What: The Great Escape is a relaxing and enjoyable weekend getaway for adult Girl Scouts who may either pre-register for some of the planned workshops or just relax for the weekend.

Who: The Great Escape is open to all women and men who are currently registered with GSUSA and are at least 18 years old and/or a graduating senior. Non-registered adults may register with GSUSA for 2008-2009* by adding $10 to their Great Escape costs. The Eastern Mass Council will then forward each $10 registration fee to GSUSA. (Please note that registering with GSUSA is a Great Escape requirement for insurance purposes only and does not obligate you in any way to the Girl Scout organization. Girl Scout volunteers do have a lot of fun, though; so you might want to consider getting involved with your local Girl Scouts.)

*The registration dates for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts Council are October 1-September 30 each year.

When: Participants may arrive as early as 12 noon on Friday, October 3, and stay as late as 11:00 AM on Sunday, October 5. You may come for all or any part of this time. (Great Escape committee members: Please note that you may arrive on Thursday, October 2, if you wish.)

Where: The Great Escape will be held at Camp Wabasso in Bradford/Sutton, New Hampshire. (This year is the 26th anniversary of the Great Escape, which was held at Camp Wabasso for the past three years and at Camp Favorite in Brewster, Massachusetts, for 22 years from 1983-2004.)

Kapers: The word "kapers" means jobs in Girl Scout lingo. To help make the Great Escape run smoothly, everyone will be assigned a small job/kaper at check-in. (There is no paid staff or cleaning crew at the Great Escape, so everyone will need to pitch in. The site manager is responsible for camp maintenance - not general cleaning.)

Carpooling: Anyone willing to ride with someone else and/or drive other people should indicate this on page 2 of the registration form.

Choosing Overnight Accommodations: Please read the Accommodations and Sleeping Habits sections below before completing the registration form. If you are planning to attend with a friend(s), please list the name(s) on page 2 of the registration form and agree on the type of accommodations and sleeping habits, i.e., Early Bird, Night Owl, or Tweeter, before completing the Accommodations section on page 2 of the registration form.

Accommodations: Camp Wabasso is one of the Eastern Mass Council's overnight camps and has three lodging options. All of the accommodations at Camp Wabasso have mattresses and flush toilets, and an outdoor shower house will be available to everyone. (Please note: Anyone who has mobility issues, i.e., unable to climb stairs or up and down a bunk bed ladder or difficulty walking uphill, on uneven terrain, and/or walking long distances, should make a note at the bottom of page 2 of the registration form.)

Indoor heated facility: The rooms in these winterized buildings have cots and/or bunk beds and sleep 2-20 people. Some rooms have access to an indoor shower. (Please note that some rooms will be used for workshops during the day on Saturday. If you'd like quiet time for reading or taking a nap during the day on Saturday, you might want to consider one of the options below.)

Unheated cabin site: These rustic wooden camping cabins have cots or bunk beds and sleep 2-16 people. Flush toilets and washstands with cold water are nearby.

Tent site: Each tent is on a wooden platform and has four cots. Flush toilets and washstands with cold water are nearby.

Please note: If you'd like more details about the accommodations at Camp Wabasso or if you'd like to view a camp map, please go to: ptgirlscouts.org/properties_camps/camp_wabasso.html.

Sleeping Habits:

Early Birds like to turn in early (10 PM) and go to sleep, so quiet voices are appreciated at their site.
Night Owls usually stay up late - socializing, laughing, and singing.
Tweeters can’t decide but will be courteous to others at their site.

Costs: The fee for the weekend is $55, but you can save $10 by mailing your registration and payment before August 1st. The fee for Saturday only is $30, which includes workshops, lunch, and dinner (no overnight). The presenter/ lifeguard fee is $35 (there is no fee for presenters/lifeguards if they are coming for just the day on Saturday, and there is no fee at all for the cook and her crew).

Registration Mailing Address: Mail your completed registration form and payment to Great Escape c/o Lesley Murray 9 Ticonderoga Road Acton, MA 01720.

Workshop Selection: Choose workshops by their alpha-numeric code and place them in the chart on page 4 of the registration form. Include a 2nd and 3rd choice for each workshop time. Every effort will be made to place everyone in their first choice of workshops, but workshops with limited numbers might fill whereas other workshops might be canceled due to lack of interest. Any extra fees for workshops need to be paid by a separate check to PTGSC Great Escape and mailed with the registration form (more details are on pages 3 and 4 of the registration form).

Auctions: There will be both a silent and live auction during the weekend (more details will be in your confirmation packet). The auction proceeds will be donated to Camp Wabasso for improvements

Confirmation Packet: Approximately three weeks before the Great Escape, a confirmation packet will be mailed to each participant. This packet will include workshop assignments, any materials needed for workshops, a suggested packing list, a health form, directions to the camp, and site assignments.

Questions: Paula Ruozzi will reply to any e-mails sent to gsgreatescape@yahoo.com.