Let’s Get Outside – Girl Scout Style!

7 Awesome Outdoor Activities

As we enter the fifth month of the year, and have learned over the past year how important outdoor experiences are, we have 7 self-led ideas for you and your Girl Scout to get outdoors!  Below are some links/activities to explore a variety of fun related to the outdoors.  Be sure to read all the way to the end for an edible campfire!   

1. Earn the “Clean Water Grows on Trees” fun patch via our partners Chesapeake Bay Foundation and Keystone 10 Million Tree Partnership. Trees provide habitat and improve the air we breathe. But did you know that clean water grows on trees? Earn this fun patch by learning about the trees in your neighborhood and then taking action to protect them. 

2. Soundscape Scavenger Hunt - A soundscape is the acoustic environment as perceived by humans. In this activity, you will explore your backyard for a variety of sounds! This activity satisfies parts of both Daisy: Outdoor Art Maker – Step 2 and Brownie: Senses – Step 2 

3. Bug Bingo – Discover the wonder and joys of nature through bugs! This activity satisfies step 3 of the Brownie: Bugs Badge.   
    

4. Learn more about Knots with this Girl Scouts USA blog post:  10 Essential Knots for Girl Scouts  

5. Backpacking Skills Videos - Learn the basics of backpacking and then learn more about GSHPA’s backpacking program here! 

•    How To Set Up A Tent 
•    What To Wear Backpacking     
•    What To Pack 
•    Dispose of Waste Properly 
•    Campsite Selection 
•  Camp Stoves 

6. Virtual Constellation Discovery Series - Learn about the stars, constellations, and the stories written in the night sky with Sarah, our Outdoor Program Manager, through a series of fun videos. 

• Introduction to Constellation Discovery 
• Using the Skyview Lite App 
• Ursa Major & Minor 
• Ursa Major & Minor Story 
• Stargazing Scavenger Hunt 
• Orion Story or  Orion Handout 
• The Moon Cycle and Moon Cycle Tracker            
• Draco Story and Draco Handout         
• The Planets and Guess My Age Handout 
• Model of Our Solar System Handout      
• Cygnus Video and Cygnus Handout    
• Capricorn and Capricorn Handout 
• Zodiac Challenge Sheet           
• Gemini and Gemini Handout 

7. Activity: Edible Campfires 
   (This activity is courtesy of Girl Scouts of Oregon and Southwest Washington council) 

Learn about fire building and safety by making edible fires! 

Supplies 

• A plate (to build your edible fire on) 
• A small cup of water (to represent your fire bucket) 
• A spoon or fork (to represent your shovel/rake) 
• Small roundish snacks (to represent your fire ring) 
• M&M’s, cheerios, and mini marshmallows 
• Any sort of small, slim snacks (to represent tinder) 
• Thin, twig-like snacks (to represent kindling) 
• Pretzel sticks and veggie straws 
• Thicker, branch-like snacks (to represent fuel) 
• Jumbo pretzel sticks or tootsie rolls 

Directions  

• When we make a campfire, we need a clear area free of dried grass and sticks and we should be using an established fire pit. Begin making your fire by making sure you have your plate clean and ready!  
• Create a fire ring on your plate with your “rocks.” 
• Do we have the right safety equipment on hand? Ensure that your fire “bucket” is filled with water and that you have your “shovel” nearby. Pull back your hair and make sure you’re not wearing anything that could hang into the fire. 
• The next step is to collect your tinder, kindling, and fuel. 
• Tinder is your smallest piece of wood, about the size of your pinky finger. This wood catches quickly and its main purpose is to get your initial flame. 
• What edible items could these be?  
• Kindling is the next piece, about the size of 1-2 fingers. This type of wood is the second stage, it burns longer than tinder and can get that necessary initial fire started. Once you get enough kindling burning, it should begin to generate enough heat and flame to get your big pieces lit. 
• What edible items could these be?  
• Fuel is the biggest log, the ones that keep your fire burning all night. Some styles of fire have it in their initial formation, while others have to begin to add it as your fire builds up enough heat to catch them. 
• What edible items could these be?  
• When building your fire, consider what you want to use it for.  
• To cook food, to keep you warm in harsh weather, or simply to provide a space to gather around and sing songs and tell stories.  
• There are hundreds of styles of campfires, here are some easy examples to start. 

Once you’ve fully enjoyed your fire, the most important thing to do is ensure that it is completely put out. Eat your snack, or pack it away into a plastic baggie to enjoy later! 

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