Registration for Girl Scouts–Arizona Cactus Pine-Council’s (GSACPC) 2020 summer camp season is now open for its four camp locations: The Parsons Leadership Center for Girls and Women at Camp South Mountain (Phoenix), Camp Maripai (Prescott), Shadow Rim Ranch (Payson) and Willow Springs Program Center (Prescott). Each camp has unique offerings, along with the traditional camp activities, to accommodate the diverse interests of every girl. Yet the purpose of Girl Scout Camp remains the same—to provide girls a safe and supportive place to have fun, make new friends, and take risks, while learning new skills and exploring the outdoors.
“We live in a world of screens – smartphones, laptops, TVs and tablets. At Girl Scout Summer Camp, girls can get away from it all, experience the outdoors in a safe, all-girl setting while they develop confidence, independence, and outdoor skills that are hard to gain anywhere else,” said Tamara Woodbury, CEO for GSACPC. “Skills like building a campfire, pitching a tent and canoeing across a lake. Plus, they’ll try new things, discover their passions and challenge themselves in new ways.”
Studies show that when girls attend Girl Scout Camp, they discover that they can better solve problems and overcome challenges; develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall; and they become team players and care more about protecting the environment. GSACPC’s all-girl environment gives girls the space to continue to develop a positive self-image, and build courage and confidence by connecting with others and their natural environment.
In addition, girls get to choose how they want to experience camp! At GSACPC, girls get to choose between four different camps, session lengths and the specific camp program and skill they want to learn.
Each of the four camps has a slightly different program focus:
- The Parsons Leadership Center, Phoenix, an $18 million state-of-the-art urban camp hosting both day camp and overnight sessions. The programs include STEM-related activities, archery, swimming, culinary arts, and field trips.
- Camp Maripai, Prescott, offers a traditional camp experience, like archery and canoeing, along with horsemanship programs for beginners through advanced riders.
- Shadow Rim Ranch, Payson, offers high adventure such as hiking and canoeing trip & travel sessions, plus outdoor cooking, zip-lining and archery.
-
Willow Springs, Prescott, emphasizes artistic endeavors like
ceramics, fashion and theater, as well as hiking, archery, a ropes
challenge course and aviation.
All four camps offer sessions that vary in length, from weekend family camp to overnight camps and three-week-long quests. Summer camp begins the week of May 31 and runs for nine weeks, with the last camp week in late July.
Girl Scouts believe all girls should have the opportunity to experience summer camp. Thanks to generous supporters and the proceeds from their iconic cookie program, the Council offers tiered pricing to choose from, as well as need-based financial assistance. Girls who are not Girl Scouts are invited to register. To sign up, please visit www.girlscoutsaz.org/camp.
To learn more about Girl Scout Camp, open houses will be held at each camp property. All interested families are invited to visit on the following dates:
- The Parsons Leadership Center: May 29, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 1611 E. Dobbins Rd., Phoenix
- Shadow Rim Ranch: May 24, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at 530 N. Shadow Rim Rd., Payson
- Camp Maripai: May 30, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 201 E. Marapai Rd., Prescott
- Willow Springs: May 30, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 775 Camp Willow Springs Rd., Prescott
Additional Information
When girls attend Girl Scout Camp, they:
- Discover that they can better solve problems and overcome challenges
- Develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall
- Become team players and care more about protecting our environment
Studies show that when girls spend quality time outdoors and
increase their exposure to nature, they thrive physically,
emotionally, and intellectually. Girls get to experience a world away
from home and develop a deep appreciation for nature.
More
details at stats from Girl Scout Research Institute: More Than Smores: Successes and Surprises in Girl
Scouts’ Outdoor Experiences (2014)
With so many programs, girls can use the table listed on the bottom of this page to help decide which camp is best for them. Please note that hiking, archery and arts & crafts are staples to every camp.
Types of camp
-
Day Camp – Five Days at Parsons Leadership Center only
- Girls can attend day camp Monday-Friday with an additional option of adding 1-4 overnights if the camper is ready.
- Girls can attend day camp and participate in programming like swimming, archery, cooking, outdoor skills, STEM, games, fashion, photography and more!
- New this year is a Friday family barbeque for girls and their families. There is also an added after care option for girls who would like to stay later during the weeknights.
-
Resident Camp: Girls can choose the length of their overnight
camp experience at our three camps located in northern Arizona (Camp
Maripai, Shadow Rim and Willow Springs). They will sleep in cabins
or tents (if specified) with girls similar in age. Girls are welcome
to experience camp on their own or with a buddy.
- 3-Day Overnight – 3 Days, 2 Nights
- 4-Day Overnight – 4 Days, 3 Nights
- 6-Day Overnight – 6 Days, 5 Nights
- 8-Day Trip & Travel – 8 Days, 7 Nights
- For girls grades 9-12, who want to experience camp AND hit the road for the next level of outdoor camping adventure.
- Leadership – 6 to 24 Days/Nights
- Older girls who help lead activities for younger girls and groups at camp. These programs help develop skills and experience needed to be a camp counselor.
-
Troop & Family – 3 Days, 2 Nights
- Opportunities for Girl Scouts to experience camp with their family members and participate in programming offered by each specific camp.
Sessions fill quickly! Reserve your sport at Girl Scout Summer Camp!
