FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

WHO ARE THE VOLUNTEER STAFF WORKING AT CAMP OH AH LAY LAY?

All of our volunteer (unpaid) camp staff are over the age of 18 and are members of Girl Scouts of western WA. They all have passed background checks and have had safety training, neuro-diverse training and most have CPR/ First Aid certifications.

Although we have an incredibly thorough PA training program at Camp Oh Ah Lay Lay, all of our units are “Adult Led”, with incredible assistance by our amazing Program Aides (PA). Our camp is not a “PA Led” camp.

WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITIES WILL MY CAMPER DO AT CAMP?

Crafts, cooking, campfire, lots of singing, science experiments, gardening, leadership, archery and more! We strongly encourage our unit leaders to create crafts that are made using recycled items. You will not find “craft kits”, coloring books and “oriental trading-type” crafts here at COALL.

HOW DO YOU DIVIDE THE CAMPERS INTO UNITS?

Campers are divided into groups of approximately 8-12 kids of the same age range. We do not group by troop level (Daisy, Brownie, Junior, etc) because each troop has their own timeline of bridging and not every “Brownie” is the same age.

DOES IT MATTER IF MY BROWNIE GIRL SCOUT IS IN A UNIT WITH JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS?

No. Labels of “Daisy, Brownie, Junior, etc” do not exist at COALL. Our adult unit leaders lead to the level of age and do not determine their activity planning based on Girl Scout troop levels of Daisy, Brownie, Junior, etc.

WILL MY CAMPER BE PUT IN A UNIT WITH THEIR FRIENDS?

We understand that for some kiddos, camp can feel more “comfortable” when attended with friends or people they already know. We agree! Yet, we strongly encourage our campers to “Make new friends, but keep the old” when attending camp. We allow one or two “buddy requests” on the application form, but know that this is simply a request and that we will do the best we can to accommodate your request without compromising the dynamic of the camp unit.

WHAT IS ANOTHER AWESOME REASON YOU DO NOT ENCOURAGE GROUPS OF FRIENDS TO BE IN THE SAME UNIT AT CAMP?

Because…drama. To put it plain and simple, three’s a crowd. Also, think of the few girls in the camp unit, from a different school…or troop… without “buddies” and how they can feel inadvertently left out of a larger group of girls that already know each other. Trust us, your camper will flourish when given the space to make new friends and develop their camper persona independently.

DO YOU ALLOW BOYS AT THE CAMP?

There is a boys unit for volunteer staff kids under the age of 12. They participate in flag ceremonies, field day and all camp activities.

ARE ANY MEALS INCLUDED?

Dinner the night of your camper’s late night is included. Two snacks a day are provided. Campers must bring their own lunch. We will provide a list of all meals and snacks, sent out prior to camp.

WHAT WILL MY CAMPER BE EATING AT LATE NIGHT?

Meals will be made by our Kitchen Manager, Teddy Bear. She is certified by the GSWW to run a commercial kitchen and cook for large numbers of people. She has her WA State food handler’s permit. She is assisted by Program Aides who also ave their WA State food handler’s permits.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD ALLERGIES OR MEDICAL CONCERNS?

We take very special note of food allergies and provide safe options for late night dinner & daily snacks to make food allergy accommodations. Campers with severe food allergies are given a bracelet to wear the entire week. Severe medical conditions are closely monitored by all of our camp staff, especially your camper’s unit leader. There will be a mandatory health history form to complete upon camp registration.

HOW SAFE IS MY CHILD AT COALL?

• ALL of our teen Program Aides are Adult/Child CPR and First Aid certified, as well as most of our adult staff.

• ALL adult staff carry walkie-talkies

• ALL units are equipped with first aid kits

• ALL adult staff and PAs have been trained and are prepared for all emergencies of natural disaster, fire and intruders.

• Our COALL Archery range is staffed and provided by the very safe and highly trained people of Skookum Archers

THERE WILL BE A VERY LENGTHY AND INFORMATIVE LETTER SENT TO YOU RHOME MAILING ADDRESS ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE CAMP BEGINS. THIS LETTER WILL INCLUDE WHAT TO WEAR, WHAT TO BRING, WHAT TO EXPECT, DAILY SCHEDULES, HOW TO DROP OFF AND PICK UP FROM CAMP, WHO YOUR LEADERS ARE AND IN WHAT CAMP UNIT YOUR CAMPER IS PLACED.

QUESTION NOT ANSWERED? EMAIL: DIRECTOR@CAMPOHAHLAYLAY.COM