Mark your calendars and join Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council for an epic adventure – GIRL Fest 2025. Join us June 22 – 27 as Girl Scouts from across the nation take over ACE Adventure Resort in Oak Hill, WV.
Girl Scouts will raft, climb, kayak, zip line, complete mud runs and much more! There will also be traditional Girl Scout activities, as well as evening functions.
This is an outdoor experience you do not want to miss! Feel free to look at the following tabs to learn more. We look forward to adventuring with you!
GIRL Fest 2025 is open to Girl Scouts acoss the USA!
GIRL Fest has been listed as a "Getaway" travel opportunity by Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council on the Girl Scouts of the USA’s website. This designation means that the hosting council has invited other troops or groups from other councils in the nation to attend the encampment. Adequate number of adult chaperones are required for each troop or group in attendance.
Black Diamond Council has partnered with ACE Adventure Resort, located in Oak Hill, WV, to offer this experience. It is scheduled for June 22-27, 2025. GIRL Fest 2025 is open to Girl Scout members in 4th-12th grade (Juniors – Ambassadors) for the current Girl Scout 2024-2025 membership or school year, along with their adult chaperones. Please note, this event does not take girls that are bridging as 3rd grade Brownies into 4th grade Girl Scout Juniors at the end of the school year.
For additional information about our 2025 GIRL Fest, please contact Girl Scouts of Black Diamond's Customer Care team at 304-345-7722 or customercare@bdgsc.org.
GirlFest has a two-part registration process! Please read the following information carefully!
Troops/Groups: Part 1 – A $25 non-refundable deposit per person towards the $125 total is required to be paid to Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council to hold your spot. This is the part of the registration part that you are completing on the Black Diamond Council website when registration opens on October 28, 2024.
Troops/Groups: Part 2 – A minimum of $75/person non-refundable deposit towards the $528 fee (more if you upgrade accommodations, etc.) is required by ACE Adventure Resort when they reach out to the troop/group leader to book your guided trips/activities, etc. Do not book with ACE Adventure Resort until your spot for GirlFest 2025 has been confirmed!
iGirls/Juliettes/Single Scouts: A $25 non-refundable deposit per person towards the $703 total is required to be paid to Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council to hold your spot. This is the part of the registration part that you are completing on the Black Diamond Council website when registration opens on October 28, 2024. The remaining funds are to be paid to GSBDC no later than April 30, 2025.
You can pay toward the balance due for both Black Diamond Council and ACE balance due as often as you want. Final payments are due to both Black Diamond Council and ACE no later than Wednesday, April 30th 2025.
The event price will include tent site rental, meals (5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners), 3 half-day guided trips/activities, 4 days of waterpark admittance, Girl Scout program activities and evening functions, as well as miscellaneous event logistical support (e.g. First Aid and bus transportation from tent site up to waterpark area), etc.
Note: As specified in the Safety Activity Checkpoints, proper adult-to-girl ratio is required for girls to attend and participate in GIRL Fest 2025.
In order for an adult to attend GIRL Fest 2025, they will need the following:
*Signifies requirements that must be completed by May 31, 2025. Relevant forms and documents for adults can be found in the designated accordion below. GIRL Fest Co-Chair will provide instructions on how to submit these forms.
Note: As specified in the Safety Activity Checkpoints, girls must have adequate adult chaperones to attend GIRL Fest 2025. Only Black Diamond Council girl members will be permitted single girl registrations and will be provided surrogate leadership at an additional cost.
In order to attend GIRL Fest 2025, girls will need the following:
*Signifies requirements that must be completed by May 31, 2025. Relevant forms and documents can be found in the designated accordion below. GIRL Fest Co-Chair will provide instructions on how to submit these forms.
ACE Adventure Resort is a vendor partner with Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council for GIRL Fest 2025.
ACE Adventure Resort Group Sales staff members will work with troop/group leaders to book specific adventures and lodging requests in Part 2 of the registration process. Be aware that adults are expected to go on the high-adventure activities along with the girls. Troops/groups can sub-divide to meet the needs and interests of its members. Remember to provide the resort with your council’s sales exemption form when registering.
