Acceptance and participation
Acceptance and participation in summer programs is the same for everyone without regard to race, color or national origin. As an equal opportunity organization, Girl Scouts is dedicated to diversity and fully supports the right of equal access for girl and adult members with disabilities. Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington makes every reasonable effort to ensure this access.
Closed Gate
Mountaindale West is a closed gate camp. In order to follow Girl Scout guidelines, all adults must be registered, background checked, and complete required training. We do not allow any individuals up to our camp without our prior knowledge.
Due to this policy, campers can not come to camp late or leave early. If your camper has a medical appointment scheduled during camp hours, they will have to miss that day.
Program Goals & Safety
All staff members of Mountaindale West Day Camp are registered members of Girl Scouts of the United States of America and have been background checked by the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington.
All adult staff members are non-paid volunteers and are not certified day care providers. Please contact Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington for any tax information. Our camp will not sign or give out any tax ID information.
The goal of Mountaindale West Day Camp is to provide campers with an opportunity to experience an outdoor camp while still providing a safe and nurturing environment. Each of the camper units has at least two adults and two Program Aides, known as PAs (PAs are trained older teen Girl Scouts), assigned to the unit. Units range in size per their safety number set by Girl Scouts, which is dependent on the age of the girl campers. Our camp follows all safety standards and regulations set forth by Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington and Girl Scouts of the USA.
First Aid and Medication
Mountaindale West Day Camp typically has two First Aiders on staff. These are volunteers that are at least CPR and First Aid trained, and often are nurses or medical professionals.
Any medication that is brought to camp is required to be in its original packaging with the camper's name on it. You must fill out a Day Camp Medication Permission form in order for our Health Supervisor to give medication to any camper. Medication and forms will be collected when campers arrive to camp on Monday morning. Medication must stay with the Health Supervisor with the exception of EpiPens and inhalers.
Campers are welcome to bring their own sunscreen and / or bug spray to camp. This needs to be kept in their bag and not shared with other campers, due to the possibility of allergies. Ideally, please apply these items to your campers before they arrive at the buses.
Changes to our medical policies are ongoing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please feel free to contact us if you need clarification about our policies.
Allergies
It is HIGHLY recommended that any allergies, intolerance, or sensitivities be listed in the provided areas of our online registration under the medical questions section. This includes, but not limited to, peanuts, gluten, soy, dairy or any other food related issues that we should know about.
Mountaindale West Day Camp is staffed by volunteers. We do recognize that some campers coming to camp, may be allergic to peanut and nut products. Our goal is to provide campers with an outdoor experience, even in the foods that we offer at camp. We want you to be aware that we cannot state that we can make provision to be peanut-free due to the sheer number of campers. While we attempt to not serve peanut products, there is always the possibility of cross contamination. Additionally, other campers and adults may bring peanut or nut related products to camp. We strongly encourage campers, and their parents, to take all necessary medical precautions to be prepared for the possibility of peanut or nut product exposure. EpiPens are allowed to be carried by campers that have a medically recognized need. While we cannot guarantee that we will be 100% nut free, we do make every attempt to be certain that campers are safe. Please feel free to contact our Health Supervisor with any questions.
Dietary Concerns
In 2024 we will have a very limited canteen. Campers should plan on bringing their own food that can stay in their backpack or in a cooler at their campsite. We do not have space to refrigerate camper’s meals. We may offer prepackaged snacks - this policy is currently being determined.
Dress Code
We suggest that campers wear long pants or shorts that are mid-thigh or longer. The campers will be sitting on tarps, in the dirt or on logs at times. There are also bugs and bees at camp. There is also stinging nettle along the trails.
Sturdy tennis shoes or hiking boots are REQUIRED at camp. DO NOT wear sandals, flip-flops, water socks, clogs, shoes with any kind of heel, shoes with no backs, shoes with any kind of hole designs. DO NOT wear Keens, Teva's, Crocs, hiking sandals or the like. We cannot stress the importance of having your feet protected. Camp is in a wooded setting and there are sharp sticks, rocks, bugs and other hazards that naturally occur with being in the woods.
*Please note, we will call you about inappropriate shoes and not allow your camper to participate in the day with their unit until tennis shoes or hiking boots are brought to camp.
A t-shirt is provided to all campers and staff members. This t-shirt is to be worn for unit pictures and it is highly encouraged that everyone wear it the entire week of camp.
We usually have 3 theme days at camp. Prior years’ themes have included: pajama day, Disney character day, crazy hair day, and others. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Any costume must still meet the dress code.
Transportation
For 2024 we will once again be offering buses. Our pickup location has not been determined yet - but will be somewhere in the North Beaverton area.
Gold and Platinum PAs
Whether a girl is a PA or an adult volunteer is dependent on their age and graduation status. Our Golden PAs are entering their senior year of high school. Typically the Golden year is the last year that a PA is eligible to come to camp as a PA. Once the PA has graduated high school and turned 18, they are welcome to come to camp as an adult volunteer. However, if a girl has graduated high school but will not be 18 during camp, they are able to come to camp as a PA for one final year as a Platinum PA.