indoor overnight adventures home study training bookletindoor overnight adventures outdoor cooking...

Girl Scouts of Orange County 9500 Toledo Way, #100 Irvine, CA 92618 www.GirlScoutsOc.org 949.461.8800 800.979.9444 Español 949.461.8894 Tiếng Việt 949.461.8895


WELCOME! 3 ACTIVITY CHECK LIST 5 READINESS & PROGRESSION 6 PROGRESSION FOR TRIPS BY GRADE LEVEL GIRL SCOUT 8 READINESS INDICATORS 9 ACTIVITY # 1: READINESS SKILLS 10 PROGRESSION FOR FUN IN THE OUT-OF-DOORS 11 ACTIVITY # 2: PROGRESSIVE ACTIVITIES 12 PARENT MEETING 13 PARENT MEETING AGENDA 14 ACTIVITY # 3: PARENT MEETING 15 SAFETY MANAGEMENT 16 ACTIVITY # 4: SAFETY 17 ACTIVITY #4: SAFETY ANSWERS 18 FIRE SAFETY CHECKLIST 19 BUILDING CHARCOAL FIRES 21 BUILDING WOOD FIRES 23 PLANNING STEPS 24 SAMPLE BUDGET WORKSHEET 27 ACTIVITY # 5: PLAN A BUDGET WORKSHEET 28 PERSONAL EQUIPMENT LIST 30 KAPER CHARTS 31 SCHEDULE 33 ACTIVITY # 6: SCHEDULE 33 TROOP TRIP SCHEDULE 34 MEAL PLANNING 35 SHOPPING 39 A GUIDE FOR FOOD QUANTITIES 40 EQUIVALENTS 41 ACTIVITY # 7: PLAN A MENU 41 TROOP EQUIPMENT LIST 42 PROGRAM IDEAS 43 DISCOVERY HIKES 44 GAMES 45 GIRL SCOUTS’ OWN CEREMONY 47 CAMPFIRE PROGRAM 48 GIRL EVALUATIONS 49 FORMS 50 COMPLETION CHALLENGE 51


As you, the volunteer, discuss with girls the activities they wish to plan for the

future, you may find some girls with no interest in outdoor pursuits and other girls

who just can’t wait to get outside.

Girls and adults with little to no outdoor experience should start with activities in the most familiar outdoor

environment before venturing far from what’s well-known. The entire Girl Scout program is built on the concept

of , that is, acquiring the skills needed to progress to more difficult or highly skilled activities.

Progressive outdoor experiences can be planned farther and farther away from home as girls build their

confidence and skills.

Getting “out of doors” can begin with Girl Scout activities held away from the regular troop meeting

environment. These experiences can help girls discover themselves, enhance how they connect with others,

develop awareness of conservation and take action to improve the community, the 3 keys to leadership:

Discover, Connect & Take Action.

Not everyone is immediately enthusiastic about being outdoors. Those who are introduced to the outdoors as

a part of a group may be apprehensive about being in a strange environment. That is natural. With time and

patience, even the most reluctant person can go through a process of growth and eventually become

comfortable and at home in natural surroundings.

The troop leader is ultimately responsible for helping girls progress through skill development and ensuring the

safety of the troop. If your troop is fortunate enough to have a troop camping volunteer, he/she will work closely

with the leader to ensure the success of the troop’s outings and adventures away from regular troop activities.

The troop camping volunteer and the leader work together as a team in planning, communicating and

cooperating to create the best possible program experiences for girls.

Understanding and consideration by the adult volunteers will be the key to this process. Girls have differing

interest in, enthusiasm for, or knowledge of the outdoors. As their leader or camping volunteer, you can help

them develop their interests and skills.


Outdoor activities have always been an integral part of Girl Scouting. Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl

Scouts, knew that girls would be attracted to the outdoors for sports, camping, and nature study. The Girl

Scouts’ primary approach to outdoor education is experiential learning, through which girls develop outdoor

recreational interests and skills. Girls and adults are able to create an appreciation of the human relationship

with the environment and the importance of minimal impact to our natural surroundings.

Discover her full, individual potential.

Connect with others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect.

Take Action to the improvement of society through the use of her abilities and leadership skills,

working in cooperation with others.

is a prerequisite to all other outdoor leadership courses. This training course

is designed to prepare leaders and troop camping volunteers to take their troop on overnight outings to:

A Girl Scout Program Center

A cabin

An indoor location, i.e. a home or hotel

A Service Unit or community-sponsored campout where shelter and meals are provided by trained

individuals

http://www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/history/low_biography/

http://www.gscoc.org/about-us.aspx?id=5


1. Involve girls in the process

2. Use progression

3. Prepare your troop parents

4. Plan your budget

5. Make equipment lists

6. Plan easy indoor kitchen meals

7. Emphasize health and safety

8. Safely use a fire ring and charcoal fires.

ADULTS ONLY! (Girls will take on this

responsibility in future courses)


You can check off each activity as you complete it.

When you have finished the entire course…

Activity # 1 - Assess the skills of the girls in you troop

Activity # 2 - Plan progressive activities for skill building

Activity # 3 - Plan your parent meeting

Activity # 4 - Safety First!

Activity # 5 - Budget Worksheet

Activity # 6 - Plan the schedule

Activity # 7 - Plan a menu

Activity # 8 - Completion Challenge


Readiness & Progression

GSOC Outdoor Progression Chart

Outdoor training is a series of progressive steps to encourage girls and adults to experience the outdoors. It is

not intended that an adult take the entire series in one year’s time.

Progression is the key for both girls and adults – if either misses out on some of the steps, it can mean a

disappointing experience for all. Time should be taken for the girls to learn, try out, and experience the skills

learned here before moving on to the next steps.

And remember; always think about the readiness of the girls in your troop!

If you want to do this: You will need this training : Possible Activities:

Troop Meeting

Introduce outdoor program

activities to adults and girls

no outdoor cooking

(kitchen cooking ok)

no sleep over

New Leader Orientation

Level Essentials Training

Level One First Aid/CPR –

if needed (refer to Chapter 4:

Safety-Wise)

Visit neighborhood parks,

beaches and back yards.

Intended for:

Daisy Girl Scouts and older.

Sleep Over

One-night overnight with

inexperienced girls in an

indoor setting.

Girl-planned and prepared “no

cook” meals, stove top, or

kitchen cooking only.


Level Essentials Training

Level One First Aid/CPR –

if needed (refer to Chapter 4:

Safety-Wise)

Home, back yard.

Simple meal preparation in the

kitchen.

Council-sponsored Core Camps.

Intended for:

Brownie Girl Scouts and older.

Troop Cabin Overnight

Indoor sleeping facilities,

simple, girl-planned and

prepared meals, “no cook” or

stove top kitchen cooking.

Adult only - charcoal fires for

s’mores and wood burning

fires for sing-a- longs.


Indoor Overnight Adventures

Trained Leader/Advisor or

Troop Leader present

Level One First Aid/CPR

present

Program Centers, cabins, service

unit/community sponsored

campouts where shelter and

meals are provided.

Intended for:

Second Grade Brownie Girl

Scouts and older.


Cookout

Girl-planned and prepared

outdoor meal preparation

using charcoal fires, Dutch

ovens, propane stoves, buddy

burners and box ovens.



Outdoor Cooking


Troop Helper present


present

Parks, program center

day trips, picnics.

Intended for:


Scouts and older.

Troop Tent Camping

Sleeping in tents or open

shelters – girl-planned and

prepared outdoor meals.

Adult supervised and girl

management of charcoal and

wood-burning fires.



