Camp Frequently Asked Questions | Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA)

ACA Accreditation toggle arrow

The American Camp Association (ACA) sets high standards for the health and safety of campers and staff, and the delivery of quality programs. ACA accreditation means that the camp you are considering undergoes a thorough annual review of its operation—from staff qualifications and training to emergency management.

The ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to ensure that current practices reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation.

We follow all safety and risk management guidelines set by the local, state, and federal boards of health, Girl Scouts of the USA, and the ACA. All of our camps are ACA accredited.

Buddies

Campers may request ONE “buddy” per session. Both buddies must register for the same camp and session and must list each other’s names on the registration forms. The camp director has final say on camp placement.

Camp Living toggle arrow

Campers are placed in groups of 5 to 30 campers, with 2 to 5 staff per group. At overnight camp campers stay either in cabins (6-12 campers), yurts (6 campers), tent-a-los (5 campers) or platform tents (4-6 campers). All cabins, tents, and yurts are supplied with cots/beds and mattresses. The program, number of campers, and the camper’s age determine the living arrangements. Each unit has shelter for rainy day activities, bathroom facilities, and storage.

Camp Transportation toggle arrow

Transportation is included in the cost of day camp. Bus stop location details are included in the Camp Guide, your camper information packet, and are listed below. GSEMA may cancel buses due to insufficient enrollment. We are not currently offering overnight camp busing.

Bus Stop Locations

Camp Cedar Hill
Camp Favorite
Camp Maude Eaton
Camp Rice Moody
Camp Wind in the Pines

Camper with Special Needs toggle arrow

We make every attempt to offer summer camp opportunities to all youth who want to attend Girl Scout camp. We can accommodate most special needs and dietary restrictions/preferences. Please email customercare@gsema.org to arrange a meeting with a camp team member to discuss how we can make your camper’s experience exciting, appropriate, and fulfilling. The information you share with us will be held confidential, shared only as HIPAA allows, and in accordance with your wishes.

Cancellation/Refund toggle arrow

Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. Full refunds of camp fees minus the nonrefundable deposit may only be made when written notice of cancellation and a request for refund is received before May 15, 2026. For a 50% refund of camp minus the non-refundable deposit, email Customer Care at customercare@gsema.org before June 5, 2026. Cancellation requests received after June 5 will not be refunded, regardless of whether that session has a waitlist. No refunds are given for campers arriving late, leaving early, or unable to attend all or part of a session for reasons such as illness. Questions regarding extenuating circumstances should be emailed to customercare@gsema.org.

All requests for refunds MUST be in writing and emailed to customercare@gsema.org.

Cancellations Due to Medical or Emergency Circumstances
In some cases, refunds may be granted after the June 5, 2026, deadline for medical or emergency circumstances only. A written notice of cancellation with an explanation of medical or emergency circumstances must be provided for a refund request to be considered. Additional documentation may be requested by GSEMA. Partial or full refunds will be at the discretion of GSEMA after reviewing the request.

Inclement Weather
Activities, including trips may be cancelled when weather and environmental (i.e. bacterial) conditions are unsuitable. Alternative activities will be provided. Refunds are not given when activities are cancelled due to inclement weather.

Program Cancellation
If a program is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, every effort will be made to place campers in a similar program. Camp sessions are held regardless of weather, but programs may be modified due to inclement weather.

Changes in Cancellation and Refund Procedures
GSEMA may make changes to cancellation and refund procedures when considering the health and safety of GSEMA campers and staff. No refunds are given for campers arriving late, leaving early, being dismissed from camp, or unable to attend all or part of a session.

Care of Campers who have an Illness/Accident at Camp toggle arrow

Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as possible should a camper be taken to the doctor's office/hospital for an injury or health condition and if medication has been prescribed by the camp's healthcare supervisor (HCS). The HCS or camp director will notify parents/guardians of any persistent conditions or ailments. Parents/guardians should notify their doctor and healthcare provider of any health condition or accident/injury occurring at camp for follow-up visits and billing purposes.

