Summer Camp | Camp Jobs | ZISC | Featured Programs
We know, summer is busy! We have a complete breakdown of all our summer program offerings that can take place virtually, in-person, or a combination of the two. Below you will find a multitude of information regarding summer camp, summer employment, and our NEW program series Zoom into Summer Camp (ZISC).
Sign-Up for Summer Camp
Calling all Girl Scouts! There is still availability at our day and resident camps. Camp has brought girls outdoor adventures full of learning, challenges, a whole lot of friendship, and tons of fun and we want your Girl Scout to join our camp community. Register NOW!
Use the Summer 2021 Summer Camp Guide as a reference before registering!
Ways to Camp
Day Camp
Summer day camp at GCNWI provides an opportunity for girls to meet new friends, learn outdoor skills, and grow in her courage, confidence, and character in a safe environment. She will have fun in the sun playing games, singing songs, and maybe even getting a little messy in the great outdoors!
Campers bring lunch every day except when there is a cookout.
Locations: GCNWI offers Summer Day Camp programs at Camp Greene Wood, Camp Palos, and Vernon Hills Gathering Place. Learn more about each location.
Transportation: Daily transportation via chartered bus* to and from Camp Greene Wood and Camp Palos is available for an additional fee. The bus stop location** and payment must be made at the time of registration. At this time, the Vernon Hills location does not offer additional transportation options
Resident Camp
Resident camp programs at Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana provide girls with the opportunity to reach the end of their comfort zone and stretch into new opportunities.
Each camp location offers something unique—a different program, sleeping accommodation, tradition, or even state!
Locations: GCNWI offers summer resident camp programs at Camp Butternut Springs and Camp Juniper Knoll. Learn more about each location.
Where do campers sleep? Lodging for resident campers is predetermined and noted under each program in the 2021 Camp Guide. Learn more about the different types of lodging at our camps.
Transportation: You are responsible for your camper’s transportation to and from camp.
Custom Troop, Group, and Family Camp Programs
Our camp properties are open year-round! During this time, short, two-hour, in-person programming is offered throughout the year. This short programming is done in small groups and in the outdoors with health and safety in mind. These programs offer troops and families an opportunity to join in the fun of the outdoors. An experienced facilitator will guide your group in the activity from our menu of options, while maintaining a safe environment for all participants.
Before scheduling, please note the following: All custom in-person programs will cost $15/girl. Adult chaperones will not be charged but will still need to register. Each program will have a minimum of 5 girl participants and a maximum of 7-8 girl participants along with 1-2 adult leaders to align with current COVID-19 guidelines. All programs will take place in an outdoor location with access to outdoor bathroom facilities (portable or pit toilets). No buildings will be open for use, including flush toilets. Please be sure to come prepared and dress for the outdoor weather.
Property Rentals and Troop-Led Camping
When you are ready to meet in-person with your troop, Girl Scout camps will be open! GSGCNWI will open outdoor shelter facilities across key camps and Gathering Places for troops to hold their outdoor meetings. You can reserve these outdoor shelters on our new registration and reservation site.
Locations open for use*:
- Camp Butternut Springs (Valparaiso, IN)
- Camp Greene Wood (Woodridge, IL)
- Camp Palos (Palos Park, IL)
- Homewood Gathering Place (Homewood, IL)
- Joliet Gathering Place (Joliet, IL)
- Merrillville Gathering Place (Merrillville, IN)
- Vernon Hills Gathering Place (Vernon Hills, IL)
*Some locations may not be available in the winter months.
Have questions about Summer Camp? Join us at either our Camp Chats or one of our Open Houses!
Camp Chats are an open house for parents/guardians to come and ask any questions about camp this year. This is a non-formal presentation event where attendees will have an opportunity to join a casual conversation with the Girl Scouts GCNWI Outdoor Program Team on all things summer camp! Chat Chats will take place over Zoom every third Wednesday of the month leading up to the summer, you can choose to just hop on for a short time or stay for the whole hour.
Summer Camp Open House: Check out our beautiful camps with your troop or family at our open house! You’ll be able to tour the camp, talk to the summer camp director, visit with the property manager, and experience some of the activities each camp has to offer. Designed for families, troops, or individuals with an adult chaperone. Please register everyone who will be attending this event, including parent/guardian(s) and sibling(s) of the camper(s).
Become A Summer Camp Staff Member
Calling All Role Models and World Changers!
Are you looking for a summer job that will leave you with a sense of empowerment, a positive outlook on life, and skills that will benefit you for years to come? Apply for a summer camp position with GCNWI!
Build skills in leadership, time management, communication, decision making, and problem solving, while having the time of your life at summer camp (must be 18+)!
Camp Virtually with Zoom Into Summer Camp (ZISC)
For Girl Scouts who are interested in participating in camp from the comfort of their own home or backyard, we introduce you ZISC! Hosted by our program team, all program materials will be provided when you sign-up for a week of programming and community engagement teams.
Our new Zoom into Summer Camp programs include a welcome webinar on the first morning, daily check-in webinars, a Thursday evening family night activity, and a printable activity guide to follow at home. Featured ZISC programs will have additional webinars taking place that week as well. A fun patch that will be mailed at the end of summer.
Featured ZISC Programs
Earth Defenders | June 21-25
Are you passionate about helping other people, the environment, and animals be healthier? Then join us for this week of virtual summer camp, as we work together to become Earth Defenders. In partnership with the Truth Initiative, girls will learn about leaving the world better than they found it and taking action to get rid of cigarettes in their communities, schools, parks, and beyond! Girls who participate will receive a custom patch and Earth Defenders cape.
Girl Security | July 7-9
Seniors and Ambassadors, join us for a 3 day program with Girl Security! During this three day session you’ll learn cybersecurity skills; ethical hacking, artificial intelligence, and cyber security. All girls will receive a certificate of completion from Girl Security and Microsoft. Register by June 23, 2021!
Energy with Exelon! | July 19-23
Join Girl Scouts GCNWI and Exelon as we learn about the future of energy. Each day, we will explore a different form of renewable energy, from wind to solar and more. We will explore how each energy works, what resources it uses, and its benefits and challenges. If you are curious about energy or think you might want a career in energy one day, this week is for you. This program includes an energy kit, complete with the resources for the energy projects throughout the week. Powered by Exelon.
Camp CEO | July 26-30
Since 2007, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana has welcomed high-level professionals and teen girls from across our council geography to Camp CEO®, the premiere leadership camp for teen girls. Now in its 15th year, Camp CEO® continues to provide girls with valuable mentorship and leadership experiences that last a lifetime.
We offer transformative virtual workshops hosted by professionals in our community, open to all Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors! All girls who register and attend Camp CEO will receive a complimentary program box to go along with the program.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION TO COME INCLUDING UPDATED INFORMATION
Participate in one of our other sessions – Global Girl Scouting, A World of Girls: Our Global Sisterhood, Imagination to Creation, or GIRLapalooza. REGISTER HERE
By registering for certain programs on or after March 1, you will be eligible to receive a FREE Kellogg’s Wellbeing Box. Please check your email inbox for a receipt with instructions to claim your free box after you register.
Have questions about ZISC? Email programs@girlscoutsgcnwi.org
See Our Featured Programs
While virtual and in-person camp is taking place, we will have a lot of exciting in-person program opportunities for Girl Scouts and their families this summer.
- Family Field Day: Have some outdoor fun with your family and GCNWI! We’ll have activities like dancing, yoga, obstacle courses, and more! As you move through our stations (while safely social distancing) you’ll get to show off your competitive side on our activity brag boards. How many stations or activities will you be able to get to? We’ll see you there!
- To the Revolution: Celebrate the Fourth of July and our country’s independence (with a little flair)! You’ll get to walk through stations that represent important moments in our nation’s history leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There will also be science-themed experiments that mimic fireworks to conclude the event.
Don’t forget! We have virtual custom programs that can be booked by a troop or Service Unit. REQUEST A CUSTOM PROGRAM
Find all this summer’s offerings here.
Girl Scouts @ Home Kits
Recently launched! We have programmatic kits for you to participate in at home! GS @Home Kits provide fun, off-screen, themed items for Girl Scouts and their families to both learn and spend time together. Looking for more ways to Girl Scout at home? Check out our Girl Scouts @ Home Kits.
These kits provide fun, off-screen, themed items for Girl Scouts and their families to both learn and spend time together. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a new-to-you holiday, earn a badge, explore a fun topic, Girl Scouts @ Home Kits are shipped to your home and filled with goodies like fun patches, activity supplies, and a helpful step-by-step guide. Order your kit today to enhance your Girl Scout experience!
Participate in Summer Programs When You Become a Girl Scout
Join or Renew now for $35 and your Girl Scout will be set until 2022!
At Girl Scouts, she’ll practice making the world a better place by doing community service projects, coding, exploring the outdoors, and so much more. And when you sign up with her now, you’ll be covered for the rest of this membership year AND the next, plus she’ll get a Kellogg’s Wellbeing Box!
Join us for Becoming Me, a program inspired by former First Lady Michelle Obama!
Finding your voice and becoming your best self? That’s what it means to be a Girl Scout! And through our new Becoming Me program, your girl will explore her story and who she can become, earn badges, and even attend a special members-only virtual event with Mrs. Obama!
The program launches on May 6 and you won’t want to miss out— learn more and save your spot by April 30.