ACE Adventure Resort will be offering the following Guided Trips and Activities:
Activity |
Description |
Heritage Hike |
Our Heritage Hike offers a wide range of experiences for guests. Hikers will enjoy unparalleled views of the New River Gorge, remains of an early 20th century coal mining operation, glimpses of waterfalls, local flora, and fauna, and even some history and local knowledge along the way. With ACE’s Heritage Hike you’ll experience a bit of what it’s like to live in Appalachia |
Zip Lining |
ACE’s zip lining course is 1.5 miles long and includes: 9 zips, 2 short hikes, and 2 sky bridges. You will be able to view the New River Gorge for over half the trip. The system used is hands free so you can sit back and enjoy the ride. |
Stand Up Paddle Boarding |
We have the newest stand up paddle boards to get you to nearby Pirate’s Cove and beyond. Cliffs and rock climbing walls surround you above the crystal clear WARM mountain water, so swimming is a must on your trip. |
Lake Kayaking |
ACE touring kayaks provide a great way to tandem or single paddle your way around the lake. Cliffs and rock climbing walls surround you above the crystal clear WARM mountain water, so swimming is a must on your trip. |
Mountain Biking |
Mountain biking has become a staple adventure activity in West Virginia and there's no place better to take to the trails than the New River Gorge. With miles of mountain biking trails, you can explore without leaving ACE's property. Guided trips are 2-3 hours; trails used on the trip are based on the group's skills. |
Waterpark STEM |
Students will spend 2-3 hours exploring the principles of mathematics and physics. As part of the program, students will explore Newton’s Laws of Physics, study buoyancy, investigate the properties necessary for creating a reliable personal flotation device, and much more! |
Rock Climbing |
Whether you are brand new to climbing, or you’re an experienced gym climber looking to take your skill set to the next level This trip is perfect for beginners who have climbed indoors or a bit outside. Our Upper New River Gorge rock climbing trip will expand your climbing knowledge and provide a chance to learn more about climbing technique, rope work, and the climbing styles of the New River Gorge area. |
Rappelling |
Taste the thrill of rappelling. A rappelling trip is the best introduction to the experience of stepping backward off a 50–70 foot cliff and gracefully sliding down a rope to the base of a cliff line. |
Team Building Challenge |
ACE’s new experiential team building program, L.E.A.D.E.R.S (learn, empower, adventure, develop, explore, reflect, strengthen), offers fun, challenging, cooperative games for your troop to discover who are your leaders, encouragers and resource people. Through our specifically tailored activities your group or team will practice:
|
Mud Obstacle |
It’s time to cut loose, get muddy and challenge yourself. Whether you walk, sprint, skip, jog, crawl, or dance through trails, over walls, through tubes, and mud pits, you are guaranteed to smile through it all. |
Aerial Park |
On ACE’s newest attraction, the Aerial Adventure Park, guests will enjoy four different challenge options ranging from our beginner friendly “Green” level to the infamous “Red” level. Climb our 25 foot tall spiral staircase up to start your adventure and boldly step out onto our 35 foot vista level. With dozens of elements, two “quick-flight” auto-belay systems, and countless combinations on this choose-your-own-adventure course, guests will enjoy hours of fun while also overcoming their fears. |
½ Day Upper New Rafting |
This river trip takes place on a calm stretch of river, where fun and splashy rapids abound. When it’s time for that first river trip, or when you’re just looking for a mellow day on the river, our Upper New River rafting excursion is a perfect fit. It’s got a little bit of whitewater, some classic experiences like Jump Rock, and a whole lot of fun on the water. |
½ Day Lower New Rafting |
Our Most Popular Rafting Trip! In its Lower section, the New River begins to narrow and simultaneously drop in elevation where the big water rapids form. This section known as “The Gorge” winds its way through a deep and spectacular sandstone canyon ending under the awe-inspiring New River Gorge Bridge. |
Over half of participants choose to tent camp in the designated Girl Scout camp area at Mountain Top West at ACE. Participants are invited to bring their own tent camping gear, rent tents from ACE or upgrade their accommodations.
Visit ACE's website for more specific information about the resort, guided trip/activity options and other lodging options. A map of the resort should be downloaded to the event.
GIRL Fest 2025 will be operating under the following age requirements:
½ Day Activity Options: |
Min. Age |
|
½ Day Activity Options: |
Min. Age |
Heritage Hike |
|
|
Rock Climb |
8 |
Zip Lining |
8 |
|
Rappel |
8 |
Stand Up Paddle Board |
10 |
|
½ Day Team Challenge |
8 |
Lake Kayaking |
10 |
|
Mud Obstacle Course |
8 |
Mountain Biking |
8 |
|
Aerial Park |
10 |
Water Park STEM |
8 |
|
½ Day Upper New River Rafting |
6 |
|
|
|
½ Day Lower New River Rafting |
12 |
Maximum weight for the aerial park is 250 lbs; no minimum weight requirement will be applied, but there are minimum size requirements for harnesses. Minimum weight for zip line is 70 lbs, maximum weight is 250 lbs. Minimum weight for rock climb and rappel is 70lbs. Per GSUSA Safety Guidelines, participants must be able to swim and be comfortable in the water in order to participate in Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Lake Kayaking and New River Rafting opportunities.
