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Resident Camp

Camp is a place where you can feel strong and empowered by conquering challenges and caring for others. So, whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned expert seeking new adventures, we have something for you! Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana believes that getting Girl Scouts outdoors is important for their personal growth at any age.

At overnight Resident Camps (Bear Creek Aquatic Camp and Camp Pennyroyal), you might paddle across a lake, sail a boat, hike a trail, discover nature, and swim with friends when you’re not creating an artistic masterpiece or climbing through the trees in our challenge courses.

Contact camp@gskentuckiana.org or Volunteer Care at 888-771-5170 with any questions.

Scroll down to learn more about resident camp.

Camp Pennyroyal (near Owensboro, KY)

We are excited to be offering resident camp opportunities at beautiful Camp Pennyroyal again this year!

These four to six-night stays are perfect for a girl who is new to the camp experience or a seasoned veteran who wants a more compact taste of everything camp has to offer. Located south of Owensboro, Camp Pennyroyal offers campers a peaceful escape with its eight-acre lake, hiking trails, and freshwater jellyfish (don’t worry, they don’t sting). Stargaze on the dam or enjoy a campfire at the lakefront amphitheater. Camp Pennyroyal has adventures waiting around every bend.

Bear Creek Aquatic Camp (near Paducah, KY)

Resident Camp at Bear Creek is back for our more seasoned camp veterans. If you are a Junior, Cadette, Senior, or Ambassador, we have an adventure waiting for you! If you can’t get enough of camp, we have you covered with regular unit opportunities lasting between five and 12 nights. That means you get more time to cross Kentucky Lake for an overnight adventure, take an aqua fin around Girl Scout Bay as you learn new sailing skills, or learn new ways to cook outdoors.

For our Seniors and Ambassadors who dream of one day working at camp as a counselor, look into our Leadership Camp Programs. See tab below for details.

Camp Staff

Our friendly and caring staff have been trained to help you develop new skills, from tying a bowline knot to living with roommates for the first time. They are carefully selected based on their experience, ability to be strong role models, and their genuine desire to work and live by the Girl Scout Law. Some were even former Girl Scouts and campers at camp!

Interested in working at camp this summer? You must be at least 18 years old and have graduated high school. Check our Careers tab for available positions.

Leadership Camp Programs

If you think you might be interested in working for camp someday, check out our Leadership Camp Programs! Girls will learn skills needed to lead and teach younger campers in Counselor in Training I (CIT), hone skills like sailing in CIT II, and get a deeper look at what it takes to be a camp professional and run a resident camp as a Junior Counselor. At every level of the leadership continuum, girls will come away with skills applicable not only to their camp life, but leadership, communication, and job skills that will be applicable to school and future career endeavors.   

Counselor in Training: Gain leadership skills needed to join the camp counselor team. Learn skills like the levels of child development, conflict resolution, and how to lead games and songs with younger campers. Earn your CIT 1 bar and be one step closer on your journey from camper to counselor!

Counselor in Training 2: Learn and practice the skills every camp counselor needs. Build skills to work as a team through challenging activities that encourage communication and collaboration. Practice your boating skills, and work with the Program Director to put together an all-camp program,  all while earning your CIT 2 bar!

Junior Counselors: Following registration, junior counselors will be sent an interest application prior to session to help us create an individualized leadership plan for their JC session. Once the application is submitted the camp director will follow up with a phone call to and ensure junior counselors are prepared for their camp session.

Kentuckiana Credits

Kentuckiana Credits earned starting December 1, 2023 must be submitted by the payment deadline of Friday, June 2, 2023.

Transportation

Transportation is available for Bear Creek Aquatic Camp and Camp Pennyroyal from Louisville and Beaver Dam. Campers travel in comfort on motor coach buses with AC, bathroom, and movies. Round-trip cost is $100 and one-way is $50. Bus transportation may be canceled if the required minimum number of riders is not reached. You can register for the bus until the day prior to your camper’s session. On May 20, the price increases to $125 for round-trip and $80 for one-way. When you register through CampDoc you will have the option to choose if you need transportation.

Am I Ready for Camp?

Take this quiz to see if you're ready for resident camp!

Financial Assistance

Every Girl Scout should be able to make lasting memories at summer camp. Financial aid is available to ensure the same access to outdoor opportunities for all. In every instance the amount requested should reflect the true need of the family. This commitment to providing the leadership opportunities from camp experiences is made possible by the Joyce Seymour Leadership Fund, grants, and individual donors. All financial aid is contingent on dollars available.

Resident Camp financial aid applications must be received by May 19, 2023.  

To apply click here.  

FAQ

Read our FAQs

Click here.

NEW! Work at Camp

This summer, wake up every day to form amazing friendships, build concrete skills, and try daring and adventurous things. Care for campers and use your training to build courage, confidence, and character in the next generation of leaders. 

Working at camp is a real job—build your resume and have a blast!

View open positions at camp and apply here.