Noozhawk’s ParentNooz Camp Guide is officially here and we made sure to make things easy when planning your child’s summer!
To give parents the tools to help make informed decisions about Summer Camps for their kids in Santa Barbara, Noozhawk has conducted a series of interviews with representatives of local programs for this year’s Summer Camp Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Kathryn Nielsen, Director of Marketing at Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast to learn more about their summer camps here in Santa Barbara.
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast
Question: What is the name of your Summer Camp or Program?
Answer: Camp Arnaz.
Q: Describe the activities involved in your camp or program.
A: This camp is a Girl Scout camp but is open to non Girl Scout members!
Archery/BB Gun Range, Equine Center, Astronomy Center Family Camping (Outdoor Tent Camping) and more!
We have Club Passes now available and open to the community (Non Girl Scouts too!). There is the option of an Archery Pass, Astronomy Pass, BB Gun Shooting Pass, or an All-Access Pass which includes all three centers. learn more at www.girlscoutsccc.org or email info@girlscoutsccc.org.
Q: What is the age range for children in your camp or program?
A: Archery/BB Gun Range: Ages 8 and up
Astronomy Center: All ages
Camping: All ages
Equine Center: Varies by program, but we have some for Daisies-Ambassadors (K-12)
Q: How many years has the camp been running? Do you get a lot of return campers?
A: It was dedicated on November of 1982!
Yes, we have multiple groups returning yearly (Girl Scouts, other youth-serving nonprofits, and outside groups who are “regulars” and come back at least once every year!)
Q: What protocols does your camp have in place due to COVID-19? What is different about your camp this year?
A: We have a 36-acre camp, plenty of space for campers to stay socially distanced from groups outside their household. We only allow one group/cohort per campsite, and decreased capacity by 50%(as of March 2021.)
We are committed to everyone’s safety and comply with all Cal/OSHA standards, as well as guidance from the from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
Q: What goals do you have for kids participating in your camp or program?
A: The primary purpose of the Arnaz Program Center, located on 36-acres near the beautiful Ojai valley, is to serve as a platform for different age-level Girl Scout troops to engage in outdoor education, place-based learning and environmental education through a variety of activities that reflect the interests and needs of the girls and the skills and abilities of the adults who support them
Q: What makes your camp or program unique?
A: We are the only Girl Scout camp in the Central Coast area and have 4 brand new adventure centers (Archery Range, BB Gun Range, Astronomy Center, Equine Center.) This is a destination site in our own backyard that is affordable to girls and their families. Tis camp provides a safe space for girls and their families and helps alleviate some of the stress and mental health concerns from the last year.
Q: How do you hire staff for your camp and when hired, is there a training that they have to complete before the camp begins?
A: We look for individuals whose interests and passions align with our Girl Scout mission. Training is provided as part of their onboarding.
Q: What is the best part, in your opinion, about your camp or program?
A: Seeing girls develop new skills and build courage, confidence, and character in the outdoors!
Q: In what ways is your camp or program educational?
A: All programs are built around the Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) which helps girls build leadership by keeping activities girl-led, they learn by doing, and work as a team for cooperative learning.
Q: What is the price range of your camp and do you offer scholarships?
A: Family Camping is currently limited to Girl Scouts families. Reservations for later this year are on a case by case basis. Club Passes are open to both to outside people and Girl Scout members. Individuals can purchase HERE.
Camp Arnaz Programs vary from $25-$500
Camp Arnaz Reservations vary from $30-$3000 per night
We have financial assistance available for Girl Scout membership and programs (Must be a Girl Scout member to apply for Program FA, no FA for Club Passes.
Girls can also join Girl Scouts anytiem, year round by visiting our website.
Click here for more information about Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast summer camps!