Summer Camps

Summer Camps

Virtual Camp sessions take place online. Participants will receive a Virtual Summer Camp Box delivered to their home prior to the first day of each session. Each pack will contain grade appropriate program supplies for all activities that week.

Resident Camp sessions are held at Camp La Jita, a beautiful 236-acre camp situated along the Sabinal River near Utopia. Girls will develop independence while under the supervision of specially trained camp staff who help girls plan activities to create a unique camp experience.

Day Camp sessions are held at the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center in San Antonio. Girls will get hands-on experience and explore skills in a variety of areas including community service, cultural arts, healthy living, environmental awareness, STEM and so much more!

Updated May 7, 2020 at 6:30 p.m.

Our response to the COVID-19 pandemic is a situation that continues to change rapidly, and like all organizations, we have had to make decisions to best support the health and safety of our girls, volunteers and staff.

GSSWT has revised the schedule and delivery for both summer camp programs. The start date for Camp Metro day camp is postponed to June 22 and will serve a reduced number of girls. We have also published a new schedule for Camp La Jita to include virtual camp sessions and select in-person overnight sessions starting July 19.

The health and safety of girls is our top priority. GSSWT’s revised plan for summer camp programs assumes two things: 1) restrictions required by local and state authorities will include the safe operation of summer camps and 2) that San Antonio will have entered the next phase of COVID-19 recovery recommended by the city’s Health Transition Team Report.

We are excited about what’s possible. We understand that summer camp is a time many Girl Scouts look forward to more than anything else the entire year. It’s a place where girls experience new things, gain independence and make lifelong friends. We hope to bring relevant opportunities to girls in new ways and keep them connected to their sister Girl Scouts.

For more information, please email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org or leave a message at 210-349-2404 ext. 391 (toll free 1-800-580-7247).

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is GSSWT canceling summer camp?

On May 8, GSSWT announced plans to revise the schedule and delivery for both Camp Metro day camp at the West Side Girl Scout Leadership Center and resident camp at Camp La Jita.

Revisions to Camp Metro:

The start date for Camp Metro will be postponed to June 22, 2020. All pre-registrations for Camp Metro weeks 1 and 2 (June 8-12 and June 15-19) will be canceled and participants will automatically receive a full refund.
Camp Metro will serve a reduced number of girls to best maintain required screening, physical distancing and hygiene practices. The number of girls served per week will progress from 25% occupancy (40-50 girls) for weeks 3 and 4 (June 22-26 and June 29-July 1) to up to 50% occupancy (75-100 girls) for weeks 5-9 (July 6-August 7).

Revisions to Camp La Jita Resident Camp:

All resident camp sessions as published earlier this year are canceled and GSSWT has published a new Camp La Jita schedule to include virtual sessions weeks 1-5 (June 14-July 17) and select in-person overnight sessions weeks 6-8 (July 19-August 7).

How will girls be kept healthy and safe at camp?

The health and well-being of our girls, volunteers and staff is our top priority. GSSWT’s revised plan for summer camp programs assumes restrictions required by local and state authorities will include the safe operation of summer camps and the council is planning to strictly follow the guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the City of San Antonio’s Health Transition Team Report.

GSSWT will require temperature checks and screening questions for all girls and staff each day. Camp staff will wear protective face coverings and gloves as recommended. Camp-wide gatherings (flag ceremonies, meals, etc.) will maintain physical distancing standards and not exceed the recommendations of local authorities. Common surfaces will be cleaned often, and facilities will receive a sterile cleaning at the end of each day.

At Camp Metro, GSSWT will coordinate curbside drop-off and pick-up for caregivers, and units of girls will not exceed eight girls and two adults (total of 10) at any given time.

At Camp La Jita resident camp, GSSWT will offer transportation to and from the Sally Cheever Girl Scout Leadership Center to limit visitors at camp, and girls will sleep no more than two per cabin.

What will virtual camp be like?

Virtual Camp La Jita sessions require a digital device and internet connection. Participants will receive a Virtual Camp Activity Pack delivered to their home prior to the first day of each session. Each pack will contain fun items and program supplies for all activities that week. Each session agenda will include live segments that allow for personal interaction and pre-recorded segments that can be accessed on-demand via a secure website.

Will I get a refund?

