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.

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

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

Check out the TAC activities offered at Camp Libbey and Camp Stonybrook:

Camp Libbey Troop Adventure Camp activities
Camp Stonybrook Troop Adventure Camp Activities

 

Leaders are not required to be Lodge or Troop Camp Trained to attend TAC. We do recommend that leaders new to Troop Adventure Camp sign up for the TAC Leader Webinar hosted in the spring - dates/ times TBA for 2021 and will be emailed out with your confirmation.

The webinar will be recorded and posted here.

 

2021 TAC Leader Manuals will be emailed out to registered troops. To get a feel for TAC,  you can download the 2020 editions below, keeping in mind that some things will change due to COVID-19. For more COVID-19 info check out the Common Concerns section of the website. 

Camp Stonybrook TAC Leader Manual
Camp Libbey TAC Leader Manual

Due to COVID-19 only one troop will be placed in a unit. 

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.

 

Meals at troop adventure camp will look a bit different this year. Each troop will have their own table(s) that they will use throughout the session. We are still working on the specifics but in general, this is what to expect:

GENERAL GUIDELINES:

• Campers and staff will wash and/or sanitize their hands before entering and exiting the dining hall.
• Masks will be worn inside the dining hall unless actively eating.
• Unit groups will eat each meal together and will use the same tables at each meal throughout the week.
• Maximum capacity in the dining hall will be limited; groups will enter the dining hall one group at a time and remain with their group throughout each meal.
• Alternative dining locations may be used, such as outside seating.

FOOD SERVICE:

• We are currently working with our food service company to develop guidelines. More information to come.
• We will still accommodate dietary restrictions.

CLEANING AND SANITIZING AFTER MEALS:

• Tables and chairs will be thoroughly cleaned after each meal.
• Campers and staff will wash and/or sanitize their hands before leaving the dining hall.
• All plates, utensils, and serving items will be discarded or cleaned and sanitized after each meal.

DIETARY RESTRICTIONS

If the camper has medical, religious or personal food preferences (vegetarian/vegan), make sure this is noted on the camper’s CampDoc.com profile, Camper Information/All About Me form and notify the appropriate camp office at least two weeks prior to arrival.

Some families have found it helpful to utilize the Food Allergy Action Plan resource from FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education), to help camp staff handle their camper’s food allergies and anaphylaxis emergency care. You can upload this document to CampDoc, alongside your camper’s heath form, if you choose to complete it.

Please note we are unable to ensure a dye-free diet or avoid cross contamination in the kitchen for those with very severe food allergies.

GLUTEN FREE

This is for medical needs such as wheat allergy and/or celiac disease.

What We Do at Camp: We provide a gluten free option for each meal if there is a camper with this need during a session. Campers will be instructed by their table counselor about what is wheat or gluten free. Campers will have an opportunity to access additional food for all campers and staff with special diet needs.

What Parents Can Do: Identify if your camper has an allergy or intolerance. Sometimes campers have foods they trust most or are comfort foods to them. (Example: cereal, snack treats, breads, etc.) Although we will have gluten free options available, we suggest that you pack a small bag of food that will be available to them in the dining hall. Nothing larger than a regular grocery sack is necessary. You can turn this in at check in on the first day. Food will not stay with camper in their area.

LACTOSE FREE

This is for milk allergy and lactose intolerance.

What We Do at Camp: We provide a lactose free option for each meal if there is a camper with this need during a session. Campers will be instructed by their table counselor about what is milk or lactose free. Campers will have an opportunity to access additional food for all campers and staff with special diet needs. We provide soy milk as an alternative to milk lactose. Lactose intolerance can be managed completely by camp, no additional food needs to be sent.

What Parents Can Do: Identify if your camper has a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. If your camper has a milk allergy, and there are specific brands they are most comfortable using for milk substitutes, we suggest that you pack a small bag of food that will be available to them in the dining hall. Nothing larger than a regular grocery sack is necessary. You can turn this in at check in on the first day. Food will not stay with camper in their area.

PEANUT AND/OR TREE NUT ALLERGY

What We Do at Camp: We minimize the amount of peanuts or tree nuts used at camp, however, we are not completely nut free. We only serve Wow Butter at camp, which is a peanut/nut free peanut butter substitute. Some of our snacks and items are labeled that they may be processed in with items containing nuts. These items are restricted from campers with allergies, and we make adjustments depending on the severity of the allergies in camp on a session by session basis. We practice methods to avoid cross contact any time items with nuts are used in camp.

What Parents Can Do: Identify the type of allergy your camper has and provide information on managing an allergic reaction.

OTHER FOOD ALLERGIES

What We Do at Camp: In most cases, we can make accommodations for other food allergies.

What Parents Can Do: Identify the type of allergy your camper has and provide information on managing an allergic reaction.

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
• 16 girls entering fourth and fifth grade
• 20 girls entering sixth grade and above

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.

WHO

Junior Instructors must be currently in grades 9, 10, or 11. All applicants must be registered Girl Scouts. Those who are not Girl Scouts in these positions must pay a $25 registration fee and must obtain a caregivers permission to become a Girl Scout.

WHAT

Troop Adventure Camp (TAC) provides Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors with an opportunity to participate in a progressive leadership development experience, while having fun at camp. Participants gain leadership skills that provide a valuable foundation for future academic and work related opportunities. This experience is especially useful to girls interested in being summer staff for Camp Whip Poor Will, Camp Libbey, Camp Butterworth or Camp Stonybrook.

Junior Instructors gain outdoor and recreational skills as they lead activities for younger campers and their leaders. They also serve as positive role models to younger girls throughout their camp experience.

WHEN

Junior Instructors must complete a mandatory week of pre-camp training (June 7-10), at Camp Stonybrook. Junior Instructors are not paid for pre-camp training.

Junior Instructors must agree to work at least two weeks during the summer at Camp Stonybrook TAC:

Dates:

• June 13-18
• June 20-25
• June 27 - July 2
• July 7-9 (Mini Session)
• July 12-16
• July 18-23
• July 26-30
• Aug 1-6

In addition, there are two weekend programs available:

• July 10, Me and My Guy at Camp Stonybrook
• July 24, Me and My Gal at Camp Stonybrook

BENEFITS

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

• First-Year Junior Instructors: $25 per week
• Second-Year Junior Instructors: $50 per week
• Third-Year Junior Instructors: $100 per week

JUNIOR INSTRUCTOR LIFEGUARD

Must be at least 16 years old and attend and pass Lifeguard Training June 3-6, 2021 at Camp Stonybrook, which is free of charge.

First-Year Junior Instructors (Grades 9-11)—Prerequisite: None
You learn outdoor and recreational skills, and you learn how to teach those skills to younger girls. You work directly with the troops as you pair up with experienced JIs to help lead activities.

Second-Year Junior Instructors (Grades 10-11)—Prerequisite: One year of TAC Junior Instructor experience. You learn about group dynamics and develop program-planning skills. You also become more specialized in various camp activities. You work directly with troops as you lead activities.

Third-Year Junior Instructors (Grade 11)—Prerequisite: Two years of TAC Junior Instructor experience. You develop your skills as you assume a greater leadership role at camp with younger Junior Instructors and campers. You also work closely with the program director to provide quality activities for troops.

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, 2021 will not be considered.

 

2. Once your application and two references are returned to the camp director, you’ll receive an email from the camp director to set up a zoom interview (may be a group interview).

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. 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 your confirmation letter.

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.