Service Units that would like to host a volunteer-led day camp must complete the Day Camp Application to gain approval and request support to promote your camp. Summer rentals are only open to volunteer-led day camps. Day camps need to go through the approval process. See Volunteer-Led Day Camp Property Rental Information for more details.
Prior to your day camp, you will need to fill all the following volunteer-led day camp roles.
Day Camp Director
The day camp director plans and directs all phases of a volunteer-led day camp.
Responsibilities and QualificationsResponsibilities
- Complete all required training as sponsored by Girl Scouts River Valleys.
- Complete all required day camp approval forms and final camp reports on time, as required for the current program year.
- Maintain ongoing communication with the staff camp director and other River Valleys staff.
- Supervise the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the day camp program in designated service unit or area.
- Ensure the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law is the basis for decision-making and delivery of the day camp program.
- Recruit, train, supervise, and provide ongoing support to the Day Camp Leadership Team.
- Ensure the Girl Scout Leadership Experience is the starting point for all day camp programming activities.
- Utilize sound management skills to supervise, evaluate, and reassign/release volunteers as required.
- Work within the risk management expectations as outlined in the Girl Scouts’ Safety Activity Checkpoints, the Council Reference Guide, and the Department of Health for the protection and safety of all day camp participants and volunteers.
- Ensure accurate reporting of day camp finances including records of income and expenses and budgeting.
- Maintain strong relationships with campers, parents/guardians, and volunteers.
- Provide the opportunity for written evaluation of day camp to campers, parent/guardians, and volunteers.
- Make reports, evaluations, and recommendations of day camp operations for the following season.
- Follow all GSUSA and River Valleys’ policies, standards, and procedures.
Qualifications
- Currently registered adult member of GSUSA.
- Complete and pass background check.
- Willing to fully participate in volunteer application and screening process.
- Practice welcoming and inclusive behavior toward people of all ages, races, religions, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, gender, educational, and economic backgrounds.
- Committed to speak and act in a manner consistent with the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law.
- Demonstrate excellent group and interpersonal communication skills.
- Demonstrate administrative and financial management skills.
- Ability to make good judgments regarding personnel, health and safety procedures, and crises.
General Forms and Resources
- Day Camp Director Resource Guide
- American Camp Association (ACA)
- Health and Safety Information
- Girl Scouts River Valleys Policies
- Girl Scouts River Valleys Camp Rentals
- Bus Policies and ProceduresView Page
- Day Camp Application Form
- Finance Manager Budget Spreadsheet (Day Camp Proposal Budget)
- End of Volunteer-led Day Camp Checklist
- Guidelines for Creating a Troop/Service Unit Website
- Day Camp Waterfront & Activity Request Form
Registration Resources
- Service Unit Event Registration and Payment Policy
- Promotional Brochure Template
- Registration Form Template
- Camper Information Form Template
- Confirmation Letter Template
- Health History Form for Girls Attending with an Adult
For Use During Day Camp
- Camper Check-in/-out Attendance Log and Bus Log
- Camper-Volunteer Accident/Incident Report
- Communication Log
- Emergency Driver Agreement
Examples of Day Camp Websites
Volunteer Manager
The volunteer manager recruits, coordinates, trains, and supervises day camp volunteers.
Responsibilities and QualificationsResponsibilities
- Complete volunteer position training as sponsored by River Valleys and the Day Camp Leadership Team.
- Maintain ongoing communication with the day camp director.
- Submit any required paperwork to River Valleys in a timely manner.
- Ensure the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law is the basis for decision-making and delivery of the day camp’s support to its volunteers.
- Provide ongoing volunteer guidance to the Day Camp Leadership Team.
- Understanding of all older girl and adult volunteer leadership expectations within the day camp, River Valleys, and GSUSA.
- Plan and implement all volunteer orientation and training.
- Recruit, train, supervise, and provide ongoing support to the day camp older girl coordinator.
- Collaborate with day camp older girl coordinator regarding the older girl leadership program and opportunities being offered at day camp.
- Coordinate and supervise leadership activities at day camp.
- Work with the volunteer expectations in the Council Reference Guide, Volunteer Essentials, and the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- Ensure that all volunteers are educated on and practice the “Leave No Trace” philosophy.
- Prepare, distribute, collect, and review leadership and training evaluations with the day camp director.
- Collect, review, and submit any end-of-season reports on time with the day camp director.
- Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the day camp director.
- Follow all GSUSA and River Valleys’ policies, standards, and procedures.
Qualifications
- Currently registered adult member of GSUSA.
- Willing to fully participate in volunteer application and screening process.
- Practice welcoming and inclusive behavior toward people of all ages, races, religions, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, gender, educational, and economic backgrounds.
- Committed to speak and act in a manner consistent with the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law.
- Demonstrate excellent group and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to select, train, and supervise volunteers.
- Ability to be flexible; evaluate and make desirable changes.
- Day Camp Resource Guide
- Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse Policy
- Background Check Policy
- Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Adult Membership
- Volunteer and Older Girl Tracking Form
- Volunteer Application Cover Sheet
- Volunteer Day Camp Application
For use During Day Camp
Older Girl Leader Manager
ResourcesGeneral Resources
- Day Camp Resource Guide
- Older Girl Leadership Progression
- Volunteer and Older Girl Tracking Form
- Sample Older Girl Behavioral Contact
- Older Girl Leader Application Cover Sheet
- Older Girl Leader Application
For Use During Camp
Health Care Manager
The health care manager ensures the health and safety of campers and volunteers at a volunteer-led day camp
Responsibilities- Currently registered adult member of GSUSA.
- Willing to fully participate in volunteer application and screening process.
- Practice welcoming and inclusive behavior toward people of all ages, races, religions, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, gender, educational, and economic backgrounds.
- Committed to speak and act in a manner consistent with the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law.
- Demonstrate excellent group and interpersonal communication skills.
- Meet the standards of the appropriate first aider level as specified in the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Ability to make good judgments regarding risk management, health and safety procedures, and crises.
General Resources
- Day Camp Resource Guide
- Health and Safety Information
- In-Person Girl Scout Activity Guidance
- First Aid Kit Items
- Emergency Action Plans
- Letter to local emergency officials template
- Tickborne Disease Prevention – MDH
For Use During Camp
Finance Manager
The finance manager supervises business logistics and financial transactions related to a volunteer-led day camp.
Responsibilities and QualificationsResponsibilities
- Complete all required training as sponsored by River Valleys and the Day Camp Leadership Team.
- Maintain ongoing communication with the River Valleys’ staff and day camp director.
- Submit any required paperwork to River Valleys staff in a timely manner.
- Ensure the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law is the basis for decision-making and delivery of the day camp program.
- Supervise the planning, implementation, and maintenance of the day camp budget.
- Provide ongoing financial guidance and support to the Day Camp Leadership Team.
- Train, supervise, and provide ongoing support to the day camp equipment and logistics coordinator.
- Maintain accurate and complete financial records and ensure bills are paid.
- Submit all contracts to River Valleys for necessary approval and signatures.
- Collaborate with the Day Camp Leadership Team for the ordering and purchase of supplies and equipment.
- Collaborate with the equipment and logistics coordinator regarding the coordination of day camp equipment, including, but not limited to camp set up and camp closing.
- Set up and maintain the day camp checking account.
- Review and submit all end-of-season and financial records on time with River Valleys staff.
- Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the day camp director.
- Follow all River Valleys and GSUSA policies, standards, and procedures.
Qualifications
- Currently registered adult member of GSUSA.
- Willing to fully participate in volunteer application and screening process.
- Practice welcoming and inclusive behavior toward people of all ages, races, religions, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, gender, educational, and economic backgrounds.
- Committed to speak and act in a manner consistent with the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law.
- Demonstrate excellent group and interpersonal communication skills.
- Complete all required training and respond to River Valleys staff communications in a timely manner.
- Experience in financial management.
- Strong and accurate record keeping skills.
