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Troop Outdoor Resource Guide Girl Scouts love spending time outdoors, exploring new places, and making memories. Connecting with the great outdoors in a youthled setting is a big benefit of belonging to Girl Scouts. When a Girl Scout spends quality time outdoors and increases their exposure to nature, they: • discover how they can better solve problems and overcome challenges, • develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall, and • become team players and care more about protecting our environment. Outdoor progression allows each Girl Scout to learn the skills they need to become competent outdoors, including planning and organizing outdoor activities at an age-appropriate and youth-led pace. Acknowledge a Girl Scout’s mastery of an outdoor skill and invite them to challenge themself further by taking the next step up and out! Use the Girl Outdoor Readiness Assessment to determine the most appropriate outdoor activities for your troop’s experience and skill level. There are many ways for a Girl Scout to participate in an outdoor experience in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, from a day hike with their troop to a week at overnight camp! Types of outdoor activities and programs may include: • Simple activity in your neighborhood, such as an urban hike or visit to a local park. • Troop activity to work on parts of an outdoor badge or Journey. • A one-day troop field trip to go hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, rock climbing, or another special program—on your own or with a field trip and travel partner. • A weekend overnight tent camping trip, staying at a GSNWGL property or local campground. • Staying in a cabin or lodge at a GSNWGL property. • Attending a service unit or GSNWGL staff-led troop camp weekend. • Planning a multi-day adventure at a higher skill level, such as a backpacking or multi-day rafting overnight trip. • Attending a summer camp opportunity at Camp Birch Trails. Girl Scout staff and volunteers are here to help! Our teams are happy to answer any questions and help plan outdoor activities. Please email us at info@gsnwgl.org.