gsni camp plan information - girl scouts · flushing toilets, 1 shower; locking doors b. (if...

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Prepared by: Stacie Simpson, Program Strategy Consultant, For GSNI Senior Leadership Team 09.17.17.

GSNI Camps Executive Summary:

• Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) will improve and expand infrastructure and program areas at its 4 camp properties:

o Camp Dean (Big Rock, IL) o Camp Far Horizons (Hanover, IL) o Mary Ann Beebe Center (Harvard, IL) o Camp McCormick (Stillman Valley, IL)

• All GSNI Camps will provide a standard minimum accommodation level, so visitors know what to expect, no matter which camp they visit. Includes:

o Three levels of overnight accommodation infrastructure (Level 1 – most rustic, to Level 3 – most modern; pitch your own tent will be available at camps)

o Each camp will have the capacity to accommodate 3 troops minimum year-round • All camps will host a certain level of common activities/infrastructure such as hiking trails, games,

etc. Activities will be aligned to provide a variety of activities for each season as well as a mix of self-led (troop leader and families can do these with no training) and expert-led (trained volunteer/troop leader thru expert facilitator) activities.

• Each camp will host its own specialty program offerings or unique accommodation styles, beyond the minimum accommodation level.

• Each camp will have some level of WIFI provision for safety and program provision and security will be upgraded at each camp.

Future State Overview:

Camp Dean Camp Far Horizons

Mary Ann Beebe Center

Camp McCormick

Age Levels Served (with activities/accommodations designed specifically for this age range, but all ages welcome)

K-8th Grade 6th-12th Grade K-8th Grade K-5th Grade 6th-12th Grade

Type of Camping

• Troop Overnights

• Family Camping • Day Camp • Resident Camp

• Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Resident Camp • Base Camp for

Adventure Outings

• Troop Overnights

• Family Camping • Day Camp

• Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Day Camp • Resident Camp

• Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Resident Camp • Base Camp for

Adventure Outings

Sleeping Infrastructure Progression

Level 2: Wood frame cabins Level 3: Needed

Level 1: “Tent Cabins” Level 2: Treehouses Level 3: Needed

Level 1: Yurts Level 2: Adirondacks Level 3: Needed

Level 2: Adirondacks (screened-in) Level 3: Needed

Level 1: Hobbit Houses Level 3: Needed

Program Center Specialization

Environmental Education Arts & Crafts

Cool Hangout Cooking

Located around Friendship Center. Mini Innovator Space: Arts, DIY, STEM

Located around Welcome Center. Innovator Space: Arts, DIY, STEM

Camp Specializations

See details for each camp in the specific camp’s chart on the following pages (pg. 6-18).

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Program Progression Overview: The below information outlines program strategy and progression information for activities typically conducted at camp. This does not imply that all levels of progression will be available at all camps. See camp-specific charts on the following pages.

Self-led vs. Expert-led • Self-led – Activities require no special training, expertise, or advanced preparation by a troop leader,

parent, or girl. Examples include: low structure games (such as Gaga ball or human foosball), hangout activities (such as hammocking areas), and programs-in-a-box for both indoor and outdoor use (where activity instructions, materials, and equipment are available and ready-to-use).

• Expert-led – Activities require the presence and instruction of a trained facilitator, who could be a GSNI staff member, community expert/Preferred Partners (approved by GSNI), or a volunteer/troop leader who has completed specific training. Level of training/expertise is dependent on the specific activity, and at the discretion of GSNI staff. Examples include: challenge course activities, archery.

Basic, Unstructured Programming • Hiking Trails - With hiking activities/resourcesPossible activity themes: environmental

education/wildlife, local/Girl Scout history, exercise, scavenger hunt, “un-nature” trail with random items hidden, mythical (fairy houses, etc)

• Nature Play Areas - Play structures throughout camp with a natural look or made of natural materials. Not a challenge course, but for group play.

• Low Structure Activities – Self-led activities with minimal infrastructure needed to participate and low cost to construct. Includes: gaga ball pits, human foosball, lawn games, etc.

Target Sports 1. Standard archery course – standard targets with a defined shooting distance line. 2. Standard archery with games/challenges – archers who have completed basic instruction and

practiced standard archery target shooting may add challenge elements by shooting at balloons, apples, etc, affixed to the target by the instructor.

3. Field archery - involves shooting at targets of varying and often unmarked distance, typically in woodland and rough terrain.

4. BB gun – involves shooting an air gun designed to fire spherical metal projectiles at a target. 5. Tomahawk throwing – under the instruction and supervision of a GSNI Camp Ranger or Outdoor

Program Facilitator, participants aim and throw small axes at a wooden target surface. 6. Note that a target sport progression beyond this (rifle, pistol shooting) will be offered by qualified

Preferred Partners at their purpose built locations.

