GSWPA Boot Camp 2009

Boot Camp 2009 Information

Team building on the Army obstacle course at Boot Camp

Boot Camp 2009 Video added 23 SEP 09

Related Girl Scout Try-Its, Badges IPs and Patch Programs:

New Air Force Pride Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast (VA)
Coast Guard Pride Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast (VA)
Navy Pride Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast (VA)
Our Hometown Heroes - Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
Honoring Our Armed Forces Try-It - from Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines
Salute to our Armed Forces Badge - from Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines
10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Try-It - specific to Fort Drum (NY) - from Thousand Islands Girl Scout Council
Support from the Heart Patch Program - from Thousand Islands Girl Scout Council
Troop to Troop Patch Program - from Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas

Information from GSWPA Boot Camp 2009:

The final count was: 67 Boy and Girl Scouts/children of Military and Girl Scout volunteers, 10 youth volunteers and 24 adult volunteers, plus over 40 military volunteers (active duty and reserve) from Pennsylvania and Ohio. Military support included Navy and Air Force properties, an Army rock wall, a twenty-five foot Coast Guard boat, and an Apache helicopter from the PA National Guard. Four Boy Scouts and two adults traveled from New Jersey to attend camp.

The participants at Boot Camp donated enough items to fill 25 care packages, which were immediately mailed to 1LT Sarah Weber, who is currently stationed in Iraq with the US Army and who volunteered at GSWPA Boot Camp last year.

The participants also composed 150 hand written notes that have been sent to Operation Quiet Comfort. Operation Quiet Comfort exists for the purpose of honoring and comforting America's military men and women who become sick and injured while serving in harm's way. It also provides support to those who care for them by creating "GO BAGS", or transition kits. These kits include comfort items, personal care items, and products that entertain and provide "down time" for emotional and physical healing for the sick and injured military men and women who receive them. Each Transition Kit has a handwritten note in it.

Camp participants also put their handprints and names on large banners that were specially made for each branch of the Armed Forces. US Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper joined some of the Scouts in this activity during a tour of camp on 04 AUG.

In addition to the members of the Armed Forces who made camp possible and Congresswoman Dahlkemper, PA State Senator Bob Robbins also attend camp.

Girl Scout Awards earned at Camp:

Girl Scouts ages 11-17 earned the GSWPA Boot Camp Patch.
Junior Girl Scouts in attendance earned the Salute to our Armed Forces Badge from Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines.
Brownie Girl Scouts in attendance earned the Honoring Our Armed Forces Try-It from Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines.
Girl Scouts in attendance also completed some of the requirements of the Navy Pride and Coast Guard Pride Awards that were developed by the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast.
Five of the youth staff who volunteered at camp completed the service hours required for the Cadette Program Aide Patch.

About GSWPA Boot Camp 2009

Dates and time: 04 AUG 09 at 0730 - 05 AUG 09 at 1700 (NOTE: this is a Tuesday and Wednesday)
Location: Camp Elliott, Volant, PA
Cost: $40 per girl and $40 per leader. The cost for Boy Scouts and their leaders is $35 each and does not include a Boot Camp t-shirt or patch.

2 day/1 night camp for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts in grades 7-11, or ages 11-17. The $40 fee includes all meals, lodging, and 2 full days of programming, as well as the GSWPA Boot Camp Patch (see image at bottom of page) and a Boot Camp t-shirt. Girl Scout lodging options are platform tents or bringing your own tent(s). Boy Scouts must bring their own tents. IN girls can attend this camp and will be placed in a Squad with a GSWPA leader. All other Boy and Girl Scouts must attend with at least one adult for every group/troop of 10 Scouts. An additional leader is required for each additional 10 Scouts.

Minimum is 60 scouts. Maximum number of scouts is 90. Maximum number of adults and leaders who can register is 25.

Camp description: At this unique camp you will have the opportunity to experience military life with active duty and reserve members of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Spend two full days learning skills, facts, and what it is like to serve in the US military. Participants will learn how to use a compass, tie specialty knots, use signal flags, properly use a PFD and stay safe in water. You will complete with other Boot Camp squads on the Army obstacle course and enjoy a piping hot meal, the military way. Scouts will also learn self-defense techniques, survival skills, and gain experience with team building and public speaking. Girl Scout participants must attend the entire event to earn the GSWPA Boot Camp Patch. Parents and family members are encouraged to attend the closing ceremony at 1615 on the last day of camp.

Please contact the Boot Camp organizers, Maureen Conner and  Kathy Shaffer, for more information.

Photos and Press:

2008 Boot Camp Slide-Show (thank you to Animoto for a "for a cause" account for the Mercer Area Girl Scouts)


Photos From GSWPA 2008 Boot Camp

Photos of the Mercer Area Girl Scout Boot Camp that was held in April, 2007 at Camp Elliott as a Service Area Event.

New Air Force Pride Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast (VA)
Coast Guard Pride Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast (VA)
Navy Pride Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast (VA)
Our Hometown Heroes - Try-It, Badge and IP - from Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia
Honoring Our Armed Forces Try-It - from Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines
Salute to our Armed Forces Badge - from Girl Scouts North Carolina Coastal Pines
10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Try-It - specific to Fort Drum (NY) - from Thousand Islands Girl Scout Council
Support from the Heart Patch Program - from Thousand Islands Girl Scout Council
Troop to Troop Patch Program - from Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas