GSKSMO ADULT OUTDOOR PROGRAM CONFERENCE 2025
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SKILL BUILDING WORKSHOPS

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​When badges are coupled with other outdoor activities, like hiking, camping, and adventure activities, girls are more satisfied with their Girl Scout experience and more likely to want to return....  [F]indings show that Girl Scouts provides girls access to new and challenging outdoor experiences, helping them to move outside of their comfort zones and preparing them to be outdoor and nature enthusiasts who take the lead in caring for the environment.

​ - Girl Scouts Soar in the Outdoors  - 2019 Report from the Girl Scout Research Institute

Review workshop options and note your selections - During registration, you will select and rank your top ten workshops.  Also, select and rank your bottom three workshops that you are not interested in attending.​

​Register early for the best chance to be placed in your top-ranked​ workshops.

All workshops are 45 minutes unless otherwise noted.

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​​​Level of activity is noted by each workshop title below:
     ★ Stationary
     ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
     ★★★ Lots of walking & navigating terrain
     ★★★★ Strenuous




PLAN
PROGRAM
CAMP
HIKE
COOK

​​GETTING READY TO GO - PLANNING FOR ADVENTURE


Big Trips:
​Planning & Budgeting

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Is your troop ready to travel further afield? Lean about travel progression and the procedures to keep you and your troop safe while having fun. We will share tips from a Girl Scout travel veteran for both planning your own domestic trip and traveling abroad with a tour company.


Cadette, Senior, & Ambassador Journey Tips & Tricks

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Join us for a robust conversation and brainstorming session around all things journeys for older Girl Scouts. We will cover topics ranging from how to use GSUSA journey resources, incorporating Community Partners, leading with the Girl Scout processes (girl led, learning by doing, and collaborative learning), and being sure girls are safe using Safety Activity Checkpoints.

​Community Partners & The Council Program Guide

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
All about council programs! Attend this session to learn more about the seasonal program guide - how to navigate the guide, find programs for your girls, and get them signed up. We’ll also talk about our council community partners, our you-schedule-it guide, and other council-run programs for your troops!

Daisy, Brownie, & Junior Journey Tips & Tricks

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Join us for a robust conversation and brainstorming session around all things journeys for younger Girl Scouts. We will cover topics ranging from how to use GSUSA journey resources, incorporating Community Partners, leading with the Girl Scout processes (girl led, learning by doing, and collaborative learning), and being sure girls are safe using Safety Activity Checkpoints.

Get Organized for the Great Outdoors 

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
This course will provide tips to turn a chaotic To-Do list into a girl-led plan of action for outdoor fun. We will provide the camping essentials checklist for campers vs leaders and present ways for the girls to be involved in meal planning, fun buckets and Caper Charts (because at Girl Scouts, even chores are fun). We will also dive into how a few simple organizing habits before you leave home will bring Zen to your outdoor base camp and learn that challenges are simply ways to be creative and resourceful.

​Take Action

Activity Level: ​★ Stationary
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Girl Scouts help their communities through service projects and Take Action projects. Both are important! Learn the key differences and how to prepare girls for Take Action projects which are the foundation of Girl Scout highest awards.


OUTDOOR PROGRAM ACTIVITIES


Art In Nature:
Nature as Your Canvas & Creating Art Outdoors

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Skulls, furs, tracks, and a fabulous take home project!  This workshop invites you to explore the beauty of the natural world and harness its inspiration to create unique works of art in the great outdoors.  ​

Basic Nature:
​Exploring Habitats, Wildlife, & the World Around Us 

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Discover the wonders of nature in this introductory workshop designed to connect you with the world of wildlife, ecosystems, and the animals that inhabit them. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply curious about the environment around you, this session will provide a solid foundation in understanding the natural world and the creatures that call it home. Take away fun learning activities to share with your troop at camp.


Basketry

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Baskets are a big part of daily life in all cultures throughout the world. Woven baskets were made with natural materials people found near where they lived. We will review the different types of basketry and see some examples of each. Then we'll have some hands-on practice with coiled basketry. You will learn how to start a coiled basket, shape and finish it.

Bullet Journaling for Camping & the Outdoors

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Bullet journaling can empower you to become the author of your own life by helping you track the past, organize the present and plan for the future! At its core, it is a quick and flexible system that offers tons of organizational benefits while also being a creative outlet for your own style – whether that be minimalist, whimsical, flowery or a combination! With a little prep work your bullet journal can be anything and everything you want it to be. We’ll walk you through the basics so you can embark on your very own bujo journey!

