Featured

Learning the Truth, 30 Years Later

When 40-year-old Evelyn Adele looks back on her campouts as a Girl Scout growing up in Detroit, she has only fond memories. Memories of sleeping bags, making finger puppets in the shadows, and working toward outdoor badges.

Recently, however, she learned that when her predominantly Black Girl Scout troop went camping, the troop leaders and mothers took turns staying up at night to keep watch, since the Ku Klux Klan was active in the area where the camp was located and they wanted to make sure the girls were safe.

Evelyn Adele Alum Photo

“To me, a little girl somewhere between the ages of 8 and 12, camping was simply summertime fun. To our mothers, camping was potentially dangerous,” Evelyn explains. “But they wanted us to have all the experiences Girl Scouts have. They also had a duty to ensure our physical and emotional safety. So they stood watch—all night. In the ’90s.”

Her story—of how brave mothers and troop leaders protected not only their girls’ safety but also their innocence—is an eye-opening must-read for any Girl Scout with fond memories of campfires and s’mores. You can read Evelyn’s account in her own words on Medium.

Here at Girl Scouts, we want to help build a better, safer world for girls. We’re taking steps with our leadership and staff, volunteers, and girls to create a more equitable environment for all. Learn more and sign our pledge to join us in our commitment to fighting racism.

*Evelyn Adele is a pseudonym.

Badges and Patches

Three Steps to Unlocking Your Limited-Edition Ranger Patch

BIG NEWS: Girl Scouts is continuing our exciting partnership with the National Park Service and the “Girl Scout Ranger Program,” a joint venture connecting girls with National Park Service sites throughout the United States, including monuments, seashores, and urban sites.

This year Girl Scouts will be awarded a limited-edition commemorative patch for participating in activities focusing on the significance of the 19th Amendment. This special program will offer pathways for Girl Scouts to learn about women’s history and the suffrage movement through discovering, connecting, and taking action to make the world a better place.

So, how exactly do you earn your special patch and learn more about women’s rights?

1. Choose a National Park Service Site or Explore Online.
Visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm. Choose a national park or any of 419 sites protected by the National Park Service. Research and consider exploring areas of national parks connected to women’s history and the suffrage movement in your area. Not able to visit a park in your area? No problem! Take a look at the park or historic site’s webpage and virtual tours. These are often full of photos, videos, history, and other educational resources. Many also have Facebook and Instagram accounts. Another great source of information is the NPS women’s history webpages.

2. Answer Questions, Conduct Research, and Get Outdoors.*
Once you’ve selected your site, complete one or more of the following:

a. With help from an adult, research the site’s webpage.
b. Visit the site and take a tour or attend a ranger-led program, if that’s available. Please first make sure the site you choose to visit is open to the public!
c. Look for books or trusted websites that explain the history commemorated at the site.

Then choose fun activities listed in the 19th Amendment Centennial Program Activity Guide here to earn your patch! Best part? All the activities have a women’s rights historical tie-in!

3. Unlock Your Limited-Edition Patch.
Your special 19th Amendment Centennial Patch will be available for pick up as soon as National Park Service offices officially open for business. To receive your patch, present the completed activity log at the park where you completed your activity.

Are you ready to explore women’s history through the national park lens? We certainly are! Share your best shots on Instagram and Twitter using #gsoutdoors (don’t forget to tag @GirlScouts!) and invite your entire troop to do the same! We will feature some of your social media posts on our national channels.

*GSUSA encourages all Girl Scouts to respect social distancing rules. Follow your state’s guidelines about stay-at-home measures and enjoying public nature spaces.

Activities for Kids

Hurricane Awareness Patch Program

 

Have you ever experienced a hurricane? If you live near the ocean, the answer might be yes! But how much do you know about hurricanes? The Hurricane Awareness Patch Program from Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida is packed with fun activities you can do at home to explore all about hurricanes and how to prepare for one, if you live in a hurricane-impacted region.

Activities are designed for Brownies (complete 4 activities), Juniors (complete 5 activities), Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors (complete all 7 activities.

Click here to get the PDF Activity Packet sent to your inbox.

Activities for Kids

Just in Time for Earth Day! At-home Activities from…

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, 2020, and it’s the 50th Anniversary of the first Earth Day! If you’re looking for environmentally-inspired activities to do at home with the family to celebrate, check out these resources from Captain Planet Foundation. You’ll find the examples shown above, plus WAY more options, too!

