The Directors are available during most weekday office hours to answer any questions you may have about the program.
Program Questions
Q: What field trips will my daughter take during the week we want to register?
A: We will be posting details on the website as they become available. Additionally, the specific schedule for the session is sent the week before camp starts with a session letter. Please contact our office for more details.
Q: How do you travel?
A: By public transportation. We love to support girl’s learning how to access the Bay Area via foot, train, bus and boat. Many former participants have communicated with us about how this encouraged them to continue to do so after camp, e.g. one girl went to a high school in San Francisco partly because she had confidence from camp, another travels all over the East Bay on her own. We meet at Cedar-Rose Park in Berkeley because it is easily accessible to both BART trains and AC Transit. From there, we travel to a pre-determined location in the East Bay or San Francisco.
Q. Can you explain how the day works?
A: Well, that depends on how far we need to travel on a particular day. We will let you know what time we need you to arrive at the park each day on the weekly schedule you get the week before camp. If the travel is far, we gather right at 8:30 to greet and talk about the day and begin walking to BART at 8:45; not so far, we gather at about 9:00. The park has a climbing structure with swings and counselors also have a variety of items, like drawing, playing cards, hoolahoops, lunasticks, and balls. Sometimes, we have a workshop at the park in yoga, sport, art, or self defense for example. For all trips, we leave with ample time to get to our destination and back to the park at the end of the day. The girls get to check out the route we will be taking, and take turns handing out and collecting BART tickets. Since we need to purchase BART tickets in advance, due to receiving significant discounts, girls do not purchase their own tickets each day. We plan a mixture of trips, some indoors, some outdoors, some with a museum like, yet interactive flavor and some more playful. During the day, we practice simple random acts of kindness and talk to the girls about what that means and ask them for ideas.
Q: Who will be working this year at the Girls on the Go! Summer Camp?
A: We will announce staff once they are hired on the staff page of our website. Stacy Raye, one of the Founding Directors, plans all aspects of the Girls on the Go! Program and enjoys visiting and hosts the Cheese Tasting Workshop. Heather Mitchell, the other Founding Director, teaches yoga and hoolahooping during some of the weeks. Both have traveled extensively, including 2 year long backpacking trips in Southeast Asia and Heather grew up in Brooklyn, NY, riding the public transit system there every day to get to her high school.
Q. Is it possible to pick up my daughter before 4:00pm?
A: The only time that would be possible is if we had a workshop at the park in the afternoon. Otherwise, we usually get back to the park right in time for the 4:00 pick-up.
Q: What is the group size?
A: Maximum group size is 22 with 2 Leaders.
Q: Do you split the group into ages?
A: No, we find that it is very nice to have a mixed age. Of course, kids naturally break down by age at times.
Q: I have a very mature 8 year old. Can she participate?
A: We usually are fairly strict about the age limit, as we already have a large age range. That said, there are some girls with late birthdays for the grade they are in (with other 9 year olds), so we are happy to accommodate in this case. Please just write a note on the form, so our office knows.
Q: How many 13 year olds do you have at camp?
A: Overall, we have fewer 13 year old girls at camp, but welcome any girl who would like to be a part, and of course, she is always free to bring a friend or two. Other ages, we tend to have a good amount of kids in each age. If you would like to check in about a particular week, feel free to call. And remember, it can be a good experience for the ages to mix.
Q: Can my 14 year old participate?
A: Sure, as long as she knows she will be with kids in the 9-13 year old age range and be positive about it. Please write a note on your form or let the office know. Often, we have had former campers who have turned 14, but still wanted to come, and it has worked out fine.
Q. Can you be reached during the day at a cell phone number?
A: Yes, 510-529-9332. We ask that campers leave theirs at home, as we are making this a cell phone free time!
Registration Details and Payment Questions
Q: I have already attended a camp in the past. Do I need to fill out a new form?
A: Not unless you have any changes you would like to make. We keep forms on file at the office.
Q: I’d like to register for Summer Camp with a credit card, but I do not have or want a PAYPAL account. What do I do?
A: It is not necessary to have a PAYPAL account in order to pay online. There will be an alternate area where you enter in your credit card information.
Q: I paid online, but did not give you much information about my child or myself. Did I miss something?
A: If you are new, we need you to fill out a form with contact information. We will send you a link to the form in your confirmation and you can find it on our website.
Q: Will I get a confirmation when your office has received my registration form?
A: Yes, we send you a confirmation e-mail or phone call ASAP, but for sure within a week of your registration. IMPORTANT: Contact our office if you do not hear from us.
Q. Does the afternoon extended care have to be reserved in advance, or can I add that later if I find out that I need it?
A: Signing up early guarantees a space, as we sometimes fill in advance. That being said, if space is available, absolutely. To register, you may call our office and sign up with a credit card, or send in a check to our office (write in note section who and what the check is for). Once camp begins, if there is still space, we offer last minute “Drop-In”. Fees are higher ($20/one day versus $65/week in adance) for this service and due on day of service. All that information will be in the parent handbook sent in May.
Q: Do you offer single day registration?
A: If spaces are available, we might consider this for return campers.
Q: Do you have a sibling discount or a multiple session discount?
A: Please check our website for the most up to date specials. We offer a variety during the pre-summer and summer season.
Q: Are you offering scholarships for the Girls on the Go! Summer Camp?
A: We do not have an official scholarship process. We are looking for one person to do work exchange-help us with shopping, laundry, other details in exchange for free camp. You must commit to helping part time for at least one month for a free month of camp. We will post more information online when it is available or call the office.
Q: Can I set up a payment plan for Summer Camp fees?
A: Yes, we are doing what we can to help make paying for camp more feasible. Please fill out this form and we almost always agree to payment proposed.
