Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp

North Carolina's diverse geography, from its majestic mountains to its serene coastal plains, offers an abundance of opportunities for outdoor adventure and skill-building. For generations, camping has been a cherished tradition, fostering independence, teamwork, and a deep appreciation for the natural world. While many commercial campgrounds cater to general public use, some unique properties are specifically designed with a mission in mind, providing focused environments for growth and learning. Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp in Statesville is one such remarkable place, a sprawling campus dedicated to empowering young people through immersive outdoor experiences.

Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp, officially known as the Dale Earnhardt Environmental Leadership Campus at Oak Springs, is a significant property under the stewardship of the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) Council. Spanning over 700 acres of gently rolling hills and bordered by the South Yadkin River, this camp is far more than just a place to pitch a tent. It serves as a vital hub for Girl Scout programs, offering a robust platform for environmental education, leadership development, and a wide array of outdoor activities. While its primary purpose is to serve Girl Scouts, its facilities are also available for rental by outside groups, making it a valuable resource for the broader North Carolina community.

This article aims to provide a clear, engaging, and informative overview of Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp, specifically tailored for our North Carolina audience. We'll delve into its impressive location and accessibility, detail the extensive services and features it provides, touch upon its unique offerings, and provide essential contact information. Ultimately, we'll highlight why this exceptional property is particularly suitable for local Girl Scout troops, community organizations, and families looking for structured, impactful outdoor experiences in the Statesville area.

Location and Accessibility

Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp is conveniently located at 1919 Turnersburg Hwy, Statesville, NC 28625, USA. This strategic position in Statesville, within Iredell County, makes it highly accessible for groups and families from across North Carolina, particularly from the Piedmont Triad and Charlotte metropolitan areas.

The camp is approximately 45 minutes north of Charlotte, easily reachable via I-77 N. From Greensboro and Winston-Salem, the drive is typically around an hour to an hour and a half, generally involving I-40 W towards Statesville. The camp's direct access from Turnersburg Highway (US-21) ensures straightforward navigation, even for larger vehicles like school buses or vans transporting groups.

Statesville itself offers essential amenities such as hospitals, grocery stores, and gas stations, providing convenient support for camp operations and group needs. While the camp property offers a sense of seclusion and immersion in nature, its proximity to these services ensures practicality. The expansive 700 acres provide ample space for various outdoor activities, bordered by the South Yadkin River, offering natural beauty and a conducive environment for environmental education and exploration. This balance of natural escape and accessibility makes Oak Springs a prime location for youth programs and group gatherings in North Carolina.

Services Offered

Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp, as a dedicated outdoor education facility, provides a robust suite of services designed to support a wide range of programs and group stays. While primarily serving Girl Scout troops, its comprehensive offerings also extend to outside groups for rental.

• Diverse Lodging Options: The camp offers various housing facilities, including heated and air-conditioned cabins for group rentals. There are also designated areas for traditional tent camping for those who prefer a more rustic experience. Specific units like "Main House" (capacity 24) and "Troop House" (capacity 14) offer comfortable indoor sleeping arrangements with kitchens and bathrooms.
• Program Areas and Equipment: The camp is equipped with facilities for a multitude of activities. This includes an archery range, a rock tower, a zip line, and canoeing on their 25-acre lake. Instructors can be provided for these specialized activities upon request and advance booking.
• Meeting and Event Spaces: Beyond sleeping accommodations, Oak Springs offers meeting rooms (e.g., Environmental Center with seating for up to 30), shelters with kitchens and fireplaces, and even an "Oak Summit Campitheatre" for ceremonies and large gatherings.
• Kitchen Facilities: Many lodging options, such as the Main House and screened-in shelters, come with kitchen facilities including refrigerators/freezers, stoves, microwaves, and coffeemakers, allowing groups to prepare their own meals.
• Restroom and Shower Facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses with showers and toilets are available across the property, operational during the camping season (typically April-October for remote areas, winterized for lodges).
• Environmental Education Programs: The camp's core mission is environmental leadership. They offer various nature-based programs, and customized "On-Demand Programming" can be arranged with the Camp Director for specific badge work or group needs.
• Hiking Trails: Extensive hiking trails wind through the 700-acre property, allowing for exploration of its varied terrain and natural beauty.
• Waterfront Activities: Access to a 25-acre lake provides opportunities for swimming and boating (canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding), with certified instructors required for certain activities.

Features / Highlights

Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp is distinguished by several key features and highlights that make it an exceptional outdoor education and recreational facility, particularly for youth groups and organizations in North Carolina.

• Expansive 700-Acre Property: The sheer size of the campus allows for diverse ecosystems, extensive trail networks, and ample space for a wide array of activities without feeling crowded. It features rolling hills, spring-fed streams, and almost two miles of South Yadkin River frontage.
• Dale Earnhardt Environmental Leadership Campus: The camp's designation reflects a significant partnership and a strong focus on environmental stewardship and leadership development. This mission permeates the programs and the overall ethos of the camp.
• Versatile Program Offerings: Beyond basic camping, Oak Springs offers adventure activities like archery, rock climbing, and zip-lining, which provide thrilling and challenging experiences for participants. These activities are usually led by certified instructors, ensuring safety and quality.
• Year-Round Accessibility: With heated and air-conditioned cabins, the camp can host groups and programs even during cooler months, extending its utility beyond the traditional summer camp season.
• Dedicated to Youth Development: The camp's primary purpose is to empower girls, fostering independence, confidence, and outdoor skills within an all-girl, girl-led environment during summer programs. This focus creates a unique and supportive atmosphere.
• Natural Beauty and Wildlife: The property's untouched natural beauty provides opportunities for nature observation, birdwatching, and a genuine immersion in the North Carolina outdoors.
• Group Rental Opportunities: Crucially for local users, while it's a Girl Scout camp, outside groups, organizations, and even families can rent facilities for their own events, retreats, or camping experiences. This opens up its impressive resources to a broader community.
• Variety of Overnight Experiences: From platform tents for rustic camping to comfortable lodges and cabins, groups can choose the type of overnight experience that best suits their needs and comfort levels.

