Frequently Asked Questions
We know you have many questions before sending your child to camp. Below we've listed the more common questions we hear from parents. Have we missed something? Let us know...
My daughter is not a registered Girl Scout or she has a friend that is not a registered Girl Scout. Can they still attend Rainbow Adventure?
Any girl that wants to come to camp is welcome, even if she has no previous experience with Girl Scouts. If a camper is not already a member of Girl Scouts, she can register with Girl Scouts of Western Washington through September 30 for $25. After a girl is a registered Girl Scout, she can choose to take part in as many, or as few, Girl Scouting options that interest her.
Day Camp is a perfect way to try out Girl Scouts without making a commitment. It is a great way to meet other Girl Scouts and sometimes girls join their new friends in troops when school starts up in the fall.
Day Camp is a perfect way to try out Girl Scouts without making a commitment. It is a great way to meet other Girl Scouts and sometimes girls join their new friends in troops when school starts up in the fall.
Can my child be in the same unit as her friend?
Yes! Please indicate the buddy request when filling out the online registration form. Note that the camp buddy must also list your child as their “buddy”. We will make every effort to place buddies of the same grade level together in the same unit.
Only one buddy request is permitted; please do not request two or more buddies.
Buddy placement is not guaranteed, though we strive to organize camp so that it is the best experience for everyone!
Only one buddy request is permitted; please do not request two or more buddies.
Buddy placement is not guaranteed, though we strive to organize camp so that it is the best experience for everyone!
Why isn't my daughter in the same unit as another girl from her troop?
Our ultimate goal is to organize camp so that it is the best experience for everyone!
When more than four girls from the same troop register for camp, they may be assigned to different units at camp. This can happen for multiple reasons, but we work very hard to ensure each unit is balanced and contains a mix of campers from multiple troops, along with girls who are new to Girl Scouts.
When too many friends are placed in the same unit, sometimes that subgroup of girls can get "clique-y". They are so excited to be reunited with their buddies that they don't make the extra effort to be friendly and inclusive with girls they don't already know. If only one or two girls in a group don't have a known friend, they can easily feel left out. For similar reasons, when troop members are placed in different units, we make every effort to ensure that at least two girls from the same troop are kept together in each unit.
Other factors we consider include the total enrollment at camp, the distribution of girls across grade levels, and the maximum allowed group size for a given age group.
Don't forget: One of the best parts of camp is meeting new people and making new friends!
When more than four girls from the same troop register for camp, they may be assigned to different units at camp. This can happen for multiple reasons, but we work very hard to ensure each unit is balanced and contains a mix of campers from multiple troops, along with girls who are new to Girl Scouts.
When too many friends are placed in the same unit, sometimes that subgroup of girls can get "clique-y". They are so excited to be reunited with their buddies that they don't make the extra effort to be friendly and inclusive with girls they don't already know. If only one or two girls in a group don't have a known friend, they can easily feel left out. For similar reasons, when troop members are placed in different units, we make every effort to ensure that at least two girls from the same troop are kept together in each unit.
Other factors we consider include the total enrollment at camp, the distribution of girls across grade levels, and the maximum allowed group size for a given age group.
Don't forget: One of the best parts of camp is meeting new people and making new friends!
I would like to help, do you need volunteers?
We are always looking for volunteers! Rainbow Adventures Day Camp is a 100% volunteer-led camp and there are NO paid employees. Through volunteers like yourself, the camp is able to make a huge difference in the lives of girls who participate at camp!
Volunteers can be parents, grandparents, sisters, troop leaders, and community members. No previous knowledge of Girl Scouts is required, only a desire to have fun with the girls at camp!
All volunteers must complete a criminal background check and register with Girl Scouts of Western Washington. Before camp begins, volunteers also participate in camp planning and training to ensure a safe, exciting, educational, entertaining, all around great camp experience.
Usually girls are not placed in the same unit as a volunteer from their family, so that each girl and parent can go home telling their own amazing stories.
A Boys unit will be available for children of volunteers, for age 3 (must be potty-trained) through grade 6.
For more information, see Adult Volunteer.
Volunteers can be parents, grandparents, sisters, troop leaders, and community members. No previous knowledge of Girl Scouts is required, only a desire to have fun with the girls at camp!
All volunteers must complete a criminal background check and register with Girl Scouts of Western Washington. Before camp begins, volunteers also participate in camp planning and training to ensure a safe, exciting, educational, entertaining, all around great camp experience.
Usually girls are not placed in the same unit as a volunteer from their family, so that each girl and parent can go home telling their own amazing stories.