Complimentary Activities on Property
ACE Adventure Resort will be offering the following complimentary activities to participants during GIRL Fest 2025.
Troops must maintain the proper adult-to-girl safety ratio when accessing the complimentary activities. Adults and girls are required to bring their own gear when participating in a complimentary activity.
Note: Troop/Group members must follow Safety Activity Checkpoints guidelines when engaging in all GIRL Fest 2025 activities.
Single girls and troop/groups attending GIRL Fest 2025 will have the opportunity to enjoy the following Girl Scout program activities and support.
Girl Scout Program Opportunities:
Girl Scout Special Evening Functions:
Girl Scout Merchandise:
Supporting Activities:
Continue to watch this webpage, as well as our GIRL Fest 2025 Facebook Group, for more programming updates.
The following forms are required by Girl Scouts of Black Diamond prior to GIRL Fest 2025. Please download, complete and submit the forms to the GIRL Fest Co-Chairperson by May 31, 2025. GIRL Fest Co-Chair will provide instructions on how to submit these forms.
If you have any questions, please contact Customer Care at 304-345-7722 or customercare@bdgsc.org.
Have questions about GIRL Fest 2025? Review these FAQs to find an answer!
1. What are the check-in and check-out times for GIRL Fest?
The 2025 GIRL Fest is to occur 6/22/25 – 6/27/25. Check-in will be staggered from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday and check-out will occur from 6 to 10 a.m. on Friday.
2. Where will GIRL Fest take place?
GIRL Fest 2025 will take place at ACE Adventure Resort, located in the heart of the New River Gorge in Southern WV (about 19 miles north of Beckley, WV off U.S. Route 19.) The address for the resort is 1 Concho Road, Oak Hill, WV 25901.
Find more information about ACE Adventure Resort here.
3. What is the process for receiving the tax exemption status for this event?
To remove the WV Sales Tax from your reservation with ACE Adventure Resort, you will need to submit a “Streamlined Sales Tax Agreement, Certificate of Exemption”. You will receive that form from ACE as part of the reservation process.
4. What are the Package options available for the event?
There are 2 registration options:
Both options include: five nights of camping and meals with three high adventure activities, plus waterpark access and Girl Scout program activities
5. What do you mean when you talk about being in proper Adult-to-Girl ratio?
The following listing is the recommended minimum number of adults needed to chaperone during GIRL Fest per number of girls attending. If you have a multi-grade level group attending, then default to the youngest grade level ratios in attendance.
Adult Supervision.
The adult-to-girl ratio is two non-related adults, including one woman, for every:
There should be one extra adult for every additional:
Note: Remember, you might want extra adults to be able to chaperone the girls on the adventure trips that they choose to sign up for (ACE Adventure Resort will not let the girls on a trip without adequate chaperones) and extras to provide chaperone breaks over this multi-day experience.
6. What does the Girl Scout Program fee cover that is included in the packages?
7. What is the non-refundable deposit and Payment Policy for the Multi-Day Event?
All deposits for Girl Scouts of Black Diamond programming fees are non-refundable. After April 30, 2025, no payments made toward the final balance will be refunded.
ACE Adventure Resort will not refund any activity or lodging upgrade deposits, and will not refund any payments made after April 30, 2025. However, depending on the situation, ACE will consider issuing a "raincheck" that your troop or single girl can use at a later date.
Final balances for the reservation are due April 30, 2025.
Participants may make payments toward their final bill as often as they would like to Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council and ACE Adventure Resort up until the final deadline of April 30, 2025.
8. What other costs and fees are added to the reservation package?
The New River Gorge National River and Gauley River Recreational Area are permitted recreation areas by the National Park Service and regulated by the Department of Natural Resources. A $5/person, per activity Resource Use Fee is applied to each reservation.
Guide gratuities are not included in the reservation pricing. They are not required, but always appreciated.
Note: Food staff gratuities for the meals offered at the Girl Scout Mountain Top West tent area are included in the fees.
9. My troop or my single girl is planning on attending the event. When is the final payment due?
Once you have made your required deposit, final payments are due in full to Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council by April 30, 2025. Any reservations made on or around April 30, 2025 will need to be paid in full with Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council.
