TAC gives girls the opportunity to plan their camp adventure with the help of their leaders. It is important that the girls and adults work together during the planning process.

2023 TAC Activities (For final activity descriptions, refer to the activities listed in the TAC Leader Manual that you will receive with your TAC confirmation.)

How many activities to pick:

• 3 night TAC (Sun. – Wed.) – Up to 10 activity slots (some activities may take up more than 1 time spot) plus 1 evening activity
• 2 night TAC (Mon – Wed. or Wed. – Fri. ) – Up to 7 activity slots (some activities take more than 1 timeslot) plus 1 evening activity.
• Troops may request blank spaces for troop time – just add “troop time” to your form.

 

Other things to remember:

• Many troops request additional free activity times to relax or work on patches/badges. If you’d like to take free time just type it into the activity jotform as an activity.
• If the activity requires you to bring any materials (i.e. you must bring your own T-shirt for Tie-Dye), make sure you add the supplies to your Troop Packing List.

 

Activities are for all age levels and one time slot unless otherwise noted.

Multi-age level troops should pick activities that ALL group members can participate in. We are unable to split troops into multiple groups for activities.

 

Arts and Crafts

• Bead Animals: Use pony beads to create an animal lanyard of your choosing.
• Candles: Create dip or pour candles using colored waxes.
• Classic Camp Crafts: Spend time making camp classics like friendship bracelets and Gods eyes.
• Crayon Art: Create an awesome piece of art by using a hairdryer to melt crayons. For Cadettes and up
• Galaxy T shirts:  Use bleach spray and fabric paint to create your own masterpiece. ForJuniors and up ** You must bring your own dark colored shirt***
• Jewelry: Create bracelets, necklaces, and earrings using various materials and styles (hemp, stretch string, lacing, beads, etc.).
• Nature Art: Create beautiful artwork using materials found in nature.
• Paracord Bracelets: Make paracord survival bracelets. For Cadettes and up
• Pottery: Use your hands to mold and sculpt air dry clay into your very own creation.
• Sit Upon : Create a sit upon using reusable shopping bags and duct tape ** Each participant must bring 1 waterproof reusable shopping bag – Dollar Tree has a great selection.** camp will provide the filler.
• Tie-Dye and/or Reverse Tie-Dye Create fabric designs using colored dyes on white shirts and/ or using bleach on dark colored shirts.  ** You must bring your own fabrics. (100 percent cotton pre-washed T-shirts, pants, and socks.).
• T shirt bags (New) Create a tie t-shirt bag *** bring your own t shirt***

 

 Nature

• Creeking: A walk in the creek, exploring the ecosystem, checking out the fossils and visiting the clay wall. **You must bring shoes and clothing that can get extremely wet and dirty.
• Go Green: Save the environment one Girl Scout at a time! Learn about renewable and non-renewable resources, decomposition and the 3 R’s (Reduce, reuse and recycle).
• Hiking: Explore the trails of camp and check out everything nature has to offer.
• Sensory Explorer: Have fun learning about the five senses and how they help you and other animals when you’re camping.
• Amazing Animals: Learn all about animals, where they live, what they eat and what they do. Play games to find out what it would be like to be an animal.
• Bug Lab: Have eye-popping fun while exploring the world of bugs.
• Plants Galore: Learn to identify plants and try your skills with a nature scavenger hunt.
• Trees: Learn all about trees as you hike around camp working on the Cadette tree badge.
• Outdoor Art Hike (New) Take a hike on our trails and look for different colors and shapes in nature.
• Flower Badge (New) Learn about the different parts of a flower and dissect a flower.
• Trail Clean up (New) Spend time hiking the trails and doing some trail clean up. You might find yourself marking trails, moving branches off the path or trimming honey suckle.