Outdoor Cooking




present

Council-approved public

campgrounds, private

campgrounds, troop camping at

Camp Scherman, service unit or

community campouts where

meal preparation is required.

Intended for:


Scouts and older.

Backpacking

Primitive camping in the

“Back Country” for at least

one overnight.



Outdoor Cooking

Troop Tent Camping

Maps and Compass

Approved Backpacking Class



Level Two First Aid/CPR

present

Local Mountains

Intended for:

Junior Girl Scouts and older.


Bonus courses such as Knots and Lashing, Maps and Compass, and Advanced GPS /

Backpacking will enhance the experience for girls and adults who have moved through

the progression. They are also useful skills for Cadette-o-Rama

Progression for Trips


Readiness Indicators Not every girl will be ready for a first overnight at the same time. For some girls it may be the first night they

have spent away from their families.

It is suggested you consider the following guidelines for a girl’s first overnight:

She should want to go.

She should not be afraid to be away from her home or family overnight

Her family should be prepared to let her go

She should be able to cope with new circumstances such as:

Meeting new people

Visiting strange places

Darkness (no electricity or night light), different noises

Insects and other small animals

Sleeping in a strange bed or on a pad on the floor

Functioning as a member of a group

A willingness to sleep, eat, and play with all girls, not just her best friend

Being flexible, not always having her own way

Sharing her space and managing with little privacy

Girls will enjoy an overnight experience if they possess the necessary skills and knowledge and if they can work

cooperatively with other girls.

Use this guide to determine whether they are ready: can she…

Participate in planning a simple trip

Use a Kaper Chart or similar assignment sheet

Follow written, verbal, or illustrated instructions

Clean up after herself in a kitchen or bathroom

With practice, pack and repack her luggage, roll her bedroll or sleeping bag, use a flashlight, etc.

Take part in troop chores willingly

As a group, the girls must also be ready for an overnight experience. Their ability to work together, plan

together, and play together will help to make the experience a good one.

The leader of the group must also be ready to guide the planning process and to help everyone feel prepared for

and excited about this new adventure.


Activity# 1: Readiness Skills

NOTE! Camping parents should discuss this with your troop's leaders.

List the skills your troop already has:

List the skills you and your troop will need to learn:

Remember:

Not all girls will want to go!

Not all girls are ready to go!

Not all parents are ready to let go!

Not all adults are ready to lead!

Read more about it!

Safety Activity Checkpoints (page 1)

Girls Scouts of Orange County Policies and Standards

Girl Scout Girl Books and Volunteer Guides


Progression for Fun in the Out-of Doors

1 - Look Out

Look, Listen, Feel, Smell, Observe the World of the Out-of-Doors

Discover the world beyond your doorstep

Look…observe the outdoor world

See…colors, trees, birds, etc.

Listen…to nature sounds, birds, wind, water

Enjoy…nature games and songs

Program…nature games, songs and crafts, explore ways to improve

and protect the environment, recycling projects

2 - Walk Out

Walk, Listen, Look

Walk around the block

Locate… a food chain

Examine… a micro habitat

Watch…for sky spectaculars

Identify…pollution problems

See…tracks, trails, traces of neighborhood living things

Touch…bark, rocks, trees

Program…share your observations with troop members, take photos, make an album or a notebook

3 - Hike Out

Walk with a purpose

Prepare…a snack

Plan…a theme to provide a focus

Bird hike, Gadget hike, Metric hike, Penny hike, Color hike, Rainbow

hike, Hobo hike, Compass hike

Litter hike, Heritage hike

Program…trail signs, kinds of leaves, animal homes, write observations

and share with your family or school friends

4 – Sleep Out - Indoors Overnight

Prepare…your parents, sleeping bag and toiletries kit

Plan…where to go, what clothes to take, meals to eat

Make… a Kaper Chart

Know…how to keep personal items corralled, respect others' items, help when needed, how to roll a

sleeping bag, pack a duffle bag, how to clean up, use a flash light, prepare simple meals

Program…practice packing a duffel, sleeping bag roll up relay, have meals with choices, plan Girl Scout

activities, practice cooking


1- Looking Out

2- Walking Out

3- Hiking Out

4- Sleeping Out - Indoors

Activity # 2 – Progressive Activities List one activity that you can share with your troop before you go

on an overnight that will prepare the girls for ……


Provide the parents with all information required for the trip well in

advance. Work with the troop leader. Be sure to share the information

in another way for those parents who cannot attend the Parent Meeting.

Girl Scouts covers safety from all angles in several resources available to volunteers:

Volunteer Essentials, our national volunteer handbook, which devotes an entire chapter to

volunteers’ responsibilities for protecting girls’ emotional and physical wellbeing.

Girl Scout Safety Guidelines, a quick overview of the 12 most important safety tips, which councils

can provide to volunteers; the guidelines will appear in a forthcoming edition of Volunteer

Essentials.

Safety Activity Checkpoints, in-depth safety information and tips that adult volunteers use for

Girl Scout sports and activities; girls can also use these checkpoints to ready their group for a girl-

led activity.

Take just as many Troop Helpers as you need and refer to the applicable Safety Activity Checkpoint for the

required ratio. Adults who attend need to be trained to help the leaders and girls (i.e Volunteer Essentials

and all necessary Outdoor training). Adults must also be registered Girl Scout members who have

successfully completed background screening.

Remember, girls should be helped, praised, and disciplined by someone other than their own parent. Adults

should be willing to help when needed, keeping in mind that the ultimate goal is for the girl to become

independent.

The troop leader and the girls set rules and consequences together before the Parent Meeting. They are made to

ensure the health and safety of the individual girl and for the benefit of the total group. Be sure to include items

like: the buddy system, kaper chart use, good manners, be a friend, have fun, etc.

This is the key element for a successful Parent Meeting. Make it fun for the girls and adults. Give each girl in

your troop a special assignment for the meeting program. Here are some suggestions:

An official greeter at the door, make sure everyone gets a name tag, sign up volunteers, etc.

Opening flag or other ceremony

One girl may show how to pack a duffel bag


Demonstrate a good sleeping bag and how to pack it up (stuffed or rolled)

Have a girl model how each girl will be able to carry their own gear (2 items max.)

Some girls may plan refreshments or decorations

Have a couple of Girl Scouts show and explain badge work/displays, show slides or photographs from

their last troop activity

Have girls sing songs; perform ceremonies, skits, etc.

Be involved with planning the program

Participate in planned activities

Have appropriate behavior and attitudes as reflected by Girl Scout Promise and Law

Register as a Girl Scout member and successfully complete background screening

Choose the volunteer role in MyGS for Troop Helper

Help with specific jobs, such as: driving, preparing food, shopping

Be willing to pick up girl if she becomes ill or unable to continue trip

As volunteers, to set an example for the girls

Motivate the girls to participate

Teach girls to take responsibility for their own health, safety and behavior

Provide a positive and supportive group experience

Details of the trip and safety issues

Time, place, phone contact, transportation

Explain how and why they were made

Go over the Girl Scout Promise & Law

Print a copy of the Promise & Law!


Roll a sleeping bag

Pack a duffle

Lead a song or game

Prepare refreshments

Share the plan for the trip

On my honor I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

I will do my best to be

honest and fair,

friendly and helpful,

considerate and caring,

courageous and strong, and

responsible for what I say and do,

and to

respect myself and others,

respect authority,

use resources wisely,

make the world a better place, and

be a sister to every Girl Scout.


Girls who learn about and practice safe and healthy behaviors now will be better able to establish lifelong habits

of safety consciousness.

