This can vary widely, but in general those who have an excellent experience at camp and come back for multiple summers can look like this:

• Flexible & Creative: able to change direction on a moment’s notice and carry on

• Energetic: able to sing songs, lead games, and show positivity all of the time (even when they don’t feel like it!)

• Considerate: honest and kind, keeping the children’s best interest in mind

• Love being outdoors and willing to work outdoors in the heat, humidity, and rain

Start dates vary by positions between May 22 - June 4. If you need to start later, we can work with you to get you caught up on pre-camp training. The summer season wraps up on August 11, but if you need to leave earlier, we can work with you.

We can pick you up from a local airport or train station and transport you to camp in one of our camp vehicles. We can also drop you back off there at the end of the summer.

Staff work Sunday through Friday and are off on Saturdays (with a few exceptions). On full days of work (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), staff receive 3 consecutive hours off. On one of those days, instead of 3 hours off, staff receive a night off from 6 PM - 12 PM (6 hours off).

Staff must report for duty on Sundays by 11 AM and are finished on Fridays by 6 PM. On Sundays and Fridays, staff receive 1 hour off. 

Staff are welcome to leave camp property on their time off, but must sign in and out of the camp office when they leave and return. Staff who are repeatedly late coming back from time off may have this privilege revoked. Staff need to be back with the unit, not just back on camp when their time off ends. There are several staff who do drive to camp, and staff who do not have a car on camp can make plans to try to get a ride into town on your time off. 

It is not always possible to grant additional time off, but all attempts will be made to accommodate the needs of the staff. Contact the camp director as far in advance as possible to request additional time off. Additional time off requests will be deducted from your pay.

Some positions are open to staff who want to commute. Commuter staff can expect to work no more than 35 hours per week (schedule TBD). See Positions at Camp for more information.

Most of our staff identify as female, but we have staff of other genders who work at camp as well. In a typical year, we are comprised of about 30% international staff and 70% American staff, but it's difficult to guess what those percentages will be in 2023. Many staff have previous Girl Scouting or Girl Guiding experience. 

We have a diverse team of roughly 50 individuals. Staff members have various positions and responsibilities including food service, counseling, specialty activities, unit leader (head counselors) and members of the camp leadership team. Most staff are between the ages of 18 and 30, however, there is no upper age limit. We hire individuals from across the USA and around the world. There will be international staff members, some from the local area, and some from other states in the USA. Some staff have spent many years as a camper and staff member at summer camps, and for some, this will be their first camp experience. Staff members will have diverse experiences and skills, faith, race/ethnicity, culture and have varying abilities. Be prepared to work with a wide variety of people! We expect that all staff will treat others with respect and kindness and during pre-camp training, we’ll come up with our own staff “contract” where we decide how we would like to be treated by others. 

We have a Discord server that we use to communicate with staff before and during the summer. We typically host game nights and GTKY virtual games on Discord to get to know each other once or twice a month. We may even have a weekend day in April or May where we can meet up in-person at camp and do some target sports or take a hike together!

This varies slightly depending upon your position. Everyone will spend nearly all of their time serving as a positive role model and dedicating their days to the magic of camp. If you are going to be a unit leader, unit counselor, program specialist or aquatic staff, you will spend every day working directly with to the campers. You will smile (a lot), laugh, sing, play games, follow the rules, look out for safety, plan innovative activities, listen (a lot); check to make sure each camper has plenty of water, is wearing socks and shoes and appropriate clothing, and is having a great experience; do a lot of manual jobs (cleaning, groundwork, fixing stuff, washing dishes), comforting upset campers, putting your own needs aside for others, and living in a very close environment with many other staff members. Some parts are amazing and fun! Other parts are very hard work. It is, after all, a job 😊. If you are a support staff member, you get to do these things too, but you may not work as closely with campers. 

You’ll be paid 4-5 times over the summer depending on your position. Your paycheck will be automatically loaded on to your debit card assigned by GSCNC or deposited into your bank account. Remember, there are taxes taken out of your salary, even for international staff members! 

