Summer Camps

Summer Camps

Virtual Camp sessions take place online. Participants will receive a Virtual Camp Activity Pack 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 July 1, 2020 at 3:30 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 summer camp programs. Virtual camp sessions were added for June 15 – July 13, the start date for Camp Metro day camp was postponed to June 22 and serves a reduced number of girls, and select in-person overnight sessions at Camp La Jita are now canceled.

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.

On July 1, GSSWT announced further revisions to our summer camp programs.

Virtual Camp:

Virtual camp sessions were added to the schedule for June 15 – July 13.

Revisions to Camp Metro:

The start date for Camp Metro was postponed to June 22, 2020.
Camp Metro serves a reduced number of girls to best maintain required screening, physical distancing and hygiene practices. If the spread of COVID-19 is contained, the number of girls served per week will progress from 25% occupancy (40-50 girls) up to 50% occupancy (75-100 girls).

Revisions to Camp La Jita Resident Camp:

Due to the recent exponential rise in the number of COVID-19 cases that has prompted local and state authorities to advise individuals to stay home and to enforce limits on certain businesses, GSSWT has made the difficult decision to cancel all Camp La Jita in-person overnight sessions for summer 2020.

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.

What will virtual camp be like?

Virtual Camp 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 sessions that are canceled will automatically receive a full refund.

Any refunds requested after May 18 for sessions that are not canceled are subject to the Refunds and Cancellations 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 can use the 2020 cookie incentive for summer 2021, attend up to five (5) Virtual Camp 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.

What if I registered for sailing camp?

Sailing camp sessions offered by GSSWT are canceled. All girls pre-registered for sailing sessions were given priority to register for any available summer camp program. 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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