This publication is available from Girl Scouts of Orange County under Forms & Docs

and contains Girl Scout Program Standards and Guidelines that provide for the health

and safety of all girls. It must be consulted and all guidelines must be followed when

planning and taking part in Girl Scout activities.

Reviewed or revised each year by the Girl Scout Council of Orange County, Policies and Standards states

policies which must be followed and procedures which set guidelines for Girl Scout activities that are specific

to the Orange County Council.

The buddy system is one of the most effective methods of protecting girls while they are engaged in outdoor

activities or are away from the regular troop meeting place.

Girls are divided into teams of two and are responsible for:

staying with their buddy at all times

warning their buddy of danger

giving their buddy immediate assistance if it is safe to do so

calling for help when the situation warrants it

When planning a trip, always provide an opportunity in the program for girls to practice emergency procedures.

These routine practice sessions will help them stay calm and react appropriately if such a situation arises.

Staying together, listening quietly, and following directions will provide them with the greatest opportunity to

be safe. Use the buddy system.

Check the emergency procedures at facilities. In some places the people in charge will evacuate you.

Be sure that all building exits are known.

Have a designated meeting place.

Practice meeting there in a calm, safe manner.

Make sure buddies check for each other.


_____________ (course) is required of the adult acting as the primary first aider for the Girl Scout troop/group

activities indicated in the activity checkpoints

A general First Aid kit should always be available at and accompany

including .

(1)

(2)

(3)

Parents or guardians of girls who take medications should inform the leaders/camping volunteers in advance.

Over-the-counter medications or prescribed medications should be in the and administered by

or taken in the . Medications, including over-the-counter products should

be given without prior written permission.

Drivers for troop activities must be at least years of age, hold a valid and have

as required by the State of California (GSOC Policies and Standards). The vehicle must provide

a for each person and must be (Volunteer Essentials).

Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is at any Girl Scout events for girls. And

adults should refrain from smoking near (Policies and Standards).


Activity # 4 – Safety Answers

First Aider:

Level I First Aid (course) is required of the adult acting as the primary first aider for the Girl

Scout troop/group activities indicated in the activity checkpoints. (Read page 72-74 of 2017-

2018 Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 4: Safety Wise)

First Aid Kit:

A general First Aid kit should always be available at the meeting place and

accompany the girls including transportation to and from .

In addition to the standard materials, all first aid kits should contain

(1) Coins or calling cards for phone calls

(2) Signed permission slips (must be with the girl while traveling to and from)

(3) Health History forms

(Page 69-70 of 2017-2018 Volunteer Essentials)

Medications:

Parents or guardians of girls who take medications should inform the leaders in advance. Over-

the-counter medications or prescribed medications should be in the original containers and

administered by or taken in the presence of the leader/responsible adults .

Medications, including over-the-counter products should NOT be given without prior written

permission. (Page 69-70 of 2017-2018 Volunteer Essentials)

Transportation:

Drivers for troop activities must be at least 21 years of age, hold a valid drivers license

and have insurance as required by the State of California. (Read Policies and Standards)

The vehicle must provide a seatbelt for each person and must be used .

(Page 62-63 of 2017-2018 Volunteer Essentials)

Volunteers:

Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is not permitted at any Girl Scout events for

girls. And adults should refrain from smoking in front of the girls .

(Read Policies and Standards)


Fire Safety Checklist

This class qualifies Adults ONLY to build a fire.

Before Starting the Fire:

Check the weather condition. Is it too dry or windy for a safe fire?

Make sure to check local fire ordinances and obtain any necessary permits.

Follow instructions for fire use at Girl Scout Program Centers; only the Anaheim

Program Center allows fires.

Build fires only where permitted -- in stoves, enclosed fireplaces or designated fire areas.

Be properly dressed:

Have nothing hanging around the neck.

Tie back hair with a scarf.

DO NOT WEAR A NYLON JACKET or PANTS.

Have equipment assembled: A bucket of water by the fire, with a wet towel

Matches in a covered metal container

A rake or shovel nearby with prongs or blade down

Pot holders or insulated gloves

Building the Fire:

Establish the fire ring in a safe spot -- away from a tree’s trunk, exposed roots or under

low branches. Fire can travel downward to a tree’s roots, as well as upward.

The fire ring should be cleared to the ground. Look for a foundation of rock, dirt or sand.

To be safe, such a base should extend several inches below the surface, poke with a stick

to see if it does.

Rake the area so the nonflammable foundation extends for a radius of at least three feet

beyond the edge of the fire.

Be sure the fire ring is circled with brick, rock or cement.

Use only safe dry fuels to start the fire. DO NOT use dry leaves, loose papers, or

flammable liquids.

Build a fire only as large as needed.

NEVER leave any fire unattended.

Have plenty of fuel on hand BEFORE beginning to build the fire.

Using the Fire for S’mores:

Keep outside the fire ring area. Only the ADULT fire builder has a reason to

be inside the ring.

Use cooking sticks, wires and forks with care.

No running or horse play.

Keep the food end close to the ground.

Use gloves or hot pads when handling utensils.

Be sure the girls have their hair tied back. No nylon clothing

Allow only 4 or 5 girls at the fire at a time.

Teach the girls that if clothing should catch fire, to roll in a


blanket or in dirt but NEVER, NEVER RUN!

Remove all wires or sticks and dispose of properly.

Putting Out the Fire:

Let the fire die down as much as possible.

Spread the coals with a shovel or rake so they will burn out faster.

Break up big pieces.

Leave ashes and half-burned logs in the fire ring.

Sprinkle coals lightly with water BY HAND.

Do not throw a pail of water on the fire. This will cause clouds of hot steam. A deluge

of water will run off and leave pockets of hot coals.

Stir coals with shovel to make sure there are no live coals.

Sprinkle again.

Repeat.

When ashes have cooled, carefully feel around edges with your hands for hot spots.

When the hand can press on the spot where the fire was, it will be out.


Building Charcoal Fires

Review the Fire Safety Checklist. This course qualifies ADULTS ONLY to build the fire.

When purchasing charcoal:

Name brands light easier and burn better.

Four to five pounds will cook a one-pot meal and heat water.

Commercially pre-soaked (like Match Light) is not recommended. The fumes are not

healthy to breathe, it imparts a distinctive flavor to grilled foods, and it does not hold the

temperature.

When preparing the stove or barbecue:

Line the bottom with heavy-duty foil for easier cleaning.

Stoves should not be placed under overhanging tree branches.

Always use a clean grill.

Use a non-stick spray on the grill for easier clean up.

When lighting the charcoal:

Arrange charcoal around and on top of several fire starters.

Light fire starters with back to the wind.

Use tongs to add another layer or two of charcoal.

-Or-

Use a commercial charcoal-starting chimney:

Place 2 individually crumbled sheets of newspaper in the bottom.

Turn can upright and fill with charcoal.

Light newspaper at bottom of can.

When charcoal is gray:

Pour out or spread out charcoal into stove.

Place the can safely out of the way to cool.

Use tongs to evenly distribute coals for cooking surface.

Check for medium hot fire by holding palm over grill and counting seconds “One one

thousand, two one thousand ...” until heat is uncomfortable - 3 seconds is medium hot.

When extinguishing a charcoal fire:

Carefully sprinkle water over each piece of charcoal or place each piece into bucket of

water.

Charcoal must be well soaked with water to fully extinguish.

If the charcoal was sprinkled, be sure to crush each piece with a rock to ensure that the

coals are completely extinguished.


Fire Starters:

Use any dry commercial fire starter

Make newspaper rolls -roll 2 or 3 pages into 4-inch strips; roll and tie with string; dip in

paraffin.

