Outdoor Training classes are required by GSUSA and council policy for certain Girl Scout activities in order to provide a safe and valuable experience for girls. All classes are based on the seven Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics Principles. Outdoor classes are designed to give an adult the skills, knowledge, and confidence to work with girls in an outdoor setting. The troop may be participating in activities such as environmental education, hiking, outdoor cooking, day trips, day camping, troop camping or backpacking.
All outdoor classes are based on Leave No Trace outdoor ethics:
- Plan ahead and prepare.
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of other visitors.
Troop Camp Certification
If girls plan to participate in camping activities, then the troop must have an adult who is troop camp certified. This adult will: PLAN and prepare for the camping event with the girls; ATTEND the camping event and help to supervise the girls; LISTEN to the girls and help them to evaluate the experience. Any registered Girl Scout adult interested in working in an outdoor setting with girls may be the troop camp certified adult. To be successful in this role, adults must ensure girl readiness for any outdoor experience and follow proper sequences in girl progression in the outdoors. Basic Troop Camping consists of a Pre-Plan session and an overnight session.
Camping events requiring a troop camp certified adult for each troop include troop camping, service unit and council-sponsored camping events, core camp, and multiple troop camp events. If a troop plans to erect and sleep in tents, cook food outdoors, hike, use a compass and map, or build a campfire; a troop camp certified adult will be needed for those activities.
Overnights inside buildings or in backyard settings, including council buildings (Tracy, Woodland, Davis Cabins, Fleming Lodge), do not require this course, but many parts of the course will be useful in preparing for and leading these types of activities. See the Basic Troop Camping description for a list of topics included in the class.
Basic Troop Camping - Pre-Plan and Overnight
This training covers girl/adult partnership and progression in the outdoors, food preparation and safety basics, health and safety standards, clothing and equipment, Leave No Trace techniques as they apply to “front country” outdoor activities and camping, managing homesickness, and the many resources available to adults when planning outdoor activities with girls. You will learn about and practice budgeting, meal and equipment planning, outdoor cooking, equipment selection and set-up, hiking, outdoor activity ideas, outdoor ceremonies, and troop government in an outdoor setting.
This class consists of two parts: a pre-plan session where you will work with other participants to plan meals and equipment, and a weekend overnight session. The fee includes printed materials, site fees and three meals. When you sign up for the pre-plan date, you are also registered into the overnight session that is paired with it. One confirmation and bill will be sent for both segments. Equipment lists and a map to the overnight session will be provided at the pre-plan.
| Course | Day | Date | Time | Place | Register Now |
BTC Pre-plan |
Tuesday |
11/27/2012 |
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. |
Sacramento |
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Overnight |
Sat/Sun |
4/6/2013 |
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Woodland |
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BTC Pre-plan |
Monday |
3/18/2013 |
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. |
Woodland |
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Overnight |
Sat/Sun |
4/6/2013 |
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Woodland |
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BTC Pre-plan |
Saturday |
4/20/2013 |
1 p.m. - 5 p.m. |
Modesto |
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Overnight |
Sat/Sun |
4/27/2013 |
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Modesto area |
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BTC Pre-plan |
Monday |
4/22/2013 |
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. |
Sacramento |
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Overnight |
Sat/Sun |
5/4/2013 |
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Fleming CG |
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BTC Pre-plan |
Monday |
4/29/2013 |
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. |
Merced |
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Overnight |
Sat/Sun |
5/18/2013 |
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Merced/Mariposa area |
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BTC Pre-plan |
Monday |
8/19/2013 |
6 p.m. - 10 p.m. |
Sacramento |
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Overnight |
Sat/Sun |
9/7/2013 |
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
Fleming CG |
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There are two options by which an adult can become troop camp certified:
- Complete Basic Troop Camping class, see above.
