What: The Great Escape is a relaxing and enjoyable weekend getaway for adult Girl Scouts to enjoy planned workshops or just relax for the weekend, meet with old friends and make new ones.

Who: The Great Escape is open to all women and men who are at least 18 years old who are currently or have previously been affiliated with a Girl Scouts of the USA troop or group.

When: Participants may arrive as early as 1 PM on Friday, September, 24, 2021, and stay as late as noon on Sunday, September 26, 2021.  We offer Sunday morning Workshops, so plan to stay to enjoy breakfast and our closing ceremony!

Where: The Great Escape is held at Camp Wabasso in Bradford/Sutton, New Hampshire.  It is approximately a 2-hour drive from Boston.

Cost: Due to the unusual circumstances of 2020, Great Escape High Lights was held virtually.  We hope you were able to participate!!  This year we want to welcome you back to our in-person event with a 

Special $55.00 weekend fee!

Cost includes sleeping accommodations, meals, workshops and other activities.   

Please note:  Should you wish to join us for the day, the fee for Saturday Only is $45, which includes workshops, lunch, and dinner (no overnight).   

Just in case:  In these uncertain times, should Great Escape be cancelled, we will offer the following refund options:  complete $$ refund, credit towards next year’s event, or a thank you from us should you opt to contribute the fee to our auction.  Should personal unforeseen circumstances arise that cause you to have to cancel, please e-mail Lesley to discuss at gsgreatescape@gmail.com.  We are flexible and understanding and will keep details confidential.

Accommodations: Camp Wabasso is one of Eastern Massachusetts’ overnight camps and has three lodging options. All of the accommodations at 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 note that in the Special Circumstances of the registration form.)

If you are planning to attend with a friend(s), please list the name(s) on in the Accommodations sections of the registration form and agree on the type of accommodations and sleeping habits, i.e., Early Bird, Night Owl, or Tweeter (which are explained more fully on the registration form itself).

Indoor heated facilities: Some rooms in the winterized buildings have cots and/or bunk beds.  Some rooms have access to an indoor shower. (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, consider staying in the cabins or tents.)

Unheated cabin sites: These rustic wooden camping cabins have cots or bunk beds.  Flush toilets and washstands with cold water are nearby.

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

Personal Tents:  New and exciting opportunity for those interested in setting up their own tents for the weekend!  For the first time, we are offering space in the open area at the Tinewen site as well as in the open field at Whirlwinds.  Make note of your preference on the registration form.  You’ll be the first to take advantage of this novel camping experience at Great Escape!

Please note: If you’d like more details about the accommodations at Camp Wabasso  please go to:  https://www.gsema.org/content/girlscoutseasternmass/en/camp/our-camps/wabasso.html

The Great Escape Committee is very aware of current COVID-19 concerns and have made significant changes to the sleeping arrangements we are offering this year.  We are adhering to  GSEMA guidelines and will continue to make any changes as directed.  Thanks for carefully reading the information found in this website as well as the confirmation packet you will receive by e-mail 2 weeks before the event.  After your review, if you have personal questions or concerns, please contact Lesley at gsgreatescape@gmail.com.

Confirmation Packet:  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.

Of interest.. Keep reading a bit longer..

“Kapers” means jobs in Girl Scout lingo. To make the Great Escape run smoothly, everyone will be assigned a small 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.) 

Mailing Address: Mail your registration payment (and completed registration form if not submitted electronically) to Great Escape c/o Lesley Murray 9 Ticonderoga Road Acton, MA 01720.   NOTE: Your registration is not considered complete until payment is received.

Workshop Selection: Choose workshops by their alpha-numeric code and place them in the chart on the registration form. Include a 2nd and 3rd choice for each workshop session. Every effort will be made to place you in your first choice  workshops, but workshops with limited numbers might fill whereas other workshops might be canceled due to lack of interest.  Workshops fill up fast so send your payment ASAP.

Auction: There will be a live auction during the weekend.  Auction proceeds will be donated to Camp Wabasso or GSEMA for improvements to camps or other girl program amenities.  See the “Auction” tab for more details.

Questions: We will reply to any e-mails sent to gsgreatescape@gmail.com

Deadline:  Registration closes September 14, 2021 so we can prepare for your arrival at camp!