side menu icon
camp banner

Summer Camps

During the summer, we offer a variety of ways Girl Scouts can experience the outdoors through our camp programming. By providing opportunities for girls to experience camp life on their own, we help in building girls in courage, confidence, and character. 

Camp is a safe environment that encourages leadership, imagination, and acceptance as well as a community where girls feel less at risk.

 

Why should you send your girl to camp?

Deciding your girl is ready for camp can be a difficult decision, so we want to provide some additional information about why it's a good idea to let her go to camp.

Key Benefits
Key Goals
Is your girl ready for overnight camp?

Not sure if your girls are ready for an overnight experience? Our Readiness Quizzes can help you and your families navigate your outdoor experiences.


Camp Experiences

What type of camp is right for your girl? Here's a breakdown of the different types of camp we offer in Western New York.

Day Camp

Girls of all ages can embrace their inner go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leadership skills at day camp. Our day camp program offers classic camp activities including crafts, games, and campfires. 

We have a staff-led camp at Camp Piperwood in Victor, as well as a volunteer-led camp at Camp Windy Meadows in Lockport. 

This is a volunteer-driven day camp program run by committed and experienced volunteers. The program generally runs for three weeks.

Day Camp is open to all girls grades K-12.

Meet the Camp Directors

MaryBeth_Piperwood_200
Mary Elizabeth Sullivan, AKA MB, Camp Piperwood

I have over 30 years of professional camp experience, 20 of those summers have been with Girl Scouts of Western New York at various camps. I have had the privilege of working at Camp Beach-Wood, Camp Seven Hills, and I am currently at Camp Piperwood as Camp Director.   

In addition to camp, I have been a teacher/principal at the elementary/middle school level for 35 years. I received my Bachelor of Science from the State University at Fredonia and my Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from the State University at Brockport. I am also a former Girl Scout troop co-leader and service unit cookie chair.  These experiences bring a wealth of knowledge to share with the girls at summer camp! 

In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, reading, sports and Broadway musicals.

Linda_Windy Meadows_200
Linda Zakrzewski, AKA Captain Z, Camp Windy Meadows

I have been the camp director at Windy for five summers since 2015. I have a team of amazing volunteers that consists of moms, leaders, high school Girl Scouts, and avid outdoors enthusiasts who love to help out at camp. 

Along with being a camp director, I am a troop leader, service unit manager, and SUCO director. Outside of camp I enjoy time with my family and friends. My bucket list in life is to visit all 63 of the National Parks. I feel very strongly that Girl Scouts, especially outdoor programing, is essential in empowering girls.

At Camp Windy Meadows we strive to build confidence in our girls and teach them strong leadership skills. I am looking forward to another fun and exciting summer at Camp Windy Meadows. 

jo_pic
Joanne Nelson, AKA Jo, Horton Hill Day Camp

I am returning to my camp directing roots as the director for the new volunteer Day Camp at Horton Hill. I was the second camp director of Camp Timbercrest and am a Girl Scout Lifetime member with 70 years of active membership. I was the Director of Camping Services and Field Executive for the legacy Chautauqua Area Girl Scout Council and after that an active volunteer serving on a variety of committees and as an outdoor trainer. I am the retired executive director of the Chautauqua Blind Association.
I am passionate about helping to make sure that Girl Scouting is maintained in western New York so that girls today will have the opportunity to become women who have positive impact on whatever community they live in. I believe that day camp is an important step in creating girls of courage, confidence, and character who will make the world a better place. 

Resident (Sleepaway) Camp

All resident camp programs offer swimming, boating, outdoor cooking, crafts, archery, games, horseback riding, hiking, outdoor skills, and other activities to enjoy.

Resident camp is a great opportunity for girls to make friends and gain independent living and leadership skills in a fun outdoor atmosphere with caring adult role models.

Spend a few days or a few weeks playing outside, sitting by a campfire under the stars, learning, growing, and loving the adventure at Camp Seven Hills and Camp Timbercrest!

Resident Camps are open to all girls grades 1-12. 

Meet the Camp Directors

Carolyn_Seven Hills_200
Carolyn Magner, AKA Goofy, Camp Seven Hills

I have been a Girl Scout since I was old enough to be a Brownie and began my career at camp at the age of 16. As a camper, I spent 9 summers at camp and started working at Camp Seven Hills as a kitchen aide and have held many positions leading up to my current position of Camp Director. In the summer of 2021, I was honored for 25 years on staff and this coming summer it will be 35 years total as camper and staff member of Camp Seven Hills.

I attended SUNY College at Brockport for a Bachelor of Science-Teacher Certification and Plymouth State for my Master’s Degree in Education-Adventure Education. During the year, I am a Physical Education Teacher with Greece Central School District, a position that I have held for 19 years.

The best part of camp for me is watching our Seven Hills campers learn and grow each summer and I take pride in knowing that I had a hand in helping mentor/guide some of them in becoming camp counselors of Camp Seven Hills. 

Annette_Timbercrest_200
Annette German, AKA Net, Camp Timbercrest

My very first memories of camp are from when I was 4 years old camping with my family and since then my love of all things summer camp has grown! As a native of Western New York, I have had the pleasure of working at a variety of different camps for GSWNY and I am excited to return to Camp Timbercrest as the Camp Director.

I have over 20 years’ experience working at camp and over 10 years’ experience as a teacher. I am looking forward to hearing the girls sing their favorite songs, paddle Keyser Lake, and make more memories that will last a lifetime!

Troop Camp Adventure

Although most of our summer programs are geared towards individual girl experiences, we also offer troop experiences. This adventure gives troops the opportunity to experience a taste of summer camp as a group. 

Girls and adults should be comfortable playing outside before you plan a troop camping trip. Start by exploring with a walk in a local park or an afternoon at one at one of our properties. We offer many programs throughout the year that include outdoor activities like canoeing and archery or cooking over a fire.

General Information

Girl Scout camps are open to every girl in grades K-12. Girl Scouting values inclusiveness and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or physical or developmental disability.

Girls attending Girl Scout summer camp must register as members of Girl Scouts of the USA. Our camps are ACA (American Camp Association) accredited and meet local, state and federal guidelines. Financial aid is available for all of our programs. 


Camp Locations

GSWNY Council Map

 

Questions about anything camp? Contact our Customer Care Team at customercare@gswny.org or 1-888-837-6410.