- Complete the Troop Camp Certification Challenge. Experienced campers who are familiar with Girl Scout procedures and risk management principles may contact the council’s director of adult development for information about challenging the Basic Troop Camping class. Completion of the Leadership Essentials class is a pre-requisite to the Challenge option. Leadership Essentials class is available in an on-line format. Proficiency in outdoor skills, knowledge of safety procedures and emergency planning, Leave No Trace techniques, and girl progression in the outdoors are components of this challenge process. The challenge option includes an in-person session of about four hours to demonstrate your skills. The challenge option is offered on a limited basis and may not be available during peak training times. Please contact the adult development department a minimum of three to four months prior to your outdoor event to allow us to schedule your challenge. Remember to also allow time to train your girls prior to camping. The fee to challenge is $25. This covers print materials provided in the Basic Troop Camping class which are given to individuals who challenge troop camp certification.
Leave No Trace Trainer
This training emphasizes skills and techniques essential to Leave No Trace minimum impact outdoor ethics and education. Completion of this training will enable adults and girls to understand, demonstrate, and teach current minimum-impact camping and backpacking techniques. Participants will be able to lead a discussion on outdoor ethics, and help others to explore their personal outdoor ethic. Fee includes training resources, food and site fees.
Fee $25.00 for registered Girl Scout adults and girls, grades 9–12; additional fees for non-Girl Scout adults. Girls register through the Older Girl Training Calendar.
| Day | Date | Time | Place | Register Now |
Sat/Sun |
3/23 & 24/2013 |
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. |
Fleming CG |
Introduction to Backpacking -
Prerequisite: Basic Troop Camping
This training provides participants with basic information about backpack preparation, backpacking equipment, appropriate food for a back country adventure and how to prepare it, and trail etiquette. All sections of the training emphasize the importance of incorporating the principles of Leave No Trace into any activity. This class is a prerequisite to the Beginning Backpack Adventure. Open to girls grades 6 and above, register through the Older Girl Training Calendar.
Fee $13
| Day | Date | Time | Place | Register Now |
Sunday |
4/14/2013 |
12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Sacramento |
Beginning Backpack Adventure - Prerequisite: Introduction to Backpacking
This training is designed to show adults and girls basic backpacking skills and trail etiquette using the Leave No Trace principles. The overnight hike is generally one to three miles each way with minimal elevation gain. This class, combined with the Introduction to Backpacking class, provides council certification to take girls backpacking. You must attend both the pre-plan and the overnight portions of this class. Open to girls grades 7 and above; register through the Older Girl Training Calendar.
Fee $20
| Day | Date | Time |
Place | Register Now |
Saturday Pre-plan |
6/1/2013 |
8:00 am to 12:00 pm |
Sacramento office |
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Overnight Sat/Sun |
6/22 & 23/13 |
6:30 a.m. Sat - 3:30 p.m. Sun |
Meet at the Sac office. trail TBA |
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Archery Instructor
Participants will receive USA Archery Basic Instructor certification, which is valid for three years. This course fulfills GSUSA Safety Activity Checkpoints requirements for adult supervision of archery activities. Course enrollment is a maximum of 12 participants. Girls ages 16 and older may register for this class through the Older Girl Training Calendar. Non-members pay an additional fee.
Fee $30.00
| Day | Date | Time | Place | Register Now |
Saturday |
5/4/2013 |
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. |
Sacramento area |
American Red Cross Basic Lifeguard Training
This certification is required for guarding at pools (backyard, public, hotel, cruise ship.). This certification is required prior to taking the ARC Waterfront Lifeguarding Training. This is a four-day class. Participants must be at least of 16 years of age. Participants must be strong swimmers and in good physical condition to successfully complete this course. The primary lifeguard at Girl Scout activities must be 18 or older.
Fee: $160
Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6, 2013, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Citrus Heights Register Now
American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard Training
You must hold current Basic Lifeguard Certification to attend the course.
This certification is required to serve as a lifeguard at lakes and slow-moving streams and rivers.Participants must be at least 16 years of age. Participants must be strong swimmers and in good physical condition to successfully complete this course. The primary lifeguard at Girl Scout activities must be 18 or older.
Fee: $50.00
Sunday, June 16, 2013, 7:00 am – 12:00 pm, Citrus Heights Register Now
Questions?
For more information please call the council office at 1-800-322-4475 or 916-452-9181. Or, email us at info@girlscoutshcc.org.