Check it out:

https://captainplanetfoundation.org/programs/cpf-resources/learning-at-home/?utm_source=CPF+Newsletter&utm_campaign=e4859076cf-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_01_10_03_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7760470beb-e4859076cf-246274211

Activities for Kids

National Museum of Natural History – Virtual Tours

The Smithsonian, National Museum of Natural History virtual tours allow visitors to take self-guided, room-by-room tours of select exhibits and areas within the museum from their desktop or mobile device. Visitors can also access select collections and research areas at our satellite support and research stations as well as past exhibits no longer on display.

See available tours
Activities for Kids

EcoAction: Virtual Field Trip

April 15, 2020

Celebrate Earth Day with Boeing and Discovery Education as we highlight the ways Boeing is using advanced technology, engineering, and its dedicated workforce to create a more sustainable future. The ecoAction Virtual Field Trip brings students to various locations around Seattle, Washington to meet STEM experts who are working on sustainability in the air, on land, in the water, and in the handling and reduction of waste.

Date & Time: April 15, 2020 at 1PM ET

It’s on all of us to create a more sustainable world. Join us to see how Boeing engineers and other STEM experts are working on sustainability in the air, on land, in the water, and in the handling and reduction of waste. Hop onboard the ecoDemonstrator test plane to see how an ingenious vortex generator reduces drag on airplanes, step inside a forest to learn about the creation of sustainable biofuels, check out a new permeable pavement, and see how recycling can lead to innovation.

Register Now
Featured

10 Things You Learned as a Girl Scout that…

We asked our alums on Facebook what skills they picked up at Girl Scout camp that still, to this day, define how they camp, hike, and explore the outdoors. Overnight, we received hundreds of responses—525 to date!—and some of them may surprise you. Buddy burners, cherry dump cakes, bedrolls, slip knots, and sit-upons came up a lot—but many of our alums say that their camp experiences have resonated in ways that extend well beyond the woods. Read on for some of our favorite responses.

1. Empowered Decision Making

“I was an older Girl Scout hosting a younger Girl Scout troop on a campout, and it started pouring rain and the ground around our tents was flooding. I remember my troop leader looking at me and saying ‘what are you going to do?’—which induced a moment of panic that I will forever remember [was] followed by decisive action. It was a moment of empowerment that fuels me today, 25 years later!” —Susan E.

2. Respect for Nature

“The most important thing that I learned, that I emphasize to my kids, is to always leave places better than you found them.” —Anne Marie D.

3. Planning for the Worst

“I always have a first-aid kit! My husband laughs because I have one in my Jeep, house, and purse … at all times!” —Raine S.

4. Enjoying the Journey

“Plan ahead but stay flexible and positive when plans have to change—sometimes that makes for the best memories.” —Lezley B.

5. Inclusiveness

“I learned to set a pace by the slowest girl, which is a great way to learn to care for others.” —Sarah P.

6. Independence

“I had never been able to stay overnight anywhere away from my mother—until Girl Scout camp as a Brownie! That changed my life forever and gave me a lifelong love of camp.” —Nan C.

7. Cooking Over a Fire

“I learned to build and cook over an open fire. This was very useful after Hurricane Sandy when we had no electricity for more than 10 days!” —Gina S.

8. Tenacity

“I learned problem solving. My first year leading at a day camp, I fixed a latrine door that kept jamming by using a big rock to hammer the flange back into place.” —Jocelyn H.

9. CPR

“I learned first aid and CPR—and it led me to become a medic!” —Lauren B.

10. Fire Skills

“I learned how to keep a fire going in the rain! They never cancelled our camp training during Hurricane Hannah … and I learned so much that I still use today.” —Rachel C.

Want to stay connected to Girl Scouts? Sign up for the Girl Scout Network newsletter for inspiring profiles of Girl Scout alums, savvy career advice from and for women, mentoring tips, and so much more.

Outdoor

Summer Safety

Summer is here! Which means we could all use a few reminders about how to stay safe during our sunny, super fun activities.

Fun in the Sun

We love the sun, but it doesn’t always love us back. 

