Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the frequently asked questions that many parents and campers have about Twilight Camp. If you have any questions, please email us at info@twilightcamp.org.
Q: What is the theme this year?
A: "Twilight Through the Pages" with literature-themes program areas and activities. Girls take part in outdoor activities, songs, swimming, STEM, crafts, and snacks each day. Activities are run by older girls (grades 7-12) and adult volunteers.
Q: How does my Girl Scout sign up? Does she tell her Troop Leader?
A: Register at www.twilightcamp.org. Twilight Camp is not a troop event, we have girls from different troops together, sometimes all the girls in one troop can't attend, and even troop leaders and their families have conflicts. We try to place each girl with at least one friend, if the request is mutual, but we cannot keep entire troops together. Twilight Camp is a Girl Scout experience that's independent form her Girl Scout Troop experience (though other troop members may also attend.)
Q: How much does camp cost?
A: The fee structure is based on camper or older girl position. Confidential financial assistance is available, details are on the registration page. Early Bird Registration ($5 off) runs through April 30th.
Q: What are Cookie Credits? How do we use them?
A. Cookie Credits, Juliette Program Credits, and Fall FUNds are fundraising sales rewards that can be applied toward camp registration fees. Girl Scouts can opt in to receiving these instead of the sales prizes. They're distributed electronically, you should get an email with the codes in late May. Contact your Troop Leader or Troop Cookie Manager if your Girl Scout hasn't received hers.
Q: Can we register if my Girl Scout hasn't received their Cookie Credits yet?
A: Yes! Indicate how many Cookie Credits you'll redeem, we'll follow-up and ask for the codes in May.
Q: How can I make sure my daughter is with her best friend?
A: You can't. We try very hard to place girls with friends when a reciprocal replacement request is made during registration. However, our safety ratio requirements mean we sometimes put girls in different units to distribute them evenly. We cannot keep entire troops together. Camp is also a time to make new friends - it's not logistically possible to put every girl with every request, but we will try our best.
Q: Can my Girl Scout join a friend in another Unit (group)?
A: You can put in a friend request when you register, and we do our best to honor that if it is mutual. We cannot guarantee we'll keep troops together at camp. You must stay with your Unit during camp, but there are times (like swimming) when several Units are together at once. If your friend is in another Unit, it's better to make time to see her outside of camp and make new friends in your Unit during the camp day itself.
Q: Does my daughter need to be registered with Girl Scouts to attend?
A: Yes. If you're not sure of her registration status, contact Girl Scouts of MN and WI River Valleys, www.girlscoutsrv.org, (800) 845-0787 or girlscouts@girlscoutsrv.org
Q: Can my daughter only sign up for 1-2 days and what would the cost be?
A: We do not offer partial weeks of camp. There is no price adjustment or prorated fee. She can register and miss part of camp, just let us know in advance at info@twilightcamp.org.
Q: What do we do at camp?
A: It's a day camp, we're outdoors all day at Lake Minnewashta Park doing activities, games, skills, crafts, and swimming. We don't cook out (unless we're making a small snack as an activity); each girl brings a bag dinner. Each day the girls will be at a different Site (Picnic shelter) within the park, with themed activities for that day. The order of the Site Activities changes each day, but we begin and end in a large group at the Ceremony Circle. Your actual schedule will be similar to the one below.
1:45 pm Check-in
2:00 pm Opening
2:15 pm Site Activities (Songs, Swimming, Game and Snack, Skill, Physical Activity, Brown Bag Supper, Craft)
7:00 pm Walk to Ceremony Circle
7:15 pm Closing Ceremonies
7:45 pm Camp Dismissed
Q: How long do we get to go swimming?
A: We go swimming for about 45 minutes each day, unless there is a thunderstorm or reason to not be in the water. There are changing rooms at camp. We ask campers to wear clean swimsuits under shorts/shirts and bring dry undergarments to change into after swimming. The swimming beach at Lake Minnetonka Park is staffed by professional lifeguards.
Q: What does she need to bring to camp?
A: We'll send a confirmation letter with a complete list in July. Whatever she would typically wear for a day outdoors in a park, including a brown-bag supper, a reusable water bottle, swimsuit, towel, sturdy, closed-toe shoes with socks (we walk a lot), and anything needed for the weather (camp is rain or shine). We'll send a complete checklist!
Q: Will my daughter attend with other girls in her troop?
A: Unlike a Service Unit event, Twilight Camp is considered a council event. Girls register individually rather than with their troop. Girls are placed into "Units" for the duration of camp, and we try to have at least 1 girl from her troop with her.
Q: What time is camp each day?
A: Camp will go from 2:00 -7:45 pm. Sign-in starts at 1:45 pm. Pick up is at 7:45 pm. All campers will need to be signed out (the caddie has the sign-out form) from their unit before they can leave.
Q: How early do I need to drop them off?
A: Drop off between 1:45 and 2:00 pm. Camp starts at 2:00 pm, given that there's about 200 campers being dropped off at the same time, allow 15 minutes to park, walk your child to their unit, and sign them in.
Q: My daughter plans to ride the bus that's being organized for girls from the New Brighton area.
A: We're finalizing the bus process and will send a separate communication with details.
Q: Where do I pick up my child?
A: At the Ceremony Circle (field next to camp headquarters shelter at the park.) You can sit with your child during closing at the Ceremony Hill, but you must sign your camper out at the Ceremony Circle after, so we know that you're leaving with them.
Q: Is there financial aid available?
A: Yes, confidential financial assistance is available, details are on the registration page.
Q: Who do I contact about my daughter's special needs?
A: Please email us at info@twilightcamp.org. All conversations are confidential.
Q: Is there someone to care for my 2- or 3-year-old at camp?
A: Sibling care is only available for ages 4-12 years old. Children must be 4 years old by July 15th.
Q: Why do you need adult volunteers?
A: Camp is completely run by volunteers (parents and alumna) in our community. We take time from work, family, and vacation to provide an inexpensive outdoor experience for the girls. We need adults to help run certain activities, and maintain our adult:child safety ratios.
Q: How are adult volunteers assigned?
A: We'll send a SignUp Genius form out in June with exact days, times, and volunteer opportunity, so you can select a spot that matches your availability and gifts!
Q: What do adult volunteers do?
Help chaperone the younger groups (usually grades 1-3) if needed, depending on older girl assignments. Lead the Sibling Care group of younger girls and brothers. Help proctor activities (crafts, snacks) alongside the core staff volunteers. Help with set up and take down. We'll have a list of all the opportunities posted online in June so you can pick one you'd prefer.
Q: Why is it called Twilight Camp?
A: It's called Twilight Camp because camp runs each day from early afternoon to early evening (the twilight of the day) allowing parents to volunteer without taking an entire day off work.
Are we missing a common question? Email info@twilightcamp.org and we'll add it! Thanks for suggesting it!