A Guide for Parents: Is She Ready?

Independent, youth-development experiences are a vital part of the growing up process. You are the best judge of when your daughter is ready for camp. Some 2nd graders are ready while other girls come to camp for the first time when they reach 3rd or 4th grade. Others attend for the first time in their teens.

Girls who have developed these traits are most likely ready for camp:

• Independent: She can choose her own clothes, brush her teeth, and take care of chores without a lot of supervision.
  
• Confident: She handles new situations without becoming overly anxious.
  
• Aware: She has already stayed overnight away from her family and knows she can do it.
  
• Social: She has been with other girls her own age while apart from her family.
  
• Self-reliant: She knows her own mind and is able to make decisions for herself.
  
• Enthusiastic about going: She really wants to go and looks forward to being out-of-doors.
  

Are You Ready?

Your daughter will be more comfortable in her camp experience if she knows you are confident in her ability to succeed while she's away. For many parents, sending a child to camp for the first time is an emotional experience. Before sending your daughter to camp, take time to evaluate whether YOU are ready for her to go.

Remember, camp staff and camp directors are available to answer questions and address concerns during your daughter's camp session. We want PARENTS to have positive camp experiences, too!

For more information, and for help in determining your family's readiness for camp, visit www.campparents.org.

Resident Camp Parent Orientation

Wednesday, April 1, 2009
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Santa Fe Trail Room
8383 Blue Parkway
Kansas City, MO 64133

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Camp Daisy - Patricia Chandler House
7240 SW Douglas Road
Topeka, KS 66610

Summer resident camp is just around the corner! Calm some of your first-time parent jitters and get your questions answered at parent orientation. All parents are invited to spend an evening with a panel of parents, campers and Girl Scout staff discussing the benefits and the nuts and bolts of sending your child to camp this summer. Every child can benefit from a camp experience-learn how in this informative and interactive presentation.

There will be substantial time for question and answer, as well as a time to meet and talk with camp directors and administrators. This orientation is free and open to the public. Please register via phone or e-mail.

RSVP: Email Delores Huitt or call (816) 358-8755, ext. 3050. Directions to the council headquarters and Camp Daisy can be found at www.girlscoutsksmo.org.

Camp Open House

Camp Prairie Schooner
Sunday, March 15, 2009
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Winding River Camp
Sunday, April 5, 2009
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Camp Daisy
Sunday, April 26, 2009
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Is our camp new to you? Want to explore camp before summer arrives? Open House is a fantastic opportunity to take a drive to camp, tour the facility, meet some camp staff members, and interact with other campers, parents, and friends.

At Open House, you can meet the camp director, ask questions, wander around, and register for camp. Question and answer sessions will be held and guided tours will depart from a central location periodically throughout the afternoon.

Parent meetings will begin at 2:15 and 3:15 p.m. at Camp Prairie Schooner's Open Houses. Self-guided and some staff-guided walking tours are available throughout the event at every facility.

Bring your questions, your camp registration and your walking shoes! Please leave pets at home. Click here for directions to each camp