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Outdoor Resources

Outdoor adventures never stop in our council, so here are some additional resources to fuel your experiences.


Troop Camping

Interested in camping with your troop? Check out the resources below.

7 Easy Steps to Troop Camping for Leaders

1. Visit the DoubleKnot reservation system and reserve your site, dates, etc. Full payment is due at the time of reservation in Doubleknot, so have your troop debit card handy!

2. Complete the Travel Roster for your troop (Excel file – click to download).

3. Confirm your group meets safety ratio and First Aid/CPR requirements.

  • After completing your roster, confirm that your group has the proper girl-to-adult ratio based on Volunteer Essentials and the Safety Activity Checkpoints. Additionally, troops are required to provide at least one First Aid/CPR certified adult when camping on a troop camping trip.

4. Confirm with council that all adults have completed background checks and are an approved volunteer.

  • Any adult who is fulfilling the girl-adult ratio and will be working directly with the girls must fulfill the requirements to be an approved adult which includes a background check and Girl Scout membership.

5. To enhance your troop's camping experience, consider attending in-person adult training session. See below.

6. Confirm specially trained staff for optional activities, if necessary.

  • Some activities at camp (swimming, archery, boating, ropes course, etc.) require specially trained facilitators in order for troops to participate. Troops/Service Units provide their own certified lifeguards, archery, and boating instructors -GSWNY must receive a copy of that individual's current certification.
  • Reconfirm that you are adhering to the Safety Activity Checkpoints (see Step 5) for your chosen optional activities. Reach out to council if you need additional assistance or information about optional activities.

7.  Work with your girls to plan your adventure.

  • Find out what your girls want to do when they're camping: hiking, nature observation, outdoor challenges? Use their ideas to drive programming.
  • Check out the Outdoor badges and Journeys for your level in the VTK/your MyGS Girl Scout account
Troop Camp Training

Please note that there is no required outdoor training to take your girls outdoors and/or to visit our properties, however, we have additional resources should you need them.

  • VIDEOS:Our website features tutorial videos on a variety of subjects including developing outdoors skills, taking the Girl Scout Journeys outside, planning your first campout, campsite set-up, cooking outdoors, Leave No Trace principles, outdoor songs and games, and fire-building. Check them out on the bottom of this page!
  • IN-PERSON ADULT TRAININGS: Throughout the year, we offer adult training opportunities such as archery certification, small watercraft certification, and much more. These opportunities can be found on gsEvents as they are available.
Service Unit Camp Out (SUCOs)

Leaders can reserve a camp to arrange their own volunteer-run, mini day camp program for their service unit for up to four days.  This is a great way to provide exciting and engaging day camp activities for Service Units who want to experience day camp with friends and others they know. Availability of SUCO Day Camps are as follows:

  • July-August: Camp Windy Meadows and/or Camp Seven Hills – Lakeside
  • Year Round: Off-council camp sites can be used with council approval
  • Sept-Oct & May-June: Any camp property

Additional Resources

I Camped, I Conquered Patch
Equipment Rentals
Ropes Course Adventures

Our Camp Piperwood and Camp Seven Hills ropes courses for Non-Scouts, Girl Scout troops, and SUCO usage are currently unavailable as we are in the process of reevaluating and updating our program. It is our hope that we will be able to offer this exciting program in the spring of 2023. 

 If you would like your child to experience the ropes course, she may do so through our summer camp ropes course programs at Camp Seven Hills. Please visit our summer camp 2022 tab for more information or to register. 

We apologize for any inconvenience. 

Readiness Quizzes
Letterboxing and Orienteering Maps

Outdoor Skill Building Videos

Are you new to hiking and camping? Maybe a little nervous about taking girls on an outdoor journey for the first time? Don't worry! These videos from GSUSA will help you prepare for a fun, safe adventure with your girls. (And be sure to read our Safety Checkpoints for specific safety guidelines on everything from archery to whitewater rafting.)

Step by Step: Developing Outdoor Skills in Girls
Taking the Journeys Outside
Planning Your Troop's First Campout

Sample Packing List for Weekend-Long Program

Please pack for comfort and weather. All events are rain or shine and will include time spent outside. Please keep in mind that all you bring you have to carry. More stuff = heavier bag. Click here to download this list as a PDF.

  • T-Shirts/long sleeve shirts (non-cotton in winter)
  • Pants/shorts (waterproof/snow pants in winter)
  • Sweatshirts (sweater/fleece in winter)
  • Socks & underwear (wool socks in winter)
  • Hat with a rim/ball cap/sunglasses
  • Pajamas
  • Jacket (light layers in warm seasons, waterproof, down and fleece jackets in cold)
  • Warm hat/gloves (especially important in winter, but even in spring and fall evenings are chilly)
  • Rain gear
  • Sneakers/hiking boots - NO FLIP FLOPS or open-toe SANDALS. In winter waterproof shoes/winter boots are required.
  • Indoor footwear (to prevent wearing muddy boots inside)
  • Small towel/washcloth
  • Roll of toilet paper per person
  • Toiletries (suggested items: hair ties, sunscreen, bug spray, toothbrush, toothpaste, brush/comb, chap stick, feminine hygiene items, deodorant, glasses/contacts, hand sanitizer or soap)
  • Sleeping gear (warm sleeping bag for outdoors, pillow, blankets, etc.). Sleeping accommodations may include tents, platform tents, or cabins/lodges, depending on the program and season.
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • REUSABLE Water bottle/covered mug for hot drinks
  • Medication (must be in its original container and have your name on the prescription. This applies to both girls and adults.)
  • Personal First Aid Kit - in addition, it is good practice for each troop or group to bring an additional full first aid kit to all activities.
  • Girl Scout Health Form (All attendees - Girls and Adults). The Health Forms will not be returned to the participants.
Introduction to Campsite Set-up
Introduction to Cooking Outdoors
How to Leave No Trace Outdoors
Outdoor Songs and Games
Introduction to Fire Building