Care of Mildly Ill Campers toggle arrow

A healthcare supervisor (HCS) staffs the camp health center and a healthcare consultant (local physician) is on call. Staff is responsible for reporting any signs of illness to the HCS, who assesses each situation, and may administer over-the-counter medications if authorized by the caregiver. The HCS will determine if the camper should be sent home or seen by the healthcare consultant, in which case arrangements are made with the oversight of the camp director. In both situations, caregivers are contacted as soon as possible.

Communicable Diseases (including COVID-19) toggle arrow

We monitor recommendations for all communicable diseases, including COVID-19, from the CDC, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, New Hampshire Department of Health, American Camp Association, and GSUSA. Camp plans are subject to change based on all of these factors, but right now, our plan is to operate summer camp based on the schedule that we publish. Any changes will be communicated via our website, email, and social media.

Financial Aid toggle arrow

Financial assistance is available to those who otherwise would not be able to attend camp. So that we may meet the needs of as many campers as possible, you may only apply for assistance for a portion of one session of day or overnight camp. Limited camp; financial assistance is available only to campers living in a Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts community.

Financial assistance is provided on a rolling basis as long as funds are available.
The deposit is refundable if financial assistance is not approved.
All information related to financial assistance will be kept confidential.
Funding for assistance is limited and not all requests may be granted.

To Apply

Complete the online camp registration form on CampInTouch and pay the $75 deposit per session.
Once you have submitted the registration form and paid the deposit, complete a financial assistance application through CampInTouch Forms & Documents or Campanion app Forms section.

Review and Next Steps

Financial assistance applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and families will be notified of decisions within two weeks of review.
GSEMA may request proof of income documentation during the review process.
Final payment of remaining camp fees (after the deposit and any financial assistance) is due May 1, 2026.
Campers receiving financial assistance are subject to all cancellation policies.

Heathcare Consultant toggle arrow

The healthcare consultant (HCC) is a licensed physician. The HCC assists in the development of the camp's healthcare policy, develops and signs written orders for the health care supervisor, and is available for consultation at all times. The health care consultant is not present at camp.

Healthcare Supervisor toggle arrow

The healthcare supervisor (HCS) is, by regulation, present at the camp at all times and has, at a minimum, first aid and CPR certification. The healthcare consultant authorizes the HCS to be in charge of health matters at camp on a day-to-day basis and to dispense medications.

Health Forms toggle arrow

Once you receive an email confirmation of your camper’s registration (check your spam folder if you haven't received it in your inbox), log back into your CampInTouch account and click FORMS & DOCUMENTS or use the Campanion app and select FORMS to view your camper’s camper information packet (formerly confirmation packet), which includes all required paperwork, a packing list, and additional information.

SUBMIT THE REQUIRED PAPERWORK BY MAY 1, 2026

Health History Form
Physical Form
Medication Administration Form
Day Camp Transportation Form

Rewards for On Time Paperwork!

Return all the forms by April 1, 2026, and your camper will receive a collectible camp-themed sticker sheet, perfect for water bottles or other personal gear. All Incentives will be mailed out after May 1, 2026.

Inclement Weather toggle arrow

Trips, ropes, and water activities may be cancelled when weather conditions are unsuitable. Alternative activities will be provided. Refunds are not given when activities are cancelled due to weather conditions.

MA Department of Public Health toggle arrow

At the request of the Department of Public Health we have included a fact sheet on Meningococcal disease on our camp registration website. Campers attending day or overnight camps are not considered to be at an increased risk. Also, in an effort to increase awareness of Lyme disease, the Department of Public Health asks all parents to conduct daily "tick checks" to prevent infection. Remember: not all ticks carry Lyme disease. For more information, please visit this site and read the Public Health Factsheets.

Healthcare at GSEMA camps is administered under regulations established by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430.000), New Hampshire camps comply with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Rules (He-C 4003 & 4004), and each camp is also licensed by the board of health of the town in which it is located.