Outdoor Living Skills

• Basic Compass: Learn the basics to using a map and compass by playing some games.
• Orienteering: Put your map and compass skills to the test and try out an orienteering route. *must have some previous map and compass experience, you will be walking around a lot*
• Knots and Lashing : Learn how to tie knots and lash, if there’s time even try building shelters with your new skills.
• Knife Safety: Learn Knife safety, how to use a pocketknife and how to whittle. Younger girls will learn with cardboard knives and plastic knives and soap.
• Shelter Building: Spend the session building a shelter that you can fit under during a rainstorm; girls will be tested with a Nalgene sized water bottle.
• Fire Building: Learn how to safely build and light a fire.
• Leave No Trace: Learn about the 7 Leave no Trace Principles with a variety of hands on activities and games.
• Cooking Methods: Learn various cooking methods and use them to cook your lunch or dinner.  **You must request the meal you would like when you select your activity** Counts as one time slot plus a mealtime.
  • Pizza Pie Irons
  • Hot Dog Roast
  • Foil Dinner
  • Walking Tacos
• Troop Camp Training: For troops staying in tent units only. Receive training to be able to rent council tents for your own camp out. Each leader that is present for the full training session will receive certification. You must complete Overnight and Trip Planning and Lodge Camp Training prior to this program (both available as home study manuals at gswo.org). With your troop learn how to set up camp, useful camping knots, knife safety, fire building, cook lunch or dinner over a campfire, and cookout cleanup skills. Counts as three time slots and a meal.

 

STEM

• Egg Drop Engineers: Drop a raw egg from the Swinging Bridge without it breaking using materials to engineer a protective covering.
• Stomp Rockets: Design rockets using cardstock and paper and launch them into the air by stomping on the soda bottle air reservoir.
• Complicated Contraptions: Rube Goldberg designed inventions that made simple tasks more complicated. Work in small groups to create a 10 step process to pop a balloon, squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush or another common task.
• Messy Science: Create oobleck, inflate a balloon with a chemical reaction and experiment with different ingredients to pop the top off a film canister, flubber, secret messages
• Ice Cream Making: Make ice cream using Zip-lock bags, ice, salt, and other ingredients.
• Balloon Car Challenge : Create a balloon car as part of the JR. Engineering badge For Juniors and up.
• Leap Bot : Create a leap bot as part of the BR. Mechanical Engineering badge For Brownies and up.
• Model Car Design: Create a model car and test it on different surfaces as part of the Daisy Mechanical Engineering badge. For Daisies and up.
• CSI: Discover the science of investigation, learn about finger prints, and how to extract DNA from fruit.
• Wind Tunnel Challenge: Explore the effect moving air has on an object by designing an object to float in the tube.

 

Adventure, Sports & Games

• Archery: Learn how to safely shoot arrows at a target, more experienced girls will review the basics then work on challenges. For Juniors and up.
• Climbing Wall (New) Take on the challenge of climbing our new wall. Brownies and up
• Crate Stacking (New) As a team create a stack of crates for a member of your troop to climb up. The climber will be on belay and will climb as high as they can before the crates topple.  Cadettes and up, 2 time slots
• Geocaching: Find geocaches hidden around camp using handheld GPS devices For Juniors and up.
• High Challenge Course (Libbey Only) 3 time slots, for Cadettes and up.
• Letterboxing: Create your own letterboxing stamp, and then go on a hunt for “treasure” around camp by following the clues.
• Low Challenge Course: The challenge course is a series of mental and physical obstacles, which your troop must solve by working together. Each challenge helps your troop explore and develop teamwork, communication styles, leadership skills and problem-solving strategies. In addition, girls gain confidence, self-esteem, a feeling of accomplishment and a better understanding of how they work with others. For Juniors and up, 2 time slots
• Paintball Slingshots: Take aim at our new paintball slingshot course.
• Parachute & Noodle Games: Learn new parachute and noodle games to play.
• Hatchet Throwing: Throw hatchets at the hatchet range. For Cadettes and up.
• Water Games: Play a bunch of water games that get you really wet. ** bring water shoes

 

Evening Activities, (you can pick 1, these happen in the troop time slot)

• Night Hiking: Learn how to safely take a nighttime hike and then explore camp under the stars.
• Star Gazing: Look at the stars, learn how to use star charts, listen to nighttime sounds, and tell fun stories.
• Campfire Desert: Make brown bears, fruit pies, or dump cake in your unit.

