All about Camp Wil-LO-Linn

Day Camp Wil-LO-Linn is a Girl Scout summer day camp run entirely by volunteers.  Camp Wil-LO-Linn originated in 1992 was a spin-off of Camp Kerr, a day camp begun in the Mountain Park area of Lake Oswego in the 1960's. Our name comes from the three cities we serve regularly: Wilsonville, Lake Oswego, & West Linn here in the Portland, Oregon metro area. We are part of the local Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington Council. They have designated us Service Unit 9 within the council, but both our service unit and the camp are referred to as Wil-LO-Linn. Campers DO NOT need to be from one of our three cities to attend our camp. We welcome any Girl Scout member in our area that would like to attend!

What started as a small camp of 125 girls has now grown to accommodate more than 200 campers supported by over 90 volunteer adults, 70 Camper Aides, and vibrant Tag-Along and Boys programs serving our adult volunteers. This outdoor skills-oriented program is run entirely by adult volunteers with a desire to "help build girls of courage, confidence and character who will make the world a better place".  They are ably assisted and guided by a dynamic, trained group of older Girl Scouts - our Camper Aides who are developing their leadership skills by assisting in the planning and running of camp activities.  

Traditionally, each service unit runs a summer day camp, with different focuses. Our camp focuses on Rainbow (Outdoor) skills. The skill areas we teach each year include outdoor cooking, fire safety, knots, first aid, campsite preparation, as well as leadership.  These skills get more nuanced and harder each year, building on the year before.  Check out our Rainbow Skills progression here. (scroll down, look for the Rainbow Skills document)

Campers are placed in units by (rising) grade level. This means when registering in March or April, if your kiddos is currently in grade 3, they will be in a fourth grade unit. Yes, it's confusing, but that's the way all Girl Scouts programs are run.  We usually have at least 2 units per grade, but often many more.  Sometimes this means that campers in the same troop will be separated, but we try our best! There is a place in the registration form to request buddies.  Learn more about how buddy requests work here on our FAQs page.

We have units from first grade to sixth.  Rising 7th graders are invited to attend camp as a PAIT - a teen leader in training. PAITs get the regular camp experience - outdoor cooking, archery, songs, games, etc., but also spend a portion of their day learning how to lead the younger campers.  Learn more about PAIT stuff here.

Anyone grade 8 or above is welcome to come to camp as a teen leader (called CA) if they have done their PAIT training with us or somewhere else, and are ready to lead a unit of younger campers, or lead an activity!  The CAs run the grade level units, with assistance from a registered adult, in order to meet Girl Scout ratio. These registered adults are often the guardians or caregivers of our campers in attendance.  Adults DO NOT get to volunteer in their campers' units.  

Because we need so many adults, and in order to make volunteering more manageable, we have two bonus units. Running these bonus units allows our adult volunteers to bring their other children with them during the day, making it easier for them to volunteer. These units are Tagalongs (potty trained children to age 5) and Boys up to age 12. These bonus campers also have a full camp experience, just like our Girl Scouts.  Learn more about volunteering for camp here, plus learn about the many benefits of volunteering - including money off your camper's registration fee!

The teen CA leaders are adored and spoiled at camp - without them, we would not be able to run. CAs must be registered Girl Scouts and must have gone through PAIT training in order to lead. These leaders do the bulk of the work at camp - they run the units, they keep the kids busy, they problem solve, entertain, and teach. They are amazing!

So what do the campers do at camp? We practice our outdoor skills (each level does the skills appropriate for their level, and each year the skills get harder and more refined), sing songs, play games, do archery and slingshots, look for the camp mascot, Elfanora, in the trees, walk in the woods, do service projects, crafts, science, and generally have a blast!  

We are running a full week camp this year, Monday to Friday, with a late-night (campfire) and overnight option on Thursday night.  

Campers in 4th grade units and above are welcome to stay for the campfire and go home at 10pm.  Campers in 5th grade units and above, including CAs, are welcome to stay overnight in the meadow.  There is a $20 cost for campfire or overnight because dinner, breakfast, and snacks are provided.  

We consider the campfire and overnight a good step toward camper independence, especially if the camper has not had any previous overnight camp experience.  One night away from home (but close by) with friends to get them used to the idea.  It is especially important as our campers get older and approach their 6th grade year and Outdoor School, where they will be away from home for the week.  

Wil-LO-Linn is a NUT FREE camp.  This includes peanuts AND tree nuts.  If your camper brings an item with almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc., they may be asked to leave it at HQ to be picked up at the end of the day (and given options for replacement that are nut-free).  We understand this is difficult for our picky eaters.  Safety for our campers takes precedence, however. Please be respectful of this policy.

Most questions you or your camper may have can be answered on our Frequently Asked Questions page. Looking to help out? Check out our Volunteer page!!

 Some of the documents below might be interesting for families who are new to our camp.  They are for last summer, so some small details (bus schedules, cookshed days, etc.) have not been set yet, but it gives you a good idea of how camp runs and our camp culture.  

If you REALLY want to dig deep, download and look through our Camp Handbook below.  It's what we send our adult Volunteers before their online training, and the resource they have all week (along with schedules and updated Emergency contact info and stuff) in their unit bins at all times.