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Girl Scouts and the Outdoors

From the backyard to the backcountry, Girl Scouts has a long, storied, and successful history of getting girls outdoors. Girls develop the kind of outdoor skills it’s hard to get anywhere else — like building a campfire, pitching a tent, and canoeing across a lake.

We live in a world of screens—smartphone! laptop! TV! tablet!—and studies show that girls today are not spending nearly enough time outdoors. But with 52 outdoor badges (and counting!) available to earn, Girl Scouts have plenty of opportunities to unplug, explore the world around them, and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature—whether with their troops, at camp, or with friends and family. 

 Check out our Outdoor badges!

 Check out our Girl Scout Camp opportunities!

Outdoor Programs & Resources at GSSOAZ

We offer all kinds of outdoor programs at council, led by staff or our community partners! Explore recurring programs below, and be sure to check our council calendar to find other upcoming programs.

Archery Scouts

Ready, aim, fire! This monthly program led by our council's Outdoor Specialist gives Girl Scouts the opportunity to spend a day at the archery range. Girls hone their skills and improve their shot by participating in archery games and competitions. All levels of experience are welcome!

Cadettes earn their Archery badge, but girls at every Girl Scout level are invited to learn new skills and collect a fun patch.

Safety is always emphasized, and bullseyes are encouraged!

Register for an upcoming Archery Scouts session.

Trailblazers

Trailblazers is girl-led outdoor adventure club just for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. Girls choose outdoor adventures to embark on as a group, and set off together  to explore their strengths, test their limits, unleash their inner risk-takers, and lead the way!

Whether they find themselves hiking a trail, climbing a peak, backpacking in the backcountry, or paddling upstream, Trailblazers learn new skills and take healthy risks in the great outdoors, while exploring the world around them.

This program is coordinated by our Outdoor Specialist, Max Jamison. Contact them at mjamison@girlscoutssoaz.org for more information.

Register for an upcoming Trailblazers event.

Girl Scout Ranger Program

It's cool to be a Girl Scout Ranger in the National Parks!

The Girl Scout Ranger Program is a partnership connecting girls with National Park Service sites across the United States, including monuments, seashores, and urban sites. 

To participate, girls and troops can visit the National Park Service website to find a park near their home and learn about its natural and cultural resources. Troop leaders and caregivers can arrange for activities like hiking, biking, wildlife watching, and guided tours. 

What’s more, Girl Scouts can design their own project that aligns with their Girl Scout Journey, various badges, or a Take Action project. Girls who successfully complete projects will be awarded Girl Scout patches and certificates from the National Park Service.

To learn more, visit the NPS website, or check out this guide to the Girl Scout Ranger Program.

Outdoor Training & Support for Volunteers

Camping, hiking, backpacking, geocaching—where does the journey begin?

You don't need to be an outdoors expert to help your Girl Scout explore nature, seek challenges outdoors, and earn badges. Check out these resources designed to help you lead every troop meeting and camping trip with confidence.

  • Volunteer Toolkit: Find step-by-step meeting plans and resource guides for every Outdoor badge and Journey. Log-in to your "MyGS" account above, then use the drop-down menu to select "Volunteer Toolkit" and get started!
  • Outdoor Progression and Training: Get certified in pitching a tent, starting a fire, and so much more. And remember—Girl Scouting is all about progression. Start with a walk in the park, and grow from there!
  • Outdoor Videos: In partnership with the Elliott Wildlife Values Project, Girl Scouts has developed eight outdoor skill building videos especially for Girl Scout volunteers and older girl members taking younger girls outside. Check them out!

  

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Did you know? When Girl Scouts get outside, they: 

  • Discover they can better solve problems and overcome challenges
  • Develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall
  • Become team players and care more about protecting our environment