Let's get outside, get active, and get camping!

It's easier than ever to do it right—because now there's a new collection of videos to help Girl Scout volunteers introduce girls to the joys of the great outdoors.

These videos are perfect for newer volunteers (and even older Girl Scouts) working with Daisies, Brownies, or Juniors. Included are helpful tips for getting started, getting inspired, and getting girls outside for a variety of fun Girl Scout activities.

Made possible through a grant from the Elliott Wildlife Values Project, these skill-building videos—covering topics ranging from campsite setup to camp cookery to cleaning up—will help newer volunteers plan outdoor adventures and get girls excited about heading outside.

There’s even a handy outdoor progression chart (PDF) for download, to ensure activities are always grade-level appropriate.

Step by Step: Developing Outdoor Skills in Girls

Taking the Journeys Outside

Planning Your Troop's First Campout

Introduction to Campsite Setup

Introcuction to Cooking Outdoors

How To Leave No Trace Outdoors

The More You Know

Remember, many girls have their first outdoor experience as part of a Girl Scout troop. Tips like these can help a troop leader make this experience a positive one—which is huge.

How the videos can help:

• Each one features practical guidance for planning outdoor adventures.
• Adult- and/ volunteer-learning departments at councils can use the videos during troop camp certification sessions, grade-level trainings, and outdoor trainings.
• Service units can use them when planning camporees and skill-building weekends.
• By watching the videos, older girls (program aides, counselors-in-training, volunteers-in-training) can learn new outdoor skills for working with younger girls.

And there’s more than videos! Volunteers can take their outdoor experiences to a whole new level by tapping into Venture Out! It's a unique resource to help make the outdoor experience more girl-led. Venture Out! equips Girl Scout volunteers with new insights and refreshes their knowledge so they feel more confident engaging girls in the great outdoors.

So whether you’re a volunteer planning a late-summer excursion, getting ready for a fall hiking trip, or even starting to plan for next summer, these outdoor resources can help you make every camping experience a positive one.

Be sure to review Safety Activity Checkpoints or Volunteer Essentials to keep up to date with safety and risk management guidelines, and take appropriate outdoor training before starting any activity.