Challenge Course 1. Group Initiatives – on the ground, group challenges/initiatives. Low risk. Encourages communication,

cooperation, shared leadership and decision-making, problem-solving. 2. Low Elements – Group or individual challenges that are 1 inch to 5 feet off the ground. Moderate risk.

Typically requires a trained volunteer facilitator. Encourages communication, cooperation, shared leadership and decision-making, problem-solving, confidence, physical challenge.

3. High Elements – Group or individual challenges that are 6 feet and more off the ground. High risk. Typically requires a harness or other safety gear, and a trained staff facilitator. Encourages communication, problem-solving, physical/mental/emotional challenge, personal confidence.

Aquatic Activities 1. Creek/pond exploration – includes creek stomping, aquatic environmental exploration, fishing, etc. 2. Water Play – includes splash pad, misting tent, sprinkler systems, mud pits, etc. 3. Swimming – in indoor or outdoor pool 4. Canoeing/Kayaking 5. Off-site Adventures – includes canoeing/kayaking, paddle boarding, whitewater rafting, wake

boarding, sailing, etc.

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Winter Activities Every camp will have winter activities available, but given the recent change in our local weather, there will be limited investment in activities, infrastructure and equipment that can only be used if winter weather and precipitation is present, and greater investment in activities that can be used year-round.

Sleeping Accommodations 1. Outdoor Sleeping Units (Level 1 – most rustic)

a. Basic structure with canvas, such as yurts at MABC, tent cabins at FH, or equivalent. Electricity, yard light, composting toilet(s). Every camp will offer the opportunity to pitch your own tent.

2. Outdoor Sleeping Units (Level 2) a. Current accommodations that are well-kept and well-used (such as Dean cabins) b. Existing infrastructure and amenities

3. Indoor Sleeping Units (Level 3 – most modern) a. 3- or 4-season cabins. 20 person sleeping capacity. Semi-private adult/leader room; 2

flushing toilets, 1 shower; Locking doors b. (If 3-season version): HVAC TBD, Outdoor kitchen c. (If 4-season version): HVAC, Indoor kitchen, living area.

Types of Camping/Programs • Troop Overnights – Troops of typically 8-20 girls with 2-8 adults spend 1-2 nights at a GSNI camp

property. Accommodations range from the troop planning/leading their own activities/meals to a camp staff facilitator planning or leading any portion of the stay in exchange for a program fee. In other cases, GSNI staff may coordinate a troop camping weekend program where multiple troops register to attend at one time, with camp staff planning/leading the activities and meals.

• Family Camping – Typically planned by camp staff or service units, families, including dads and younger siblings, attend a weekend event together, with open house style activities or an activity schedule planned/led by camp staff. Logistics to consider: men’s or unisex bathrooms, semi-private sleeping accommodations.

• Day Camp – Planned/led by camp staff or a service unit volunteer team. Girls register individually or as troops, and attend camp for up to 5 days, only during the day, but with a possible one-night optional overnight. Alternatively titled “twilight camp” when the hours of operation are afternoon/evening rather than morning/day.

• Resident Camp – Planned/led by camp staff, girls register individually and attend camp for 3-6 days, spending the night at camp.

• Base Camp for Adventure Outings – This scenario is similar to Troop Overnights, Family Camping, Resident Camp, but girls do not participate in activities during their stay at camp. Instead they use the property only for overnight accommodations and meals, and travel off-camp for nearby activities.

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Camp Dean Big Rock, IL

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Camp Dean Summer Winter


K-8th Grade: Theme – Entire Camp is one Adventure Playground

Type of Camping


• Troop Overnights • Family Camping


Level 1: Needed (current platform tents to be removed) Level 2: Wood frame cabins (currently existing) Level 3: Needed (Dean Lodge, Whitetail Lodge, or Whispering Oaks could be converted)

Camp/Program Center Specialization

Outdoor Exploration Environmental Education Arts & Crafts

Self-led Outdoor Activities

Nature play areas throughout camp Hiking with Activities Letterboxing/Geocaching/

Orienteering/Compass work Gaga Ball Environmental Education Programs

Hiking with Activities Letterboxing/Geocaching/

Orienteering/Compass work Environmental Education Programs Sledding Snow games

Expert-led Outdoor Activities

Archery Crate Stacking Greenhouse Environmental Education Programs Resident Camp

Environmental Education Programs

Self-led Aquatic Activities

Creek Stomping Mud Pit/Mud Kitchen Pond/Stream Ecosystems

Expert-led Aquatic Activities

Swimming Pool • Convert to year-round or 3-

season Canoeing/Kayaking

• Access to nearby lake Pond/Stream Ecosystems

Swimming Pool • Convert to year-round or 3-

season Ice Fishing

Self-led Indoor Activities Arts & Crafts Environmental Education Programs

Arts & Crafts Environmental Education Programs

Expert-led Indoor Activities

Environmental Education Programs Environmental Education Programs

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Camp Far Horizons

Hanover, IL

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Camp Far Horizons Summer Winter


