Outdoor

A Girl Scout Alum Shares What Makes Camp Bothin Special

The stars at Camp Bothin are special. I would tell this to my campers on their first night with me at camp, usually as we stood in the field, breathing in the nighttime air of Marin County, looking up at the sky. The stars at Camp Bothin are special, and you can’t find them anywhere […]

How to Plan an Older Girl Camping Trip

I spent four days and three nights on a camping trip with six teenagers in the summer of 2018. Yes, I survived. Cell phone batteries died, there was no Wi-Fi, and there was a daily request from the girls to take a shower (which I politely denied). Were there ups and downs? Definitely. Did we […]

Girl Scouts Give It Their All: A Camp Leadership Story

What is a Camp Aide? I have been a Camp Aide at Oakland Girl Scouts Great Escape Day Camp for four years. Each unit has a leader and a few camp aides. The unit leader focuses on keeping activities on schedule and safety, while the Camp Aides take on the rest of the responsibility for […]

4 Tips for Winter Camping Beginners

For some, winter camping may mean watching frost form on the window from the inside of a cozy, heated hotel room. For others, it may mean packing-in supplies to camp in the snow. Despite how you and your troop plan to get outside this winter, there are some things you should know and plan for […]

6 Reasons Why Hiking is Good for Your Girl Scout Soul

John Muir once said, “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” Becoming nature deficient is easy in a world increasingly dependent on technology and convenience. However, taking time to bask in nature by hiking is an important and fun way we can get outdoors, with or without our troops. Aside from just being a […]

Why Camp Leadership Programs Rock

Eliz “Apple” Adem is the camp director of Camp Skylark Ranch. It’s where she spent a lot of time as a Girl Scout, attending Service Unit Camporees, and completing her Counselor-In-Training (CIT) Program, which inspired her to pursue her desire to work with people and help others. The CIT program helps girls build foundational career skills and learn […]

8 Outdoor Experiences for Girl Scouts in Northern California National Parks

Top outdoor experiences await Girl Scouts in our national parks. Because Northern California has so many national parks, the variety of experiences is expansive. Girl Scouts can explore ancient trees towering over trails, a volcanic mountain venting steam, and waterfalls spraying thick mist. And that’s only the start! Check out these 8 national park adventures, from snowy trails to high adventure hikes.  Walk Beneath Giant Trees  Northern California is home to some of […]

Adventure Program Requests

Request an Adventure Program! Planning a visit to our sites? Add extra fun with High Ropes, Archery or Hatchet Throwing. Whether you’re a troop, school, family, nonprofit serving youth, GSNorCal properties and facilitators are a great choice for your next trip, outing, event, program, training, or outdoor retreat! Visit our Adventure Program Website to learn more about […]

Property Reservations

Our Properties Girl Scouts of Northern California is home to eleven properties located throughout Northern California. Experience the adventure of cooking out, sleeping in a cabin or tent, gazing at the stars, or learning about nature. Each council site offers something unique, from old growth redwoods and the Pacific coast to trails that have sweeping […]

Forms for Camp

This article gives information about the registration process of our three council-run camps: Camp Sugar Pine, Camp Hidden Falls, and Camp Bothin. For information about the registration process of our volunteer-run camps, please refer to that camp’s specific website. All required forms for camp can be found in the Forms & Documents section of your […]

Council-Run Camp Registration FAQs: Camp Sugar Pine, Camp Bothin, & Camp Hidden Falls

This article gives information about the registration process of our three council-run camps: Camp Sugar Pine, Camp Hidden Falls, and Camp Bothin. For information about the registration process of our volunteer-run camps, please refer to that camp’s specific website. This article is organized by topic: REGISTRATION FAQS WAITLIST FAQS AFTER REGISTRATION FAQS RETURNING CAMPER FAQS