Turtle Island Preserve Girls Camp
** All Girls Camps for 2024 have been cancelled**
Young Girls Camp (ages 8 -11) 7/14-7/20, 2024
Older Girls Camp: (ages 12-17) 7/21-7/27, 2024
Turtle Island Preserve’s Girls Camp weaves together the self discovery and self confidence found when we live comfortably with nature and experience our connection with the earth and our connection with each other living closely in a supportive community.
We invite you to join us. Come alive with the sights and sounds of laughing, singing, learning and growing in a sacred circle of sisterhood in the North Carolina mountains this summer.
Girls Camp is a week-long adventure broken into two age groups. Younger girls age 8-11 are introduced to the outdoors in a safe, loving and supportive environment in week one. Older girls age 12-17, many of whom are return campers, get to experience advanced classes and challenges with additional ceremonies and overnight camp-outs in week two. Girls that are age 12 have the special opportunity to choose either week one for a light-hearted fun or week two if they feel more mature. 12 year old girls also have the once in a lifetime chance to attend both sessions if they choose.
Girls camp delights the senses and awakens our deeper callings. Campers work together to gather and collect items found in nature to create beautiful works of art and useful tools that will last a lifetime. From making natural dyes and ink from walnuts, to hafting our own tools, Girl-Power is a corner stone of our program. Girls walk away empowered and refreshed, centered and motivated because they have the confidence that comes with knowing how to take care of oneself.
While we take time to become aware of the cycles and circles of nature, we can better understand those within our own bodies. Thus, we have a ceremonial approach to our daily lives here at camp as well. Be it by incorporating a silent meditation to each of our mornings, taking exhilarating plunges into cold creek water, or offering a prayer of thanksgiving before each meal; we help our girls develop an awareness of their surroundings as well as within their own hearts and minds.
The content and class topics at girls camp leave girls feeling confident and empowered. The camp is entirely non-electric, which provides the rare opportunity in this day and age to explore a life unencumbered by ringing alarms and the fast-paced hustle and bustle of modern life. The absence of electronics creates a new-found peace for our girls who often spend the rest of their year close to screens and digital technologies.
All girls-camp activities are designed around the philosophy that in order to create a balanced and healthy earth, we must also find that balance within and integrate our body, mind, emotions, and spirit. Campers develop a closer relationship with nature, themselves, and others. We celebrate the essentials in life, like fire craft and the sacredness of water. Here at Turtle Island, we reach a place that goes way beyond a geographic location. Many girls carry this unique life changing experience at Turtle Island in their hearts for years and years!
Our staff is a unique, one-of-a-kind blend of extraordinary and talented women. We care deeply for our girls and that shows in the turn-around of campers that become staff. We are a staff that knows first-hand what it means to be a camper – having been campers ourselves for several years. From white water guides, to botanists, to classroom teachers, the women that make up our counselor and teacher staff are deeply rooted in the tradition and ceremonies that make this camp so impactful and different from other camps.
Parent Resources:
Application
Print and send in the postal mail (suggested) or complete digitally, then submit via email.
Scholarships
Complete the scholarship application to begin the process of requesting financial assistance.
What to Bring
Print out a copy and be sure your camper actually, definitely has all of the items listed.
Driving Directions
Please follow these specific instructions for drop-off and pick-up.
Camp Schedule
Explore the details of the general schedule and a typical day at camp.
Airport Travel
Before booking flights, please review this crucial information about arrival and departure.
Important camp information:
Arrival and Departure
Campers should arrive at the West Entrance Parking Lot at: 2683 Little Laurel Rd. Boone, NC 28607 by 2pm on Sunday Departure is Saturday at 10:00 AM back at the same location. Specific Driving Directions/Parking Instructions are available on our website. From this point we will hike into and out of base camp (about one mile). The supply truck will transport camper’s belongings while we make the hike. A water bottle and small day-pack is all they will carry on the hike down. Please make sure the camper has raingear on their person or in the daypack for the hike down. Proper footwear is essential as this is a rocky downgrade into camp. Please advise us of your travel plans if you will be unable to arrive and depart at the given times. If the camper will be traveling by bus or plane, please make sure to communicate their travel schedule in advance so we can be certain to be at the airport/bus station to pick up or drop off your child on time. *Do not book flights without first reviewing our flight arrangements document.