6th-12th Grade

Type of Camping

• Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Resident Camp • Base Camp for Adventure Outings

• Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Base Camp for Adventure Outings


Level 1: “Tent Cabins” – currently existing wood frame, screened, platform tents Level 2: Needed: Treehouses Level 3: Needed: Convert Lodge and/or build near showerhouse and/or other location


Adventure Challenge Course Cool Hangout


Hiking with Activities/Scenic Outlook Letterboxing/Geocaching/

Orienteering/Compass work Tube Slide Gaga Ball Environmental Programs in a Box

Hiking with Activities/Scenic Outlook Letterboxing/Geocaching/

Orienteering/Compass work Tube slide Snowshoeing Environmental Programs in a Box


Archery Challenge/Ropes Course

• Group initiatives • Climbing wall/rappel • Crate stacking • High ropes course • Zipline


Simple structure added (ie: misting tent)


Off-site Preferred Partners [pool will be removed due to age, cost and lack of use]

Off-site Preferred Partners

Self-led Indoor Activities

Hangout space Fully equipped kitchen for hands-on cooking by girls Arts (supplies provided) Environmental Programs in a Box Older Girl Programs in a Box

Hangout space Fully equipped kitchen for hands-on cooking by girls Arts (supplies provided) Environmental Programs in a Box Older Girl Programs in a Box


Environmental Programs in a Box Older Girl Programs in a Box

Environmental Programs in a Box Older Girl Programs in a Box

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Mary Ann Beebe Center

Harvard, IL

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Mary Ann Beebe Center Summer Winter


K-8th Grade

Type of Camping • Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Day Camp



Level 1: Yurts Level 2: Adirondacks Level 3: Needed


Cooking



Orienteering/Compass work Gaga Ball Mud Kitchen Environmental Programs in a Box


Orienteering/Compass work Environmental Programs in a Box Winter activities as determined


Challenge/Ropes Course • Group initiatives • Low ropes course • Zipline • Bouldering wall - standard


Splash pad Fishing at Pond


Self-led Indoor Activities Cooking Programs in a Box

Cooking Programs in a Box


Specific Cooking Programs Specific Cooking Programs

Cooking Program Progression:

• No-cook mixing, measuring, and assembling • Electric stove – indoor • Propane stove – outdoor • Campfire cooking - outdoor

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Camp McCormick

Stillman Valley, IL

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Camp McCormick – Younger Girl Village Summer Winter


K-5th Grade

Type of Camping




Level 2: Adirondacks (screened-in) Level 3: Needed


Located around Friendship Center. Mini Innovator Space: Arts, DIY, STEM


Nature Play Area Hiking with Activities Letterboxing/Geocaching/

Orienteering/Compass work Gaga Ball, Human Foosball, Hammocks, etc. Environmental Programs in a Box


Orienteering/Compass work Snowshoeing/sledding/winter games Environmental Programs in a Box


Archery – standard course Challenge/Ropes Course

• Group initiatives



Indoor/Outdoor Pool Indoor Pool

Self-led Indoor Activities Mini Innovator Space: Arts, DIY, STEM

Mini Innovator Space: Arts, DIY, STEM


Specific Mini Innovator Space programming

Specific Mini Innovator Space programming

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Camp McCormick – Older Girl Village Summer Winter


6th-12th Grade

Type of Camping

• Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Resident Camp • Base Camp for Adventure Outings

• Troop Overnights • Family Camping • Base Camp for Adventure Outings


Level 1: Hobbit Houses Level 3: Needed: Possibly convert current building(s)


Located around/at Welcome Center. Innovator Space: Arts, DIY, STEM



Orienteering/Compass work Gaga Ball, Human Foosball,

Hammocks, etc. Environmental Programs in a Box River overlook w/ Educ. Activities Wheeled activity/transportation


Orienteering/Compass work Snowshoeing/sledding/winter games Environmental Programs in a Box River overlook w/ Educ. Activities


Target Sports • Standard Archery Course • Field Archery Course • BB Guns • Tomahawk Throwing

Challenge/Ropes Course • Group initiatives • Low ropes course • High ropes course • Crate stacking • Portable climbing wall



Indoor/Outdoor Pool River activities with Preferred Partners

Indoor Pool

Self-led Indoor Activities Innovator Space Innovator Space


Specific Innovator Space Programming

Specific Innovator Space Programming

gsni camp plan information - girl scouts · flushing toilets, 1 shower; locking doors b. (if...

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