Centennial Camporee

June 25-30, 2012

Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia has formed a partnership with the Georgia Garrison Training Center at Fort Stewart to host a National Camporee to celebrate the 100th Anniversary!  The Camporee will hold a wide range of educational experiences and skill-building activities for girls as well as opportunities to experience the traditional activities that Girl Scouts have honed and enjoyed for nearly 100 years.  All who attend this event will
connect with new camp mates from across
the United States and across the world!
http://www.gshg.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=300&Itemid=383 

 
Please review these Q&A's regarding the Centennial Camporee:
(Click here to view in a printable PDF format.)
 
1. Q:  What is the cost to attend the Camporee?
A:  There are several different categories for participants:
• Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia: $375 for girls and $325 for chaperone/approved adult volunteers/advisors accompanying a troop/group.
• Girl Scouts or Girl Guides from outside of Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia: $425 for girls and $375 for the chaperone/approved adult volunteers/advisors accompanying a troop/group.
• Girl Scout Program Aids working the event for 6 to 8 hours as needed: $200  
• Adults unattached to a troop/group working the event for 6 to 8 hours as needed: $200
• Day guests on June 29th (Note: this is the only day visitor option; all other prices are overnight accommodations).  Brownies through Ambassador, Adults and girls alike: $50 for day visitors (includes lunch, dinner, t-shirt and patch) Day guest will need to depart the base by 8 PM.
• Day guests wishing to overnight for the evening of June 29th may due so for $70 (includes day visit, lunch, dinner and breakfast, t-shirt and patch)

2. Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A: Climate controlled accommodations (AC barracks), food (starting with dinner June 25 and ending with breakfast on June 30 for a total of 14 meals, commemorative t-shirt and patch, participation in at least two world record attempts (we’re going for five or more), general activities: canoeing, fishing, archery, riflery, a few arts and crafts, swap exchange, performance night, opening and closing ceremonies, commemorative photo of all participants, challenge course and climbing walls, and retro skill challenges such as Morse code, semaphore, knot tying and much more.  (We’ll post all the activities on the website as we gather more and more venders and volunteers.)

3. Q: Who can attend?
A: All Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts may attend for the full program.  All Girl Scouts may attend for the Day Visit on June 29th for general camporee activities and the Fusion Event.

4. Q: As a girl, how may I volunteer?
A: 
• Prior to the event:  There are a limited number of committees helping us plan and staff this event.  Junior, Cadette, Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts interested in ensuring a girl led experience may sign up for one of the committees.  These committees will have on site tasks prior to and at the event.  The same expectation and assistance will be offered as to the girls above.
• At the event: There are a limited number of PA or CIT positions available.  Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts who have completed their council’s PA or CIT I training qualify for the discounted attendance price of $200 and should expect to be working one or more of the activity or host positions for 6 to 8 hours.  You’ll still have opportunities to participate, but you’ll be a critical part of the team to make this celebration happen.  All independently registered girl volunteers will be housed together and appointed a Girl Scout adult volunteer as your advisor/chaperone while you are at the event.

5. Q: As an adult, how my I volunteer?
A:  
• Prior to the event:  There are numerous committee positions that you may apply for.  All volunteers must be a registered and approved as a Girl Scout volunteer.  This means your home council will need to have done a background check on you as well as registered you as a member of the national organization.  Our Girl Guide guests will need to have membership in the Girl Guide organization of your home country and fully comply with your organizations trip/travel procedures.
• During the event: Volunteers will be needed for all of the activities as well as:
o First Aid (level 1 and 2) from basic first aid to EMT or PHD
o Activity Directors:  While we will have certified folks running the session, the more instructors/directors we have the more we can do at once.  Dock Masters (canoeing & kayaking), Archery Instructors, Rifle Instructors (certification from NRA or another national certifying body), Lifeguards, Climbing/challenge course certified instructors, those with experience in Knot Tying, song leading and many other historically significant crafts/activities.
o Barrack Leaders/Hosts who will be responsible for the daily support to those in your barrack, helping to ensure proper information dissemination and as a host to those in your group.

6. Q:  What will participants need to bring?
A:  The packing list will be in the confirmation packet, but your group could start planning on bringing:
• Sleeping bag and/or sheets blankets (standard single bunk beds)
• Water bottles.  GA is hot and water is the best coolant around.
• Towels for bathing and swimming.
• Toiletries (there will be a store, but bringing your own is advised)
• Light weight rain jacket or poncho.  It gets hot, but afternoon showers happen.
• Shorts
• T-shirts (matching if your group wants to be recognized from a distance)
• Closed toed shoes (Our council does allow sport sandals – with heel strap, and these are fine for most things, but you’ll need closed toed shoes as well).
• Shower shoes (flip flops are fine for the middle of the night bathroom runs)
• SWAPS (the number you bring is the number you have to trade – your call).
• Travel mug with lid.  (Good idea for night time drinks and for those adult coffee drinkers.)
• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen (there’s a reason its hot)
• Bug spray (bugs don’t seem to mind the heat)
• Hat (did we mention the sun?)
• Flashlight and/or reading light.  (The area is fairly lit, but you might not want to wake your bunk mate if you need to look for something after lights out.)

7. Q:  When will the registration begin?
A:  UPDATED: We hope to go live with online registration in the month of September.  (An announcement will be made on our Facebook page the day registration opens.)

8. Q: How will the selection process work?
A:  The registrations will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis.

