Refund Policy
- Written notice must be given 60 days prior to camp to be eligible for a refund.
- There will be a $25 fee for cancellations or transfers.
- A $100 cancellation fee will be applied to Travel Trips & Horse Camps canceled after registration.
Arrival and Departure
Check-in is between 3:00 p.m on Sunday. The camp gate remains closed until 3:00 p.m. If you arrive early, please wait in your vehicle. Do not exit your vehicle; check-in will be done drive-thru style, If you wish to park and walk your camper to their cabins this will be allowed. please tell them at the gate that youd like to park.
Upon gate opening, proceed up the hill to the Dining Hall. Staff will direct you from there.
Medical Check-In: All medications must be in labeled zip-lock bags with camper's name, medicine name, date, and time (e.g., breakfast, lunch, etc.). Campers will undergo a lice check, COVID screening, and temperature check. Any camper with a temp above 100.4°F will wait 20 minutes; if still high, she will not be allowed to stay.
Camper Paperwork: All forms are now digital. Visit www.GSESC.org under Camp 2026 to complete.
Luggage Drop-Off: Vehicles will proceed to luggage wagons after medical check. Staff will help load luggage. Parents should remain in their vehicles—this is the camper’s send-off point. If parking you will park after luggage drop off.
Trading Post Money & Waldo Photos: This is all done on digital form. Leftover Trading Post money will be returned as a gift certificate—no cash refunds.
Check-Out: 10:00 a.m. Friday. Please stay in your car until the gate opens. Bring a valid ID and be listed on the Camper Release form. You may assist your camper with luggage. Check for all belongings before leaving. Late pick-up fees ($25/hour) apply after 11:00 a.m.
Packing for Camp
Campers should pack or help pack their own items so they know what they have and how to repack. Label all belongings with the camper’s full name.
Recommended items to bring include:
· • Sheets, sleeping bag or blanket for a single bed
· • Pillow
· • Shorts
· • Short-sleeved shirts
· • Long pants (mandatory for horse programs)
· • Sweatshirt or light jacket
· • Swimsuit
· • Underwear (one per day plus extras)
· • Socks (one per day plus extras)
· • Pajamas or nightshirt
· • Two pairs of sturdy, closed-toed shoes (No sandals)
· • Shower shoes (for showers only)
· • Bandana, hat, or visor
· • Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, etc.)
· • Flashlight with extra batteries and bulb
· • Reusable water bottle
· • Writing supplies (paper, envelopes, stamps)
· • Bath towel, swim towel, and washcloth
· • Insect repellent (non-aerosol)
· • Raincoat or poncho
· • Sunscreen and lip balm
Archery campers may bring their own bow, which will be locked up when not in use.
Lost and Found will be near the Check-Out table. Any unclaimed items after September 1st, 2026 will be donated.
What Not to Bring
These items are not allowed at camp and will be held in the office until Check-Out:
· • Electronics (DVD players, TVs, iPods, handheld games)
Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina is not responsible for lost or confiscated items.
Cell Phone Policy
Campers may bring cell phones, which will be kept in a locked box during the day. They may use them during Rest Hour (1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Monday–Thursday) to call home.
Phones are not permitted in cabins, and usage is limited to 10 minutes. Social media, games, and internet access are not allowed. Please discuss these rules with your camper prior to camp.
Life at Camp & Kapers
Everyone at camp—including staff—shares responsibility for keeping the camp clean. Daily chores (Kapers) include sweeping cabins, tidying the Dining Hall, and participating in flag ceremonies. Working together as a team makes camp more fun!
Meals
Three balanced meals are served daily in the Dining Hall. Families may provide specific food items as needed, and a refrigerator is available. This is done through digital form.
Cabin Assignments
Campers will be assigned to their living units at check-in. Some units, such as Tall Timbers, are more primitive, as described in the camp brochure. Cabin assignments are final upon check-in, and cabin swaps are not permitted.
If campers wish to stay together, they should arrive at camp and check in together, as beds are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Each cabin has 6 beds per side, and once a camper is checked in, we will not move them to accommodate later arrivals who wish to be together.
Campers in Grades 6–9 staying in Grady Lodge will all stay together in one large room.
For troops attending together, please remind girls that there may be campers in their cabin whom they do not know. Camp is a place to make new friends, and it is important that everyone feels welcome and included. It can be very upsetting for a camper who does not know the rest of the girls if she feels left out.
If an issue of inclusion arises, the Camp Director reserves the right to adjust bed or cabin assignments. At Camp Sandy Ridge, we believe in being inclusive and creating a welcoming environment where everyone has the opportunity to build new friendships.
Discipline Policy
Campers and staff are expected to follow the Girl Scout Promise and Law. Campers must review and sign the Code of Conduct prior to camp. Violations will result in parent contact and possible dismissal without refund.
There is zero tolerance for bullying. Any camper caught bullying will be sent home immediately. Parents must provide transportation if this occurs.
Trading Post
Campers can visit the Trading Post for snacks, shirts, souvenirs, and more. Items range from $0.25 to $50.00. Money is collected via digital form, and unused funds will be returned as a gift certificate for GSESC Trading post or stores.
Walking and Exercise
Campers and staff will walk everywhere at camp. Encourage your camper to begin walking regularly before camp to build stamina. A reusable water bottle is essential. Campers will also take a swim test at camp.
Insects and Camp Life
Camp is a natural environment, so mosquitoes and insects are part of the experience. Scented products attract bugs, so please limit perfumes and use non-aerosol insect repellent. Counselors will remind campers to reapply bug spray regularly.
Bright Lights and Camp Nights
The outdoors can be very different from home—dark nights and new sounds are common. Help prepare your camper by practicing flashlight use and talking about nighttime noises. Be sure to pack extra batteries and bulbs.
Missing Home
missing Home is normal, especially for first-time campers. You can help by talking with your camper before camp about what to expect, and encouraging independence. Avoid phrases like “If you’re homesick, I’ll come get you,” as these make adjusting harder.
If your camper is struggling, staff will support her, and the Camp Director will contact you if needed.
Health Information
A completed Girl Medical History form is required for attendance. Please fill out all sections honestly and update any allergies or medications. These forms are submitted electronically.
Contacting Your Camper
Campers cannot use the phone except in emergencies. If you need to check on your camper, leave a message at 843-479-6814, and staff will return your call when available.
You may write to your camper at: MAIL TAKES 5 DAYS FROM CHARLESTON TO REACH CAMP.
Sandy Ridge
Program Name (e.g., Top Shots)
Camper’s Name
3680 Girl Scout Road
Bennettsville, SC 29512
Mail takes about 5 days from MB/Charleston. You can also email via Campermail@girlscoutsesc.org.
Additional Camper Information
If there's anything you’d like us to know about your camper—such as phobias, medical concerns, or special preferences—please note it in the Camper Information Form and contact Chuck Iler at 843-479-6814 or chuckiler@girlscoutsesc.org