The TAC leader meeting is on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. This meeting is not mandatory but is recommended for leaders new to brining their troop to TAC. We will review the manual, policies, activities jotfrom, , payments and have time to answer. questions. Register here.

This meeting will be recorded and posted here a few days after the meeting airs.

Troop Leader Training

Leaders are required to take Troop Trips and Travel training before going anywhere outside their normal meeting place, including attending TAC. This short training can be taken online as a myGS training module here. We find that troop leaders that attend camp with this foundation have a much better understanding of some of the policies we follow at camp (First aiders etc...).

Troop Leader Manual

Prepare for your Troop Adventure Camp experience! Download the Troop Leader Manual April 1, 2023.

There are three types of sleeping accommodations available:

Lodges : Sleep in a dormitory style building, which includes a common living area, kitchen, fire ring, and bathroom. Lodges are not air conditioned. Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies have priority for building space, but are placed in tents once buildings are filled. Older Girl Scout troops may be placed in lodges only after Daisies and Brownie troops are placed. If the leader room is full and adults must sleep in the main sleeping area, at least two unrelated adults must be present.

Platform Tent Units: Sleep in a unit of large canvas tents on wooden platforms. Each tent includes four cots and mattresses within easy access to the kitchen shelter and fire ring. Leaders stay in the unit, but in their own tent separate from the girls.

Bring Your Own Pop-Up Tents: Troops may also elect to bring their own pop-up tents to camp. Troops that use this option will still be assigned a platform tent unit, but will put up their own tents in the unit when they arrive. Please mark platform tent on your registration and write in that you’ll be bringing your own tents. Troops will have access to the kitchen shelter and fire ring of the unit they’re assigned to.

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Meals are served family style in the dining hall. Troops have the option to request cooking out over the fire.

All TAC participants (both girls and adults) must provide a current health history (within six months of dates of attendance). A physical exam is not required to be completed by a doctor.

At least one adult volunteer from every troop must hold current certification in First Aid/CPR from a nationally recognized provider of training. The troop leader serves as the primary healthcare provider to the troop.

The Health Center is in Ittmann Lodge (West). The Health Center contains basic medical equipment and a bed in an air-conditioned room. The assistant camp director oversees the Health Center. The Health Center is not staffed continuously, so if you encounter a medical condition that you cannot handle, please go to the camp office.

Medication and Treatment Policy: All adult and camper medications will be held and dispensed by the leader of each troop. During check-in, you will receive a lock-box with a combination padlock (you will also receive the combination). You must keep all medications locked in the box at all times, with the exception of inhalers and Epi-Pens (participants may keep them, to use in case of emergency). There will be an orientation to the medication procedures during the leader meeting on the first night at camp.

The troop first aider will treat all minor injuries and illnesses. During check-in, you will receive a basic first aid kit, which you should keep in your unit. In the case of minor injuries or illnesses, you should treat the participant, and then you must record the treatment in the Health Log. If you encounter a medical condition that you cannot handle, you should immediately contact a leadership team member. If a condition cannot be treated on site, the troop leader and/or camp director will contact the parents to arrange treatment and transportation for the camper.

Troop leaders accompanying the troop are responsible for maintaining Safety Activity Checkpoint ratios and adequately supervising the girls. The camp staff provides camp expertise and leadership for the program activities while Junior Instructors/CITs are on hand to assist the staff and troop leaders with activities. Troop leaders must provide supervision of girls in the below ratios.

Two adults for every:

• 12 girls entering second and third grade, and an additional adult for the next 1-6 girls (ratio is 1:6, but we always need at least 2 adults).
• 16 girls entering fourth and fifth grade, and an additional adult for the next 1-8 girls (ratio is 1:8, but we always need at least 2 adults)
• 20 girls entering sixth grade and above, and an additional adult for the next 1-10  girls (ratio is 1:10, but we always need at least 2 adults)

There must be a minimum of two adults at least 19 years in age or older in attendance with every troop at TAC at all times. These required adults attend camp without paying a fee. Any adult attending who is not required to fulfill Safety Activity Checkpoint ratios must pay the full cost. The priority is to accommodate as many girls as possible. Please limit adults to the required ratios. Arrangements can be made for girls with special needs. Adults may not bring “tag-a-longs” (adults and leader’s younger children). Attendees must be registered Girl Scouts attending camp with their troop or group.