The Buzz on Bees

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Join us for an engaging and educational workshop dedicated to one of nature's most essential creatures: the bee. In this session with experienced bee keepers, we’ll explore the fascinating world of bees and their crucial role in pollination, biodiversity, and food production.  ​This workshop is perfect for anyone curious about bees, whether you're a nature enthusiast, aspiring beekeeper, or simply looking to learn more about these incredible insects.

Camp Songs:
​Girl Scout Songs for Every Occasion

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Join us for a lively and fun-filled workshop where Girl Scouts can discover the joy of singing traditional and modern Girl Scout songs! Whether you're around the campfire, at a meeting, or on a hike, songs are a fantastic way to build community, lift spirits, and celebrate your scouting journey. In this workshop, participants will learn classic camp songs, silly tunes, and meaningful anthems that have been passed down through generations of Girl Scouts.​

​Crafting With Wood 

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Learn how to use basic hand tools as you make a woodcraft project.


Duct Tape Saves the World!

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Yes, duct tape!  Duct tape is more than just a fix-all—it's a tool for creativity and problem-solving! In this hands-on workshop, participants will explore the versatility of duct tape through a variety of fun crafts and STEM-based challenges. Perfect for kids and adults alike, this workshop combines art, engineering, and teamwork as we experiment with the endless possibilities of duct tape.

Flag Ceremonies & Flag Care

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Presenting the colors before each Girl Scout event reaffirms the duty that we have to our country and instills the values of respect and citizenship. When do you have a Flag Ceremony? How do I teach my girls how to fold a flag? How do I retire a flag?  Join us to learn what you need to know to teach a proper flag ceremony.
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Geocaching Basics

Activity Level: ★★★ Lots of walking & navigating terrain
Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity in which participants use a global positioning system receiver or a mobile device to find caches at specific locations marked by coordinates. Learn about the 3 cache trails at Camp Prairie Schooner plus learn about the different types of caches, traditional, earth, and puzzle caches.

Geocaching Advanced

Activity Level: ★★★ Lots of walking & navigating terrain
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This course will be an interactive course in finding hidden Geocaches within Camp Prairie Schooner. This course may involve some off trail searching (bushwhacking) and will provide ideas for how to develop your own themed Geocache for your troop.

 Girl Scout Traditions & Ceremonies

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Sharing Girl Scout traditions with your girls helps remind them that they belong to a big, powerful sisterhood. Throughout the long history of Girl Scouts, certain traditions remain meaningful, important, and are still practiced today. In this workshop, different traditions and ceremonies such as investiture, rededication, Kaper Charts, S.W.A.P.S., flag ceremony and Scout’s Own will be presented. These traditions will help you guide your Girl Scouts in making lifetime memories.


Leather Stamping:
​Crafting Beautiful Designs by Hand

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Unlock your creativity and dive into the art of leather stamping in this hands-on workshop! While it may sound complicated, with the right supplies it is surprisingly easy to stamp leather.  Create your own custom piece using leather, stamps, and a hammer. ​


Marble Madness:
​Designing Outdoor Marble Runs with Natural Terrain

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Get ready for a fun and creative exploration of marbles, gravity, and the great outdoors! In this hands-on workshop, you'll design and build your very own marble run using the natural terrain around you — from hills and rocks to trees and sticks.  This exciting workshop blends art, engineering, and nature, giving you the chance to create dynamic marble runs that make the most of the landscape.  Come explore, build, and race — the outdoors is your playground!​


Outdoor Science 

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
​Outdoor STEM activities are a great way to engage girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  Learn how to incorporate these educational disciplines into your troop's outdoor adventures with make-n-take activities.

Outdoor Cell Phone Photography

Activity Level:  ★★★ Lots of walking & navigating terrain
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Join us for an exciting hands-on workshop designed to help you unlock the full potential of your cell phone camera and elevate your outdoor photography skills! Whether you're hiking, exploring parks, or simply enjoying a walk in nature, this workshop will teach you how to capture stunning landscapes, wildlife, and natural details using just your phone.​


Recycled Denim Crafts

Activity Level: ​★ Stationary
Explore ways to recycle and upcycle denim jeans.  Bring your camera to take pictures of sample projects and make a project of your own to take home with you! 

Team Building 

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Learn tips and tricks to facilitate team building activities. You will communicate and collaborate with others to complete challenges and get to know each other better. Team building is great for new and established troops. ​


Time Fillers

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Every Girl Scout leader knows that plans don’t always go as expected! This workshop is here to equip leaders with fun, quick, and effective “time fillers” that keep scouts engaged and energized during any downtime. Perfect for bridging gaps between activities or keeping scouts occupied while waiting, these activities require minimal materials, are easy to learn, and can be tailored to different ages and group sizes.