Girls who are pre-registered for either Camp Metro day camp or Camp La Jita resident camp should receive a phone call and email from a GSSWT staff member by Thursday, May 14 informing caregivers of their registration and financial assistance status (if applicable), as well as their options for receiving a refund.

Girls who pre-registered and are not placed in the session(s) of their choice will be given priority to register for any available summer camp program or cancel their registration(s) for a full refund by Monday, May 18. Any refunds requested after May 18 are subject to the Refunds and Cancelations procedure as published in GSSWT’s 2020 Camp Guide (page 23).

What if I earned a free week of camp as a cookie incentive?

Congrats! Girls who chose to receive a free week of camp for meeting their cookie selling goals will receive an email from the Product Program department by Monday, May 11 with detailed information regarding their options. Eligible girls can use the 2020 cookie incentive for summer 2021, attend up to five (5) Virtual Camp La Jita sessions for free this summer or receive the Butterfly Fun gift set in place of the free week of camp.

What if I earned Cookie Credits or Nut Bucks and I am not able to attend camp this summer?

Cookie Credits and Nut Bucks can be used for more than just summer camp, such as girl GSUSA membership (not adult membership), purchases in the Girl Scout shops, council-sponsored activities, approved Girl Scout Gold, Silver and Bronze award projects, etc. 2020 Cookie Credits expire December 20, 2021 so they can be used next summer. 2019 Cookie Credits and Nut Bucks expire Friday, December 20, 2020.

If I received financial assistance this year, will I be able to use it next year?

No. All financial assistance granted for the 2020 summer camp season must be used this year or declined. GSSWT will accept applications for financial assistance before the 2021 summer camp season and all girls are welcome to apply.

I signed up as a PA/CIT, can I go to summer camp?

Program Aide (PA) and Counselor-in-Training (CIT) sessions for both Camp Metro day camp and Camp La Jita resident camp are canceled. GSSWT will have opportunities for a limited number of trained PAs and CITs to support summer camp operations. Please email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org if you are interested.

All girls pre-registered for leadership sessions (for PAs and CITs) will be given priority to register for any available summer camp program by Monday, May 18.

What if I registered for sailing camp?

Sailing camp sessions offered by GSSWT are canceled. All girls pre-registered for sailing sessions will be given priority to register for any available summer camp program by Monday, May 18. Please email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org for assistance.

What is the likelihood of camp being canceled?

GSSWT’s revised plan for summer camp programs assumes two things: 1) restrictions required by local and state authorities will include the safe operation of summer camps and 2) that San Antonio will have entered the next phase of COVID-19 recovery recommended by the city’s Health Transition Team Report. If these assumptions are not met, GSSWT will not be permitted to operate an in-person summer camp program.

Other circumstances may also develop that make it necessary to further postpone or cancel our in-person summer camp programs. GSSWT maintains the right to cancel any session with reasonable notice and registered participants will automatically receive a full refund.

How can I get updates on any changes to the camp schedule?

Updates will be communicated via email first, so please make sure we have your current email address on file and you remain subscribed to receive our messages. Contact customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org to verify your information. You can also visit our COVID-19 Prevention webpage or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @GirlScoutsSWTX for the most up to date information.

If overnight sessions are canceled at Camp La Jita, will you be taking reservations for troops and/or families?

No. The council is not able to maintain the sterile cleaning required in between uses if select units were occupied during this time. GSSWT is suspending reservations at Camp La Jita for communities, troops and families until further notice.

What about community-run day or twilight camps, will they be offered?

No. Many of the public parks our community-run day and twilight camps take place at are not accepting reservations. Due to the uncertainty of the situation, GSSWT has not authorized any volunteer-led day or twilight camps this summer.

What is the financial impact of this decision on GSSWT?

Like many organizations, GSSWT anticipates we will experience a significant financial loss from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, our council is financially strong and will operate responsibility in the months ahead to best manage our revenue and expenses while continuing to provide the quality level of service our girls and member families expect.

Can I give my refund for camp to GSSWT as a tax-deductible donation?

Absolutely, we would greatly appreciate that support! Simply email customercare@girlscouts-swtx.org to donate your refund to Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas. Your tax-deductible donation will be an unrestricted gift to help GSSWT provide the quality level of service our girls and member families expect. Donated camp refunds may not be designated to a community or troop.

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