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Girl Scouting promises girls the opportunity to learn about and enjoy the natural world outdoors. While “going camping” is not the only way to enjoy the outdoors, it is a popular activity among girl members and always has been an integral part of the Girl Scout program.

Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc. (GS-TOP) owns and maintains an extensive array of excellent camping facilities. At camp, girls get the opportunity to progress in skill and maturity through increasing responsibility. Through outdoor programs girls acquire skills, meet challenges, gain friendships, and enjoy the sheer fun of being outdoors.

Experience in the outdoors is an important segment of Girl Scout programs and outdoor activities should be included for every grade level. The following definitions will be helpful in planning programs.

Girl Scout camping is an experience that provides a creative, educational opportunity in group living in the out-of-doors. Its purpose is to utilize Girl Scout program, trained leadership, and the resource of natural surroundings to contribute to each camper’s mental, physical, social, and spiritual growth.

Troop Camping – An overnight camping experience on Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains property planned and carried out by a troop and its leaders. Each troop going camping must have proper Safety Activity Checkpoints, adult-to-girl ratios, and at least one adult qualified to administer first aid. In addition, one adult must have completed the appropriate outdoor skills training.

Day Camping – Camping by day, usually lasting five consecutive days. Any registered Girl Scout may attend. Girls sign up as individuals. Day camping is council-sponsored on sites which may be council-owned or borrowed. Trained adult volunteers and staff provide program activities. Girl Scout Program Aides assist with program while they earn volunteer hours. For specific information, see the GS-TOP Day Camp Guide.

Resident Camping – A camping experience in which campers take up residence for three days or more at an established camp site. Girls from all parts of the council camp at established sites under the guidance of carefully trained counselors. Girls sign up as individual campers and are placed in units. Girls are grouped according to grade, experience, and program interest. Further information may be found in the GS-TOP Resident Camp Guide.

Trip Camping – Overnight or longer trip to a campsite other than GS-TOP property. The same adult training requirements apply as with troop camping. If camping at a site without water and established sanitation facilities, additional training is required. Either a Quick Trip or Extended trip packet will provide you with forms and procedures for securing Council permission to take a trip.

Day Trips to Council Sites – Troops or Girl Scout Service Units can reserve Council sites for day trips or activities.

GS-TOP Camping Facilities

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 Camp Sites

Camp Boothe Oaks near Sweetwater

Camp Rio Blanco near Lubbock

Stevens Ranch near Glen Rose

Resident Camps

Camp Kiwanis near Amarillo

Camp Timberlake near Azle

Stevens Ranch

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 modern bathhouses with showers and hot water, and a large dining facility. Available March through November. The camp is closed in winter. . 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 open September 1 through May 15 for primitive camping and day trips, and special activities that do not involve water or electricity. Resident camping is offered in the summer months. There is a Site Manager in residence on the site.

Camp Rio Blanco - located on 118 acres northeast of Crosbyton. With cabins, tents, covered wagons, primitive unit, and winterized unit houses. Also includes modern bathhouses with showers and hot water. CRB is available for primitive camping events, and Archery classes (activities that do not require electricity or water) from June 1, 2012 through August 31st, 2012.

Camp Timberlake – located 15 miles from Azle on Eagle Mountain Lake, Camp Timberlake is open September 1 through May 15 for primitive day events and special activities that do not involve water or electricity. Resident camping is offered in the summer months. The site has 120 acres with 2000 feet of lakeshore frontage. There is a part time 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 open August 15 through May 15 for troop camping, day trips, and special events. There are six developed camping units, plus sites for primitive camping. The swimming pool is open May through October (weather permitting). Resident camping is offered in the summer months. There is a Site Manager 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 will receive priority over other uses.

2. The troop is the primary setting for program delivery; August 15^th through May 15^th 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. All camp sites are reserved from May 15^th through August 15^th each year for resident camp.

4. GS-TOP camps are available for troop camping except during the Thanksgiving and winter holidays as observed

by GS-TOP.

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

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 regional 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 Cadettes, Seniors and 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 have to 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 authority to enforce council policies and procedures. They are responsible for the security of the campsite.

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

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

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 those for camping on a site other than Council property. See Safety Activity Checkpoints for 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. For reservations of camp sites, call 512-389-8900 at least 48 hours in advance. www.tpwd.state.tx.us.

*Additional camp locations can be found at www.acacamps.org/rentals/