wny

Try S.P.P. Camping with your troop this summer

/ gswnyblog / 1 Comment

By now, you’re well aware of all the great programs we have for girls this summer at camp. Our traditional resident camp is a great way for girls to learn valuable leadership skills, make lifelong friends, and have the time of their lives. While girls in a troop can select and attend the same program, we have additional options for a group camping experience.

SpecialtyProgramsProvided (S.P.P.) Camping is a great way for troops to get the best of camping together and experience specialized programs, like ropes courses, archery, and boating. The troop leader is responsible for most camp-related considerations with GSWNY providing the specialty programs and times.

In order to host troop camp like this, leaders must have either their Level I (for lodge camping) or Level II (for cabin and tent camping) camp training. Additionally, an adult with current first aid and CPR certifications must attend.

Specifically, our camp provides the boating and archery programming while leaders provide everything else, including meals. Our lakeside facility includes a like, central dining hall, infirmary, shower house, lodges, cabins, platform tent units, and an archery area.

This summer we have two sessions available for S.P.P. Camping. Girls in grades K-12 are welcome to camp with their troops Friday, July 20, through Sunday, July 22, and Wednesday August 1, through Friday, August 3. The cost per girl is $35.

Register with your troop today!

 

Introduce your girl to camp with Mini Sessions!

/ gswnyblog / Leave a comment

Resident camp is an exciting week for many girls, but for those who are unfamiliar it can seem very intimidating. The idea of sleeping away from your family with girls you might not know well in a new place can make even the bravest girl a little unsure.

Have no fear because Camp Seven Hills is here!

We understand these fears and want to make sure your girl is completely comfortable. As an alternative to almost a full week away, we offer mini sessions.

Instead of the standard Sunday afternoon to Friday night schedule, campers join us Sunday to Wednesday. This way they can experience all the fun of camp with less time away.

For girls in grades 1-3, we offer these sessions during the final two weeks of camp, Sessions 4 and 5. You can choose to attend either July 29 to August 1 or August 5 to 8. While you’re with us, you’ll sleep in the Bunkhouse or Brownie Lodge and go swimming, play games, do arts & crafts, enjoy cookouts, and so much more! Registration deadlines are July 9 and July 23, respectively.

If your girl is in grades 4-6. she can go to abbreviated camp from July 22 to 25. Similar to the younger girls, you’ll get a taste of camp for a few days and see all the best Seven Hills has to offer. Registration deadline is July 2.

Whether you choose a mini session or all week, we can’t wait to see you at Camp Seven Hills!

Session 5 Programs

/ gswnyblog / Leave a comment

Today we’re discussing our LAST week of camp, happening Sunday, August 5, to Friday, August 10. Registration for our final session closes July 23, 2018. For more programs, visit our  Resident Camp Guide on our website.

Girls in Grades 1-3 in Fall 2018

  • It’s My First Time Mini Session – this shorter session runs Sunday to Wednesday so new camps can experience the best of resident camp for the first time. They’ll sleep in our lodges, go swimming, play games, enjoy arts and crafts. Don’t forget about cookouts!
  • Pony Pals – this is an introductory program designed to introduce girls to our horse program at Seven Hills. They’ll tour the barn, meet the horses, and start learning the basics of riding and grooming.

Girls in Grades 4-6 in Fall 2018

  • Camp Adventure G.I.R.L. – spend your week learning exactly what it takes to be a Camp Adventure Girl. You’ll learn how to create your own shelter using rope and materials you find around you, build your own fire, cook outside, pitch a tent, and practice first-aid basics. You’ll even be taught how to create a solar still to obtain potable water.
  • Climbing Masters – master all the elements of the Seven Hills Ropes Course and challenge yourself all week long! You can earn patches by completing Island in the Sky, Two-Line, Catwalk, Dangle Duo, Burma Bridge, and the Zip-Line.
  • Long Rein, Free Walk – a riding program designed for girls at all skill levels, this session is dedicated to the basics of English riding, as well as stable management. At the end of the week, girls will perform a dressage test and learn what the judges look for in their presentations.
  • Secret Agent Girl – turn your unit into your very own covert headquarters as you create secret codes to communicate with your secret agent pals. Practice your map, compass, and trail sign skills to leave clues for your fellow agents to follow on a secret mission. Plan a treasure hunt to complete your mission and save the day. At the end of the week, plan Friday’s all-camp activities for all of your fellow camp spies.
  • Seven Hills Sisterhood – You and your friends make the choices that work for you. Select your favorite programs such as sports, nature, swimming, arts and crafts, and more.