There will be mandatory staff training from June 3, 2022 to June 10, 2022. During this session, you will learn most to everything that you need to know in order to have a fun, safe and successful summer. This is a great opportunity for you to make new friends, learn new things and help you develop you’re a solid understanding of camp life. We go over everything from a typical day at camp, to how build a campfire, even how to clean a bathroom. You will learn songs and games, how to cook a meal with a group of girls and how to coach girls who are nervous or who are sad and miss home. We do not expect you to be perfect your first week, we already know you are awesome, but we understand everyone needs practice before they can be amazing! And don’t worry, we expect you to ask a lot of questions your first weeks too! (Please do!)

You may be required to complete brief online orientation activities before you arrive at camp.

The legal age to use tobacco products or possess/consume alcohol in Virginia is 21. Smoking on camp during the summer season is strictly kept to a designated area. Smoking under the age of 21, within sight of campers, with campers, outside of the designated smoking area, or having your cigarette pack visible to camper is grounds for disciplinary action and possibly dismissal. Use of toothpaste/mouthwash and fabric deodorizer is strongly recommended after smoking, as it is unacceptable to return to work allowing staff/campers to smell the odor of smoking on your clothes and breath.

Staff who are of legal age to consume alcohol (21+) and choose to do so on their weekend off may not enter camp property (this includes camp vehicles, even as a passenger and when the vehicle is off property) under the influence of alcohol or any other substance. Any time a staff member is present on camp property, they must be fit for service. Distribution of tobacco products or alcohol to anyone on camp property, or anyone under the legal age of 21 on or off camp property will result in immediate dismissal. The possession or consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs anywhere on camp property (including private vehicles or luggage) will be grounds for immediate dismissal. Enjoy your time off within the parameters of the law 😊.

Visit our Calendar & Schedule page to find out more about a typical day/week at camp.

Camp Potomac Woods is located on the Potomac River in Loudoun County, Virginia, about 1 hour outside of Washington, D.C. It is a lovely, rural camp situated on approximately 101 acres of hilly woodland and lots of trees. Click here to see pictures of the facilities at camp. We have many nature trails running through camp which we use for hikes with the girls and this enables us to enjoy the full range of wildlife that live at the camp; including deer, raccoons, turtles, foxes, opossums, beavers, snakes, spiders, and more. Our full-time camp caretaker ensures that staff, campers, and animals are equally protected at the facilities, and that camp stays beautiful. Several major cities, including Washington, D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, and Philadelphia are easily reached within a one to two and a half-hour drive. New York City is a little over a four-hour drive.

The temperature can range from 50° F (10° C) to 95°F (35° C) over the course of the summer. At camp, we might also experience weeks with no rain, weeks with no sun, mild or severe thunderstorms, extreme dryness and/or extreme humidity! The daily temperature can change up to 40° F (15° C) in a single day. So a broad range of clothing and items to “layer” are a necessity at camp. The drastic changes in temperature are not typical weather, but they are possible, so be prepared! Usually, the temperature can get as high as the low 90’s° F (35°C) during the day and as low as the 50’s°F (10°C) during the night. The average daytime temperature is in the 80’s-90’s°F (low 30’s°C). We do have a lot of shade at camp since we have a lot of trees, and in the shade, the temperature is cooler.

We do experience thunderstorms, which can be severe. These can include heavy rain accompanied with lots of thunder and lightning. You’ll be trained on procedures for severe storms. Also, we do have the slight possibility of tornados, hurricanes and flooding, although those are rare and definitely NOT the everyday weather pattern, so don’t get too concerned about them. If we do have the threat of a tornado or other severe weather, we have a storm shelter that we can gather in and enjoy a movie or sing song and play games while we wait for the danger to pass.