Medications toggle arrow

State regulations cover the storage and dispensing of medications. All must come to camp in original containers and be stored by the Health Care Supervisor in locked compartments in the camp health center. Exceptions to storage by the Health Care Supervisor are authorized for medications for treatment of allergies and asthma. Questions about these medications should be raised with the camp prior to the child’s arrival. To ensure a smooth transition, we recommend that your child continue the medications they need during the school year at summer camp. If prescription medications are brought to camp, the container must have a pharmacy label showing the prescription number, patient’s name, date filled, physician’s name, name of medication and directions for use. Any camper coming to camp with a prescription Epi-pen® or inhaler, must bring two of either, one for the infirmary and one for the unit. The Health Care Supervisor dispenses medication according to the directions. If a camper refuses to take prescribed medications, this refusal is documented in the health log and the parent/guardian is notified. If your camper is taking the bus to camp, all medications must be placed in a labeled zip-loc bag with camper’s name and address and handed directly to the bus monitor by parent/guardian.

Complete healthcare policy for GSEMA camps is available to a parent/guardian upon request to Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, 265 Beaver Street, Waltham, MA 02452.

Meals/Food Allergies/Dietary Needs toggle arrow

Meals and snacks are provided at overnight camp. Please do not send food with or to overnight camp. Day campers should bring a non-perishable lunch, snack, drink, and water bottle each day to camp.

Our meals are planned to be nutritious and kid-friendly. We can accommodate most food allergies/dietary needs. Food Allergies/Dietary restrictions are handled by the Camp Director and Healthcare Supervisor at each resident camp. Be sure to list any nutritional concerns when asked while completing your camper’s registration so that we can plan accordingly and contact you if we have any questions.

Newsletter: News You Can Use toggle arrow

Program Cancellation toggle arrow

All programs have a minimum number of campers required by camp or a program provider. A program may be cancelled or changed by GSEMA or provider if the minimum number required is not reached. If a program is cancelled for lack of registrations, every effort will be made to place each camper in a similar program. If a program is cancelled due to low enrollment and we are not able to place the camper in a similar program, we will process a full refund. Camp sessions will be held regardless of weather, but programs may be modified in extreme weather conditions.

Safety and Compliance toggle arrow

Our primary concern is the safety and well-being of every camper. Our camps follow all safety and risk management guidelines set by Girl Scouts of the USA, the local, state, and federal boards of health, and the American Camp Association, a national camp organization that sets high standards for both the health and safety of campers and staff, and the delivery of quality programs. All camps in Massachusetts must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (105 CMR 430.000) and New Hampshire camps are in compliance with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Rules (He-C 4003 & 4004). In addition, the board of health in the town in which the camp is located licenses each camp.

As required by MA DPH 430:190 (C) and (D), these camps must comply with regulations of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and be licensed by the local board of health. Parents may request copies of background checks, healthcare and discipline policies, as well as procedures for filing grievances.

American Camp Association (ACA) accreditation means that the camp you are considering for your child cares enough to undergo a thorough annual review of its operation—more than 250 standards from staff qualifications and training to emergency management. The ACA collaborates with experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Red Cross, and other youth service agencies to assure that current practices reflect the most up-to-date, research-based standards in camp operation. All our camps are ACA certified. A healthcare supervisor staffs the camp health center and a local physician is on call.

Staff

Our camp staff are selected for their ability to work with young people, be part of a team, and teach and share skills, as well as their enthusiasm to commit to the values of Girl Scouting. All day camp staff are over 16 years of age and overnight camp staff are over the age of 18. Criminal background and sexual offender checks (CORI and SORI) are conducted for all camp staff. To comply with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and to be licensed by the local board of health, we inform you that you have the right to request proof of background checks, camp healthcare policies, discipline policies, as well as policies for filing grievances.

All staff attend pre-camp orientation where they learn or review camping skills, risk management, safety procedures, Girl Scout programming, human relations, and communication skills. Many of the staff return each year and travel from all around the world to join us.

For an application to work at camp, please visit our career webpage.

Weapons, Drugs, and Smoking Policy toggle arrow

Campers and staff are not permitted to bring drugs, alcohol, pets, tobacco products, or weapons of any kind (e.g., Swiss army knives, scissors, etc.) to camp. Prescription medication should arrive in its original container with the camper's name and be turned over to the bus monitor or healthcare supervisor upon arrival at camp.

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