Wood Carving:
Crafting with Nature's Canvas

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
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This beginner-friendly wood carving workshop invites you to explore the fundamentals of working with wood to create beautiful, handmade pieces. Guided by an experienced instructor, participants will learn about essential tools, types of wood, safety techniques, and carving methods. This workshop emphasizes hands-on practice, with projects designed to help you carve your first unique piece. No prior experience is necessary—just bring your creativity and enthusiasm to learn!


Yoga Fundamentals & Functional Body Movement

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Discover the foundations of yoga and functional movement in this beginner-friendly workshop designed to build strength, flexibility, and a deeper understanding of body alignment. This workshop introduces essential yoga poses and emphasizes how these movements support everyday activities, improve posture, and prevent injury. Ideal for all experience levels, this session combines mindfulness with movement to help you feel more connected, balanced, and confident in your body.

​​CAMPING SKILLS


Blended Learning Camping 102 (3)
***SUNDAY ONLY***

Activity Level:  ★★★ Lots of walking & navigating terrain
Prerequisite: Camping 101 and online course work for Camping 102 prior to attending conference.​

Extra Charge: $21 covers cost of certification.  Please add option to cart at check out.  
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In this course you will gain the courage, confidence and character to lead your girls in an outdoor campout and cookout! Participants will take part in an online course then complete an in-person skills assessment in order to complete this training. This online course & in-person skills training will fulfill council requirements to take girls permatent/tent camping and cook over a campfire.

Participants will learn:
  • Review Outdoor Safety Activity Checkpoints and understand how to use them in activity planning for your camping trip.
  • Understand how to organize, run, and clean-up a cookout with girls using a campfire and/or charcoal.
  • Encourage and understand that a cook out and camping excursion is a safe place to fail. Fail first, fail frequently and fail often.
  • Be introduced to the 3 Most Popular Methods of Girl Scout Outdoor Cooking: Dutch Oven and One Pot Meals, Foil Packet and Pie Iron Cooking
  • Be prepared to take a group camping in an outdoor camping unit, learn what to expect when arriving at a camp unit and how to care for camping equipment.
  • Understand how to incorporate Leave No Trace best practices in your outdoor experiences.

This online course is organized by modules and is designed to be completed at your own pace in 1-2-week time frame. We use a combination of videos, PowerPoints, readings and discussions to really enhance your experience.

REQUIRED - This online training MUST be completed before your scheduled skills assessment date. The in-person skills assessment is required to be a Camping 102 certified Girl Scout Volunteer.

At least one adult in each camping group must complete this course prior to your outdoor camping trip and must be present during the duration of your outdoor campout. We encourage having multiple adults with Camping 102 training during campouts.
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Fire Building 

Activity Level:  ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
​Tinder. Kindling. Fuel. Girl Scouts have a special way to build and start a campfire. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn to safely lay, light, use, and extinguish a fire while practicing leave no trace camping. You will also learn to make safe fire starters to help get your fire blazing. 

*** Not recommended if you are taking Camping 102.  This is a great workshop for those that have already taken 102 and want a refresher and new tips! ***
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First Aid/CPR

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Prerequisite:  4-6 hour online training prior to conference - details will come from Council via email prior to conference.  

​Extra Charge: $21 covers cost of certification.  Please add option to cart at check out.

Blended Learning First Aid/CPR/AED is done by the student completing an online course first, then meeting with their instructor in person to perform their skills assessment. The Blending Learning First Aid/CPR/AED course incorporates the latest science and teaches students to recognize and care for a variety of first aid emergencies such as burns, cuts, scrapes, sudden illnesses, head, neck, back injuries, heat, and cold emergencies and how to respond to breathing and cardiac emergencies for victims about 12 years and older. Successful students will receive a certificate for Adult First Aid/CPR/AED valid for two years and will have completed all the steps in earning their level First Aid Badge.
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Approx: 4-6hrs/online & 1hr/in-person skills assessment

Knots & Know-How:
​Basic Knot Tying for Girl Scouts

Activity Level:  ★ Stationary
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Ready to learn skills that will come in handy on every adventure? In this fun and interactive workshop, scouts will dive into the basics of knot tying—a foundational skill for any Girl Scout. Bowline, clove hitch, or big tangled mess?  Through hands-on practice, you will learn to tie these essential knots used in camping, hiking, and everyday life. Each knot comes with tips on its unique purpose, how it’s used, and why it’s important to know.


