While most campers who stay at one of our camp sites adhere to our Leave No Trace ethics, we are finding that some need to be more respectful at camp.  We’re finding some things that are really disappointing.  Please review your Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting, your training materials, Keys to Group Camping and Safety-Wise.  For quick reference, here are the Leave No Trace ethics, you were taught in camp training and some specifics we’ve been finding that violates them. 

 Plan ahead and be prepared

•  Know the rules

• Dress appropriately

• Use the buddy system, no lonely travelers.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

•  Vehicles need to STAY in parking lots, you will sink if you drive off the road.

• Stay on trails when hiking

 Dispose of Waste Properly

• Empty your garbage cans

• You need to bring your own trash can liners to Wintergreen and Intergrove

• Scrap foods go in garbage, no drains or toilets or in the woods

Leave What You Find

• Leave rocks, plants and other natural object where they are, don’t throw rocks in the lake or write on trees or rocks with crayon, chalk or anything else.

•  Don’t dig trenches or build structures

Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Leave your burnt wood in the fire circle, don’t toss into the woods

• Stay with your campfire until it is out completely before leaving it.    

• Cooking on cook stoves is better for the environment (just a reminder)!

Respect Wildlife

• Observe from a distance, don’t pick up or approach wildlife, including turtles and frogs and DO NOT feed the animals

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

• Respect your sister Girl Scouts and leave the place better than you found it.  Some kids are writing (profanity even) on the walls, your sister scouts are offended.

Because the graffiti at camp is out of control in the cabins and tent units going forward action will be taken up to and including being put on a “not allowed to use our camp” listing until the troop goes and cleans it up.

Please talk to your girls before you camp and explain how important it is to live by the Girl Scout Law.