10. What if I am not able to attend the event, but I have made a reservation?
ALL DEPOSITS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. This applies to any deposits that were paid to either Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council or ACE Adventure Resort.
Cancellations made prior to April 30, 2025 will receive a full refund minus the non-refundable deposits and 10% administrative fee on payments made to Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council.
Cancellations made after April 30, 2025 will not receive a refund of any fees paid to ACE Adventure Resort. Rather, ACE Adventure Resort may provide a "raincheck" for the reserved activities not including the deposit.
No transfers, trades or swaps for registration will be permitted.
11. Is ACE open to the public during GIRL Fest 2025?
ACE will remain open to the public during the event for their general activities. However, Girl Scout camping and event spaces are separate from the general public.
Generally, the public will not be allowed to attend half-day and rafting activities that contain Girl Scout members.
ACE has security personnel at the waterpark from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 24/7 throughout the resort. There are a limited number of cameras monitoring the main parking lot at the resort.
All activities will have a certified guide who have received criminal background checks.
The waterpark will remain open to the public during the event. However, the waterpark is gated, and no one can enter without a wristband and signing a waiver/liability form with ACE.
Prior to entering the lake, each person receives a personal flotation device (PFD). No one can enter the lake without going through the PFD station. No one can exit the gate without turning in their PFD.
Troops/groups must remain in proper adult-to-girl ratio when they are not at their scheduled activities.
Anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult with them during ACE guided trip/activities.
12. What grade-level/grade does my Girl Scout have to be to participate?
Current Girl Scouts who are Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors (Girl Scouts in 4-12 grades) from any council in the USA for the 2024-2025 Girl Scout membership year or school year may attend. However, girls should also have the maturity to handle being away from home and being in an outdoor environment.
Note: Third grade Brownies “flying up” to Junior Girl Scouts are not permitted to attend.
13. Our Troop has a male leader/assistant leader. Can they attend?
We value and appreciate our male volunteers. However, according to Girl Scout policies, male volunteers will have a separate camping area and bathroom facilities outside of the Girl Scout camping area and bathing facilities.
Troops traveling with a registered male adult member will still need to maintain proper chaperone ratio in the camping areas.
14. What about a participant’s physical ability?
There is a lot of physical activity required at the GIRL Fest due to the nature of the high adventure offered.
All participants, both individually registered girls and those attending as a troop/group, should be made aware of this aspect of the event.
Please select registered volunteers that can participate alongside their Girl Scouts in the fun-filled world of high adventure. This also helps to shape shared memories for you and your troop.
Discuss all half-day activities with your troop to determine what are the best opportunities and the best adult member chaperone to attend those opportunities.
You can find videos of ACE’s activities by searching for those created by ACE Adventure Resort.
15. Will we be served meals at GIRL Fest 2025?
ACE will be providing all meals for the event, including breakfast, lunch and dinner.
ACE has additional food for purchase in the waterpark area and Outfitter’s Store.
Your first meal will be dinner in the evening on Sunday. A final continental breakfast will be served on Friday morning.
A meal menu will be provided closer to the event on this website.
NUTS AND PEANUT BUTTER ARE PROHIBITED DUE TO ALLERGIES.
16. I and/or my Girl Scout have special dietary needs. How can this be accommodated?
Please let Black Diamond Council program staff know in advance if you or your daughter have special dietary needs. We will do our best to accommodate you for the snacks that are provided by Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council. If you forgot to include these needs in your original registration, please email customercare@bdgsc.org.
ACE will also take this information during the reservation process for the meals that they are providing. However, with a specialized diet, such as gluten-free, keto, diabetic, vegan, or a picky-eater, we recommend bringing shelf-staple foods. We will do our best to provide adequate storage for those needing specialized diets.
17. I would like to register as a single girl. How do I complete this process?
Girls from Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council have the option of registering as a single girl. Unfortunately, we are not able to open this option to girls outside of council. Being a small council, Black Diamond simply does not have the capacity to support out-of-council single girl requests.
The GIRL Fest committee will create a surrogate led troop, with proper chaperone ratio to meet the needs of the single girl participant. This surrogate led troop will function as a traditional troop during the event with a surrogate troop leader and assistant troop leaders. Single girl participants will be provided with tents or they may bring their own personal tents.
The surrogate troop leader and assistant troop leaders will follow standard protocols and policy to ensure the safety of each single girl participant.
