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!
Step 1
Participant Registration
Registration is now closed.
Please email us: WhatcomEncamporee@gmail.com if you need to update your information.
One participant per form
PDF for you to see what information we are collecting before you start!
Step 2: Option 1
Payment - Square
We are updating our website as we get our program details planned!
Connect with us here: www.facebook.com/groups/whatcomspringencamporee
Date: Friday, April 12, 2024 - Sunday, April 14, 2024
Arrival Time: Campers arrive between 4:00 and 7:00pm
Check Out Time: Check out between 12:30pm and 2:30pm, after our checkout clean-up tasks!
Please workout with your Troop if your plan is to arrive together or as families are able.
Detailed schedule below!
Location & Parking : Camp Kirby, Samish Island - See details in our handbook!
Cost: $90.00 per participant - Youth & Adult (Financial Assistance Available and Cookie Dough Eligible)
Financial Assistance Submissions Due: Friday, March 22, 2024 (Date set by GSWW)
Balance Due: Friday, March 29, 2024
Priority Registration for Whatcom County Girl Scouts is held until Friday, March 15, 2024, after which registration opens to Girl Scouts outside of Whatcom County until full.
Registration Fees are non-refundable, however they can be transferred to a friend!
Registration is complete when Registration Form is submitted & Payment is Received OR Financial Assistance Application Process is complete!
Price Includes:
2 Nights at Camp Kirby (Indoor and Outdoor Units Available)
ALL MEALS (6 Meals, 2 Dessert, 2 Snacks) 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 / Sunday Sack Lunch
Vibrant and Exciting Program
To be announced!
Skill: To Be Announced!
Campfire Celebration
Down Time to Explore the Beach and Trails
Themed Patch (arrives after camp!)
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 attend! We are happy to support Girl Scouts (Adults and Youth) applying for Financial Assistance from GSWW. We are also happy to use our Superpowers of finding resources (financial and gear)!
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), that are assigned equitably by the Directorship Team.
Troops attending are expected to perform an assigned Troop Kaper - such as "Keeping the bathroom near them tidy."
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!
Camp Kirby is beautiful and easily accessible for mobility. Please let us know what you need!
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 when possible.
If a Girl Scout / Girl Scout family needs to sleep separately for accommodations, we will work with you to makes sure you know ahead of time!
Cisgender Men and the Boys Unit attending will either sleep in their own unit together, or with their family, depending on availability. Young Toddlers attending as a Tagalong are always kept with their families!
Zoom Orientation for All Adults Attending:
Tuesday, April 9th, 2024, from 6:30pm-8:00pm.
This orientation allows us to go over the schedule, camp expectations, and answer questions before camp. We love to Be Prepared!
Payment Instructions
Financial Assistance - Youth or Adult: Due March 22
OVERVIEW
Financial Assistance is available as an Event Grant for both Girl Scouts and Adults.
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 Mix and Match Grants (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 UNUSED Mix and Match Grant for this event
Financial Assistance is not available for Tagalongs (under 5) or Boys Unit (Cisgender Male, Age 5+).
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!
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 2024 Season can use their Cookie Dough to pay for the Camp.
Complete the Form - Green Button Above - to give us information needed so that the Registrar can process the payment.
Please confirm that your Cookie Dough Card is active and has the balance you expect by clicking this link:
https://www.key.com/business/key2prepaid/index.html or calling the number on the back of your card.
If your card is *inactive* or has less / a different amount than you expect, please send an email to: CustomerCare@girlscoutsww.org and WhatcomEncamporee@gmail.com to figure out next steps.
Participation Details
Girl Scout Adult Participants
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.
2024 - Meal Plan - Puff the Magic Camp Chef!
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
Sausage, Vegan Sausage
Bagels, Oatmeal
Bananas & Oranges
Saturday Snack:
Trail Mix Surprise! (We'll be aware of dietary restrictions!)
Saturday Lunch
Pasta
Meatballs
Sauce: Tomato, Butter
Gluten Free Option: Zucchini Noodles
Vegetarian Option: Stuffed Squashed
Salad
Saturday Dinner
Taco Salad Bar
Saturday Dessert
Brownies
Sunday Breakfast
Banana Split Breakfast Bar
Bagels & Cream Cheese
Sunday Lunch
Sack Lunch
Sandwich
Fruit
Juice
And any easy to pack leftovers!