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Rotating Adults

There must be a minimum of two adults at least 18 years in age or older (not eligible to be an Ambassador Girl Scout) in attendance with every troop at TAC at all times. These required adults attend camp without paying a fee. Any adult attending who is not required to fulfill Safety Activity Checkpoint ratios must pay the full cost. The priority is to accommodate as many girls as possible. Please limit adults to the required ratios. Arrangements can be made for girls with special needs. Adults may not bring “tag-a-longs” (adults and leader’s younger children). Adults must be registered and approved Girl Scouts volunteers attending camp with their troop or group.

Build your leadership skills at Troop Adventure Camp (TAC) by interning as a Junior Instructor (JI). Junior Instructors run many of the programs at TAC such as hikes, creeking, sling shots, tie dye, water games, messy science and much more! JI's also fill the important role of being one of the campers favorite parts about camp. You'll learn valuable leadership skills and serve as a role model to youngers campers.

Junior Instructors that are at least 16 by May 31, have the opportunity to attend American Red Cross Lifeguard training at Camp Stonybrook the week of May 25-28 free of charge. JI lifeguards will spend time at the pool guarding under the supervision of the Waterfront Manager and other lifeguards.

This is a competitive program based on applications, references, and interviews. Not all applicants may be selected. To participate in this program you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a currently registered Girl Scout in grades 9-11.
• Apply using the application (including references) below by March 31.
• Attend an interview.
• Be selected for the position.
• Attend training overnight at Camp Stonybrook from June 5-8.
• Agree to work at least two weeks over the summer.

Contact Tori Hinojosa-Houck for any questions by email.

Benefits

Junior Instructors receive a stipend for all weeks of service after the pre-camp training week:

• First-Year Junior Instructors: $50 per week
• Second-Year Junior Instructors: $100 per week
• Third-Year Junior Instructors: $200 per week

Junior Instructor Lifeguard

Must be at least 16 years old and attend and pass Lifeguard Training May 25-28 at Camp Stonybrook, which is free of charge.

Junior Instructor Behavior Expectations

All Junior Instructors are expected to abide by the following behavior expectations and must sign a behavior contract at the beginning of the summer. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action and may result in dismissal from camp.

1. I will be sensitive to the needs of each camper by performing my assigned duties, including (but not limited to) unit kapers, all-camp kapers, dining hall cleanup, leading camp activities and participating in all-camp activities.
2. I will respect the places and the people with whom I come into contact.
3. I understand that the use of alcohol, tobacco, profane language or drugs will not be tolerated and that usage during camp will result in expulsion from my appointment as a Junior Instructor.
4. I will not use cell phones while at camp.
5. I will be responsible for my personal belongings and equipment and will not hold Girl Scouts of Western Ohio or any other person responsible.
6. I will treat equipment provided by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio or any other person with care.
7. I will use any safety equipment furnished by Girl Scouts of Western Ohio for my own safety.
8. I will treat other Junior Instructors and staff members with respect, and be sensitive to their needs and feelings.
9. I will do my best to work as a team with all staff, including other Junior Instructors and staff.
10. I understand that if I do not abide by the guidelines listed above, the camp director will notify my caregivers and I will be sent home at my own expense.

Application Process

Due to space restrictions and the goals of camp, only a limited number of Junior Instructors can be accepted. Positions are competitive and based on applications, references, and interviews.1. Complete the application online, including valid email address for three references — references will be emailed this year. Submissions received after March 31 will not be considered.

2. Once your application and two references are returned to the camp director, you’ll receive a confirmation email that allows you to request an interview time slot. The interviews will be held over zoom.

3. During the interview, you should be prepared to answer questions and teach a short activity (game, nature activity, craft, or other activity) to the other participants in your interview time slot (no songs please). If you are a returning Junior Instructor, you are not required to teach a short activity. You’ll receive more specific information about the interview in the email.

4. All applicants will be notified by email regarding their acceptance. If accepted, you’ll receive a packet, including several forms to complete before arriving at pre-camp training.