GSPTC Outdoor Facilities General Information

Introduction

The Outdoor Properties Guide describes Girl Scouts, Patriots' Trail Council properties that are available for camping, meetings, and events, and includes information on reserving and using our campsites and Scout House. Patriots' Trail troops have first priority before troops for other councils. Non-profit groups and outside groups may also utilize our facilities (except for Scout Houses). All groups may submit reservation forms on opening day but Patriots' Trail troops will be placed first.

The guide does not discuss summer camp even though some of the facilities described do host summer camp.  For summer camp information, see the Camp Brochure.

To Reserve a Site (also see: Scout Houses)

For information on sites available, see the Troop Camping Site Availability List. If a site is full and you want to be placed on a wait list, please call the Registrar, Outdoor Program & Services, at the Boston office.

Submit a Campsite Reservation form by opening day of the month you wish to camp. All requests received after opening day are processed as received.
Revised Dates – effective November 1, 2006
November 1: Opening Date for March – June reservations
April 1: Opening Date for mid-August (after Summer Camp) - February reservations.

For reservations to be considered on-time for opening day, completed forms and payments due must be in the Boston office at the beginning of the business day. If the date falls on a weekend/holiday, forms will be processed on the next business day.

Complete the Campsite Reservation Form (MS Word) (PDF):

1. Review training guidelines for taking girls camping and Safety-Wise camping standards. REMINDER: Troops going camping, whether on a council or non-council owned site, must have one adult who has completed Basic Troop Camping and a separate second adult who is currently certified in First Aid/CPR.
2. Towns reserving for a Town Encampment must have a trained Encampment Director submit the reservation form and attend the encampment.
3. Select a camp and determine the number of girls and adults attending.
4. Select a cabin or tent site appropriate to the needs of your particular group.
5. Select a second choice cabin or site.
6. Pick the date you want to go.
7. Pick a second choice date (popular sites fill early, but we will try to accommodate you with another site or date if you're flexible. If neither of your choices is available, we will call you to work out alternative accommodations.)
8. For one night stays on Saturdays: Check-out time is noon, and check-in time is 1:00 PM
9. DAMAGE DEPOSIT:  Please provide a MasterCard or Visa that will be kept on file, and used only if a cleaning or damage fee is assessed. If paying by check, please submit a separate damage deposit check - $25.00 per site, $100.00 max for 4 or more sites. Checks will not be cashed, but will be held until after your camping date. All troops must complete the Check-Out sheet and return any keys borrowed. Site managers will report any damage or cleaning issues to the Registrar, Outdoor Program & Services, who will contact you before depositing your check or charging your credit card to cover any additional fees. If no issues are reported, your damage check will be returned. Encampments will continue to submit refundable damage deposits (see below)
10. Encampment Directors may continue to submit the refundable damage deposit ($25.00 per site – max $100.00) and first nights payment for all sites requested. You will be billed for any balance, payable six weeks prior to your encampment. Full fees may also be submitted.
11. Troops and groups submit completed Campsite Reservation form (MS Word | PDF) with FULL PAYMENT for your first choice site(s). Include credit card information on form or send separate checks for site fees and damage deposit, payable to Girl Scouts, Patriots’ Trail Council, and mail to 95 Berkeley St. Boston, MA. 02116

Campsite Reservation Form is available for download as a
Microsoft Word document or Adobe Acrobat pdf

REMEMBER: Complete the Troop Activity Application Form and submit to your Girl Scout Coordinator or online to the Waltham office. You must fill out this form for an activity held outside the regular troop meeting place. This clearance is necessary to ensure this activity is consistent with Girl Scout Policies and Standards. Girl Scout insurance is in effect only for approved activities with trained leaders.

Upon receipt of your Campsite Reservation Form, the Registrar, Outdoor Program & Services, will send you a site confirmation packet. The packet includes: a) a map of the site, b) Troop Camping Checkout List, c) any special instructions you may need, and d) current emergency procedures.

Open and review your acceptance material promptly and be sure to share this information with all adults who are attending the overnight. Periodic updates in policies and procedures do occur, so information may be different from the last time you used the site. Bring this information with you on your overnight.

If keys are required for your site, arrange to pick them up at either Service Center. Call ahead for hours of operation.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

To receive a refund, cancellation of a campsite reservation must be made in writing to the Patriots' Trail Boston Office four weeks before the scheduled date for troop camping overnights or six weeks prior for town encampments. If cancellation notice is not received in this timeframe, full payment is required and No Credit will be given towards future dates.

Use of Facilities by Non-GSPTC groups, Non Profit Groups, and Outside Groups

All campsites are available for rental by non-GSPTC groups, non-profit groups and outside groups. Groups are expected to be well-supervised and abide by all Girl Scouts, Patriots' Trail Council practices and procedures for camping and site use. Groups must also present a Certificate of Liability Insurance for $1,000,000 with reservation before securing a camp site. For more information, please contact the Registrar, Outdoor Program and Services at 617-350-8300 x202.

Smoking, Drugs, Alcohol and Weapons Policies for All GSPTC Facilities

In keeping with the guidelines established by Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. as written in Safety-Wise, the consumption of alcoholic beverages or drugs is not permitted by anyone who is supervising and/or transporting Girl Scouts. All adults participating in, or going on, girl program events, activities, overnights or extended trips are deemed to be engaged in supervision for the entire length thereof including hours when girls may be asleep.

In 1994 the Board of Directors of Patriots' Trail voted to "establish a non-smoking environment in and at all Girl Scout activities and sites, including transportation to and from such sites and/or activities."

No weapons are allowed on Council property.

Please advise all adults accompanying your troop or group of these policies.

Camping at a Patriots' Trail Site

The following procedures apply to all camps, but refer to your confirmation packet for specific information on your site:

If keys are required, make arrangements in advance at either the Waltham or Boston service center for pick-up and return.

You must provide your own garbage bags and leave all trash in the dumpster on the site.

Recycle or reuse items whenever possible.

Some sites have a Site Manager in residence. They are there to assist with property emergencies only. Do not depend on a Site Manager at your site to handle general requests or assist with programming.

Use only established fireplaces. Do not make new fire rings. We suggest you bring your own wood. During dry season, fires may be restricted to charcoal or propane. You will be notified if such restrictions are in effect.

No cooking equipment or supplies are available (pots, pans, wash buckets, utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.) Plan to bring your own. Some program equipment is available at some sites with advance reservation. Call your service center for more information.  Use these forms to reserve: canoes (MS Word) (PDF); snow shoes (MS Word) (PDF); cross-country skis (MS Word) (PDF)

Because of the heavy usage of our sites, parking is restricted to specified parking areas. Come prepared to carry gear to campsites. Only one vehicle allowed per site.

Telephones are for emergency use only. Call collect or use a calling card for all calls. Record all calls on the back of your Check-Out List. Calls not reported and made on your date(s) of site use will be charged to your troop.

Most camps accommodate more than one troop/group, so please be considerate of others using the site.