A Boys unit will be available for children of volunteers, for age 3 (must be potty-trained) through grade 6.
For more information, see Adult Volunteer.
What should my child wear?
- For safety, campers must wear closed-toe shoes; no open-toe sandals or flip flops.
- We spend the entire day outdoors. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing, such as a rain jacket or sweatshirt, according to the weather forecast.
- Each unit is identified by a color. All campers will wear lightweight mesh vests (provided by camp) in their unit color. If possible, wear a t-shirt or bandana that is the same color as your unit.
- Campers should turn their nametag into their Unit Leader at the end of each day. If they happen to take their nametag home, please bring it back to camp the next day.
- We follow the school district dress code policy requiring that midriffs are covered, and length of shorts to fall at least to the camper's fingertips. Thank you for supporting this policy.
What should my camper bring to camp?
A camper letter is sent closer to camp with specific details but we recommend that campers bring the following items every day:
There is no garbage pick-up at school during the summer; we must pack out all garbage each day. We are a GREEN camp; no plastic water bottles will be available. Consider a "no-litter" lunch. Replace paper and plastic (for example: napkins, wrappers, plastic drink bottles, drink boxes, and straws) with reusable lunch bags, BPA-free water bottles, and dishwasher-safe containers.
REMEMBER: Mark EVERYTHING with your camper's name!
- Reusable water bottle
- Substantial "no-litter" lunch
- Closed-toe shoes
- Sunscreen
- Daypack
- Sit-upon or small camp chair
- Unbreakable, washable plate and fork
- Hat (optional)
- A positive attitude and a smile ;-)
There is no garbage pick-up at school during the summer; we must pack out all garbage each day. We are a GREEN camp; no plastic water bottles will be available. Consider a "no-litter" lunch. Replace paper and plastic (for example: napkins, wrappers, plastic drink bottles, drink boxes, and straws) with reusable lunch bags, BPA-free water bottles, and dishwasher-safe containers.
REMEMBER: Mark EVERYTHING with your camper's name!
My daughter is a rising 6th grader. Can she still come to camp?
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Absolutely! Rainbow Adventure has two great options for a rising sixth grader:
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What should Forest Green campers plan to bring to camp?
Forest Green campers discuss their overnight packing list as part of their overall planning on the first day of camp. However, all girls should plan to bring the following for their overnight adventure:
- Mess kit (unbreakable plate, bowl, cup, and utensils)
- Dunk bag (mesh bag to dry the dishes in their mess kit)
- Outdoor sleeping bag
- Pillow (optional)
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Pajamas (no nightgowns, please)
- Extra clothing
- Flashlight
What will my child eat at camp?
Your camper must bring a hearty lunch to camp (Monday - Wednesday, Friday) as campers are very active and often need a larger lunch than usual. Thursday's activities include an all-camp lunch provided by the camp. The camp letter sent home closer to camp will include more details about the Thursday lunch. If your camper is a picky eater or has allergies, you may want to send along additional food on Thursday.
Small snacks are provided once each day but PLEASE note that these are fun snacks and only supplement a hardy meal.
Food allergies must be listed in the health history section of the Day Camp Registration form. We are always a peanut-free camp. If you have specific questions about the menu before camp begins, use the "Ask a Question" button above to contact our Cook. Our Health Supervisor will also be alerted to any potential medical concerns while your child is at camp.
Small snacks are provided once each day but PLEASE note that these are fun snacks and only supplement a hardy meal.
Food allergies must be listed in the health history section of the Day Camp Registration form. We are always a peanut-free camp. If you have specific questions about the menu before camp begins, use the "Ask a Question" button above to contact our Cook. Our Health Supervisor will also be alerted to any potential medical concerns while your child is at camp.
What are PAs?
PAs (Program Aides) are girls in 7th through 12th grade who are developing leadership skills and confidence as they learn to lead Girl Scout activities with younger girls. PAs learn to communicate clearly, teach activities, and develop an understanding of the abilities and characteristics of younger girls.
Prior to camp, our PAs have planning meetings and training meetings to help develop our week's program. At camp, our teen leaders are leading crafts, outdoor cooking, songs & games, camping skills, and much more. Each day they can expect to meet with their advisor, an adult volunteer trained to work with our teens and provide them with appropriate leadership training. They are also given a break during the day to take a breather and relax with their friends.
If you would like more information about teen leadership at Rainbow Adventure, see Teen PA.
