Volunteer Learning Staff:
- Robin Brooks
Learning Registrar
- Heather Cutting
Outdoor & Certification Learning Manager
- Pat Ford
VP, Volunteer Learning
- Carrol Harris
Senior Manager, Leader Learning & Continuing Education
Outdoor Leadership
Outdoor Leadership courses are open to everyone who meets pre-requisites, although they will be most relevant for a troop leader or outdoor specialist.
Outdoor Leadership Series
Before taking girls on outdoor trips, troop leaders, advisors and outdoor specialists are required to begin the outdoor leadership series. The courses in the pathway are sequential and must be taken in order. Required courses should be completed six to eight weeks before an outdoor trip with girls.
Before begining the outdoor leadership series:
- Troop leaders and advisors take Getting Started and the appropriate Troop Leadership course.
- Outdoor specialists take the GSUSA Online Orientation.
Learn how to plan and implement outdoor programs based on age-specific progression, needs, desires and skills of the girls in your troop as well as the administrative steps needed to take an outdoor field trip. 3 hours. May also be taken by independent learning packet.
Qualifies participants to take girls on an outdoor day (not overnight) trip of 4 or more hours.
Pre-requisite: Troop Leaders: Getting Started, Troop Leadership
Outdoor Specialist: GSUSA Orientation
Indoor Overnight - $10
Ease into the idea of camping by planning an overnight in an indoor setting, a leader’s living room, a hotel or other situation that does not involve an outdoor setting. If your troop will not be ready for a few more years for an outdoor setting, this is a great first step. Taken by independent learning packet. Much of the same information is covered in Outdoor 2, so choose that class or the independent packet.
Qualifies participants to take girls for an indoor overnight experience of up to two nights where food will not be cooked outside, whether at an indoor encampment or other indoor facility with a kitchen and bathroom.
Pre-requisite: Outdoor 1
Outdoor 2: - $30
Learn to prepare and plan for an outdoor overnight event with girls. This is an overnight course. 16 hours of coursework plus 10 overnight hours. This class is offered on a variety of different Saturday-Sunday options through out the year. Twice a year in the fall and spring this course is offered in a Friday-Saturday setting or Friday-Sunday setting. Once a year in the spring we offer a weekday overnight option. Check the calendar for dates and details.
Qualifies participants to take girls on an outdoor overnight of 2 nights or less where the troop will be sleeping in an existing structure and a propane stove is used for cooking, and campfire is used for programming purposes.
Pre-requisite: Outdoor 1
Outdooor 3: - $15
Learn to take girls tent camping and advance their cooking skills. 6 hours.
Qualifies participants to take girls camping in tents, where charcoal cooking (Box and Dutch ovens) will be used.
Pre-requisite: Outdoor 1 and 2
Note: Outdoor 2 & 3 are no longer offered as a combined course.
Additional Outdoor Skills and Experiences
These courses are for adults and girls ages 14+. Participants must have taken Outdoor 1, 2 and 3 or have significant camping experience.
Advanced Camping Skills - $42
Develop your outdoor skills beyond the basics. Utilize minimum impact principles as you learn lashing, fire building, knots and tarp shelters. Practice beginning map and compass techniques, axe, hatchet and bow saw use. Explore multiple advanced cooking methods such as planking and tripod roasting. Create several pieces of equipment to take home. Overnight - 20 hours.
Trip Experience
Backpacking - $35
Experience a backpacking trip of 3 miles or more on a council property while learning how to prepare yourself and your girls for your first backpacking trip together. Adults and girls must be in good health/conditioning. Overnight - 18 hours.Sea Kayaking - $50
Learn how to prepare yourself and your troop for taking trips in sea kayaks. We'll cover basic trip planning and packing of a sea kayak. Adults and girls must be in good health/conditioning and have some kayaking experience. Overnight - 15 hours.
Dutch Oven and Box Oven Cookery - $25
Have fun and eat well! Learn more about recipes and outdoor cooking techniques. 6 hours.Just Cookin' Dutch - $35
In-depth dutch oven techniques. 8 hours.
Check Certifications for other outdoor opportunities.