There is some variety between the age levels and the different programs.

However, all girls will have the opportunity to do arts and crafts twice during their stay. Depending on the weather, all girls will go swimming every day and boating twice a week. There is an alternative option if a girl does not want to swim. Every girl also gets to participate in a cookout for lunch on Wednesday. The Trading Post will be open for girls to visit on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Sample Schedule (Monday or Tuesday)

7:00 – Wake Up

8:00 – Breakfast

9:00 – Swimming

10:00 – Archery

11:00 – Boating

12:30 – Lunch

1:15 – Quiet Hour

2:30 – Badge Activities & Trading Post

3:30 – Hike

4:30 – Unit Choice

6:00 – Dinner

6:45 – Songs on Schooney

7:00 – Flag

7:15 – Evening Activity

8:15 – Evening Snack & Campfire

9:00 – Quiet Time

This is just a sample schedule. It does not include all activities being offered. Your child’s day and week may vary.

Girls attending the horse programs will be driven off camp property to a local stable every day for time with the horses and lessons, weather permitting.

Registration will open the week of January 15th and close on June 1st, 2024.

SoCA is following all current GSHPA and CDC health and safety guidelines and will be doing everything possible to keep girls and adults healthy. If you have any further concerns about Covid-19 you can contact us at residentcampforsoca@gmail.com

$150 – $625 depending on the programs your child chooses. See the program listing on the main resident camp page for more details on programming.

First, of all, thank you in advance! To volunteer, simply fill out the volunteer application found here and we’ll be in touch!

The only money that is due upon registration is a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve your camper’s spot. If you do not pay the deposit within 2 weeks, then your spot is no longer confirmed for that program. You can pay the rest in installments between January 15th and May 31st online using our CampDoc software, but the full amount (and all registrations) are due by June 1st. Financial aid is also available.

Full refunds, excluding the non-refundable $25 deposit, will be reissued upon request by June 1st. After June 1st, only 50% refunds, excluding the deposit, will be given up until June 26th. After June 26th, no refunds of any amount will be given. No exceptions.

Late registrations may be accepted up until June 26th if there is room available. For late registrations, all monies must be paid in full via credit card or ACH only. Please email residentcampforsoca@gmail.com to inquire about late registrations.

Not at this time.

Yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the cost as well as an evening snack.

Each camper will need to bring camping gear with her (sleeping bag, mess kit, water shoes, water bottle etc). If your camper is not a registered Girl Scout, there is a fee of $25 per girl. Each group visits the trading post (store) daily to purchase fun items and candy, $5-$10 per girl is adequate.

This is available if they are attending the same program (based on grade). On the registration form there is a section to request up to one bunk mate. We will do our best to accommodate all requests. Campers are assigned programs once their deposit is paid.

Lifeguards assess the swim level of each girl and assign a level to her on the first day of camp based on her swimming capabilities. Once their level is determined, they get assigned a swim cap color. Only certain colors are allowed in certain areas (based on the depth of the lake). There are always 2-3 lifeguards at the waterfront at all times plus watchers. Girls get free swim time plus lessons each day. If girls need help with swimming, they can ask one of the lifeguards to instruct them during free swim. During boating they are required to wear a life jacket and be with a counselor at all times.

Yes! There are never less than two counselors per unit, although for the younger kids there are usually 3-4 (depending on our volunteer availability).

No. Currently, GSHPA has not requested nor completed an accreditation for 2024.

Yes, all staff have criminal background checks and some have First Aid and CPR as well as other certifications.

It depends on the age, but we follow the Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA ratios. All ratios can be found here (under the knowing how many volunteers you need section).

There is a minimum of one nurse on site at all times, sometimes two. In case of emergency, there is a medical clinic ten minutes away in Montrose.

On the first day of camp we remind the girls how they should be handling themselves. Girls are also reminded that they have signed a code of conduct as part of their registration. If there is a conflict, we encourage the girls to work it out between themselves first. If they need additional help, a counselor will sit down with both girls to encourage positive communication and try to solve the problem. If the problem persists, the Camp Director becomes involved in the conversation and, if needed, the parent/guardian.

You can find it on our website here. It may change slightly, but it will mostly stay the same.

