Where will day camp be held?

Camp Guyasuta, on 23rd St ext in Sharpsburg, is located just outside of the city of Pittsburgh near the Highland Park Bridge.  This 168-acre facility is just the place for day and overnight activities.  

                                                 Driving Directions

How much does Day Camp cost?

5-DAY SESSION - FULL/CLOSED

Early Bird registration (prior to April 15)    $65
Regular registration (April 16 - May 30)    $70
Late registration (June 1 - camp)             $80

3-DAY SESSION

Early Bird registration (prior to April 15)    $45

Regular registration (April 16 - May 30)    $50

Late registration (June 1 - camp)             $60

There is no charge for adults attending camp.
Downloadable copy of the Individual Registration form will be on the registration page, linked at the left.

How will my son get to camp?
Parents/guardians are responsible for providing transportation to and from camp. Each Pack is required to provide a minimum of two-deep leadership. If your son is attending separately or if he is a Tiger Scout, you or an assigned adult will need to attend camp with him every day.

What are the times Day Camp operates?
A typical Day Camp begins with registration at ~8:30 AM. Campers check-in with their unit leader and wait at the gathering point until the daily flag ceremony kicks off the day's program around 9:00 AM. Any Scout or leader who arrives late must sign-in with the Camp Director at the registration table upon arrival. 

Each day's program concludes with a closing flag ceremony between 3:30 and 4:00 PM.  The length of camp is dependant upon the number of Scouts registered. A larger enrollment will necessitate a longer day. Exact times for each of the camps will be posted before camp begins.  

Scouts must be picked up on time.  After-hours care is not provided.  Any Scout or leader who is leaving early must sign out with the Camp Director.  Scouts are not permitted to leave Guyasuta without parental permission.
 
What is the uniform for camp?
Scouts must wear their camp t-shirts everyday.  A wristband will be issued to anyone not wearing the camp t-shirt.  Wristbands and/or camp t-shirts are required so that camp staff can distinguish between Day Camp participants and non-participants in camp.  Adults are also required to wear either camp t-shirts, if purchased, or wristbands. Scouts and adults who are issued a wristband are expected to keep the same band on their wrist all week. 

Each Scout is expected to wear his neckerchief/totem once it is made. Neckerchiefs will be kept at camp during the week. Each Scout will get his neckerchief from his unit leader in the morning, and turn it in to the leader at the end of the day. The leaders should leave the neckerchiefs/totems at camp along with the swim tags and schedules in their unit packet until the Scouts take them home at the end of camp.

What is the Camp Medical Form and photo release form?
Each scout and leader/volunteer must turn in a copy of the Boy Scouts of America Medical Form.  This is to make sure that in the event of an emergency, proper medical care and emergency notifications can be made in a timely manner.  PLEASE NOTE: BSA has revised the standard medical form again. Day Camp requires only Parts A & B of the newest form (which were parts A & C of the prior form.) It is not necessary to print all pages. The required parts must be completed and signed by the parent or guardian, including the photo release consent/non-consent. Any further sections (or Part B on the prior form -- physical requiring a doctor's signature) are NOT required for day camp. Personal Medical Records will be destroyed at the end of camp. You can download a copy of the medical form on the Medical Information and Forms page, linked at the left.

We will have some copies of the medical form at Roundtable meetings.

Every effort should be made to turn in Cub Scout/Webelos medical forms before camp begins!! It is very important that our medical staff be made aware in advance of any health issues for the camp participants. Adult and Tot Lot medical forms are welcome in advance but can be filled out upon arrival at camp if needed.

Copies of the medical form can be turned in to the Camp Director at Japeechen District Roundtable Meetings (first Wednesday of each month. April 6th at O'Hara Elementary, May 4th at O'Hara Elementary, at one of the Day Camp Mandatory Meetings on Wednesday, June 1st, pending (likely Fireman's Park in Aspinwall again [From Freeport road take Center Ave to top of hill. Turn left on River Oaks Dr. Entrance to park is on left.]), or directly to Greater Pittsburgh Council at Flag Plaza. If submitting medical forms to Council, please be sure to mark "Japeechen District Day Camp", Week 1 or Week 2 and your Pack # on the packet.

What should my son bring?

 What should my son leave at home?
Electronic devices and large amounts of money should be left home.  Pocket knives, fire-starters and matches should not be brought to camp. The scouts will be moving around all day and there are no locker facilities.  Scouts are responsible for their own possessions and each item should be labeled.  A "lost and found" box will be located near the flag post or registration table.  There is a separate "lost and found" at the pool. All items must be picked up by the end of camp.  Any items left will be donated to local charities or properly disposed.

Can my son purchase snacks at camp?
Yes, there is a trading post with snack items and Scout items. Scouts may also bring small snacks that fit in pockets or that can be placed in backpacks.  Remember that the camp does not have a refrigerator.  Also, try to encourage your son to choose healthy snacks.  Small freeze pops are provided at the end of each day for Scouts, parents and siblings who have attended Day Camp that day.