View our Traditions & Programs and Camp Activities for more information. Each week will have a different theme, chosen by our program staff. Throughout the week, they will put on themed activities and staff and campers may be encouraged to dress up in costume. pick a theme, Popular theme weeks include Disney, Superheroes, Magic/Fantasy, Star Wars, Color Wars. We may also have theme meals throughout the week, where everyone’s encouraged to dress up or talk like a pirate during lunch or celebrate the theme in some other way. Additionally, throughout the summer we might have recurring theme days such as Mermaid Monday, Tie-Dye Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday, etc. Another fun camp wide event is All Camp, typically done on Tuesday evenings, these are big camp-wide games. Past examples of All Camps include Color Wars, Fourth of July Carnival, Scavenger Hunts, and Song Wars. Theme days/lunches/weeks and All Camps change every week, so they’re extra fun for staff because they tend to be out of the normal routine.

Meals are served "family-style" in the dining hall and staff are responsible for sitting at a table with campers. When staff are on duty, we expect that they eat the provided meal at a table in the dining hall with campers and model healthy eating habits. You may bring snack items for your time off. 

Additional food you bring to camp (other than for medical/cultural reasons) can be stored in the staff house fridge labeled with your name, can only be consumed on your time off, and cannot be consumed in front of campers. Do not bring any food containing nuts - we are a nut-free camp and have many campers and staff with nut allergies.

Camp food is kid-friendly and includes quesadillas, grilled cheese, mac & cheese, waffles, pancakes, stir-fry, chicken sandwiches, etc. There’s always a salad option at lunch and dinner and usually a fruit bar at breakfast. We have a 2-week meal schedule, so meals are repeated every 2 weeks.

We cannot accommodate food preferences but we can accommodate vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan diets. Everything we serve at camp is nut-free. If you have a dietary restriction and have further questions, you can discuss this with the camp director during the interview process. 

On Wednesday afternoons, we do cookouts in our units and the campers cook their own food over the campfire, like meat & veggies in a foil packet, english muffin pizzas, or tacos in a bag. On Thursday morning, campers sleep in and eat a cold breakfast usually including bagels, yogurt, and cereal. 

Don’t worry! We’re not that far out in the middle of nowhere. If you’re feeling sick, we’ll ask that you take a break and rest in the Health Center. It’s quiet and has ceiling fans, so it’s a bit cooler in there. We have a Health Director and Health Specialists at camp. They can take your vitals and evaluate whether you might need to go see a doctor. We also have a supply of over-the-counter medicine for things like coughs, allergies, or nausea. If you do need to go to a doctor, there are several urgent care facilities in town that we can take you to, to help you get back on your feet. If you get injured on camp, the health center staff are our first responders. They can start treating you and evaluate if you need further medical attention. If you need further medical attention, we can take you to the urgent care or the emergency room. 

Glen shelters (cabins) where staff and campers live do NOT have electricity, running water, or toilets.

Main buildings and the shower house have electricity and running water, along with the staff house. There are washstands in each unit that connect to a water pump, and all water that comes out of these pumps at camp is potable (drinkable) water. A few units at camp also have unit houses (small lodges) that have electricity and running water. 

We have very few flushing toilets in our bathrooms at camp, and you’ll only be using the pit latrines, affectionately known as BIFFYs (Bathrooms In the Forest For You). 

There are showers in the pool house for camper and staff use (staff do not shower while campers are showering). There are also several showers located throughout camp that are designated for staff use. 

You may bring electronics to camp to use during your time off such as cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. However, the campers are not allowed to bring these items to camp; therefore, staff are not to use these items in front of campers. Electronic smartwatches may be worn to tell time but none of the apps or electronic functions of the watch should be used in front of campers. Keep in mind that camp is not responsible for any damage to or loss of electronics and bringing these items to camp is at your own risk.

You’ll find mosquitoes, bees, wasps, spiders, ticks and poison ivy. Feel free to research in advance, and you’ll also receive training on these topics during staff session.

Campers come in every possible make and model! We serve Girl Scouts primarily between the ages of 5 and 17. These campers come from all sorts of backgrounds and experiences. They have many reasons for being at camp (lifelong dream, been here every year, parents forcing them to come, etc.). Some will be sweet and helpful, others will test you constantly, others will be sad, depressed, or clingy, some will be better at our jobs than we are, and some will go through multiple attitudes and behaviors in the short space of a session. Campers are the reason we are here, and they MUST be your primary reason for coming to camp. Some talk incessantly, some are silent, some will love you unconditionally, and others have never had a reason to trust anyone. Try not to form any ideas about what the campers will be like, as they change every day. Though we call them a “unit”, they are really a collection of amazing, unique individuals who each deserve our very best every day!

