We believe that girls should not have to face financial barriers in order to participate in all the fun activities our organization has to offer. We offer financial assistance programs for membership, outdoor experiences and summer overnight camping so that every girl member of GGCOC can be everything she wants to be.
How to apply
Applications are completed by the parent/guardian through the
online girl membership registration system. Confirmation of the approved subsidy amount is provided on the payment screen as the registration is processed. A family discount for third and subsequent registrations will be applied automatically. To complete the registration, you will be asked to pay the balance owing and will receive an email confirming the process is complete.
For more information about membership subsidies, contact girlreg.admin2@guidesontario.org or call 1-877-323-4545 ext. 2623.
Outdoor Experience Financial Assistance
The Outdoor Experience Financial Assistance (OEFA) program helps families who require financial support for their daughter/ward to engage in outdoor activities that take place outside of typical unit meetings. Each girl member* is eligible to receive assistance for up to 50% of the activity’s fee (before taxes) up to $300 of funding per Guiding year (September 1-August 31) in order to attend an overnight camp or multi-day event that includes 80% of its programming in an outdoor environment+.
The application process differs depending on the nature of the outdoor experience a family wishes to register their daughter/ward for.
Outdoor Experiences Fully Serviced Programs
Outdoor Experience Fully Serviced Programs are defined as those that appear on the Fully Serviced Experiences or the Outward Bound Experiences webpage.
How to apply
Unit Experiences
For most Fully Serviced Outdoor Experiences, the Unit Guider submits a registration on behalf of any participants from her unit that wish to attend. In this case, the Unit Guider applies for financial assistance on behalf of any families that need it as she’s submitting the unit’s registration. There will be a spot on the registration form for a Unit Guider to indicate that a girl is applying for financial assistance. Any applications made through this channel are reviewed, and if deemed eligible based on information on file, the subsidy will be applied to the payment balance on the unit’s online registration. An email will be sent to the Primary Registrant (Unit Guider) to inform them of which girls have received Outdoor Experiences Financial Assistance. Therefore the Guider will be aware of the outstanding funds that need to be collected. An email will also be sent to the parent/guardian of the girl notifying them of the Outdoor Experiences Financial Assistance granted.
Girls who have not automatically received Outdoor Experiences Financial Assistance for a fully serviced program but are interested in receiving subsidy can still apply. Upon request, a digital application form will be sent to the Primary Registrant (Unit Guider) to forward to the parent/guardian for completion and consideration. This form must be submitted by the parent/guardian. Once the form is received, GGCOC will review the form and contact the parent/guardian with the status of the application. The Primary Registrant (Unit Guider) will be contacted only if the girl has been approved for subsidy in order to determine outstanding amount that is required to be collected.
Outward Bound Experiences
For Outward Bound Experiences that require the parent/guardian to complete the registration, there will be a spot on the registration form for the parent/guardian to indicate whether or not assistance is required. Applications for Financial Assistance will be reviewed, and if deemed eligible based on information on file, the subsidy will be applied to the payment balance in the online registration. The parent/guardian will be notified of the outcome.
For those participants not automatically granted financial assistance based on the information on file, they can complete a digital application form for additional consideration. The form will only be provided upon request and must be submitted by the parent/guardian. Once the form is received, GGCOC will review the form and contact the parent/guardian with the status of the application.
Events
Events are defined as those that are advertised on the event calendar, and whose registration and administration is supported by Ontario Council. If an event is eligible for this program, it will be indicated on the event posting and in the registration materials.
For most events, the Unit Guider submits a registration on behalf of any participants from her unit that wish to attend. In this case, the Unit Guider applies for financial assistance on behalf of any families that need it as she’s submitting the unit’s registration. There will be a spot on the registration form for a Unit Guider to indicate that a girl requires financial assistance. Any applications made through this channel are reviewed, and if eligible, financial assistance is applied. The Unit Guider is notified of the outcome of the application because she acts as a liaison with the family; it is also relevant for her to know in order to reduce the fee owing from the family in accordance with any subsidy that has been awarded.
For events that require the parent/guardian to register, there will be a spot on the registration form for the parent/guardian to indicate whether or not assistance is required. The parent/guardian will be notified of the outcome.
Unit Activities
Many units choose to plan and run their own activities which may be eligible for OEFA. Unit Guiders define the eligibility of the activity for OEFA based on the program that’s being planned. Unit Guiders notify parents/guardians if an activity is eligible. In this case, the financial assistance application is completed by the parent/guardian. The parent/guardian is notified of the outcome, as is the Unit Guider. It is relevant for the Unit Guider to know the outcome because she needs to know to reduce the fee owing from the family to compensate for any subsidy that has been awarded. The Unit Treasurer would be informed of the outcome as well because the transaction to deposit financial assistance in the unit’s account would be visible to her in GGCOC’s centralized banking system.
For more information about these subsidy programs, contact event.registration@guidesontario.org or call 1-877-323-4545 ext. 2488.
Notes
- *This program is only for girls that are active members of GGCOC during the Guiding year in which the activity takes place. Girls who are part of our organization through the “Try Now, Join Later” program are not eligible.
- **Girls must be registered as members of GGCOC at least 20 business days prior to the Experience start date in order to secure OEFA. GGCOC cannot guarantee OEFA will be granted to girls registered within 20 business days from the start date.
- +It is up to the Event Planner or Unit Guider arranging the activity to confirm that it meets eligibility for this program. Ontario Council reserves the right to define the applicability of the activity.
- Summer Overnight Camp programs at Doe Lake and Camp Woolsey are not eligible for assistance from this program. Girls attending one of these programs are eligible for Summer Overnight Camp Financial Assistance as noted below.
- LEAP participants are not eligible for assistance through this program.
- It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pay any camp or event costs in excess of the amount available from the subsidy program.
- Assistance is limited to the camp or event fee before taxes (if applicable).
Summer Overnight Camp Financial Assistance
The Summer Overnight Camp Financial Assistance program helps families in need of financial support for their daughter/ward to attend a summer overnight camp program at Doe Lake* or Camp Woolsey. Each girl member** is eligible to receive up to 75% of the camp fee or to a maximum of $350 per week+ in order to attend a summer overnight camp program.
How to apply
Parents/guardians that wish to apply for Summer Overnight Camp Financial Assistance must do so through the
camp application process.
For more information about Summer Overnight Camp Financial Assistance, contact camping@guidesontario.org or call 1-877-323-4545 ext 2461.
Notes
- *LEAP participants are not eligible for assistance from this program.
- **This program is only for girls that are current members of GGCOC. Girls who are part of our organization through the “Try Now, Join Later” program are not eligible.
- +Girls registering for sessions than are less than four nights may apply for assistance for two sessions, to a maximum of six nights.
- It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to pay any costs in excess of the amount available from the subsidy program.
- Assistance is limited to the camp fee only. Taxes, special equipment, transportation (including busy) or kit list items are not included in the calculation of assistance.
- Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis as long as funds are available.