COLUMBUS GIRLS CAMP
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about girls camp.
Transportation & Packing
When should I arrive at camp?
Check-in starts at 10 AM on Wednesday June 18. YCLs and stake leaders will have an extra event on Tuesday. (Not decided yet)
What should I pack for camp?
There is a posted packing list in the articles section of this website with everything needed for camp.
What is a ward/branch camp song?
Each ward or branch should come to camp with a prepared song to share at camp. Smaller wards and branches can pair up with other groups. It can be any uplifting song. It does not have to be a sacred or church produced song, but it can be.
Can I use my cellphone?
Young women should leave their cellphone and similar devices with their parents/guardians before camp or with a leader. Adult leaders and the camp nurse will have their cellphone if a call is needed.
Can I drive myself to camp?
Young women should not drive themselves to camp. We strongly encourage carpooling to and from camp, as it is around a 90 minute drive from most meetinghouses.
Do ward camp directors have to stay the whole time?
Ward camp directors can switch out, leave early, and arrive late. However, wards and branches must have two adult leaders at camp everyday (with exceptions for wards/branches with five or less young women, who only need one).
Will we have prayers and devotionals?
We will pray at all meals and we will have a journaling and scripture study time every morning. Our morning meetings will include a reminder of our theme and we will sing the youth song at the morning meeting. YCLs will have devotional training on Tuesday which they will use to give devotionals in cabins before lights out every night. Friday is our spiritual day where we will have a spiritual walk and ward devotionals led by a bishopric or young women leader from each ward. Friday will also include a whole group testimony meeting and a testimony meeting within each cabin before lights out.
Do I bring my own food/snacks?
Three meals and snacks will be provided at camp with the exception of Wednesday lunch. Snacks brought by people must be kept in the lodge.
Registration & Secret Sisters
Why is registration so long now?
In previous years, the main registration form was filled out separately from the medical release form. Now, we've decided to make it accessible all in one form. This makes it easier to track down and store information. Now, we won't have the issue of people coming to camp without a proper medical release filled out. By combining every registration form, we no longer receive duplicate information (which means less questions on registration forms overall). We've also added a secret sister questionnaire to the end of the registration form. While this part is optional, it is highly encouraged and can help your secret sister give more personalized gifts.
Can I cancel my registration?​
If you have already registered and can no longer attend camp, contact columbusgirlscamp@gmail.com or the stake camp director. Your registration will be cancelled and you will no longer be on any forms or the 2025 email list.
Can I register after registration has closed?
If you would still like to register after registration has closed, contact columbusgirlscamp@gmail.com or your local leaders (ward camp director or young women presidency).
What if I need to change something on my registration forms?
If you would like to make any changes to your registration (mistake or otherwise), contact columbusgirlscamp@gmail.com or your ward camp director as soon as possible. While most changes can be made, a few changes like cabin requests, t-shirt size or YCL status may not be able to change if we are notified too late. We will always try our best to fix issues and we want the best experience for everyone at camp. The best way to get an issue addressed is to contact us directly and as soon as you find an issue.
What happens to the email addresses I submit in registration forms?
All email addresses are used to send out relevant information to parents/guardians and children. We will not carry over email addresses from past years. Emails that are sent out may include information like cabin lists, registration errors, secret sister assignments, and other important camp information. Make sure that the email addresses entered in registration are ones that are checked regularly. If you have any issues recieving emails or you would like to add an email address, contact columbusgirlscamp@gmail.com
What is secret sisters?
Like "Secret Santa," every young woman is assigned someone else in their cabin (outside of their cabin if they are a YCL). Every young woman should give and receive one gift for every day of camp. Like the name implies, young women should try to keep this a secret from who they are giving gifts to.
What should I get for secret sister gifts?
Secret sister gifts should be small gifts that young women can bring back home with them after camp. They should cost at most $5-10 dollars, but they do not need to cost any money. You will receive your secret sister assignment and her interests from the secret sister questionnaire through the email you entered in your registration form.
What if I can’t get secret sister gifts before camp?
If you cannot get gifts for your secret sister before camp, talk to your ward camp director or young woman leaders. You can also talk to your YCL or adult camp leaders after you arrive at camp.
Medical
What if I have allergies (food or other) or food restrictions?
Food allergies and restrictions entered in the registration medical form will have alternate food options at meals and snacks. Other allergies will be given to the camp nurse with the rest of the medical form. Accommodations can be made at camp for allergies.
What happens to medication?
Medications that young women are taking should be given to the camp nurse. Young women can go to the nurse station when they need to take their medication.
Cabins
How are cabins organized?
Cabins are organized first and foremost by age. Cabins will have multiple wards, but wards are mostly kept together. There are 1st-4th years (usually born 2013-2010) and YCLs (born 2009-2006). There are 6-12 girls per cabin, including 2-4 YCLs who will sleep in the same cabin as them. If young women who are old enough to be YCLs opt out, they will be put in a cabin with 4th years or someone specific that they request. Each age group will have 2-3 cabins each. Adults will have a separate cabin from the girls. Priesthood leaders will also have a separate cabin. Cabin requests will be honored first and we will try to keep requested groups together.
Will my cabin requests be fulfilled?
Can I decorate my cabin?
While it's not required, we are allowed to decorate cabins, so long as it is cleaned out completely after camp is over.