Make kisses - shave paraffin onto four-inch squares of wax paper; twist the ends like a

candy kiss.

Make starters using cardboard egg cartons. Fill the sections with wood shavings; hamster

bedding works well. Carefully fill each section with melted paraffin. Tear off one, two or

three sections.

Use caution when melting paraffin or wax. Use a double boiler, put the wax in a small

pan and rest the small pan in a larger pan of water. Heat the water and that will melt the

wax. Paraffin is EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE!


Building Wood Fires

Review the Fire Safety Checklist. This course qualifies ADULTS ONLY to build the fire.

When building a wood fire, consider the type of wood you are using. Hardwoods, such as oak,

hickory, birch, maple, ash, eucalyptus, and mesquite produce a long-burning fire with lasting

coals. Soft woods, such as pine, spruce, cedar, and aspen produce a quick-burning, hot fire that

does not last long and does not leave good coals.

A wood fire needs three different kinds of fire material: tinder, kindling, and fuel. The match

lights the tinder, the tinder ignites the kindling, and the kindling starts the fuel burning.

Tinder

Tinder is small, no thicker than wooden matches. It burns as soon as it is touched with a

match.

Tinder is dry wood. It snaps and breaks but does not bend. Use small twigs, wood

shavings, or dried pine needles or weeds for tinder.

Kindling Kindling is dry wood, thin as a pencil up to as thick as the thumb.

Kindling should snap rather than bend.

Fuel

Fuel is the larger dry, seasoned wood that keeps your fire going.

Stack the wood in three separate piles: tinder, kindling, and fuel.

Build the woodpile far enough from the fire so that no sparks can fly into it no matter

how often the wind shifts.

Sticks that bend and do not snap are green; use only after a hot fire is started.

Wood that crumbles is rotten. It will smolder and smoke without giving off heat.

Split wood burns well: the inside of a log is drier than the outside.

Foundation

A foundation or “A” frame fire is made of tinder and kindling, and its job is to make

enough high temperature to get the fuel burning.

Use three pieces of kindling to make a small triangle.

Carefully lay pieces of tinder on the triangle (a fire starter may be placed there as well).

This way there is air underneath the tinder and there is space for the match. Air is needed

in order to burn.

Fire always burns upwards. When lighting the tinder, light it from the bottom.

Add fuel in a crisscross or log cabin pattern.


Planning Steps

Planning Your Overnight!

Meeting 1

2 months to 1 year before the trip

Pre- planning

Make a list of possible overnight places to go.

Make a list of activities the girls could do.

Make a chart to display with the planning tasks and steps.

At the Meeting:

Discuss: The steps in planning

The idea of an overnight

What you will do

What the girls will do

Decide: Where to go

What activities they would like to do

Check: Safety Activity Checkpoints

Discuss: The dates

The troop trip rules

Do: Schedule and plan a parent meeting with the girls

After the Meeting:

Check on availability of locations and dates.

Make tentative reservations.

Alert the girls' parents of dates for the parent meeting and the trip.

Meeting 2: Parent Meeting

Pre-planning

Determine the number of helpers that are needed.

Decide how to provide information to parents who are unable to attend.

Prepare the agenda.

Help collect, coordinate and prepare materials needed for the parents meeting.

Send a reminder.

At the meeting;

Discuss: The plans

Decide: Who's doing what

Discuss: The Girl Scout program

The troop trip rules

Emergency Plan


After the meeting:

Confirm reservations.

Submit necessary trip forms to the Service Unit and/or Council.

Meeting 3

Pre-Planning:

Check resources for program related activities for the girls to choose from

Collect simple menu ideas for the girls to choose from

Research restaurants in the area where you are going - bring menus

Prepare a chart to help plan the budget; be prepared with costs

Arrange for snack preparation

At the meeting:

Decide: A theme

Patrols

Who's doing what

Meals or menus

Activities

Determine: The budget for the trip

The shopping list

Prepare: A simple snack

Learn: A fun song

After the Meeting

Collect song tapes and music

Collect game ideas that go with the them

Meeting 4 Pre- Planning

Check Safety Activity Checkpoints and Policies and Standards

Check the troops First Aid Kit

Make copies of the personal equipment list

Prepare permission slips

At the Meeting:

Discuss: Dressing for the outing; what to wear

What about the weather?

Do: A relay race dressing in layers

Show: Packing process

Learn: Safety skills

Buddy system

To identify possible hazards

Simple First Aid

Prepare: Emergency Plan

Learn: A quiet song


Send: Permission slips and all trip details home to parents/guardians

After the Meeting Arrange shopping trips for food and other supplies

Meeting 5

1 week prior

Pre-Planning

Confirm all helping parents

Confirm reservations

Last minute details

At the meeting

Collect: Permission Slips

Make: Kaper Chart

Plan: Girl Scouts Own

Review: Plans for the trip

Answer: All questions

After the Meeting

Follow up on any missing permission slips

Confirm all last minute details

Shopping

Confirm all reservations and helping parents

Handle any last minute changes or emergencies

Double check your check list

Trip Day

SMILE

Check the girls' bags for all the necessary equipment - troop and personal - BEFORE

you leave the parking lot

Permission Slips

Driving Instructions

Emergency procedures

YOU'RE OFF - ENJOY!


SAMPLE BUDGET WORKSHEET Budget for campout/overnight trip to: Smokey’s Cabin Dates: Sat. May 1 – Sun. May 2

(Step #1 - Add up the number of persons attending – Count the number of meals- add up the total number of meals)

# of Girl Scouts attending: 12 # of Breakfasts: 1 Total Number

of Meals:

4 # of Girl Scouts attending: 3 # of Lunches: 2

Total # of persons attending: 15 # of Dinners: 1

Projected

Cost

Final

Cost EXPENSES:

(Step # 2 – make a list of ALL food and supplies – then you can figure

about $3.00 per meal – that is an average , as dinner will be more and

snacks will be less – Make note if your menu is more extravagant –

steaks instead of burgers – you may have to adjust!)

Food (meals & snacks), cooking supplies (foil, briquettes),

& cleaning supplies (detergent, etc.)

Figure about $3 per meal per person

4 meals X 15 people = 60 X $3 per meal = $180

$180.00

(Figure what you have and what you will need to buy)

First aid supplies $5.00

( Figure your site cost based on your research)

Campsite fee or facility fee

$20.00 per night plus $ .25 per person

Per night fee: $20.00 X 1 night = $20.00

Per person fee:15 people X $0.25 = $3.75

Total cabin fee: $23.75

$23.75

( Figure mileage X cost of gas X miles per gallon X number of vehicles

+ tolls =

Transportation expenses (gas, tolls, etc.)

$5.00

Program supplies / entertainment

12 girls X $0.50 ( or cost of supplies per girl) = $6.00 $6.00

Miscellaneous expenses

Phone: $1.25

Postage: 12 girls X $0.33 = $3.96

$5.21

TOTAL COST: $224.96

Total cost divided by

# of girls (12) = $18.75 Cost per girl: $18.75

The cost for adult volunteers is divided among the

girls – adults don’t pay Each girl pays $10.00

Decide how much will come out of troop funds.

Troop funds pays balance per girl: $8.75


Activity # 5 – Plan a Budget Worksheet

Budget for campout/overnight trip to: Dates:

(Step #1 - Add up the number of persons attending – Count the number of meals- add up the total number of meals)

# of Girl Scouts attending: # of Breakfasts: Total Number

of Meals:

# of Girl Scouts attending: # of Lunches:

Total # of persons attending: # of Dinners:

Projected

Cost

Final

Cost EXPENSES:

Food (meals & snacks), cooking supplies (foil, briquettes),

& cleaning supplies (detergent, etc.)