Mail and Telephone
Mobile phones are not permitted in camp. You can contact us during camp by texting Molo or leaving a voicemail at (704) 648-5197. Letters to campers are great, but campers should not be telephoned except in true emergencies. Incoming messages are checked twice daily. Mail should be sent first class without a required signature. Priority and Express mail require a trip to the post office, which is difficult to get to during business hours. Please do not send packages of snacks, candies and edible goodies - they ultimately cause conflict and attract marauding wild animals into camp.
Visiting
Normally, parents may visit camp at any time; especially during the traditional parent breakfast on departure day. However, due to sensitivities regarding the current covid situation, we are not hosting the parent breakfast nor accepting any outside visitors at all during camps this summer. If you want to visit the camp we recommend booking a private tour prior to your child’s session.
Safety/Emergencies
Safety is always top priority at camp. Most of our staff have been trained in first aid. Each camp session has an assigned medic. There will be a first aid kit at each campsite and activity area, as well as the first aid station in base camp. The Watauga County Hospital, in nearby Boone, serves as our professional medical service should a serious accident occur. Turtle Island will carry no health or accident insurance for your child; so, you will need to provide your insurance policy number and permission to seek professional medical attention in the event of injury.
Quality Food
Turtle Island is renowned for its excellent meals! Campers and staff alike often brag about how delicious the food is. We serve well-balanced meals of tasty heath food fare. We use fresh, healthy ingredients and stay away from processed foods. All you can eat, nutritious, well-balanced meals are a tradition at Turtle Island Preserve. There should be no additional food brought to camp. Please indicate dietary restrictions/needs and or food allergies on your child’s application.
Cleanliness
The Counseling staff gives guidance in personal hygiene with regular bathing, teeth brushing and all needed personal hygiene maintenance activities. A small bar of soap and towel are much more appropriate to send with your camper than “disposable antibacterial wipes” which tend to create excessive waste and heavily impact our fragile environment. Please inform your child of our daily bathing ritual using invigorating creek water.
Tuition / Expenses
If you have not paid in full, the remainder is due on or before March 1. Your tuition covers all camp expenses. There are no extra expenses for craft items, laundry, special programs, etc.; therefore, you need not send any money with your child to camp. If your child travels by bus or plane, you may need to send some travel money that we will keep in the safe until the camper’s departure. If you want your child to be able to purchase memorabilia you can use the donate button on our website to allocate how much they can spend in the turtle island store. ($40 suggested) Turtle Island merchandise is also available year round on our website storefront.
One Final Document:
Once your daughter is registered and camp tuition is paid, the ‘Kindness Covenant’ will be emailed to you. This document is a mandatory requirement for admission to camp and must be completed and returned to the camp office before arrival.
**Please label everything you pack so it is easily identifiable to your camper & our staff.**
Payment Options:
We ask that you send a check or money order made out to Turtle Island to the following postal address for the deposit of $300 or the full amount of $975 per week of camp. Carolyn Jordan, Turtle Island Preserve, 1801 West Lexington Avenue, High Point, NC. 27262. You may also use the link below, however there is a small service charge added to that option.
Attention All Camp Visitors - Please Note:
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, There Is No Liability For An Injury To Or Death Of A Participant In An Agritourism Activity Conducted At This Agritourism Location If Such Injury Or Death Results From The Inherent Risks Of The Agritourism Activity. Inherent Risks Of Agritourism Activities Include, Among Others, Risks Of Injury Inherent To Land, Equipment, And Animals, As Well As The Potential For You To Act In A Negligent Manner That May Contribute To Your Injury Or Death. You Are Assuming The Risk Of Participating In This Agritourism Activity.
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, A Farm Animal Activity Sponsor Or Farm Animal Professional Is Not Liable For An Injury To Or The Death Of A Participant In Farm Animal Activities Resulting Exclusively From The Inherent Risks Of Farm Animal Activities. Chapter 99E Of The North Carolina General Statutes.