Available at each meal:
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Coffee - for adults only
Hot Chocolate, Tea, Warm Cider for Youth and Adults
2024 Schedule
Note: Some parts could change, by a half-hour or so. Any changes will be announced at Camp.
Friday - Arrival, Getting Settled, Welcome, Connection
Noon - Kitchen Wipe-Down Crew arrives
Before 4pm: Volunteer Staff arrive and set up.
Includes: Director Team (Registrar, Business Manager, Program Director), Kitchen Staff, Camp First Aider, Parking Marshall
Between 4pm and 6:30pm: Campers arrive to CHECK IN with CAMP FIRST AIDER at Lodge Front Porch.
Turn in Health Forms & Medications to CAMP FIRST AIDER
Receive: Lanyard, Name Tags, Schedules, Sleeping Units, Whistles (if needed)
Receive: Camp Parking Pass for EVERY Vehicle
Set Up Troop Camp Housing
5:00ish - 7:00pm DINNER - Served in the lodge!
Come when it works for your Girl Scouts. Do your best to come by 7:00 - no matter what everyone will be fed!
7:00pm - Closing Flag Ceremony, Welcome, Casual Campfire with S'mores at Fire Circle
7:30pm - Casual Campfire w/ S'mores at Fire Circle.
Alternate if there is lots of rain: Campers in LODGE.
Saturday - Program Day!
8:00am - Opening Flag & Warm Up
Alternate: in LODGE
8:30am - 9:30am Breakfast in the Lodge (Sit with your Girl Scout Troop!) and Important Information
10:00am - Program Time
12:30 - 1:30pm Lunch in the Lodge (Sit with your Girl Scout Troop) and Official Oratory
2:00pm - 5:00pm - Program Time
>> Program Time includes options for Girl Scouts to have time for "down time" and plenty of time to transition and rotate.
>> Details TBA!
6:00pm - Dinner at the Lodge (Sit with your Girl Scout Troop!) and Necessary Notifications
7:30pm - Evening Fun Camp Program Time (Details TBA)
Late Evening - CSAs & Juniors bridging to Cadettes - Night Owl Badge with Khaos (and others) at Herman's Hut
Includes: Night Hike, Snacks, Glow In the Dark Fun
Sunday - Reflections! Reset! Goodbye!
8:00am - Opening Flag & Warm Up & Closing Ceremony & Whistles
8:30am - 9:30am Breakfast in the Lodge (Sit with your Girl Scout Troop!), Beneficial Bulletins
10:00am - 11:00am - Scramble (Ideas include: Friendship Bracelets, Field Games, Beach Walk, Hike in the Woods, Songs and Games, Board Games in the Lodge, Jump Rope Games,
11:10am - Meet at the Lodge for Scouts' Own
11:15am - Leave to Lookout (or other location)
11:30am - 12:00pm - Scouts' Own (at Look Out OR other location)
12:30 - 2:00pm Clean Camp & Kapers / Lunch Pick Up - Lodge is closed for general use.
Clean Up Cabins & Troop Camp Kapers
Let us know when your group is ready for their Kaper & Cabin Check!
Check Out - Receive Health Forms, Return Lanyards
Sack Snack for On-The-Go
2:30pm - Camp Leadership Staff Check Out
Fun Activities for our Weekend!
Friday Night
Glow-In-The-Dark Sarongs!
This one-size fits all Sarong is perfect for dancing with at our Saturday Night Glow Dance! Wear it in many ways - a cape, a shawl, a skirt!
Campfire Program & S'mores
Join us after dinner for songs and s'mores around the campfire. Come bundled up with warm clothes and be ready to sing and snack!
Saturday Program Activities
There are 5 Sessions, lasting 1-hour each, Girl Scout Troops will select their preferences and be assigned a schedule based on what fits best!
Archery & Sling Shots
Blaze, Weedy, and Turtle
Every dream of shooting an arrow while riding on the back of a horse through the forest? You will have the opportunity to learn the beginning of achieving this dream. You will learn the parts of a bow and arrow, how to efficiently use them safely, and you will have the opportunity to practice shooting your own bow and arrow. Horse not included.
Archery: Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors, and Adults
Sling Shots: Daisies, and everyone!
Music & Movement
Led by Huckleberry
Discover the joy of music! Younger campers will make DIY egg shakers and create music with rhythm sticks. Older campers will learn songs and musical games from around the world. All campers will explore cool sounds and have fun!