Figure about $3 per meal per person

First aid supplies

Campsite fee or facility fee

Per night fee:__________

Per person fee:__________

Total cabin fee:__________

Transportation expenses (gas, tolls, etc.)

Program supplies / entertainment

Miscellaneous expenses

TOTAL COST:

Cost per girl (Girls pay for adult volunteers):

Each girl pays:

Troop funds pays balance:


Personal Equipment Helpful Hints

You will need to know…

Where are we going? Program Center, hotel …

What amenities? Kitchen …

What kind of location will we be in? Beach, park …

What kind of weather do we expect? Sunny, windy …

What kind of activities will we be doing?

Plan accordingly!

All personal gear should be packed in a duffel bag, stuff bag, cloth laundry bag, or

backpack.

Soft packed gear is much easier to pack into transportation vehicles.

Each girl will be responsible for her personal belongings and must be able to carry what

she brings.

Sleeping bags and duffel bags should be marked with name and troop number.

Slumber bags are not acceptable, not even in Scout Houses! For most Southern

California Girl Scout outings, a sleeping bag that is rated "3-season" is adequate, and is

plenty warm enough at 40 degree lows

All personal equipment should be labeled with initial and last name, even utensils and

underwear.

Small items should be kept in stuff bags or zip lock bags

Everyone should bring along some zip lock or other plastic bags to take home wet things.

Encourage use of small unbreakable "travel size" containers for toiletries.

Important:

Place batteries in flashlight backwards during travel to avoid accidentally turning it on.

Bring extra batteries. (For proper disposal of used batteries; bring to Home Depot.)

No aerosol spray cans - they can leak or explode. (Note: they also damage tent fabric

when camping.)

Perfume, hair spray, scented lotions, etc. will attract insects!

Bring plastic plate, bowl, cup, and eating utensils as required. Paper goods may be easier

but learning to clean the dishes, to be responsible for your own things and

conservation are all valuable lessons.

Clothes should be appropriate to activities, comfortable and not too

tight; strong, but lightweight; not new.

Make sure shoes and extra shoes still fit!

Bring extra socks too.

Note:

Never sleep in the clothes you have worn that day. Change into

pajamas, sweats, or other clean clothes just before you hop into your bag. That means

clean everything, including underwear and socks! Perspiration (condensation) in the

clothes you have worn will evaporate at night and act as a very efficient cooling system,

and you will feel chilled.

If you don't need it, don't bring it!


Personal Equipment List Bring two "bundles" only!

1. Sleeping Bag in a soft bag* (pillow

& extra blanket in here).

2. Duffel Bag (no suitcases) with

everything else inside.

No plastic "trash" bags - they

don't "stuff" and they tear!

You won't need all this stuff

every time.

Think about where you are

going and pack accordingly!

Each girl should bring the

items checked below, marked

with her name or initials.

For Sleeping:

Sleeping Bag

Pillow and/or pillow case

Extra blanket

Personal Items:

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Brush and comb

Hair tie for long hair

Wash cloth

Small towel

Bath towel

Soap

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Insect repellant (no aerosol)

Lip balm

Lotion

Shampoo

Sanitary supplies

Facial tissue

Deodorant (no aerosol)

Plastic bag for wet or dirty clothes

Medicine (in original container, must

given to leader with instructions)

Clothes:

Underwear

Pajamas

Shorts

Long pants

Shirts, short sleeved (must cover

shoulders)

Shirts, long sleeved

Socks

Shoes, sturdy closed toe, extra pair

Sweatshirt or sweater

Warm jacket

Sun hat with brim

Knit hat for warmth

Gloves

Rain poncho

Bathing suit

Bandana

Extras:

Flashlight

Extra batteries

Permission Slip

Water Bottle/Canteen

Pencil & paper

Girls Guide to Girl Scouting

Song book

Pocket knife

Compass

Sit-upon

Other assigned food items

Leave it at Home!

Leave jewelry and other valuables at

home. If you can't afford to lose it -

leave it!

Do not bring gum, candy, pagers,

cell phones, radios, or walkman style

equipment unless instructed

otherwise.

No aerosol cans - they can leak or

explode.


Kaper Charts

A kaper chart is the Girl Scout way of dividing jobs and chores (kapers) evenly and efficiently.

Kapers can be assigned to individuals within a patrol or they can be assigned to a whole patrol (a

small group of girls). There are endless possibilities for kaper chart design. They can be as

simple or as elaborate as the girls want them to be.

To make a kaper chart:

List each job (kaper) to be done

List what each job entails (job descriptions)

Consider the number of girls needed (and available) to do the jobs

Divide the work so that there is an equal amount in each job

Rotate jobs if they need to be done more than once

Make a Kaper Chart to show who does what and when

The following lists are suggested job descriptions for an overnight. You may want to add others

as needed. The girls may want to rename the jobs if the outing has a specific theme.

Cooks

Wear head scarves, wash hands & have all fire safety equipment on hand

Prepare, cook and serve the food (guests first, then leaders, then girls)

Put away all food when done

Wash and put away all equipment

Hostesses

Make centerpiece for table

Set the table with troop or patrol items needed (girls set their own dishes)

Invite and be hostess to guests (also wash guest dishes)

Select and lead grace

Clear table of troop or patrol items

Wash and put away serving dishes (other than cook’s equipment)

Clean up

Set up dish washing area

Wipe off table and food preparation area

Empty trash

Leave kitchen and eating area clean and neat

When kapers are performed by an entire patrol, the jobs may include:

Flag ceremonies (raising and lowering)

Campfire program – be specific

Girl Scouts’ Own – be specific

Sparkle duty – cleaning and sweeping restrooms


Schedule A time schedule of activities should be done in large blocks of time. It could cover a single day

or an entire weekend. Schedules are planned with the girls and always allow rest periods and

free time.

It may include:

Time to get up (discuss with girls)

Flag raising ceremony

Breakfast and clean up (if cooking, allow 2 hours)

Morning activities and free time (list specific activities)

Lunch and quiet time

Afternoon activities and free time

Dinner and clean up (allow 2 hours)

Flag lowering ceremony

Evening program

Bedtime (discuss with girls)

Lights out (usually 15 – 20 minutes after bedtime)

Throughout the entire day, there should be a balance between active and quiet pursuits, a fact

which should be stressed in guiding program planning. The impact of new experiences and the

strenuous nature of life together are in themselves mentally and physically exhausting. Growing

girls need more sleep when together than they do at home. Leaders should watch each girl for

signs of over stimulation and ease off activities accordingly.

Post the Kaper Chart, schedule and menus with recipes so that girls can refer to them.

Activity #6- Schedule Using the worksheet, on the next page, create a sample schedule with time estimates using the

above suggestions. We’ve begun for you with a Saturday arrival at a GS Program Center.

Continue until check-out on noon Sunday.


Meal Planning Menus should be planned well in advance.

Menus should be filling and well balanced.

Consider ease of preparation, cooking time, basic food groups, and cost of ingredients.

Girls eat more in the out-of-doors than at home.

Try all recipes at home before going away.

Remember when girls are doing the food preparation and cooking, it will take

approximately three (3) times as long as it would take you at home in your kitchen.

Whenever possible, have the girls prepare whatever is practical at a meeting just before

your trip.

If the focus of your outing is NOT cooking, keep the menu simple. Not every meal needs

to be a hot meal.

Begin with simple menus.

