2024 FAQ's |
| Q: | How do I register for camp? |
| A: | Go to www.GSFun.org, click on camp at the top of the page, scroll down to Camp Amity Acres logo & click on 'Register now Log In'. Then you can create an account or log into your current account. If you do not have an account, click on 'Create an Account' and then follow the prompts through the registration process. If you have an account, log into your account and follow the prompts to register your camper.
If you have more than one child to register, you can register another child before proceeding to the payment page.
If you have come to camp before, simply login in to your account and make your reservations.
All registrations must be processed online. There are no paper registration forms.
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| Q: | Where can I find the necessary forms for camp? |
| A: | Forms can be completed during registration or accessed later from the Document Center located within your account. To get to the Document Center, click on the Additional Options tab from the main page of your account and choose Document Center from the menu.
Incomplete online forms will be listed in red on the Document Center page. To fill out the missing or incomplete forms, scroll down and locate the list of clickable forms on the left hand side. Downloadable info packets and forms will be listed on the right.
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| Q: | Who must pay the seasonal fee? |
| A: | All campers, girls, boys and Fireflies must pay a $40 seasonal fee. If a girl is registered as a Girl Scout for the 2023-2024 year, the fee will be applied to her camp fees.
Girls who are not registered Girl Scouts for the 2023-2024 year will then be registered as Girl Scouts
Girls ages 5-18 will be registered with our national office, Girl Scouts of the USA, as official members. This membership is valid until September 30, 2024 and allows girls to participate in Girl Scout programs and activities from the time they pay this registration fee until the end of September 2024. (Ask us for more details!)
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| Q: | Who sponsors this camp? |
| A: | Camp Amity Acres is a camp for girls operated by the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore.
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| Q: | How can I add Campfire or any other option to my child's registration? |
| A: | To add Campfire or any other option to your already existing weekly registration, please follow these quick and easy steps:
1. Go to the My Account page
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and look on the right side of the page for "Reservations"
3. Click on "Reservations"
4. Click on the binoculars for the week you would like to modify. This will take you to the Reservation Detail for that particular week. (on the Right)
5. Look for "Options" and click "Edit"
6. Add the option of your choice, click Proceed to Payment and make your payment.
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| Q: | Is there a nurse on site? |
| A: | Amity Acres Day Camp staffs a health supervisor who is CPR & First Aide certified, an EMT or a nurse. The health supervisor is responsible for informing staff of special needs, medication and managing any daily incidences that may occur. Many of our staff are first aid & CPR trained.
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| Q: | My camper came home sick - can I bring her to camp the next day? |
| A: | For the health and safety of all our campers and staff, we ask that if your child is sent home sick or is displaying symptoms such as fever or vomiting, that you please keep them home until they are symptom free without fever reducing medication for 24 hours.
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| Q: | What age does a camper need to be to attend camp? |
| A: | We welcome girls ages 3 to 15 and sibling boys ages 3 to 12.
Fireflies are our unit for girls and boys ages 3 and 4.
Our all-boy unit, is for sibling boys ages 5-12. Depending on the number of boys registered each week they are broken into 2 groups: ages 5-8 and ages 9-12.
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| Q: | What are the camp hours of operation? |
| A: | Camp begins at 9am and ends at 4pm. You can drop your camper off starting at 8:30am and pick them up starting by 3:40pm
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| Q: | What does ACA accreditation mean? |
| A: | The ACA (American Camp Association) is an independent organization of camping professionals which includes camps that have met or exceeded the highest nationally recognized standards for health, operational management, staff training and program quality in camp. Being accredited by the ACA is voluntary.
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| Q: | What happens if my camper is sick in camp? |
| A: | Our health supervisor will evaluate the camper and decide if the parent/custodial adult needs to be called and if the child needs to be taken home.
A camper exhibiting flu like symptoms will be kept comfortable until they are picked up. Campers must be free of symptoms and fever reducing drugs for 24 hours to return to camp.
For the health and safety of our campers, staff and families, please keep your camper home if they are feeling the least bit ill.
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| Q: | When is camp in session and what are the hours of camp? |
| A: | Day Camp is in session for 9 weeks, starting on Monday, June 17 and ending Friday, August 16. Camp is CLOSED Friday, June 21, 2024 in observance of Juneteenth and Thursday, July 4, 2024 in observance of Independence Day.
The camp day begins at 9am and ends at 4pm. You may sign up for as many weeks as you wish!
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| Q: | Do you have financial assistance available? How can I apply? |
| A: | Yes, we do!
A request for financial assistance may be submitted for each girl attending camp for the summer. Financial Assistance is only available for our girl campers entering kindergarten and older. The maximum award is one week of camp per girl.