Promotions or Special Offers

As a property managed by the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Council, Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp operates with a different model than a commercial campground. "Promotions" typically come in the form of structured pricing for Girl Scout members versus outside groups, as well as various discounts for summer camp programs.

For Girl Scout members, there are usually tiered pricing structures for summer camps and troop camping, often including subsidized rates (Tier 1) to make camp accessible to more girls, and standard rates (Tier 2/3). Discounts for Girl Scout families might include:

• Early-Bird Registration Discounts: Savings for registering for summer camp programs before a specific deadline.
• Sibling Discounts: Reduced rates for additional campers from the same family.
• Camp Staff/Volunteer Discounts: Incentives for families of camp staff or active troop leaders.
• Transportation Discounts: Reductions for campers who arrange their own transportation instead of using provided busing (if applicable).

For Outside Groups: The "promotion" is the opportunity to rent this extensive, well-equipped property for their own events. Rental fees for facilities like the Main House, Troop House, or activity areas (archery, canoeing) are typically listed with separate rates for Girl Scout groups and outside groups. For example, a facility might be $200 for Girl Scouts and $400 for Outside Groups. Activities like archery or canoeing also have tiered pricing.

To inquire about specific promotions for summer camps or rental rates for outside groups, it is best to:

• Visit the official Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) website and navigate to their "Our Properties" or "Camp & Outdoors" sections.
• Download their latest camp brochures or rental guides, which detail pricing and any current incentives.
• Contact the council directly.

Contact Information

For all inquiries regarding Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp, including information about Girl Scout programs, summer camp registration, or facility rentals for outside groups, you should contact the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont Council.

Address: 1919 Turnersburg Hwy, Statesville, NC 28625, USA

Phone: (336) 708-1466 (This phone number, provided in the prompt, is associated with "Trail Busters" also in Mocksville. The correct general contact for GSCP2P would be via their main council line or an administrative number listed on their official website. For specific camp inquiries, it's often best to find a dedicated camp line or email. Based on public info, a more general contact for GSCP2P is often an 800 number or a regional office number.)

Correction/Clarification for Phone: While the provided phone number (336) 708-1466 is indeed a North Carolina number, public information strongly links Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp to the Girl Scouts Carolinas Peaks to Piedmont (GSCP2P) Council. Their main contact information would be the most reliable. A general customer care email for GSCP2P is info@girlscoutsp2p.org. For specific camp inquiries, checking the GSCP2P website for a dedicated camp director or outdoor program manager's contact would be best. The provided number (336) 708-1466 seems to belong to a different local business despite being listed with Oak Springs.

It is highly recommended to visit the official GSCP2P website (hngirlscouts.org or girlscoutsp2p.org) for the most accurate and up-to-date contact details, specific program schedules, and rental policies for Oak Springs.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For North Carolina locals, Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp represents an invaluable resource, offering far more than just a typical campground experience. Its suitability for the local community stems from its unique mission, extensive facilities, and the profound impact it has on youth development.

Firstly, for Girl Scout troops and families across North Carolina, Oak Springs is a premier destination. It provides a safe, structured, and inspiring environment where girls can develop leadership skills, embrace outdoor challenges, and foster a lifelong appreciation for nature. The camp's rich array of activities, from archery and rock climbing to canoeing and hiking, ensures a dynamic and engaging experience that builds confidence and camaraderie. For parents seeking enriching summer camps or troop leaders planning impactful outdoor adventures, Oak Springs is a top-tier option within our state.

Secondly, and crucially for the broader local community, the availability of Oak Springs for rental by outside groups makes its exceptional facilities accessible beyond Girl Scout membership. Schools, churches, youth organizations, and even corporate groups can utilize this extensive property for retreats, team-building events, or educational programs. This allows a diverse range of North Carolinians to benefit from the camp's beautiful setting and well-maintained amenities, offering a unique venue for fostering collaboration and outdoor enjoyment.

Furthermore, the camp's strong emphasis on environmental education, as highlighted by its "Environmental Leadership Campus" designation, aligns perfectly with North Carolina's commitment to preserving its natural heritage. Visitors, whether Girl Scouts or other groups, gain valuable insights into ecological stewardship, fostering a generation that understands and protects our state's natural resources.

In essence, Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp is a cornerstone for outdoor education and youth development in North Carolina. Its comprehensive programs, diverse facilities, and commitment to environmental leadership make it an ideal choice for local families, Girl Scout troops, and other organizations seeking a purposeful and memorable outdoor experience right here in Statesville. It's an asset that contributes significantly to the well-being and growth of our state's youth.

Oak Springs Girl Scout Camp

1919 Turnersburg Hwy, Statesville, NC 28625, USA