Just as a non-swimmer doesn’t jump into 12 feet of water, so the beginning cook needs to start

with the simplest methods of cooking and work up from there.

Planning is the secret to success, and patience is the key.

Younger girls have not developed patience. Remember that patience comes with age and

experience.

Young cooks like to see the flames of the fire, to watch their food cook, and they like to eat

almost immediately.

The one pot meal fits their needs along with giving them the chance to gain experience, which

with age, will increase patience. What steps you start on, and how fast you progress, must be

keyed to the experience and abilities of the girls you are working with.

As you begin the process of menu planning with your girls, help them to consider how

their meal menus fit into the food pyramid.

Be sure that they include extra drinking water into the plan for the day, not just drinks

with meals.

Make them aware of any special dietary considerations of other troop members when

they are planning their menus, but the whole troop does not have to follow that diet.

Also allow food choices at meals if possible, such as a sandwich bar or salad bar.

As girls make their menu and meal plans they also need to consider the grocery list that

will be generated as well as the equipment that will be needed to prepare and cook the

meal.

When the girls plan the menu they are more likely to eat the food!


Girl Scout Stew

3 lbs. ground meat

(turkey, beef or chicken)

1 large onion peeled and finely chopped

1 Tbsp. oil

3 10 ½ oz. cans concentrated vegetable soup

Salt and pepper to taste (remember the soup

will be salty)

Mix ground meat, onion and seasonings.

Make little balls of meat mixture. Fry in oil

in the bottom of a large pot until meatballs

are browned all over.

Drain any excess grease.

Add vegetable soup concentrate and enough

water (2-3 cans) to prevent sticking. Cover

and cook slowly until meatballs are cooked

through.

Serve hot. For thicker gravy, add a package

of beef gravy mix.

Camper’s Chicken N’ Dumplings

Do this part at home before the campout:

Put 4 chicken breasts in a pot, cover with

water, add salt, pepper and one-half of an

onion - chopped. Bring to boil, then cover

and simmer until meat is tender. Remove

chicken from pot. Discard skin and bones,

cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Reserve

liquid. Put chicken pieces and reserved

liquid into a sealed container to freeze or

refrigerate to transport to campsite.

At the campsite: put chicken and liquid into

heavy pot.

Add:

1 can cream of celery soup,

1 can cream of chicken soup,

1 Tbsp. dried minced onion, and

1 can of sliced carrots.

Bring to boil.

Make dumplings from Bisquick and milk

and drop into stew with a large spoon.

Cook 20 minutes uncovered and 10 more

minutes covered.

Quick Camper’s Chili

4 lbs. ground meat

2 Tbsp. chili powder (or to taste)

4 soup size cans ranch style beans

4 can red kidney beans

4 cans tomato soup

4 soup cans water

Brown meat in oiled deep pot. Drain off

ALL grease. Add contents of all the cans

and chili powder. Stir well and let cook

slowly one hour.

Serves 20.

Master Plan for One Pot Meals

(To serve 12+)

PUT INTO ONE POT

One Pot Meals


3 lbs. ground meat, chicken, beef or Turkey

(browned and drained)

2 chopped onions

1 chopped green pepper

THEN FOR:

INSTANT SPAGHETTI

add:

1 can tomato soup**

4 14oz. cans spaghetti

Heat thoroughly

CHILI

add:

3 16 oz. cans stewed tomatoes

3 15oz. cans kidney beans

3-4 Tbsp. chili powder

SPANISH RICE

add:

3 cans tomato soup**

1 soup can water

When boiling add:

14oz. box Minute Rice

cover – remove from heat

and let sit 5 minutes

QUICK MACARONI

add:

2 cans chicken gumbo soup**

2 cans cream of chicken soup**

2 soup cans water

When boiling add:

1 lb. uncooked macaroni

Cook covered 20-30 min.

HUNTER’S STEW

add:

6 cans vegetable soup**

or

4 16 oz. can mixed veggies

BEEF MACO

add:

1 lb. uncooked macaroni

(cook until yellow)

2 16oz. cans tomato sauce

1 sauce can water

2 tsp. garlic salt

Cover and cook 25 min.

HAMBURGER HEAVEN

layer:

12 oz. fine dry noodles

1 lb. grated American cheese

2 Cups chopped celery

2 28 oz. can tomatoes

Cook covered 20-30min.

DO NOT STIR!


CAMP SOUP

add:

1 16oz. can tomato sauce

6 sauce cans water

2 pkg. onion soup mix

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 tsp. oregano

2 Cups sliced carrots

2 Cups sliced celery


RANCH STYLE BEANS

add:

2 Cups catsup

2 pkg. onion soup mix

2 28oz. cans baked beans

CORN KERNEL SOUP

add:


3 17oz. cans kernel corn

½ lb. diced American cheese

Heat thoroughly

SWEET ‘N SOUR BEEF

add:

4 Cups pineapple juice

6 Tbsp. cornstarch dissolved

in 3 Tbsp. lemon juice &

3 Tbsp. water

Stir until thickened

Serve on chow mein noodles

SOUTH OF THE BORDER

add:

1 16oz. can niblet mexicorn

1 7oz. can pitted olives


When boiling add:

15oz. cornbread mix

prepared as directed and dropped by

spoonfuls


DO NOT LIFT COVER!

**Soup can is 10 ½ oz. size undiluted

NOTE: Add a little water if any mixture

becomes too thick


Shopping

Always allow the girls to participate in shopping for the food for the outing as part of the

planning process. For most girls this will be a new experience. While they may have

accompanied a parent to the grocery store, they have probably never comparison shopped for the

best deal, or compared ingredients. When they first start shopping, they will be surprised at the

number of choices there are for a single product. Many of them have never selected a fresh fruit

or vegetable. They need to learn what to look for.

Quantity will be another area where their experience will differ. For a family of 2 or 3, a large

can of tomatoes will be very different than that of a family of 5 or 6. This will be a wonderful

experience for them to practice their math skills. If they know how many servings that they

need, then they can figure out the quantity that they need to buy.

As the girls make their menu plans, they should make their shopping list at the same time. The

first few times they plan, they will need a lot of guidance. It will be amazing for them to

discover how many things go into making something as simple as sandwiches. There will be

many choices for them to make. Budget will, of course, need to be a consideration.

A group of girls can shop for the entire troop, or each small group of girls might shop for their

own food. An adult should always accompany the girls. They will be very excited on their first

shopping trip. Remember that it will be easier for the girls to shop for and prepare food for a

small group than for the whole troop when they are first starting out.


While the girls are preparing their menus and shopping lists, they should also be making a list of

what equipment they will need to prepare the food. Here again, they will need guidance as they

develop this skill. They may remember that they will need a knife to cut up the carrots, but will

they think of the peeler and cutting board? You may find that some of the items necessary for

the meal preparation are ones that the girls have little or no experience using. Be sure to practice

all necessary skills prior to the actual meal preparation.

A Guide for Food Quantities Ground Meat – ¼ lb. per person

Potatoes - 8 lbs. serves 25 1 lb. serves 3

Cabbage - 1 lb. serves 5

Minute Rice – 1 7oz. pkg. serves 6 #300 can, 1¾ cups, (14-16oz.) serves 2

#303 can, 2 cups (16-17oz.) serves 3 #2 can, 2 ½ cups (20oz.) serves 5

#2 ½ can, 3 ½ cups (29oz.) serves 7-8 #10 can, 1 gal., 12 cups (6 ½ lbs.) serves 35

Tuna - 6 ½ oz. can makes 4 generous sandwiches

Bread - Large loaf – 22 slices

Butter – ¼ lb. per loaf of bread

Soda Crackers – 1# = 112 crackers

Graham Crackers – 3 sleeves of 11 double crackers

Hershey Bar - 1.55 oz.– 12 squares

Marshmallows – bag – 36 to 40

Cereal -18 oz. box serves 16

Peanut Butter - 18 oz. serves 16 (2 Tbsp. per serving)

French Toast - 1 qt. milk, 1 doz. eggs serves 16. Add more milk and you can easily stretch it to

20

Pancake Mix - Large box (40oz.) makes 5 doz. 4” pancakes and 1 large bottle of syrup will

cover the above. This is enough for a troop of 20.

