Leave No Trace
You may be wondering: What is Leave No Trace? In short, it is something that many people follow so that we can leave nature the same way we found it. When we follow Leave No Trace, we make sure that everything we brought in with us leaves when we do. An example is: if you have a granola bar, it comes in a wrapper. Instead of leaving the wrapper on the ground, you could put it in your bag or pocket until you find a trash can. Then you could throw it away.
Below is a link to a video that you can use to help you understand Leave No Trace better.
Camping Essentials
Here is a short list of things that you should bring when you go camping.
Rain gear
Tent
Mat to sleep on
Sleeping bag that is appropriate for the weather. (Summer bag for summer, winter bag for winter, etc)
Change of clothes
Jacket/sweatshirt
Water bottle
Food - remember to keep out of reach of animals (in your car is a really good spot - never bring food into your tent.)
First Aid Kit
Something to cook on (propane stove, firewood, etc… just make sure it is allowed where you go camping)
Here is a link to some videos for more information on what to pack.
Part 1
Part 2
How To Plan a Camping Trip
If you have ever wanted to go camping, there are a few things you should do before you go to the campground. You should:
Check the weather - that way you can pack your gear accordingly
Make sure you have maps of the campgrounds/park that you will be staying at.
Make sure you have the right gear
Here is a video for more information about preparing for a camping trip.
Hiking
If you have ever wanted to go hiking, this is the article for you. There are many do’s and don’ts when it comes to hiking. Here is a short list as well as a video to give you a good idea on what they are.
Do
Check the weather before you go so you can pack accordingly
Bring a trail snack
Bring a whistle
Bring a buddy
Bring a first aid kit
Bring a map
Follow the Leave No Trace principles
Do NOT
Attempt to feed the animals
Attempt to pet the animals
Get too close to or approach the animals
Litter
Start a campfire on the trail
Break twigs off of trees or other plants
Eat berries or other plants that you find
The Ten Essentials for Hiking:
Basic Knots
There are many different types of knots. Each knot has its own purpose. Below is a list of some basic knots as well as links to videos on how to tie them.
Square Knot: Used to tie two pieces of rope together (use if the pieces of rope are the same size) - https://youtu.be/u6b0Nx-LInY
Two Half-Hitches: Used to tie guy lines (the pieces of rope attached to the rain tarp on your tent) so that you can adjust how tight the tarp is pulled; goes on the part of the guy line that is closest to the rain tarp- https://youtu.be/q93YpbVEXAM
Taut-Line Hitch: Used to prevent the guy lines on your rain tarp from slipping; goes on the part of the guy line that is closest to the tent stake- https://youtu.be/1jkN3K5G8eE
Timber Hitch: Used to aid you in dragging a log or piece of wood across the ground- https://youtu.be/XvIX9EApwzA
Clove Hitch: Used to start and end many different types of lashings (tying poles or sticks together)- https://youtu.be/aewgmUeHpuE
Bowline: Can be used to tie rope around your waist if you need to rescue someone or if you need to secure guy lines around grommets- https://youtu.be/hIdsTZTUl6E
Sheet Bend: Used to tie two ropes of different sizes together-https://youtu.be/x3reZ3NuGaQ
Outdoor Survival Skills and Safety
Campfires
If you have ever been outside in the cold, you may have thought that it might be nice to have a fire to keep you warm. Did you know that there are certain precautions that you should follow to keep your fire under control? Here is a small list:
Do not leave the fire unattended
Keep a bucket of water and a shovel nearby
Do not fool around or get too close to the fire
When you are done with your fire, make sure that it is put out completely
Tie your hair back and don’t wear loose clothing
If you follow these rules, you should be able to keep your campfire from becoming a forest fire. Below is a link to a video about camp fires, how to start them, the rules you should follow, as well as how to put them out correctly when you are finished having your campfire.
How to Build a Campfire:
Campfire Rules and Safety as well as How to Put One Out:
Knife Safety
When you go camping, it is always a good idea to bring a pocket knife. They are very versatile tools that will be helpful while you are out in the wilderness. Below are two links to videos about knife safety.
Pitching a Tent
If you go camping, there are a few options as to where you sleep. You could bring a camper, a tent, a hammock; you could sleep under the stars or build your own shelter. With that said, let’s say you want to bring a tent. Before you go to a campsite, it is a good idea to learn how to set up your tent. Many people suggest setting your tent up before you go to your site so that you know how to do it when you get there. Below is a video to help you with the basics of setting up your tent.
*Note: All tents are different. The tents in this video may be set up differently than the tent that you might bring camping. Please follow the instructions that are provided with your tent.*
How to Set Up a Tent:
Simple First Aid:
When you go camping, you may get a few bumps and scrapes along the way. This is why it is always a good idea to know some basic first aid. Below are some videos that you can watch to help you learn.
*Note: Do not attempt anything that you do not understand when it comes to first aid. If you aren’t sure, please wait for a trained medical professional to do it, or else you risk making the injury worse.*
How to stop bleeding and/or treat a cut:
How to make a sling:
How to make a lower arm splint and a sling:
How to make a leg and ankle splint:
How to remove a tick:
How to remove a splinter/sliver:
Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout
To all of the new Girl Scouts out there: Hello! Many of you probably don’t know much about Girl Scouts. We hope we can help you out a little bit. In the Girl Scout Law, the last line says, “Be a sister to every Girl Scout.” You may be wondering what that means. In short, it means that you should be kind to other Girl Scouts and that you should treat them like a sister. Below is a video that explains this better.
The Promise and Law as well as the Hand Sign:
What is “Sisterhood”? Video:
Flag Ceremonies
When you go to a Girl Scout meeting, the troop you go to may have a flag ceremony. A flag ceremony is basically time taken out of the meeting to bring the American Flag, and sometimes the Girl Scout Flag, into the room to say the Pledge of Allegiance. Depending on the type of meeting you go to, you may also watch some of your fellow scouts fold the flag. Below are a few videos to help you understand better.
Flag Ceremony:
Meanings of Each Fold in a Flag Ceremony:
How to Fold the Flag:
Troop Crests
Troop crests are diamond-like patches that you wear on your uniform. Each crest has its own meaning and design. Some of the crest designs include a unicorn, lei, blue jay, trumpet, and more. Troop 66524’s crest is a homemade combination of the unicorn and the lei. First, we have the unicorn, symbolizing our courage to spread good in the world by our behavior and actions. Meanwhile, our troop leader glued a little flower lei on the unicorn’s neck. The Hawaiian lei symbolizes friendship, love, and peace.
Watch the video below to learn more about troop crests.
Vests and Their Colors
If you have seen Girl Scouts in their uniforms, you may have noticed that they each wore different colored vests. The different colors help to show what rank they are. Below is a list of the Girl Scout Ranks, what color their vest is, and what grades are part of each rank.
Daisy - Blue, Kindergarten and First Grade
Brownie - Brown, Second and Third Grade
Junior - Green, Fourth and Fifth Grade
Cadette - Khaki, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade
Senior - Khaki, Ninth and Tenth Grade (Freshman and Sophomore in High School)
Ambassador - Khaki, Eleventh and Twelfth Grade (Junior and Senior in High School
The Friendship Circle
If you have gone to a troop meeting, your troop may have done something that we call a friendship circle. To make a friendship circle, you stand in a circle, cross your right arm over your left, hold hands, and send a hand squeeze around the circle. When you are done, you untwist your hands and spin so that you are facing away from the center of the circle. Below is a video that explains the friendship circle more.
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