Paracord:
Crafting & Knotting Essentials

Activity Level:  ★ Stationary
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Learn the art of knotting with paracord! In this hands-on workshop, participants will discover how to make durable and stylish lanyards, key fobs, or bracelets using paracord—a versatile, strong cord originally designed for parachutes. Paracord lanyards are not only functional for holding keys, ID badges, or small tools, but they’re also a great way to learn basic knotting techniques and create something unique and practical.


Lashing Basics:
Building with Knots for Girl Scouts

Activity Level:  ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Take your knot-tying skills to the next level with lashing! This hands-on workshop introduces Girl Scouts to the basics of lashing—a technique that builds on knot tying to create secure, lasting structures from poles, sticks, and ropes. Lashing is an essential skill for outdoor adventures and camp projects, from building shelters to creating tripods and camp gadgets.

HIKING & BACKPACKING SKILLS


Backpacking & Meals 

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
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In this advanced level workshop, learn valuable tips and skills for backpacking and meals that can be put together for a day trip or overnights. 


Camp Meal Planning & Prep

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Let us help you avoid that Lost-in-the-Woods feeling of providing meals at camp. Whether planning for 5 or 250, our culinary team will share their tips, tricks and techniques on meal planning and food preparation in the outdoors. You’ll depart with the confidence and a library of recipes to put you in a food coma.

Cast Iron Care

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Cooking in cast iron makes a wonderful camp experience, but cleaning cast iron may not be as fun. This class will provide you the basics on proper cleaning and seasoning of cast iron so that these cooking items will last for many many years. ​

Compasses & Topography

Activity Level: ★★★ Lots of walking & navigating terrain
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Find your way!  You'll receive an introduction to compass and map work as a foundation for navigation skills.  Apply these skills and prepare for your troop to explore the great outdoors. ​

Edible Plants 

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
See, smell, and taste the edible plants and flowers that are native to our region. We will talk about the safe edibles that are growing all around us. ​

Walking Sticks

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Get ready to personalize and craft your very own walking stick! This fun, hands-on workshop invites Girl Scouts to design and decorate a sturdy walking stick that they can take along on their outdoor adventures. Scouts will learn about the history and practical uses of walking sticks, including how they provide support on hikes and can be customized to reflect personal style and achievements.  By the end, each scout will have a one-of-a-kind walking stick ready for future hikes and adventures! All materials are provided—just bring your enthusiasm and a love for creativity in the great outdoors!


What's In Your Camp Bucket?

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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Make a sit-upon bucket and discuss ways to use it at your meetings and campout. We will provide the materials and help you tackle the challenging part, and then let you add the dazzling details and finishing touches later.


Camp Stoves: Past, Present, & Future

Activity Level: ★ Stationary
Learn about the history of the individual camp stove. See live examples of stoves and how they have changed over time. Hear about the new rules regarding cooking outdoors and why it matters to scouts. ​

OUTDOOR COOKING METHODS & RECIPE IDEAS

Outdoor Cooking

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
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This is a class for those that are already Camping 102 certified. Learn additional ways to use the cooking equipment provided at camp and how to progress with your girls when outdoor cooking. 

Outdoor Cooking: Box Ovens


Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
A box oven can be used to cook anything you might cook in your oven at home. You will learn to construct a camp oven using a cardboard box and foil. As well as sample a treat that has been prepared during this workshop. ​Recommended if you have already taken Camping 102 and are looking for a refresher course.  ***Not recommended if you are planning to take Camping 102 at camp***
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Outdoor Cooking: Hobo Stoves & Buddy Burners

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Hobo Stove Cooking is a unique and fun way to prepare delicious meals and desserts for your troop. Learn about this small, easily portable cooking stove by working through the steps to make your own, as well as its fuel source - the Buddy Burner.  ***Not recommended if you are planning to take Camping 102 at camp***

Outdoor Cooking: Roasting Sticks & Pie Irons

Activity Level: ★★ Limited standing, walking & bending
Learn the basics and how to progress to more challenging cooking methods with a focus on Roasting Stick and Pie Iron cooking methods. Take home recipe ideas for the cooking methods covered.  ***Not recommended if you are planning to take Camping 102 at camp***

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"For over 100 years, girls have discovered, explored, and strengthened their outdoor skills and commitment to environmental stewardship through Girl Scouting.  Guided by supportive adults and peers, Girl Scouts discover the wonders of nature, experience the thrill of adventure, and challenge themselves and one another to reach new heights!"  
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Girl Scouts Soar in the Outdoors  - 2019 Report from the Girl Scout Research Institute 


​GSKSMO Adult Outdoor Program Conference  - Copyright 2022
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