cannot see (for example - distance, side of faces) are permitted.
Consider keeping your phone on Airplane Mode.
Camp Kirby is away from cellular phone towers, and batteries drain quickly.
There is not a convenient charging station.
Avoid taking phone calls or mindless scrolling!
If you have important calls that you need to take or be aware of (other children, work emergencies), please let us know so we can support making sure you have cellular service or a back-up phone number for the person to call.
Camp Kapers - Details Soon!
Driving Directions, Parking, and Check-In
COMING FROM NORTH:
I-5 South to Bow Hill Road, Exit 236. Turn right on Bow Hill.
Follow this road several miles through the towns of Bow and Edison.
The road turns south and becomes Farm to Market Road.
Just south of Edison, on the right, is a power substation and state liquor store. Turn right at next road (Bayview-Edison Road)
Continue for several miles, crossing the Samish River and going through a long S-Curve. As you come out of the curve there is a road heading south toward Bayview. Don't turn, but proceed to the west (the road will now be called Samish Island Road)
Follow this road onto Samish Island.
Proceed with the "Once On Samish Island" directions below.
COMING FROM SOUTH:
I-5 North to Cook Road, Exit 232. Turn left on Cook Road. - Right on SR-11 (Chuckanut Drive)
Left on Allen West Road
Right on Farm to Market Road
Left on D'Arcy Road
Right on Bayview-Edison Road
Left on Samish Island Road
Follow this road onto Samish Island.
Proceed with the "Once On Samish Island" directions below.
ONCE ON SAMISH ISLAND:
You will see the Samish Island Garden Club sign and bulletin board.
Continue on Samish Island Road until you reach a stop sign at the junction with Halloran Road (to the right).
Turn left at the stop sign - you will still be on Samish Island Road
Turn right at the next stop sign (Wharf Street)
Go one block and turn left on Marshall Road
Follow Marshall until it dead ends at Samish Point Road
Turn left on Samish Point Road, go about 2 blocks. The road turns left; the Camp Kirby gate is on your right.
ENTERING CAMP KIRBY, PARKING, & CHECK-IN
At the Gate is the Care Taker's House.
If the Gate is Open, come into Camp Kirby. If the Gate is Closed, check in with the Caretakers.
Observe the speed limit and be cautious.
The main part of Camp Kirby and Parking Lot are on the lower part of the property.
To get there you must drive down a single-lane hill.
HONK & LISTEN before going UP or going DOWN the hill to ensure that no vehicle is already on the road.
Park in the Main Parking Area following the instructions of signs or Parking Attendant.
Always park "in reverse" or "so that in an emergency, you can pull forward to drive away."
All Participants must check in with the Designated Check-In Person & Camp Nurse (at the Lodge or Health House - TBA)
Bring Completed Health Forms and Medication before unloading your vehicles.
Return to your Vehicle and leave the "Vehicle Identification" form on your Dashboard.
Form received at Check-in.
Includes: Vehicle make, model, and color, Owner's Name/Camp Name, Contact Number, Troop Number, Where Staying,
This is so we can reach you if needed to move or use your vehicle.
Driving around Camp Kirbyis limited.
Wagons are available to help transport gear from vehicles to Camp Sites.
Bonus points for bringing extra wagons to lend!
All Humans can help carry gear!
Bring pre-arranged Food to the Kitchen right away!
COVID & Other Health Precautions - Details Soon!
Schedule - Details by Mid-March
Exploding Paint Bombs
https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/75017/exploding-paint-bombs-activity
Exposions with Mr. Knott!
Hands-On Messy STEM
Lead by Pickle
Yes. Let's explode things! Let's get messy!
Ideas we are exploding in our brains:
Elephant Toothpaste - Volcanos - Mentos & Coke - Edible Water Beads!
It'll be a surprise what we do when we get there -- but we KNOW it will be fun and messy.
https://www.pinterest.com/curlychristine/confetti-explosion-encamporee-ideas/
Outdoor Cooking & Fires
If you haven't had a Brownie in an Orange cooked in a campfire - you will be delighted!
Girl Souts will also have a chance to practice their Fire Building Skills. Some Girl Scouts will learn to light a match, others will build a fire!
Camp Leadership Team!
Wonderful Volunteers making this happen!
Camp Director
Nobody - Christine
Camp Business Manager
(Camp Name?) -
Camp Nurse
Khaos - Kaisha
Registrar
Archery / Sling Shots
Blaze - Sam
Explosions
Mr. Knott
Hands-On Messy STEM
Pickle
Fires & Outdoor Cooking
Messy Art Station
Hostess & Kapers
Kitchen Staff
Kitchen Staff
Our AMAZING Camp Cook!
~~ PUFF ~~
Questions?
Contact the Leadership Team - WhatcomServiceUnit111@gmail.com