A Sketch of Council Facilities

Girls in Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc. are fortunate to have year-round campsites available for their use. Each of the properties is unique in providing excellent opportunities for progression in outdoor living and a wide variety of outdoor experiences.

Troop Camps

Camp Boothe Oaks near Sweetwater
Camp Kiwanis near Amarillo
Camp Rio Blanco near Lubbock
Stevens Ranch near Glen Rose

Resident Camps

Camp Kiwanis near Amarillo
Stevens Ranch near Glen Rose

Where to Go Camping

Camp Boothe Oaks – located on 73 acres 10 miles southwest of Sweetwater. Available for special events and for troop camping in cabins. It includes two cabin units, a troop lodge, modern bathhouses with showers and hot water, and a large dining facility. Camp Boothe Oaks is available for all girl and adult activities. There is a part time Camp Ranger in residence on the site.

Camp Kiwanis – a 381 acre site located 5 miles northwest of Amarillo. Camp Kiwanis is available for all girl and adult activities from September through May 15^th. Resident camping will be offered in the summer months for 2013 and 2014. There is a Site Manager/Camp Ranger in residence on the site.

Camp Rio Blanco - located on 118 acres northeast of Crosbyton. With cabins, a primitive unit, and winterized unit houses. Also includes modern bathhouses with showers and hot water. Camp Rio Blanco is available for all girl and adult activities. There is a part time Site Manager/Camp Ranger in residence on the site.

Stevens Ranch on the Brazos – located near Glen Rose on the Brazos River, Stevens Ranch has over 300 acres and is available for all girl and adult activities from September through May 15^th. There are six developed camping units, plus sites for primitive camping. The swimming pool is open May through September (weather permitting). Resident camping is offered in the summer months. There is a Site Manager/Camp Ranger in residence on the site.

Philosophy Regarding Use of Council Facilities

Since GS-TOP camps are very much in demand, it is necessary to establish priorities for the use of camps.

1.    GS-TOP camps are for girls; activities involving girls receive priority over other uses.

2.    The troop is the primary setting for program delivery; September 1 through May 15 is designated for troop camping.  Troop camping should take place when girls have been properly prepared for the experience and are old enough to carry responsibility for the tasks involved in camping. Troops are urged to follow the steps of progression and skill preparation.

3.    Stevens Ranch and Camp Kiwanis are reserved from May 15 through September 1 each year for resident camp.

4.    GS-TOP camps are available not for activities during the Thanksgiving and winter holidays as observed by GS-TOP.

5.    To support the Council’s role in providing program opportunities beyond the troop, Service Unit, council sponsored Outdoor Education, and Adult Learning opportunities may be conducted on council properties.

Sites at Council Facilities

Council sites offer a variety of camping units designed to support progression in the camping experience. Housing ranges from single lodges to cabins to platform tents to primitive sites. The overnight capacity of each facility is determined by the number of cots and/or mattresses and sanitary facilities provided. The capacities listed in the Troop Camping Application should not be exceeded.

The sites which are wheelchair accessible are noted. For specific needs and details, contact the appropriate council office.

The Outdoor Progression Chart is a guideline to the appropriateness of each unit and to aid in planning for program progression for Girl Scout Daisies to Girl Scout Ambassadors.

For safety and security reasons, the Overnight Unit Capacities must be adhered to. If an emergency occurs and evacuation is necessary, our Site Managers/Camp Rangers rely on the number of people presented at check-in. Unit capacities will be enforced. Please plan ahead so that your troop meets the guidelines.

Site Manager/Camp Ranger

The job of the Site Manager/Camp Ranger is to maintain council properties and facilities.  The Site Manager/Camp Ranger makes repairs to buildings, appliances, water systems, roads, pools, etc.  The Site Manager is the Council’s official representative on site and has the authority to enforce council policies and procedures. They are responsible for the security of the campsite.

If you encounter any difficulty while camping on council property, the Site Manager/Camp Ranger is there to help.  Do not hesitate to ask for help.

However, it is not the Site Manager’s/Camp Ranger’s job to wait on or clean up after troops.  Girl Scouts are expected to leave a campsite cleaner than they found it.

Texas State Parks/Other Campsites   

Information may not be current and should be checked before reservations are made.

To camp at these locations, follow the procedures in the Council trip packets. Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains and Girl Scouts of the USA policies must be followed regarding swimming, boating, and horseback riding and for camping on a site other than Council property. See Safety Activity Checkpoints for specific activity checkpoints.

For camping at a site with water and sanitation facilities, an appropriately trained adult must accompany the troop. For camping at a site without water and sanitation facilities, an adult trained in Primitive Camping skills must accompany the troop.

Fees, conditions and facilities vary by state park. For more information regarding Texas State Parks facilities and interpretive programs, call 800-792-1112 Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

To reserve a camp site, call 512-389-8900 at least 48 hours in advance or go online at www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

For additional camping locations go to www.acacamps.org/rentals/.