Prior to camp, our PAs have planning meetings and training meetings to help develop our week's program. At camp, our teen leaders are leading crafts, outdoor cooking, songs & games, camping skills, and much more. Each day they can expect to meet with their advisor, an adult volunteer trained to work with our teens and provide them with appropriate leadership training. They are also given a break during the day to take a breather and relax with their friends.
If you would like more information about teen leadership at Rainbow Adventure, see Teen PA.
What will my camper do each day?
A LOT!
We start and end each day with a traditional flag ceremony. Each unit at camp has the opportunity to lead either the opening or closing flag ceremony.
Throughout the day, campers participate in a variety of stations such as knife skills, cooking, and crafts. The skills progression is developmentally appropriate at each level. A first grader will learn the proper technique to handle a knife, but will practice this new skill with a butter knife, while a fourth grader will gain experience making tinder with a pocket knife. A third grader will learn to safely light matches, but by the time she's in sixth grade she'll be challenging herself to light a one-match fire.
We are Girl-Led, so we respect the comfort level of our campers. We will encourage your daughter to try new skills, but being "challenged by choice" means she may decide she's not ready. Often seeing others successfully complete a task is all the encouragement a girl might need to give it a try herself. More often than not, our campers surprise themselves by what they are capable of!
Bridle Trails State Park is across the street, and each unit spends some time exploring the park. The girls work on two service projects during the week: a trail improvement project at Bridle Trails State Park, and a craft-based project.
Each day at camp has special and unique guest speakers and activities related to our theme. Friday afternoon is camp-wide games and silliness.
In between stations and eating great food, campers have fun with their unit. Playing games, singing songs, going on hikes, water play, or just hanging out with friends are all part of a camper's day!
We start and end each day with a traditional flag ceremony. Each unit at camp has the opportunity to lead either the opening or closing flag ceremony.
Throughout the day, campers participate in a variety of stations such as knife skills, cooking, and crafts. The skills progression is developmentally appropriate at each level. A first grader will learn the proper technique to handle a knife, but will practice this new skill with a butter knife, while a fourth grader will gain experience making tinder with a pocket knife. A third grader will learn to safely light matches, but by the time she's in sixth grade she'll be challenging herself to light a one-match fire.
We are Girl-Led, so we respect the comfort level of our campers. We will encourage your daughter to try new skills, but being "challenged by choice" means she may decide she's not ready. Often seeing others successfully complete a task is all the encouragement a girl might need to give it a try herself. More often than not, our campers surprise themselves by what they are capable of!
Bridle Trails State Park is across the street, and each unit spends some time exploring the park. The girls work on two service projects during the week: a trail improvement project at Bridle Trails State Park, and a craft-based project.
Each day at camp has special and unique guest speakers and activities related to our theme. Friday afternoon is camp-wide games and silliness.
In between stations and eating great food, campers have fun with their unit. Playing games, singing songs, going on hikes, water play, or just hanging out with friends are all part of a camper's day!
What does a typical day look like?
Here is our approximate daily schedule:
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8:30 - 9:30
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Song Corral begins at 8:30, and the Opening Flag Ceremony is at 9:00.
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9:30 - 11:30
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Units rotate through stations and activities focused on our camp theme, including games, team-building, outdoor skills, cooking, and crafts.
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11:30 - 12:30
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Eat lunch brought from home, chat with friends, and play on the playground.
Many units also use some of this time to make SWAPs. |
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12:30 - 2:30
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Units rotate through more stations and activities.
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2:45 - 3:30
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Time to clean up, along with games and songs. Closing Flag Ceremony is at 3:15.
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3:30
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"Hi, Mom & Dad! Let me tell you about the great time I had at camp!"
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What is the refund policy?
Registration fees go up on June 1 and that's when our supply purchasing begins in earnest.
If you cancel before June 1, Rainbow Adventure can refund the registration fee minus a $15 processing fee. Request for refunds must be in email to the Camp Director (rainbowadventure@outlook.com) and Camp Registrar (rainbowregistration@outlook.com).
Full refunds are not available after June 1; partial refunds may be made at the discretion of the Camp Director.
Specifically for camp cancellation in 2020, all campers will receive a full refund by mid-April, 2020. No processing fee will be applied.
If you cancel before June 1, Rainbow Adventure can refund the registration fee minus a $15 processing fee. Request for refunds must be in email to the Camp Director (rainbowadventure@outlook.com) and Camp Registrar (rainbowregistration@outlook.com).
Full refunds are not available after June 1; partial refunds may be made at the discretion of the Camp Director.
Specifically for camp cancellation in 2020, all campers will receive a full refund by mid-April, 2020. No processing fee will be applied.