General Forms and Resources
- Day Camp Resource Guide
- Finance Training and Information
- Certificate of Exemption – Minnesota
- Certificate of Exemption – Wisconsin
- Girl Scouts River Valleys Tax Exempt Policy
- Banking & Money Management Policy
- Finance Manager Budget Spreadsheet
- Girl Scout Bank Account Record Form
- Cookie Credits, Fall FUNds, and Juliette Program Credit Reimbursement Form
- Financial Assistance Policy
- Financial Assistance Request Form
- Receipt for Day Camp Payment/FSA
- Non-Sufficient Funds Letter
- Refund Letter
- Volunteer Purchases Reimbursement Form
Program Manager
The program manager coordinates the implementation of all program activities and supervises the program specialists at a volunteer-led day camp.
Responsibilities and QualificationsResponsibilities
- Complete all required training as sponsored by both River Valleys and the Day Camp Leadership Team.
- Maintain ongoing communication with River Valleys and day camp director.
- Supervise the planning, implementation, and evaluation of day camp programming.
- Ensure the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law is the basis for decision-making and delivery of the day camp program.
- Assume responsibilities of the day camp director in their absence.
- Train, supervise, and provide support to the day camp program specialists.
- Coordinate and supervise all program activities including scheduling, all-camp events, and ceremonies.
- Work within the program and ratio expectations as outlined in the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints.
- Where applicable, ensure that all campers are educated on and practice the “Leave No Trace” philosophy.
- Work with the day camp finance manager on the ordering and purchase of supplies and equipment.
- Assist with the maintenance of equipment, supplies, and inventories.
- Collect, review, and submit any end-of-season reports on time with the day camp director.
- Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the day camp director.
- Follow all GSUSA and River Valleys policies, standards, and procedures.
Qualifications
- Currently registered adult member of GSUSA.
- Willing to fully participate in volunteer application and screening process.
- Practice welcoming and inclusive behavior toward people of all ages, races, religions, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, gender, educational, and economic backgrounds.
- Committed to speak and act in a manner consistent with the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law.
- Demonstrate excellent group and interpersonal communication skills.
- Complete all required training and respond to River Valleys staff communications in a timely manner.
- Have a genuine liking for girls; understanding and respecting their individual differences.
- Ability to be flexible; evaluate and make desirable changes.
- Ability to make good judgments regarding programming.
General Forms and Resources
Food Manager
The food manager plans and prepares healthy snacks and meals at a volunteer-led day camp.
Responsibilities and QualificationsResponsibilities
- Complete volunteer position training as sponsored by River Valleys and the Day Camp Leadership Team.
- Maintain ongoing communication with the day camp director.
- Submit any required paperwork to River Valleys in a timely manner.
- Ensure the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law is the basis for decision-making and delivery of the day camp’s support to its volunteers.
- Plan and implement the day camp meal plan and any nutrition education.
- Plan nutritious snacks and meals that include appealing options for those who have dietary restrictions.
- Maintain health and food safety practices according to the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints: Outdoor Cooking, and Department of Health guidelines at all times.
- Where applicable, develop an efficient and effective pack-out system for snacks and cookout meals.
- Work with the day camp finance manager for the ordering and purchasing of food, kitchen supplies, and equipment.
- Maintain accurate records and inventories.
- Ensure at the end of day camp all non-perishable food items are donated and all perishable items are destroyed.
- Submit any end-of-season reports on time with the day camp health manager.
- Assume other responsibilities as requested by the day camp director.
- Follow all GSUSA and River Valleys policies, standards, and procedures.
Qualifications
- Currently registered adult member of GSUSA.
- Willing to fully participate in volunteer application and screening process.
- Willing to watch the following training video unless already serve safe certified: Cooking Safely for a Crowd
- Practice welcoming and inclusive behavior toward people of all ages, races, religions, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation, gender, educational, and economic backgrounds.
- Committed to speak and act in a manner consistent with the Girl Scout mission, Promise, and Law.
- Demonstrate excellent group and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to plan nutritious snacks and meals.
- Experience and training in outdoor cooking.