Vienna sausage – 7 in a can

Punch - 1 gallon of concentrated punch base takes 4 gallons of water, serves 80 (8 oz. servings)


Average Sized Serving Per Girl *

These are sample servings ONLY! Serving sizes may vary depending on the age of your girls.

Meat, canned – 3 oz.

Fish, canned – 3 oz.

Cereal, cold – 1 oz. dry

Cereal, hot – ½ oz. dry

Juice – 6 oz.

Soup – 5 oz.

Egg salad – 1 ½ eggs per person

Potatoes, instant, 1 ½ oz. dry

Beans, canned ½ C. or 4 oz.

Veggies, canned – 4 oz.

Cocoa, instant – ½ oz.

Fruit, canned – 5-6 oz.

Peanut butter – 2 oz.

Jam – 1 oz.

Jelly – 1 oz.

Cheese – 2 oz.

Butter – 2 oz.

Bacon – 3 oz.

Equivalents One egg is equivalent in leavening power to ½ teaspoon baking powder.

One cup sweet milk may be substituted for 1 cup sour milk by adding 1 ½ teaspoons

vinegar or 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice.

One cup granulated sugar is equivalent to 1 1/3 cups brown sugar.

Three and one-half tablespoons cocoa plus ½ tablespoon butter is equivalent to one ounce

or one square chocolate.

Two tablespoons butter = 1 ounce.

2 cups butter = 1 pound.

Four cups flour = 1 pound.

Four and ½ cup whole wheat or graham flour = 1 pound.

Two cups granulated sugar = 1 pound.

Two and 2/3 cups brown sugar = 1 pound.

Three and ½ cups confectioners sugar = 1 pound.

One ounce chocolate = 1 square.

Three cups raisins = 1 pound.

Eight egg whites = 1 cup.

Two cups ground meat = 1 pound.


Activity # 7 - Plan a Menu Create a balanced menu for an overnight. Include 1 dinner, 2 lunches, and

1 breakfast. At least 1 meal must be no cook. Include beverages and snacks.

Lunch #1:

Snack #1:

Dinner #1:

Snack #2:

Breakfast #1:

Snack #3:

Lunch #2:


Troop Equipment List Don’t take all this equipment!

Ask yourself: “What do I need on this trip? What is already there? What will we do there?”

Food Preparation

Plastic bowls

Cutting board

Paring knives

Large knife

Mixing spoons

Vegetable peeler

Measuring cups

Measuring spoons

Rotary beater

Can opener

Recipes to use

Paper towels

Folding table

Fires

Charcoal

Fire starters

Matches

Water bucket

Burlap or towel

Shovel

Tongs

Knife, ax, saw

Wood

Cooking

Pots & pans

Pot holders or mitts

Tongs

Pancake turner

Baking pans

Extra spoons

Coffee pot

Foil

Baking soda

Serving

Spoons, forks

Ladle

Slotted spoon

Pitchers

Table cloth

Napkins

Bowls & plates

Miscellaneous

Menu Chart

Kaper Chart

Clock

Time Schedule

First Aid Kit

Toilet paper

Feminine supplies

Health History

Books

Games

Craft supplies

Storing

Boxes with tops

Ice chest

Zip lock bags

Clean Up

Dish pans

Detergent

Bleach

Dish mop

Scouring pads

Sponge or rags

Trash bags


Program Ideas Planning Girl Program is covered in detail in Level Essentials - there you received program

resources and great information about Girl Planning. The program possibilities for overnight

trips are nearly endless. Try to carry the theme of your outing to your program activities. Girls

can decide to work on developing skills, go on hikes, and sing songs, study nature, play outdoor

games, make crafts, hold outdoor ceremonies, and complete Award requirements. Remember

not to pack so many activities into each day that there is no free time just to relax and enjoy the

location.

Themes

Choose a theme for your overnighter that will lend itself to more ideas, such as:

Another country (use menus, costumes, crafts, songs, etc.)

Sign language (do a flag ceremony, grace, etc.)

Wizard of Oz (paint an “over the rainbow” mural, sing, dance, red glitter on shoes, etc.)

Core Camp at Scherman and Service Unit outings usually have a theme already planned.

Try-Its, Badges & Interest Projects

Badges or Journeys are great program ideas.

Some requirements can be done before and after your outing.

Leave something for the girl to do on her own, either at a troop meeting or at home.

Messy activities are good to do somewhere other than at a meeting place or home.

Games

Games can settle a group down, build excitement and foster group spirit of togetherness.

Children know many games. They will be more than willing to share them with you.

You will still want to have a few stored in your head too.

Games that do not have winners or losers are often more fun and less threatening..

Just as the right time to start playing games is important, when to stop is equally

important. The stopping point should be while the game is at a high and before the

children have become tired of it. They will then be anxious to return to the game at a later

time.

Ceremonies

Start really simple and do them in progressive steps.

A first program might be taken from printed material.

Next, the girls might have some ideas like the theme or poems, but lots of leader help.

Then the leader gives a limited amount of help, but offers a few suggestions and listens to

their rehearsal.

Next, let the girls do the planning without help, but a leader will still

approve the plan.

Eventually, the girls can be trusted to plan a good and appropriate

ceremony.


Ceremonies can include: Girl Scouts Own

Flag

Campfire

Investiture

Re-dedication

Opening and Closing

Discovery Hikes

Color Walk – Choose two colors and list all the things you see that are these colors

along the way.

Sound Walk – List all of the sounds of nature you hear as you go along. If you can

identify the sound, indicate it.

Initial Walk – Using the initial of either your first or last name,

list all the things you see beginning with this initial as you walk

along a path.

Penny Walk – Flip a coin, heads turn to the right, tails turn to

the left. Do this as many times as you wish as you travel along.

Snoop Walk – Be alert to everything, especially what is under a rock, an old piece of

wood, under grass, weeds and list them.

Leaf Match – One buddy finds 5 leaves; the other buddy tries to match them.

Five Minute Crawl – Begin at a given spot and crawl over an area. Collect

all you can find and list your findings.

Sketch Hike – Sketch anything you find that is interesting – a leaf, bird,

tree, flower, etc.

Onion Trail Hike – One buddy marks an onion trail by rubbing a cut onion on trees,

bushes, etc. The other buddy tries to find the trail by smelling. This can be done in

patrols in a troop.

Trail Signs Hike – After you learn trail signs, use them on a hike.


Games

Check out Volunteer Essentials, Chapter 4: Safety-Wise for guidelines and safety standards for

all games. Always check the terrain and surrounding areas before you choose games, i.e.,

indoors, outdoors, windows, cars, traffic, potholes, brush and rocks. Pick games that are

appropriate to the location and environment that you are in.

Consider the age, skills and abilities of ALL the girls in the troop - games can and should be

modified to include everyone's ability.

Active Games

Farmer and the Animals One player is the farmer. The farmer is blindfolded and stands in the center of a circle

holding a stick about three feet long.

