FAQ - Girls LEAD London
Q. My daughter has already attended Girls LEAD. Should she come back
A. Absolutely! The Girls LEAD program is always growing and changing, and each year includes new projects, activities, games, and concepts. Girls who return will be part of a whole new group of great people, and will be able to meet new friends! As well, young women returning to the program are able to build on their previous successes and continue to grow. </div>
Q. Do you have swimming?
A. Due to the new renovations to the Western Student Recreation Center, we are pleased to be able to offer swimming on Tuesdays with fun water days on Thursdays.
Q. Does my camper need to bring a lunch?
A. No- the cost of lunch is already included in the camp fees. At Girls LEAD, campers have the opportunity to prepare their own healthy lunches in Brescia's food labs. This is a fun experience that allows the girls to develop confidence and life skills - not to mention the food is delicious! Last year our meals included an Italian meal (spaghetti, salad, and gelato for dessert), breakfast for lunch (whole wheat French toast with berries and real maple syrup), and tacos.
Q. Do you accept campers with dietary restrictions?
A. Of course! With adequate notice, we have been able to accommodate dietary requirements such as lactose intolerance, vegetarianism, and Halal. Please send us detailed information about the foods your camper can and cannot eat, and we will ensure our meal planning reflects these needs.
Q. Do you offer bursary support for campers?
A. At Girls LEAD, we want all girls to have the opportunity to attend camp, regardless of their financial circumstances. We are able to provide camp subsidies through generous donations from the community and in partnership with Project C.A.M.P. (YMCA of Western Ontario). At Girls LEAD, we are continuously seeking out ways to support all our campers, and all bursary monies collected go directly to funding spaces for campers in need.
If you are interested in applying for a bursary, please send your request to lead@uwo.ca and we will assist you with the application process for a bursary. We are also able to work out a payment plan if that will assist you.
Q. Do you accept campers with special needs?
A. At Girls LEAD, it is our goal to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and to honour the diversity of young women. Please send us an email explaining your circumstances and we will do everything we can to accommodate you. If you have already registered your camper and would like to make us aware of unique circumstances she may be facing, this is extremely helpful to us in ensuring the program meets the needs of all participants. Campers will not be singled out because of their individual needs: instead, information will be used to better integrate them into camp activities.
Q. Do you provide early and late supervision?
A. Camp begins at 8:30am and ends at 4:30pm each day (camp programming runs from 9am-4:00pm). We are pleased to offer early and late supervision from 8:00-8:30am and 4:30-5:00pm at an additional charge of $30 per week.
Q. Can I enroll my camper in only one week of the two-week session?
A. Each two-week session is designed to be one continuous, comprehensive program. As such, we are unable to register campers for only one week.
Q. Can I enroll my camper in a session for a different age group?
A. The programming at Girls LEAD is extremely age sensitive. For this reason, we are accepting only girls going into the grades specified for each session. This will allow us to tailor our programming to the unique needs of each group.
Q. Who are the camp staff?
A. The counselors at Girls LEAD are University students who are enthusiastic, positive, and passionate about girls and their development. Each counselor goes through extensive training, is certified in First Aid and CPR-C, and has a Criminal Record check on file. Camper to counselor ratios never exceed 8:1
The counselors at Girls LEAD are not just "supervisors" or "babysitters": they are strong women who act as role models to the girls, encouraging and supporting them during their time at camp. Counselors are trained to be sensitive to each girl's unique circumstances and will strive to meet the individual needs of all campers.
Here is what the girls had to say about the 2008 staff team:
"The counselors are probably the biggest reason I want to come back. They trusted us and didn't treat us like little kids. I think they helped all of us believe in ourselves." Session 2 Camper
"The counselors were fun, really nice, always having a smile on their face when we came in at morning and out at night! They made sure we understood anything before we started games or activities. I was always looking forward to coming to Girls LEAD mainly because of the fun we had and the counselors! Great work ladies!" Session 2 Camper
"I feel that the counselors are good role models, make us feel safe, and they understand our problems and try to help." Session 3 Camper
Q. How do I submit registration and payment?
A. You can submit your completed registration form & payment by fax, by mail, or in person at Brescia's Business Office in Ursuline Hall. Visa, Mastercard, cheque, and cash are all acceptable forms of payment.
Mailing address:
Girls Lead Camp c/o Brescia University College
1285 Western Road
London, ON N6G 1H2
Fax number: 519 -858-5116.
Q. How can I contact Girls LEAD?
A. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at lead@uwo.ca or 519.432.8353x28103.
Related Links:
- Information For Parents
- Register now! Registration Form for Girls LEAD London Summer Camp
- FAQ
- Opportunities for High School Students