To apply for financial aid, please fill out the form on this link: https://jerseyshoregirlscouts.wufoo.com/forms/camp-financial-aid-request/
You MUST include a copy of your 2023 IRS tax form (1040, 1040A, etc.) along with any related schedules. Be sure to black out all social security numbers. Without proof of income, your application cannot be reviewed.
If a girl receives free or reduced lunches you can provide a copy of the letter that grants the lunch. If a girl & her family are in the SNAP program you can provide a copy of that letter.
If you do not file taxes, please include financial documentation from an alternate source such as a social service agency, school or house of worship. A letter stating your camper receives free or reduced lunches is acceptable.
The maximum award is one week of camp per girl, however individual awards will vary based on the information you provide. The committee will review your request and notify you of their decision in a timely manner.
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| Q: | How do I register? |
| A: | Please follow this link www.gsfun.org/camp
to register. You will need to create an account if you are a new camper family. If you're a returning camper family, log into your account.
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| Q: | What is the procedure for drop off and pick up? |
| A: | We will have all campers remain in their cars until a staff member comes to the vehicle and helps the camper out of the car. Please, NO parents/guardians will leave the vehicles.
For camper pick up at the end of the day we will bring your camper to your car. We'll have rows of cars, directed to pull in the designated line, and we'll bring your camper to your car. Please have a photo ID ready for us to see.
Thank you!
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| Q: | Is there a nurse on site? |
| A: | We have a health supervisor on site. She is responsible for the health and safety of our campers and staff. She is first aid and CPR certified. She is responsible to keep our staff informed of any medical issues or health alerts our campers may have.
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| Q: | What forms do I need to fill out? |
| A: | You will need to fill out the health history, code of ethics, immunization record, tee shirt size, and camper information.
There are policies and reminders to read and check the box that you have read them, as well.
You can find them in your account. Scroll down on the front page. If it says incomplete, click on the pencil and complete the form or read the policy and click you read it.
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| Q: | Are there any extra fees? |
| A: | If you want to make a change to your campers reservation(s), there will be a $15 administrative fee after June 16, 2024.
If your campers paperwork has not been completed on line (& submitted) no later than two weeks prior to their first week of camp, there will be a $25 late fee.
If your camp week balance is not paid two weeks before the respective camp week, your account will be charged a $25 late fee.
Campers who are not registered as Girl Scouts for 2018-2019 will need to pay the $40 registration fee during checkout.
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| Q: | What is a typical day like? |
| A: | Our campers will arrive and be greeted at their car by a staff member who will help the camper out of the car. The camper will then be directed to their unit.
We begin our day with a flag ceremony and announcements. Then each group proceeds to their sites and stores their backpacks. Lunches are put in coolers with ice packs.
Each group will have three assigned activities and three activities that they choose to enjoy. Activities may include art, boating, nature, zip line, climbing wall and more.
We end our day with a flag ceremony. Then it's time for parent pick up.
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| Q: | What sanitizing procedures are you using to mitigate risk? |
| A: | This bathrooms will be cleaned at a minimum of once a day. We'll have disinfectant spray available in the bathrooms to be used often by counselors.
We'll have hand sanitizer available for each unit and at program areas.
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| Q: | Can a camper attend more than one week? |
| A: | Absolutely!
We offer 9 weeks of camp - you can register for as many as you wish!
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| Q: | How old do the campers have to be to attend? |
| A: | Our girl campers may be ages 3 to 15 years old to attend camp. While our boy campers may be 3 to 12 years old. Please note that our 3 and 4 year old campers must be fully potty-trained and are a co-ed mix; while ages entering kindergarten and up are separated.
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| Q: | Is there bus service this summer? |
| A: | We will not be able to provide bus service this summer. We apologize for the inconvenience. There is extended care available as early as 7am until 6pm daily.
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| Q: | Are there any sleepovers this summer? |
| A: | Yes, we are planning on having sleepovers this summer. We have one night sleepovers weeks 3-8 on Thursday.
Week 2 overnight will be on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.
We also have our 3-night stay during week 5.
We are so excited!
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| Q: | Do you have before & after care? |
| A: | Yes, we do.
Before care is from 7am-9am and after care is from 4pm-6pm at camp.
The fee is $25 per session. If you need both before care and after care, for all 5 camp days, we have a $175 full week option.
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| Q: | Is lunch provided in camp? |
| A: | No, lunch is not provided. Campers need to bring their lunch every day. The lunches will be stored in coolers with ice packs.
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| Q: | What happens if it rains? |
| A: | We have shelters and tents to keep us covered while spacing out comfortably and having fun! We can have campers go into the basement of the lodge in case of severe weather.
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| Q: | Where will we change for swimming? |
| A: | We have tents to change in. We ask that you send your camper in with their bathing suit under their clothes. Pack dry underwear in a zip lock baggie for them to change into after they swim.