9. Q:  What are the fee deadlines?
A:  The following pay structure will be followed:
• A nonrefundable deposit of $75 per participant (girl/adult/volunteer) will be due at time of registration.
• A mid-way commitment payment of $50% of total due for your participation per participant (girl/adult/volunteer) due by December 16, 2011. (You will receive a reminder of this date via email.)
• A final payment of the remaining fee due by March 16, 2012. (This final payment date is absolute as our collaborators will need final numbers at this time.)
• Day visitor’s fee structure will have no mid way commitment fee. (Full amount of fee due at registration; refundable until 3/16/12 less $25)

10. Q: How will we register?
A:  All applications will need to be completed on line.

11. Q:  How will we receive confirmation/information about the event?
A:  All information will be posted on line and sent via email provided by participants on the registration form.   We will have additional Facebook support as well.

12. Q:  Will our group be split up?
A: We will avoid dividing any groups, but the size of the buildings may split a group into an adjoining building in the same barracks.  These buildings will be within 10 yards of each other.

13. Q: Is there electricity at the site?
A: Yes, the barracks are climate controlled and have electricity.  Please plan on leaving hair dryers and curling irons at home, as we cannot guarantee a mirror/outlet combination.

14. Q:  Is there internet access?
A: Yes, there will be internet access.  We are in the process of negotiating a provider to ensure minimal charges for participants to access the internet or wifi service.

15. Q:  How will we get on to the base?
A:  All adults will need a government issued identification card, driver’s license, military ID or a passport.  Minors will simply need the forms from the confirmation packet signed by their parent/guardians.  These papers/ID documents will need to be on all of us at all times.

If you are flying, the Savannah International Airport is the closest facility.  The Atlanta Hartsfield Airport is approximately three hours away and you will need transportation.  The Camporee Facility may be reached via I-16 or I-95.  Specific directions will be posted later.

16. Q:  How many participants can come?
A:  We are able to accommodate over 5,000 participants.

17. Q:  May a council send a delegation/group?
A:  Absolutely.  Troop/groups of any configuration may come.  We already have troop/groups slated from Texas, Montana and California.  The more the merrier.

18. Q: What qualifications do participants need to come?
A:  Please refer to your council’s trip/travel requirements for your troop/group.  We encourage all participants to brush up on their outdoor and first aid skills in preparation for this event.

19. Q:  Are male volunteers allowed?
A:  Absolutely.  We appreciate positive adult male role models in Girl Scouting.  We’ll try to accommodate male volunteers in the barrack area with their troop/group providing separate sleeping/bathing accommodations.  There will be enough female host volunteers in the sleeping quarters to make this limited separation possible.

20. Q: How will first aid be handled?
A: We’ll have a more detailed procedure in the confirmation packs as the date approaches.  Basic first aid, bug bites to band aids will be handled by your troop/group first aider or barracks host first aider.  We will have level 2 (EMTs, paramedics, nurses, doctors) on site through out the camp site as well as ready access to emergency services less than 15 minutes away.  There are two hospitals close to the event site.

21. Q:  Will there be security at the site?
A:  America’s best.  Georgia’s Garrison Training Center is not only our host, but our roaming patrol day and night.

22. Q: While we’re in the Savannah area, will we have time to site see?
A:  There are plenty of things to see Girl Scout related and other wise in the lovely city of Savannah.  We are currently working to secure a special discounted rate for participants for this great year of celebration.  At this point, however, the tours/trips to Savannah would be on your own.  (Keep an eye on the website for more deals and discounts as we get them).

Our Camporee is scheduled during the week to allow you time before or after the event to explore Savannah, visit the National Birthplace, our own First Headquarters and other local sites.

23. Q:  Once on site, will we be able to come and go as we please?
A:  Of course.  Each time a vehicle leaves and returns it will need to show a manifest of all passengers.  The minors will be fine with just this, but the adults will be asked to show their ID/documentation every time they pass through the gates.  (See question #15; more detailed information on this will be included with the confirmation and follow-up.)

The Camporee is designed to provide girls and adults a unique opportunity to come together for a once in a lifetime Centennial Celebration.  While you may come and go, we do not encourage it because it takes away from the experience.  You will have time the weekend before and the weekend after the event to enjoy Savannah.
Base security will also have a curfew and we will have that information soon.

24. Q: What do I need to get our vehicle on base?
A: All vehicles coming onto base will need a valid registration, current proof of insurance and a licensed driver.  This information will be asked for each time you enter the base.

25. Q: Will there be a community service project for us to give back?
A:  Yes.  We are currently working on several opportunities with our hosts.

26. Q: Will there be an opportunity to take away ashes from the Centennial Camporee?
A: Yes.  Girl Scouts has had a long history of ceremonies and one of the most “connecting” of these is our ashes ceremony.  We will have fires at the opening and closing ceremonies at the Centennial Camporee.  We are hoping to build quite a list for our participants from all over the world.  We have already secured ashes from our sister Girl Guides and their centennial celebration and several other Girl Scouting events throughout the years.

How this works:  Participants bring some ashes from other campfires/events and comingle them with the fire of the Centennial opening ceremony.  They provide us with their list of where their ashes have come from and we build a bigger list for everyone to take home with their new comingled ashes after the closing fire has cooled.

Please, if you know of an ash list in your area, plan on bringing it and providing us with a copy of the list when you arrive.  All participants will have an opportunity to secure ashes from the Centennial Camporee and an electronic list complete with all the participants’ contributions will be sent to them by the following fall.

27. Q: If I am not a United States Citizen, may I attend?
A: Yes.  As mentioned, any Girl Scout or Girl Guide may attend with proper country of origin documentation.  We will need to provide all non US Citizen names and documentation at the mid way payment.