Our campers spend a week at camp, then they go home and new ones arrive. One week you might be working with 5-year-olds, the next week you might have 13-year-olds. Sometimes you’ll have a very similar age group all summer, sometimes it will change every week. You never know! But, you get to have a choice in what you are going to do. Before each week of camp, or every other week, you will rank your choices for units (camp programs) you’d like to be assigned to the next week and you will usually be assigned one of your top three. 

The term “unit” is used to describe two related things. First, referring to the “living unit”, that’s the campsite where a group is placed for the week; where 6-20 campers live along with 3-6 staff members. All the units at Camp Potomac Woods have glen shelters, also known as cabins. Click here to see pictures of the facilities/units at camp. Our living units are: Hill High, Freddie Mac, Knoll, Forest Glen, Maple Hollow, Bluff, Lost Corner, and Tulip Poplar. In each unit, there’s a shelter that provides coverage from rain and the elements and a place where the girls can work together, a campfire circle for cookouts, latrines, a washstand (sinks) and separate housing in glen shelters for girls and counselors. We are a very rustic camp - the cabins do not have electricity, air conditioning, or plumbing. The second meaning of “unit” means group or “unit” that live together at the campsite. Example: “I’m going to lead the unit back to the unit to get swimsuits!” It sounds confusing, but you’ll get the hang of it once you start using the terms daily! 

Most staff sleep in a unit/campsite, inside a rustic glen shelter on a cot with a light mattress pad.

 Almost every staff member sleeps in a glen shelter. Although staff sleep separate from campers, they are in a neighboring glen shelter in the same unit, typically the one closest to the latrines or entrance to the unit. Up to four campers will sleep in each cabin, and all cabins come equipped with metal cots and a light mattress pad. All unit staff are assigned to different units and program sessions each week or every two weeks. You’ll live in a cabin with 1-3 other staff members. Units live together based on the program for which the campers sign up. For example, all campers who registered for Outdoor Artists will stay in the same unit together. You’ll probably be assigned to move to a different unit at the end of each week, as we try to place staff in the best program for their skills and goals; AND always consider your top three choices for the next week’s placement. In addition to possibly living in a new location each week, you will most likely get a chance to work with different staff members each week. Pack light so it’s easy to move your stuff from unit to unit each week! 

Camp Potomac Woods provides a staff house for use by all staff not on duty. The staff house is equipped with electricity, running water, a kitchen, storage area, and furniture…all the comforts of home! The staff house is available for use only on your night off, weekend day off, or two hours off. Staff are responsible for keeping the staff house neat and clean, and Wi-Fi will be available but may be slow or limited to a specific number of devices at given time. The staff house is a privilege that may be taken away if abused or not maintained appropriately. It’s our place, we share it, please take care of it! 

You may keep your cell phone in your private vehicle, glen shelter, or the staff house. You may keep it in your backpack as long as it is turned off when you are on duty. Electronics may not be used in front of the campers at any time. Cell phone reception is not always reliable at camp.   

In the event of an emergency, you may use the office line: 703-777-1354. This is the main camp business line and is primarily used for communication with campers and campers’ parents. If someone calls for you, and you are not present, a message will be passed to you. To make an outgoing call that is not local, and most are not, you must have a phone card. 

You might have noticed by now that camp staff have nicknames. Girl Scout camps often have a tradition called “camp names.” Camp names are nicknames chosen by staff to put a name to their identity for the summer. They can be nearly anything that has meaning to you and represents who you are… Sparkles, Scouter, Pinky, Grumpy, Starlight, Candycane… anything, really! Just make sure that you’re okay with campers and other staff calling you by that name throughout the summer 😊. Camp names allow girls to develop a relationship with you that is more than a friend but less than that of a parent or teacher. By using a camp name, you are still an authority figure to campers, but not as intimidating as a Mr., Mrs. or Mom. Real names are used on all paperwork and official documentation.