Drama and Improv
Led by: Laura Martinez
We will focus on using what is around us to improvise a story and play games to build community. We will play "get in order of your name" and "get in order of your birth month" without talking to each other. We will do a short skit on the topic of Girl Scouts. This is to help build a better community within Girl Scouts.
Fiber Arts
Led by: Morgan
Hi. I’m Morgan. I will be teaching the younger Girl Scouts how to make mushroom stuffies out of repurposed materials. We will be learning some basic sewing skills to create fun things. I will be teaching the older Girl Scouts about visible mending. We will be making denim patches out of repurposed denim and colorful fabric scraps. Campers will work on simple sewing skills. For campers who want a little more of a challenge, I will teach more intricate stitch patterns. I will be teaching all of the campers about the importance of mending to reduce our carbon footprints!
Nature Art
Led by: Khaos
Learn how to make mosaic art with found materials. During this activity we will walk the beach to collect rocks, shells, and other interesting things and then we will return to the lodge to learn how to turn our treasures into art!
Painting
Led by: Sarah
Welcome to our Nature Printmaking activity, where we invite campers to unleash their creativity using the wonders of the natural world! In this session, campers will delve into the exciting world of printmaking, utilizing both natural materials and the classic technique of potato stamping.
Poetry and Art
Led by: Tawnya
In these workshops, we will read poetry and create art in response. Campers will be encouraged to use their imaginations to respond to the lines of the poems to create beautiful pictures. Older campers will write their own poetry and create illustrations to go with them.
Saturday Night Glow Dance Party
Saturday night starting at 7:30 we will get our GLOW on. This year at Spring Encamporee our Saturday night event will be a super cool Glow Party! Get ready for an epic adventure filled with neon excitement and glowing surprises designed just for you and your fellow Girl Scouts.
Let your imagination run wild as you dive into our glow-in-the-dark face painting station! Transform into a glowing masterpiece with neon colors and dazzling designs that will make you stand out in the crowd.
Feeling the beat? Dance your heart out on our glow-in-the-dark dance floor, where the music is pumping and the energy is electric! Show off your best moves and groove to the rhythm of the night with your friends by your side.
But wait, there's more fun to be had! Test your skills in glow-themed games and challenges, And what's a party without yummy treats? Indulge in tasty snacks and drinks that will satisfy your cravings and keep you fueled for all the excitement ahead.
So grab your glow gear and get ready for a night of glowing fun at our Glow Party! Feel free to pack outfits that will POP in the backlights like white and neon colors and light up accessories. Don't worry if you don't have any, we will be making accessories at the party. Let's make memories that shine bright!
Night Owl: Older Girl Scouts
Led by: Khaos
One of the most popular events, Girl Scouts Juniors in 5th Grade (bridging to Cadettes) are invited to Stay Up Past Bedtime for all kinds of Good Fun with our Older Girl Scouts -- the "OGs" Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors.
Khaos is offering a Zoom Meeting for Older Girl Scouts to plan what they would like in their Night Owl Party. Girl Scouts attending earn the Cadette Night Owl Badge.
This is a rite-of-passage for our OGs to have fun together, eat, and just be!
The main rule: Don't wake up Nobody! (She's a morning person!)
Sunday Program Activities
Scouts' Own Ceremony
Theme: "Make the World a Better Place"
Led by: Nobody
Come with poems, songs, art -- anything beautiful that reflects and celebrates what it is to "Make the World a Better Place" -- to share with our group.
A solemn, reverent ceremony allows for contemplation, connection, and community.
Scramble
The program staff led all the activities on Saturday. Now it's the Troop Volunteer's turn. After breakfast on Sunday 1 or 2 adult volunteers from each troop lead a fun activity. All campers may choose whichever activity they want to join and our troops will "SCRAMBLE".
Whistles & Celebrations
The 10 Essentials are great, and we should add a few:
#11) Toilet Paper! and #12) A Whistle!
A whistle is used for emergencies. It is louder than a voice, it still works when you are tired, and 3 whistle blasts is an international distress signal.
Whistles are ONLY meant for an an emergency, and it can be so challenging for Girl Scouts to have the whistle around their body and avoid using it. Thankfully, Girl Scouts are up for the challenge!
On Sunday, after a weekend of not using it, Girl Scouts can take out their whistles, plug their ears, and blast their hearts out for the count of 10(ish)!
We'll also have this time to celebrate!