Camp Whatchamacallit -PA and VIT Program
Due to the increasing interest of Girl Scouts wanting to be PA's and VIT's at our camp, we have had to change up our teen program a little. This means we have had to make this an application process. It is not first come, first serve. We will choose PAs that we feel will be the best fit for our camp. PAs who will take initiative and are excited, positive, drama free leaders/role models for our campers. PAs who represent Girl Scouting and our camp in a positive way. PAs willing to work hard with a great attitude. PAs who's goals are to provide a fun learning experience for the campers.
Not all Girl Scouts are at the same place in their journey. Some are more outgoing, more experienced, and have been PA's or VIT's for many years, some are brand new, and some are at that place in between with some stuff still to learn and/or some maturing to do. We don't want to just play a guessing game and throw them all in a unit for the week and hope for the best. We really want to try to meet the needs of this age group more. To give them all room to breathe and room to grow. This program helps us meet the needs of our PAs. Our goal is to give those who still have more to learn the opportunity to learn. Those who are still trying to find their fit and fine tune their skills, the opportunities to feel things out and try things out a little. And for those who have been at camp for years and really know their stuff, the opportunity to ROCK!
We now have 3 levels at our camp. PAs move through the levels as they prove themselves to be hard working, responsible, respectful, outgoing, flexible, and knowledgeable of day camp life.
(The names of the groups started a few years ago when our camp theme was Rockin around the USA, they sort of stuck and are still with us today!)
**NOTE: PAs will be recieving council PA certification during the Retreat**
School Band (PA)
School Band: A School Bander is an incoming 7th grader or above, that has completed council PA training and attended the retreat. They have an open mind and eagerness to learn as much as they can. They can help out with songs, games, and various camp skills. They want to work with the campers, but are not yet ready to be in charge. They are building the distinction between being a PA and being a camper, as well as their self confidence and working hard to come out of their shells. They work their way around camp experiencing a little bit of everything. They rotate around camp all week working in different units, helping with stations, or working on skills with Watermelon.
Cost to attend camp: $40.
Mark your calendars... If you are selected, please plan on attending -
1. Interviews: February 8 at Frontier Park
2. The annual PA/VIT retreat : May 2- May 3 at Camp RiverRanch
3. PA Working Day: June 20 at Frontier Park
4. Camper Check In the day before camp. We will review skills, and set up camp.
Cost to attend camp: $40.
Mark your calendars... If you are selected, please plan on attending -
1. Interviews: February 8 at Frontier Park
2. The annual PA/VIT retreat : May 2- May 3 at Camp RiverRanch
3. PA Working Day: June 20 at Frontier Park
4. Camper Check In the day before camp. We will review skills, and set up camp.
Garage Band (PA)
Garage Band: A Garage Bander has previously attended camp, completed PA training, attended the retreat, and is ready for more responsibility. They have much knowledge and experience of camp. They know songs, games, and camp skills. They work well with the campers. They shadow a Rock Star, in one unit, learning the ropes to one day lead their own unit. They are with a unit 100% of the time. These PAs will attend all leaders meetings with their Rock Star and contribute ideas for their units. They are building the self confidence in their abilities to lead a group, and master skills. They still have some things to work on to become Rock Stars, but they are a little more experienced and have earned more responsibilities around camp. Cost to attend camp $40
***We are limiting our Garage Banders this year....Potential of 1 Garage Bander per unit***
Mark your calendars... If you are selected, please plan on attending -
1. Interviews: February 8 at Frontier Park
2. The annual PA/VIT retreat : May 1 - May 3 at Camp RiverRanch
3. Planning Master Class: May 31 at Old Fashioned's
4. PA Working Day/Schedule Check In: June 20 at Frontier Park (Dog Building)
5. Leader Meeting: June 28 at Frontier Park, and meeting with your Leader and Rock Star for planning outside of this.
6. Camper Check In day before camp. We will do a run through and meet the campers.
***We are limiting our Garage Banders this year....Potential of 1 Garage Bander per unit***
Mark your calendars... If you are selected, please plan on attending -
1. Interviews: February 8 at Frontier Park
2. The annual PA/VIT retreat : May 1 - May 3 at Camp RiverRanch
3. Planning Master Class: May 31 at Old Fashioned's
4. PA Working Day/Schedule Check In: June 20 at Frontier Park (Dog Building)
5. Leader Meeting: June 28 at Frontier Park, and meeting with your Leader and Rock Star for planning outside of this.
6. Camper Check In day before camp. We will do a run through and meet the campers.
Rock Stars (VIT)
Rock Star: A Rock Star is a VIT. They have been a PA at our camp before. They are working side by side with a unit leader, and mentoring a Garage Bander. We are super confident in their leadership skills. We trust them fully with the campers. They are very knowledgeable of camp and the way it is run. They know the ins and outs of day camp. They are the PA that we can fully count on to do anything they are asked, or take initiative to help without being prompted. Their heads are full of ideas, songs, games, and lots of camping knowledge. This group is with a unit 100% of the time. These PAs will attend all leaders meetings with their adult leaders, plan activities for their units, and make decisions for their unit with their leader. and their Garage Bander These are the PAs that give us all that they've got all the time with a positive attitude. They ROCK!! Cost to attend camp is $40
***We are limiting our Rock Stars this year....1 Rock Star per unit***
Mark your calendars... If you are selected, please plan on attending -
1. Interviews: February 8 at Frontier Park
2. The annual PA/VIT retreat : May 1 - May 3 at Camp RiverRanch
3. Planning Master Class: May 31 at Old Fashioned's
4. PA Working Day/Schedule Check In: June 20 at Frontier Park (Dog Building)
5. Leader Meeting: June 28 at Frontier Park, and meeting with your Leader and Rock Star for planning outside of this.
6. Camper Check In day before camp. We will do a run through and meet the campers.
***We are limiting our Rock Stars this year....1 Rock Star per unit***
Mark your calendars... If you are selected, please plan on attending -
1. Interviews: February 8 at Frontier Park
2. The annual PA/VIT retreat : May 1 - May 3 at Camp RiverRanch
3. Planning Master Class: May 31 at Old Fashioned's
4. PA Working Day/Schedule Check In: June 20 at Frontier Park (Dog Building)
5. Leader Meeting: June 28 at Frontier Park, and meeting with your Leader and Rock Star for planning outside of this.
6. Camper Check In day before camp. We will do a run through and meet the campers.
Placement:
The level a PA is placed in depends a lot on their level of training, camping skills, knowledge, leadership skills, self confidence, self control, courage, attitude, willingness to help, reference, and how they interact with campers, fellow PA's, and leaders. It is very important to us that we place each PA where we feel they will be challenged, but still shine as bright as they possibly can.
