Program Aide (PA) - Girls going into grade 8 and above and that have completed Program-Aide-In-Training (PAIT), which includes both core and Day Camp specialty training, are eligible to be a PA at our camp.  Outdoor Skills unit training is highly recommeded.

Girls trained at our camp in our Outdoor Skills unit and in our PAIT unit program will be eligible for placement in units at our camp as a PA. 

Girls with training completed outside of camp Mountaindale East will be evaluated for placement based on the following criteria:

• Their skills and training listed on their on-line PA application
• Their PA references
• Their interviews with, but not limited to, the PA Coordinator, Directors and/or Specialty unit leader
• Their demonstrations of skills, if requested.

 Girls not going into grade 8 that have completed council PA training need toknow that, although council has allowed girls to be trained to be PA's at council events, our camp has specialized training needed above and beyond the council offered training that is needed in order to be successful as a PA at our camp.  We require that the trainin gin the following units/areas, or equivalent training, have been completed:

• Outdoor Skills Unit
• Program Aide in Training - PAIT

Unit Leaders depend on their PA's to help keep things organized and moving at a comfortable pace for everyone.  Although PA's are older and have more responsibilities than the average camper, there are some basic rules and things to keep in mind as a Leader and as a Program Aide:

• PA's can Not be left alone with the Unit, they are not adults!

• PA's can lead a song or a game with the girls as long as they have notice or a suggestion to do so.

• PA's can help plan for Unit time, possibly even meeting with unit Leaders before camp.

• PA's can take a pair or very small group of girls to the BIFFY (restroom) or Nurse.

• PA's should be allowed short breaks throughout the day

• Leaders need short breaks and planning time as well, PA's can teach skills or lead an activity that both have agreed to and feel comfortable with.

• Leaders shouldn't make the PA's their "go-for", and PA's should always be willing to lend a hand for whatever reasonable tasks need to be done. 

For those members wishing to be Program Aides, please complete the standard  Registration Form. This year our PA application is part of the registration process and is included on the On-Line registration form. All Program Aides are required to attend the Volunteer Training and PA Overnight.  Volunteer Training will be May 10, 2012 and the PA overnight will be June 16, 2012.   If there is a situation that arises making it impossible to stay overnight, then please let the directors know via email or telephone ASAP, so that an exclusion decision can be made.  If you can not come and stay overnight for reasons beyond your control, then please attend as much of the training and overnight activity as possible.  Directors will hold the final decision on whether a camper can still perform PA duties if the training and overnight are not attended.

PA's are generally placed in units in the order that COMPLETE registration is received.  In order to fulfill the registration requirements for a PA, you must complete the registration form, health form and the PA application.  The standard forms are available for those not wishing to Register Online on the Forms/Links (or through the standard Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington site which is located in the Links page).