  • Make sure to regularly have girls apply sunscreen. Set a timer if you need to make sure you don’t forget, especially if you will be in the water. 
  • Include sun protection in the packing list, things like hats and bandanas, shirts with sleeves that cover the shoulders, and sunscreen.
  • Be conscious of how much time girls have been in the sun. Opt for a game in the shade instead of one in the sun.
  • If you have younger girls, ask parents to have girls practice applying sunscreen to be sure they can get it everywhere they need.

Pesky Insects

Girl Scouts love the outdoors, but don’t love donating blood one mosquito at a time. The same goes for other bugs that can’t keep their antennae to themselves.

  • Add bug spray to the packing list and bring extra. Apply regularly.
  • Remind girls to do tick checks before bed, or when changing for swim time. You can remind families to do the same when girls get home. Girls should check where clothing meets the skin, like the waistband and sock-line, their hairline, and places skin overlaps or touches itself, like armpits.
  • Be prepared to remove, and save, a tick that bites. The CDC has information about tick removal for you to review. Saving the tick after removal can help if the girl develops symptoms of a transmittable disease. One of the easiest ways to do this is to stick it in some clear tape and give it to the family.

Safe Swimming

A trip to a pool, waterpark, or local beach can be so much fun. In addition to sun protection, here are a few more tips to think about.

  • Only swim at locations with a lifeguard. Maybe that means providing your own or maybe the location has someone on duty.
  • If you are using a local beach, do not use if the beach is closed. Flooding, algae blooms, or other water management issues sometimes close waterways. Follow those recommendations.
  • Know your girls swimming abilities and set appropriate limits. Talk to families or ask girls to demonstrate their skills. Set limits based on swimming ability.
  • Review rules like no running, no diving, and anything else relevant to your activity.
  • Always follow Safety Activity Checkpoints for any water activities. Contact your council for details.

Keeping Cool and Hydrated

Whether it’s hot or not, girls and adults (yes, you too, don’t forget) need to drink lots of water. And when it’s hot outside, you’ll need to keep an eye out for heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Here’s how you can prepare:

  • Know the signs and first aid for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
  • Take regular water breaks, and don’t forget to make sure the other adults and yourself are taking part, too!
  • Take breaks in the shade regularly.

What are you favorite ways to make summer safety FUN?

Outdoor

Helpful Hints for a Tidy Campsite

Yes, camp is a place to get messy, but keeping things tidy can make a big difference when trying to pack up, unpack, or keep critters out. Test out these strategies and add your own favorites in the comments.

Keep your cookware clean(er)

  • If you’re cooking a meal in a pot or heating water, rub liquid soap on the outside of the pot before cooking to more easily clean off the black residue the fire leaves behind.
  • Take your time and wait for the coals. Food is less likely to burn when evenly heated by coals.

Plan out your dish-washing station

  • Add a trash can and a scraper to the beginning of the dishwashing line. This will keep your dishwater from getting gross long before dishes are done.
  • Dispose of your dishwater at least 200 ft (about 70 adult paces) from both your campsite and any nearby water sources. This will help keep away critters interested in any floating food.

Keep sleeping areas tidy

  • Consider a “Golden Dustpan Award”. Spray paint any old metal dustpan to make it gold and award the honor each day to the tidiest cabin or tent. Encourage things that keep critters out and prevent lost items, like having bags zipped close.
  • Make sure your girls have a packing list. They can even help you create it. Depending on the trip, you might need to limit the amount of baggage girls can bring. Keeping girls and families in-the-know will help them pack more of what they need, and less of what they don’t.

Keep activity areas and bathrooms clean

  • Set a kapers routine. Your length of stay, your activities, and your girls will determine how frequently the girls need to do kapers. Starting a routine during even your first, short campouts will help your girls see it as a natural structure as they grow.

Keep girls clean

  • Take note of a girl’s clothing. Some girls don’t have any interest in changing their clothes regularly, or out of their pajamas. You may need to prompt them for this task if you noticed today’s outfit looks similar to yesterday’s.
  • Girls, especially the young ones, sometimes struggle keeping their hair free of knots and snarls. The longer knots stay, the more painful they are to get out. If you notice your group getting a little tangled, hair brushing and braiding time can be a fun and chill activity.
  • If your campsite is lucky enough to have shower facilities and you’re making use of them, make sure girls know how to turn them on and off before shower time starts. A strange new shower can be tricky or just quite different to what girls are used to at home.