As a parent should I offer my help for a day or when available?
Yes, not only to help out the Den or Pack, but to see the great program that is offered for your Scout.  Each Pack needs to have at least two leaders present for each day of camp.  The arrangements for this are to be made by each Pack.  Leaders need to know that they will be asked to assist with monitoring Scouts in their respective Packs.  There will be a leader orientation on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 1:00 PM at Camp Guyasuta.  Leaders/volunteers must register with the Camp Director.  All leaders and volunteers must complete a Day Camp Health Record. Should you want to help by being on staff and running a station, you will need to contact Karen Brienza and you will also need to complete Youth Protection Training (available online) and fill out a Volunteer Staff Agreement form.

What is the Buddy System?
The Buddy System is a way of keeping Scouts safe.  Scouts move from one area of camp to another with their groups and Packs. However, there may be times when a Scout needs to use the restroom or has to go to another area of camp separate from the large group. When this happens, a Scout is required to have a partner.  Buddies should be assigned by leaders on the first day.  Please explain to the Scouts that the Buddy System is in place so a buddy can go get help if needed. If the Buddy System is being properly implemented, there should never be a single lost Scout; there will always be at least two Scouts together at all times. In the event of an odd number of scouts, a group of three may be assigned.  It is very important that the adults enforce the Buddy System at all times. There is also a distinct Buddy System that is used at the pool, but pool buddies are based on swimming level so a Scout's pool buddy and camp buddy may be different. 

How are Day Camp groups created? 
Whether Scouts register for camp as part of a Pack or as individuals, they are assigned to groups for camp.  There are six groups because there are six rotations (BB, Archery, Games, Program, Swimming and Crafts).  Packs are kept together so that Pack leaders/volunteers know the Scouts they are supervising.  The size of groups depends upon the number of Scouts registered for camp and the size of Packs that are assigned to groups.  Groups travel together all day and remain the same for the duration of camp.  It is important for Scouts and leaders to get to know each other during the first day. 

DAILY SCHEDULE

June 27 - July 1

MONDAY- It’s important to arrive on time or early. Cubs: come with your swim trunks already on, under your shorts, and remember to pack underwear to change into after swimming. This is the swim test day and it takes a while to test everyone. There will be no open pool time on Monday.

TUESDAY – TUESDAY and possibly FRIDAY are Creek Days. Please bring extra shoes and socks (sandals and crocs are not acceptable).

TUESDAY and WEDNESDAY – Picture days. Since Tuesday is also creek hike day, we will try to get photos before the hike any we don't get on Tues, we will take on Wednesday morning.

THURSDAY Campfire program after Lunch, 12:30-1:15. Prepare skits ahead and have them approved on Wednesday.  There is also a special program for the Webelos during their SPORTS sessions.

FRIDAY — Modified schedule; each group will have "swimming/open progam" either all morning or ALL afternoon. You may take a hike during this time. (If additional adults or visitors attend for the picnic and want to swim, the cost is $3/person.)    

FRIDAY PICNIC - Scouts are free.

Adult lunch tickets are $3.00 (We need a count by Wednesday; please pay by Friday.)

**Staff (volunteers who worked a station) and Adults who have attended all week are free. 

Tot Lot – Friday’s picnic is included in price.

July 6 - 8

WEDNESDAY - It’s important to arrive on time or early. Cubs: come with your swim trunks already on, under your shorts, and remember to pack underwear to change into after swimming. This is the swim test day and it takes a while to test everyone. There will be no open pool time on Wednesday. This is also picture day.

THURSDAY - Creek day. Please bring extra shoes and socks (sandals and crocs are not acceptable).

FRIDAY - Campfire program after Lunch, 12:30-1:15. Prepare skits ahead and have them approved on Thursday. Rita's Italian Ice will be served after the campfire. (There is no group picnic this week).

Friday will have six scheduled sessions (no extended swim time).

What is Tot-Lot?

TOT-LOT is basically babysitting for non-Scout children of parents that are attending Day Camp or children of staff. The children will make crafts, play games and have access to the pool and wading/fountain area (except on swim test days). We request that they be at least 2 years old and potty trained; infants require too much individual attention for our volunteer youth staff. All siblings of Scouts at camp, regardless of age, must remain at Tot-Lot at a cost of $5.00 per day. Siblings are not permittted to be with their parent at the stations. Parents must pick up their children at Tot-Lot during the lunch hour and before closing. A parent must be in camp to have a child at Tot-Lot. All children at Tot-Lot must submit a health form. There is swimming only in the afternoon of the first day of camp for Tot-Lot due to swim tests in the morning. Swimming (and play in the sprinkler area) will be available the other days, weather permitting, for an additional cost of $3 (purchase Pool Pass at the Camp Trading Post); please send proper clothing.

REFUND POLICY
Refunds will be made only upon written request to Greater Pittsburgh Council, and only if the cancellation is made in writing at least THREE WEEKS before your Day Camp begins.  There is an exception if your child can not attend due to a medical reason. The refund check will be made payable to the Pack and mailed to the Cubmaster. Please allow up to 60 days for your request to be processed. Registration fees are transferable between different Cub Scouts in a Den or Pack.  Also, the fees can be transferred to another Day Camp.