The other players in the circle dance around until the farmer says, “Stop!”

The farmer then points the stick at a player, who must take the opposite end of it.

The farmer then commands the player to make a noise like a certain

animal – cat, sheep, or cow – and then tries to guess the person’s

name.

If the guess is correct, they exchange places.

If wrong, the game continues with the same farmer.

Players try to disguise their voices when imitating the animals.

Midnight

One player is IT.

Other players stand behind a designated goal line.

Players begin approaching IT and calling, “What time is it?”

IT may answer any time; e.g., 3 o’clock. But when IT says “Midnight,” the players must

run back to the goal line before they are tagged.

First person tagged becomes the new IT.

Have You Seen My Sheep? Players form a circle.

One player, the shepherd, is outside the circle. The shepherd walks around the circle and

taps someone asking, “Have you seen my sheep?”

The player tapped asks, “What does it look like?” And the shepherd describes one of the

other people in the circle.

As soon as someone guesses who is being described, the shepherd says, “Right,” and the

guesser must chase the one who was described.

If the chaser can catch the runner before the runner gets back to her place in the circle,

the chaser becomes the shepherd.

If the runner makes it back to her place, then the runner gets to be the shepherd.


Quiet Games Indoor Treasure Hunt

This game is fine for a rainy day or an evening program during winter

outings.

Post a list of 25 objects that have been collected and hidden ahead of

time, such as a pine cone, an arrowhead, etc.

Each player is given paper and pencil on which to write down the

hiding place for each article when it is found.

Time is called at the end of 15 minutes.

The player who has found the largest number of articles is the

winner.

Riddle-de-dee

Have a member of the group think of something in nature and describe it to the group in

terms of a riddle.

The others try to guess what it is.

Give one or two examples to get the group started.

Each begins: “Riddle-de-dee, you can’t guess me.”

An example: “You can’t see me, but you can hear me. I push things around” (the wind).

The player gives more and more hints until someone guesses. The guesser then presents

a nature riddle.

Grass Snap (Japanese)

Each child gets a blade of grass, and holds both ends, making a loop.

Another child sticks one end of her blade of grass through this loop and grabs the other

end, making two interlocking loops.

Each child pulls her own loop.

The child whose blade snaps, hands the winner the two pieces of the snapped blade and

gets a new blade of grass.

The children continue to challenge each other gathering blades of grass as winners.

At the close of the game, the one with the most pieces of grass is the winner.

Check out these great Girl Scout resources for more games:

Girl Books

Volunteer Guides

Games for Girl Scouts


Girl Scouts’ Own Ceremony A Girl Scouts’ Own is an inspirational ceremony, planned and carried out by the girls. It is

neither a religious ceremony nor a substitute for one, but a simple, sincere program which aims

to help Girl Scouts reflect on the ideals of Girl Scouting. It is a time in which each individual

girl receives inspiration. It is a time when dignity and beauty can emerge.

The key ingredients of a Girl Scouts’ Own are:

The setting – find the nicest place, a majestic view, a beautiful tree, a secluded grove

A group – to plan the ceremony

The other girls – aware of the ceremony as a quiet time. A silent walk, single file or two

by two, to the selected spot is an important prelude

Be sure the girls understand the purpose and its meaning

A short amount of time – keep it short and simple to avoid restlessness

It is important that this ceremony be the planning and expression of the girls. Don’t plan it for

them. Of course, you will make suggestions and help them find references the first few times.

Good themes might include:

The Promise and Law

Patriotism

Music

Friendship

Nature

The girls will think of more ideas.

The entire ceremony should be planned and rehearsed so that the girls will be confident in their

presentations. Usually there are familiar songs for all to join in as well as parts being done by

individuals that may include poems, choral readings, or short talks.

The Basic Format of the Girl Scouts’ Own

Processional - to move the group to the location, including a “touching tree” (or boulder,

fence post, etc.) for everyone to touch on the way in, after which there is no talking

Opening - presentation of the theme of the Girl Scouts’ Own

Development of the theme - in a variety of ways

Conclusion – reiterating the initial theme, possibly by repetition of part or all of the

opening presentation

Recessional – same or at least on the same order as the processional

When planning a Girl Scouts’ Own, the first thing to do is establish the theme. Then gather ideas

in songs, phrases, poems, words of songs to be spoken, etc. that express the theme. Select ideas

and ways of presenting the ideas and arrange them in some order.

Do you plan to include audience participation? Is it inspirational?

Is it short enough that younger participants won’t become restless?

Decide on the order of material to be presented and who will do it.


Campfire Program Remember: an adult makes the fire at this level.

A highlight of every outdoor experience is the nighttime campfire. The campfire program

provides an opportunity for each girl, patrol, or troop to participate. When you are at a campfire,

you look for the companionship of other campers. There is no hard and fast rule as to what kind

of program is presented at a campfire. Campfire programs might include:

Singing – in small and large groups, or by one person. Fast-paced songs with hand

motions, quiet songs, ballads and rounds are all good choices.

Music – if possible, include instruments that will help the group sing.

Dramatics – short plays or skits, dramatized stories, poems, pantomimes, etc.

Stories – told by a storyteller, improvised by members of the group, read by someone.

This could be as simple as a chronicle of the day’s events.

Games – guessing games, quiet games, games that match wits.

Talks – by campers, forest rangers, naturalists who share their knowledge and their

enthusiasm.

Discussions – planned or unplanned, on any subject.

The campfire program should begin with the songs and activities that are more loud or

rowdy.

If stories, games or skits are included, these fit well in the middle.

Slow your program down to calm the girls before going off to bed with a few quiet songs.

An average one-hour campfire will need 15 to 20 activities.

Be sure to have those presenting skits to practice them ahead of time. Have them

rehearse at a troop meeting prior to the campout or earlier in the day before the campfire

program.

Be sure to keep things moving during the campfire.

And of course, this is always the time to make the Girl Scouts’ favorite campfire snack –

S’MORES!

It is important for every girl to bring a flashlight with her to the campfire so that she can

find her way back to her bed more easily.

However, it is equally important that all girls learn that flashlights are NOT to be used at

the campfire.

Perhaps leaving them all in one pile, a short distance from the campfire would be a good

idea.

It is very uncomfortable for those performing to have a flashlight shine in their eyes.


Girl Evaluations

It is important to have the girls evaluate each outing so that they

may learn from the experience and be better able to plan for the

next one. One of the strengths of Girl Scouting is the

opportunity for girls and adults to discuss their feelings,

concerns, and ideas with one another. It is important for each

person to feel that she is valued.

To help girls evaluate their experience ask them for input by

discussion or make an evaluation form for them to fill out. This

can be as simple as making a happy or sad face in response to

questions or can be more elaborate. Of course as girls get older

they can give a more detailed response regarding their ideas for

evaluating their experiences. These evaluations should be

reviewed prior to the next trip to help with the planning process.

Remind the girls that evaluations are to be used to help them to

plan better in the future. They should NOT be used to complain

about or to criticize the work of others. Teach them to be sensitive and appreciative for the hard

work that has gone into the planning of every event, and how to evaluate responsibly.

Some questions could be:

What activities did you like?

What did you learn about yourself?

What parts did the troop do well… the food? the activities? the kapers?

How would you plan differently next time?

What skills do you need to learn for the next outing?


Forms

Permission Slips (available online at www.girlscoutsoc.org under Forms & Docs)

Health History (available online at www.girlscoutsoc.org under Forms & Docs)

Emergency Procedures for Troops (available online at www.girlscoutsoc.org under Forms & Docs)

http://www.girlscoutsoc.org/



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