Girls in Grades 7-12 in Fall 2018

  • G.I.R.L. Tough – take being a G.I.R.L. to the next level! This program allows girls to create and plan overnight expeditions, build an outdoor obstacle course, and compete for the Tough Mudder Award in the first annual Seven Hills Mid Challenge.
  • On Belay – master your balancing and maneuvering capabilities on the Seven Hills Ropes Course. Test your skills and conquer your fears as your try elements such as Islands in the Sky, Centipede, Burma Bridge, Two-Line, Catwalk, Dangle Duo, or Zip-Line.
  • Riders Up – it doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a pro with this horse camp. Girls will learn the basics of a rider’s position and how to control their horse. They’ll work on dressage tests throughout the week while learning stable management skills, leading to a small horse presentation at the end of the week.

Register for camp today! 

Explore Our Grounds

/ gswnyblog / Leave a comment

Camp Seven Hills Goodyear is located in Holland, NY, and encompasses woodland paths, sunny meadows, ponds, streams and hills. Our facilities include a lake, pool, central dining hall, shower houses, cabin and platform tent units, a vast sports complex, horse stables and riding areas, and a high and low ropes challenge course.

Girls in grades 1-12 will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities such as swimming, boating, arts & crafts, ropes challenge course program, horseback riding, and out-of-camp trips.

This is the perfect resident camp setting for your girl(s) to meet and make new friends, learn more about her abilities, and share the joy of summer with others. Many campers return summer after summer for that “special something” they say Camp Seven Hills provides. Explore our camp themes

Register for camp today!

Check out Camp Seven Hills at one of our open houses!

/ gswnyblog / Leave a comment

We understand the importance of seeing a place before you send your girl away. You want to have all your questions answered and feel comfortable with where she’s going.

To ease your mind and introduce your girl to camp, we hold several open houses throughout the spring and summer. Join us and learn about Girl Scout camp programming while enjoying camp activities, s’mores, giveaways, and light refreshments.

Even better, this event is FREE! You can even register your girl for summer camp while you’re here (and learn about our various financial aid opportunities)

Mark your calendars for our 2018 Camp Open Houses:

Saturday, May 5: Camp Seven Hills Taste of Camp Open House, 1 p.m.

Monday, July 2: Camp Seven Hills Open House, 5 p.m.

 

Summer Camp Week is Coming!

/ gswnyblog / Leave a comment

Summer can’t get here fast enough! Everyone at Camp Seven Hills is so ready for July and camp season to officially begin. That seems far away, but fortunately Girl Scouts of Western New York is bringing us a taste of camp next month.

Summer Camp Week is an annual celebration of all things camp, and this year it’s happening April 16 to 19. Every day features another camp-focused activity leading to the first open house of the season at Camp Piperwood. Don’t forget about our first open house happening May 5!

2018 Camp Week Flyer

Monday kicks off the week with an invitation for you to go to the Buffalo, Jamestown, Lockport and Rochester locations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to share your favorite camp memories. GSWNY will display your memories and even post some on social media!

On Tuesday, you can stop by Lockport, Buffalo, or Rochester again from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to get the camp craft party started!

The next night, they’re holding a free camp webinar at 6:30 p.m. to provide some more information about camp.

Thursday they’re taking the celebration online for their annual Twitter Party! From 3 to 7 p.m. they will be tweeting with you and giving away prizes every half hour! Follow council at @girlscoutswny 🙂

Finally everything is wrapped up with the open house at Camp Piperwood! This is your chance to see the grounds, make some s’mores, take a hike, and more!

It’s going to be a great week, and we can’t wait for everyone to join in the fun with us! Speaking of fun, have you registered for camp yet? We’d love to see you at Camp Seven Hills this summer.

Camp Season is Here!

/ gswnyblog / Leave a comment

Well, maybe it’s still a few months from when we actually get to go to camp, but the Girl Scouts of Western New York are deep into our preparations. We want to make sure you have the best experience possible!

One of the ways we want to reach out to you is through Facebook, and specifically videos. Join us live in the weeks leading to camp to learn more about what sessions we’ll have this year, what you need to pack for camp, details about the grounds, and more! Let us know your questions so we can answer them!

Below is our first of the year, featuring camp lovers Susan and Gale discussing the basics of camp, like where they are, what you do at camp, the different types of camp, and much, much more!

This summer, every girl is invited to camp like a G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker and leader!

Learn more and register for camp today! https://www.gswny.org/en/camp/summer-camps.html