18. Only my daughter and one other girl from the troop are interested in attending. Would we be allowed to register for GIRL Fest, since we are not in the proper minimum recommended girl/adult safety ratios?
Participants are strongly encouraged to attend as part of a larger troop or group with at least the minimum number of adults to girl ratio as specified in the Safety Activity Checkpoints. That way, you all can best determine which adults will be attending certain trips that girls have signed up for. In addition, the adults can be able to take turns being on chaperone duty during GIRL Fest.
If a Black Diamond Council member cannot find another troop or group to join up with to register for GIRL Fest, then you will be grouped up with others in similar situations for the event by GIRL Fest Committee, so that we can have the proper overall girl/adult ratios. This option would only be available to Black Diamond Council members only. Out-of-council participants must attend as a troop or group with at least the minimum proper chaperone ratio to be approved for their travel trip to GIRL Fest by their home council.
19. How will GIRL Fest programming be organized?
The Girl Scout specific programming is generally free-flowing. Participants come and go as they wish, enjoying activities around the designated event space on the ACE property each day. However, there will be certain activities/opportunities that will appear on each day’s schedule that only occur at a certain time. Some things are optional; some things are not (like meal times—if you miss those, you are out of luck).
ACE will provide you with an itinerary with your guided activities. Each troop will be scheduled for a specific time to participate in the activity they choose during the reservation process. The public will not be allowed on Girl Scout trips. Your troop must show up at the scheduled time to participate in the activity on your specific itinerary.
Those registering early will have preference over the trip time slots activity availability.
The GIRL Fest committee will be aware of when the block of ACE trips/activities will occur each day for participants. A general event schedule will be created that includes the Girl Scout and ACE opportunities. That should be available in late May.
20. What sleeping arrangements are available?
Tent site rental is included in the base package price, but lodging upgrades are available at various costs. GIRL Fest attendees can contact ACE to determine the specific costs of the upgrades. Upgrades include cabins, platform tents and bunkhouses.
If tent camping, girl and adult members will need to bring tents, sleeping pads and sleeping bags. An additional fee can be added if troops need to rent tents and sleeping pads.
The event space and camping areas will be closed to the public during the event.
A suggested pack list has been provided with the GIRL Fest forms information on this website.
21. Can I park near the campground?
There will be designated parking for those attending the event. Limited spots will be available in the tent site area. Shuttle services will be available to take Girl Scouts to and from the main event and camping space. This shuttle service will only be open to girl and adult members.
22. What about bathroom/showers?
There will be showers and flush toilets available to Girl Scout members throughout the event.
23. What about internet service and cell service?
There is limited cell phone service at ACE (AT&T Cell Service works the best at ACE); however, there are Wi-Fi services located at the main buildings.)
24. What if I get injured during the event?
Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council will have a First Aid Station set up at the event to help with minor injuries, such as bug bites, sunburn or minor scraps.
In case of an emergency, local Emergency Services will be used to transport and treat Girl Scouts members attending the event.
Please remember to complete and submit all required medical and health forms (health exams must have been done within a year of the event), including the consent to treat.
Please bring any necessary medical equipment and medications. All medications must be in the original prescription bottles with the dosage amounts listed on it. Please have all the necessary paperwork completed concerning medications and medical devices prior to the event, so we can better serve you. Please remember Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council staff are not trained medical professionals, and we will have the required First Aiders as outlined in the Girl Scout Safety Activity Checkpoints.
25. What should I bring to go rafting and participate in ACE's guided activities?
You should check out the “What to Bring” page on ACE’s website for the most detailed resource. You can also view the GIRL Fest 2025 Forms to download a checklist of items to bring.
26. How do I get to ACE Adventure Resort?
You will find directions to ACE here. You may lose cellphone service while traveling, so make sure you have backup directions to the resort.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Customer Care at 304-345-7722 or customercare@bdgsc.org.
27. What if I have additional questions?
If additional questions arise, please contact Customer Care at 304-345-7722 or customercare@bdgsc.org.
Please monitor this website for additional GIRL Fest updates. You can also stay connected with us by joining our 2025 GIRL Fest Facebook Group.
For additional information regarding our 2025 GIRL Fest, please contact our Customer Care team at 304-345-7722 or customercare@bdgsc.org.
Please monitor this website for additional GIRL Fest updates. You can also stay connected with us by joining our 2025 GIRL Fest Facebook Group.
For additional information regarding our 2025 GIRL Fest, please contact our Customer Care team at 304-345-7722 or customercare@bdgsc.org.