FAQs

Want to learn more? We’re glad. Check out our answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Why is it called Rosie’s Girls? Why Rosie?

Rosie’s Girls takes its name from Rosie the Riveter, the fictional World War II icon who represented the women who went to work in shipyards and factories to fill shortages while men fought overseas.

Who can attend Rosie’s Girls?

Girls entering 7th, 8th and 9th grade.

Do the girls need to attend for the whole session?

Yes, the program is designed as an experience that builds upon itself and works best when campers attend the whole time.

What does my daughter need to bring each day?

Your daughter should wear closed-toed shoes. In her back-pack she should have: water bottle, sunscreen, swimsuit and towel.

What is the morning drop-off procedure?

Please enter the campus through the Pawling Avenue entrance and take your first right. Continue until you see a parking lot on your right. Parents may park in the lot or pull up to the turn-around on the left for a quick drop-off or pick-up. Please do not park in the turn-around area. Please also note that the speed limit on campus is 5 mph and you are asked to adhere to that limit at all times for the safety of the children.

What is the sign-in procedure?

All Rosie’s Girls participants need to be signed in and out each day by a staff member stationed in the library. Girls should immediately report to the library upon arrival. Drop-off begins at 8:30 a.m.; please do not drop your daughter off before 8:30 a.m. as there is no one to supervise your daughter until then.

What is the sign-out procedure?

Girls will report back to the library at the end of the day to sign out. Everyone must sign out. They will then proceed to the parking area for pick-up. The director and assistant director will supervise dismissal along with Emma Willard security personnel. Kindly follow their instructions and directions. Dismissal begins at 4:50 p.m. and ends at 5 p.m. Please be prompt! At 5 p.m., anyone who does not have a parent in the pick-up queue will be sent to the GirlSummer Day office to await your arrival. Please note that there is a late fee of $10 for every 15 minutes past 5 p.m. (or fraction thereof). As a courtesy to our staff, this policy will be strictly enforced; please call if you will be late for any reason.

What if I need to pick up my daughter early from the program?

If you need to pick up your daughter before the end of the day, please let us know in writing in the morning and then plan to meet your daughter in the GirlSummer Day office in the library at the appointed hour.     

What is the campus store policy this summer?

Rosie’s Girls participants will not have access to the campus store during program hours (8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Girls are welcome to visit the store with a grown-up before day begins.

What are the lunch options?

The Emma Willard Dining Services provide many healthy options for girls. Meat and vegetarian choices are available. In addition, there are pasta and cold-cut stations daily. Drinks include milk, water and juice. No soda is offered. The dining room staff can work with individual families regarding special dietary needs.

Is Rosie's Girls only for “tomboys?’

No, Rosie's Girls is designed for any girl entering 7th-9th grade who is curious to try new things and discover that she can do things she never thought she could do.

What if I have no idea how to use tools or even if I like using tools?

Rosie's Girls activities are designed especially for girls who have never used tools before. We always start training girls from the very beginning with an introduction to the tools you'll be using and how to use them correctly and safely. When you use the tools, you will be very closely supervised by experienced adults who will make sure you are using the tools safely and correctly.

Do I need to bring special tools or equipment?

No. Each girl will be supplied with basic hand tools to keep.

Can a girl attend Rosie's Girls for more than one summer?

Yes. Many girls have come back for a second and even a third year. Activities vary from year to year and girls can build on the skills they gained in previous summers.

My girl has special needs. Are you able to accommodate her?

In the past, we have worked closely with the families of girls with special needs to assess the appropriateness of the program and the accommodations a girl might need. In many cases, we have been able to provide accommodations. However, these arrangements will need to be worked out on a case-by-case basis.

Isn't it dangerous for young girls to use power tools?

Girls' safety is our primary concern. We teach and review safety rules for all of our activities and emphasize the importance of following these rules. We also closely supervise the use of power tools in the shop. If we see a girl acting in an unsafe manner, we will remove her from the activity.

What do I do if my daughter has misplaced an item?

We will set up a “Lost and Found” area in the library where the GirlSummer office is located. Lost items will be collected until the end of the session and will be shown to all campers during morning meeting on the last day in the hope that they will be recognized and retrieved by the owner. Please have your daughter check the library if she is missing anything. Please make a special effort to ensure that your daughter has all of her belongings (water bottle, clothing, etc.) by the last day of camp, July 13. All items must be claimed by July 20; all items not claimed by the end of the day will be donated to a local shelter.

How did Rosie’s Girls get started?

Rosie’s Girls was started in 2000 in Essex Junction, Vt., by Vermont Works for Women, a nonprofit organization. Visit their website to learn more.