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| Q: | How old do I have to be to work in camp? |
| A: | We hire staff starting at 16 years old.
Our 15 year olds must have successfully completed a Camp Program Aide Leadership program we offer, or an equivalent program approved by the camp administrator, and may be hired to work for 3 weeks. There area limited number of these positions available.
Anyone 16 years old or older, may apply to work by applying online at: https://jerseyshoregirlscouts.wufoo.com/forms/rhcrsus14mq0dg/
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| Q: | Do you have a multiple-night sleepover at camp? |
| A: | Yes, we have a 3 Night Stay program during week 5 and is available this summer, for girls in grades 4 and up! Girls will have a regular 9am to 4pm day on Monday. The girls return to camp Tuesday and stay over until Friday at 4pm. Meals during the stay will be prepared by/provided for all campers beginning with the Tuesday evening they are in camp. Lunch should be sent with campers on Monday and Tuesday.
Three Night Stay is its own program and must be registered for by itself - it is NOT an add-on like campfire or one-night overnight. A girl can not register for any other program such as cooking or tech camp if she registers for Three Night Stay.
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| Q: | Will you have an equestrian program? |
| A: | We will not have an equestrian program this summer.
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| Q: | Can boys come to camp? |
| A: | Yes! Boys ages 3-12 are welcome to sign up for Camp Amity Acres! Activities are separate from the girls.
Boys ages 5-8 will be in our 'just-the-boys' Shark Bait unit. Boys ages 9-12 will be in our 'just-the-boys' Rooster Den unit. Units may be combined if number of registered boy campers is low.
Boys ages 3 and 4 can join our unit for Fireflies, which is a unit specifically designed for campers ages 3 and 4 who are fully potty-trained.
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| Q: | How old do I have to be to be part of the mentoring program as a teen? |
| A: | To mentor, you must have successfully completed our Camp Program Aide Leadership Experience.
Camp Program Aide Leadership Experience is for campers entering 8th grade (or above) in September 2024. After you successfully complete this program, you may be invited to participate in the mentoring program for 2 weeks. Successful completion includes attending each day of the 2 week program.
If you completed a Teen Leadership program in previous years, you may be invited to mentor for 3 weeks, depending upon your evaluation from previous years. You can request your mentorship weeks via our website, under "Older Girl Leadership Opportunities"
While the mentorship program is free, other fees may apply such as campfire.
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| Q: | Can my daughter go to camp with her friends? |
| A: | Our camp units are separated by the grade level the camper is entering in September 2024. Our units are divided as follows (for girls):
3 & 4 years old
K -1st graders
2nd-3rd graders
4th-5th graders
6th graders
7th grade and up
Boy units in camp are separated into two units, one for ages 5-8 and one for ages 9-12. Boy units may be combined if the number of registered boys is low.
All girls and boys within the Firefly program will be together.
There is only one unit per grade level for Basic Camp, so campers within the same grade level will automatically be together.
Girls may request to move down to a younger unit but may not move to an older unit. Such requests must be made in writing by the parent making this request.. All of our activities are grade/age appropriately designed.
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| Q: | Do you have sibling discount? |
| A: | Yes, we do! This discount is for full-week session experiences and cannot be combined with any other offer.
The 1st discount is $10 off your first camper's sibling (the 2nd child registered).
The 2nd discount is $15 off your first camper's second sibling (the 3rd child registered).
Please note that if you have two children registered, only ONE may take advantage of this offer. The first child registered does not qualify for any sibling discount - only additional children. Sibling Discounts cannot be combined with any other discounts, such as Open House or Camper Reunion.
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| Q: | How many promotions/discounts can I use? What weeks can I apply them to? |
| A: | Only ONE promotion/discount per child per week may be used. You may not combine two or more discounts on one week of camp. For example, a Sibling Discount and an Open House discount cannot be used together on one camp week registration.
All discounts apply to full week Basic Camp, Boy Units and Fireflies only. The exception is the Camper Reunion discount, which applies to all programs. Discounts cannot be used on shortened 3- or 4- day reservations.
Please be sure to check off your desired discount during registration - no discounts automatically apply. Our data team will approve or deny all requested discounts.
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| Q: | Do you give refunds? |
| A: | Cancellations are refundable* if they are made before March 1, 2024. Starting March 2, 2024, a non-refundable cancellation fee of $25 for each cancelled week will be applied to your account. All payments made to camp are non-refundable after after June 1, 2024, excluding medical exceptions. In the event of camp closures for 3 or more days in a week , a 50% refund will be provided. Refunds will not be given for days missed and cannot be transferred to another week.
*With the exclusion of the seasonal fee.
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