Depends on the program. Campers will either be transported in a 12 passenger van or a school bus. This option is only available for older girls.

SoCA will be renting a 12-passenger van in which only 25 and older drivers will be driving. The school bus is from a licensed and insured rental company.

Camp staff who are assigned to specific programs will be driving the 12 passenger van as needed. The bus driver will be contracted through the rental company. All drivers have a valid and current driver’s license.

We try not to encourage or allow that. If a girl is upset and she calls home, it just reinforces that she wants to be with her parents and may not want to stay at camp the whole time. We try not to send girls home if at all possible. If they can make it to the end of the week, they are usually happy about it and glad they stayed. However, if a girl is inconsolable and the nurse recommends it, then yes, she can call home. Girls should not have their cell phones off airplane mode and should therefore not be calling home.

You will be sent a packing list as it gets closer to camp. She will need clothes and basic camping supplies like a sleeping bag and flashlight. We encourage sticking to the list. She will have to carry some of her stuff to her unit, so packing light is best.

The confirmation sheet you will receive as it gets closer to the camp start date contains multiple contact numbers in case of emergency.

Mail is encouraged! You can bring it all with you and leave it with staff with a note to deliver it on specific days, or you can mail it from home while camp is in session. Additionally, girls are encouraged to write home as well. Pens, postcards, stamps, etc. are sold at the trading post so girls can purchase if they forgot something. Do NOT include these items in care packages: 1.candy/food/drinks (critters and bugs like these), 2. medicines 3. aerosols or anything else flammable (harms tents/cabins) 3. electronics (extra batteries are ok), nothing sentimental or valuable that could not be replaced if lost or damaged.

The way resident camp works is you drop off on Sunday and pick up on Friday. She may mail you letters throughout the week letting you know what she is doing. Once you pick them up on Friday, girls will not stop talking about how much fun they had until they go to bed that night, and then for the next 2 weeks! During the week, pictures may be posted on our Facebook group, Supporters of Camp Archbald. 🙂

By program they sign up for, which is organized by grade.

We have a nurse who will take care of them and (if you give permission) can give them over the counter medications on an as needed basis. Anything more serious or if it is an emergency you will be contacted as well as the child’s doctor with details.

24 hours a day for 6 days. The girls do get rest hour every day after lunch and of course sleep time at night. There are times when they are doing certain activities (like cookout) that if your camper needs a break from other campers, she can take it.

All counselors are at least 18 years old and older. Counselors in training (CITs) are under the age of 18. CITs help run activities in units and are not allowed to be left alone with girls and are still considered campers themselves. Camp Staff Interns (CSIs) are 17 years old, and have completed their CIT training. They are still considered campers, but assist the unit counselors on a daily basis.

All girls are supervised at all times by a staff member. The only time they are not with their unit is a short trip with a buddy (to go to the bathroom or back to the unit because they forgot their towel). No camper is allowed around camp without a buddy or staff member.

Girls will not be roaming free and will be either with a counselor or buddy at all times. They have a schedule they follow everyday that will determine where they go and when (see above link).

Always! Girls are encouraged to always have a water bottle to refill with them at all times.

Everyone at camp eats at the same time for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus, they always have access to food if needed outside of their 3 meals and 1 snack a day.

Outside food and drinks, cell phones and tablets (please leave these at home all together), firearms (adults may also not bring these on camp property), alcohol, tobacco and drugs (also not allowed for adults on camp property). All medications must be in their original, labeled containers and given to the camp nurse at check in (girls should not be carrying or using medication without an adult present). Additionally, if girls are bringing equipment for archery or fishing, this must also be surrendered to staff at check in and will be stored in a secure location when not being used for the designated activity.

All of the staff receive training prior to camp about what to do in the event of bad weather. There are procedures in place to make sure the girls and staff are safe at all times. Depending on the type of weather, girls may need to shelter in place or move to a building if necessary. Safety is our #1 priority and we are always monitoring the weather at camp.

Campers can have their items returned to them via mail once a flat fee of $10 has been sent to SoCA prior to the mailing of items. You can Venmo SoCA @supportersofca or use the payment page on the website. Items will not be mailed until payment has been received. If items are not claimed past August 30th, they will be donated.