Take your girls outside!

The following courses prepare you to introduce girls to the great outdoors in progressive steps from a local overnight to rustic camping.

View the Outdoor Progression Chart to learn more about how Girl Scouts at all levels can experience the magic of the outdoors!

Remember to always follow the Safety Activity Checkpoints for ALL outdoor activities.

Select an outdoor course topic below to learn more: 

Indoor Overnight Adventures Course toggle arrow

Indoor Overnight Adventures is required to be completed by at least one registered, adult Volunteer per troop planning to stay overnight with girls. Examples of overnights are:

Sleepovers (indoors or outdoors)
Backyard campouts
Program Center overnights
Service unit encampments
Troop adventure weekends
First-time camping experiences - where program activities and meals are provided, and girls lodge indoors, such as Camp Scherman.

Indoor Overnight Adventures Course is located on gsLearn. 

If you have any questions, please contact customercare@girlscoutsoc.org

Troop Tent Camping Course toggle arrow

Troop Tent Camping course is required for at least one registered, adult Volunteer per troop accompanying girls camping, where Girl Scouts will be pitching tents and setting up campsites.  

After an indoor overnight adventure, your girls may be ready for a troop tent camp out. Learn outdoor program delivery, as well as managing safety for your troop, involving girls in no-cook meal preparation (adults may use heat), and build troop skills, teamwork and memories. You’ll be qualified to take your girls camping at private and public campsites. 

The Girl Scout Troop Tent Camping courses are a great opportunity for adult volunteers who love getting outdoors! 

Two Prerequisites:  

Indoor Overnight Adventures course located on gsLearn  
Troop Tent Camping Online Pre-Course located on gsLearn

This course is offered in-person, please check the calendar. 

Looking to brush up on some classic outdoor skills? Check out these videos!

Knots
Knife Safety
Fire building: Wood fires
Fire building: Putting out fires
Charcoal
Propane Stove

Remember to always follow the Safety Activity Checkpoints for ALL outdoor activities.

Learn about Troop Camp at Camp Sherman and service unit/community campouts.

If you have any questions, please contact customercare@girlscoutsoc.org.

Outdoor Cooking Course  toggle arrow

Outdoor Cooking course is required for at least one registered, adult Volunteer per troop planning to cook outdoors with girls 

Discover several fun methods of outdoor cooking you can share with your girls. The trainer will teach you to cook outdoors using propane and charcoal. You will learn about safe food handling, sanitation and accommodating allergies and dietary practices, so you can teach these outdoor cooking methods to your girls.  

The Girl Scout Outdoor Cooking Course is a great opportunity for adult volunteers who love getting outdoors! 

Two Prerequisites:  

Indoor Overnight Adventures Course located on gsLearn 
Outdoor Cooking Pre-Course located on gsLearn

This course is offered in-person, please check the calendar and register now.

Remember to always follow the Safety Activity Checkpoints for ALL outdoor activities.

Looking to brush up on some classic outdoor skills? Check out these videos!

Knots
Knife Safety
Fire building: Wood fires
Fire building: Putting out fires
Charcoal
Propane Stove

If you have any questions, please contact customercare@girlscoutsoc.org

Knots & Lashing Course  toggle arrow

Knots & Lashing course is recommended for Troop/Group Volunteers who would like to learn knots and lashing skills.  

In this hands-on course, you will learn and practice some of the most useful knots used in Girl Scouting such as overhand, square knot, bowline, larks head, clove hitch, fisherman’s knot, sheet bend and sheep shank.   

You will also be introduced to and practice lashing, which is a method used to secure two poles or pole-like items together. You will learn how to begin a lashing project with a clove hitch, proper wrapping & frapping techniques and end the project with a square knot. During training, you will Practice several types of lashing such as round, square  tripod and continuous to be able to make flagpoles, signs, tables, kitchen set-ups at campouts and more!   

Teaching Girl Scouts Knots and Lashing skills are strongly recommended for participating at events like Junior Jam, Cadette-O-Rama and GAM, or for those who simply want to help their Girl Scouts develop new skills!  

Suggested item to bring to the course:  

Pocket knife, non-locking blade type

If you have any questions, please contact customercare@girlscoutsoc.org

Maps & Compass Course toggle arrow

Maps & Compass course is recommended for Troop/Group Volunteers who would like to learn how to read a map and navigate using a compass.  

In this hands-on training, you will learn the basics of reading a topographical map, learn and practice how to use a base plate compass, how to take a bearing and measure a bearing on a map, be introduced to a sighting compass, and learn how to plot a simple course for Girl Scouts to follow.   

Teaching Girl Scouts Maps & Compass skills are strongly recommended for participating at events like Junior Jam, Cadette-O-Rama, GAM, wilderness hiking or for those who simply want to help their troop develop new skills!  

Suggested item to bring to training:   

A liquid-filled baseplate compass

If you have any questions, please contact customercare@girlscoutsoc.org.

Discover outdoor programming for girls, volunteers, and families at Girl Scout of Orange County's Camp Scherman.

If you have any questions, please contact customercare@girlscoutsoc.org.

Council Finder

Outdoor Courses

Take your girls outside!

Select an outdoor course topic below to learn more: