Camp & Outdoors | Girl Scouts

Taking Girl Scouts outdoors creates deep connections to place.

They develop interest, confidence, competence and advocacy. Outdoor experiences prepare girls for adventure, inspire environmental stewardship and instill natural curiosity that activates risk-taking in our young leaders.

Outdoor Progression allows Girl Scouts to learn the skills they need to become competent in the outdoors, including how to plan and organize outdoor activities. Acknowledge a girl's mastery of an outdoor skill and invite her to challenge herself further by taking that next step up and out! Outdoor fun can be endless when girls lead!

Learn how to begin sharing the outdoors with your troop with our Girl Scouts in the Outdoors course in gsLearn as well as Safety Activity Checkpoints to assist in planning your adventures.

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Learn how to begin sharing the outdoors with your troop with on-demand courses in gsLearn.

GSUSA Getting Girls Outdoors introduces volunteers to what they can do to begin sharing the outdoors with their troop.
Basic Overnights helps volunteers prepare to take girls through the “Sleep Out” stage in outdoor progression and is required before taking girls on their first overnight and campout.

First Aid/CPR Certification

Visit the Event List for available First Aid/CPR certification sessions.
Email volunteer@gsdakotahorizons.org to request a local First Aid/CPR certification course. There is a 6 student minimum/12 student maximum, and the ability to fulfill the request depends on the availability of a council facilitator.
You can also take advantage of First Aid/CPR certification courses offered by the American Red Cross, National Safety Council, EMP America, or the American Heart Association.
Caution: First-aid/CPR training that is available entirely online does not satisfy Girl Scouts’ requirements. Such courses do not offer enough opportunities to practice and receive feedback on your technique.

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Safety Activity Checkpoints (PDF)
Outdoor Progression Chart (PDF)
Outdoor Cooking Progression Chart (PDF)
Camp Readiness Quiz (PDF)
SWAPS (PDF)
Girl Scout Kapers (PDF)
Dunk Kits (PDF)
Basic Overnight Planning Checklist (PDF)
Transporting Girl Scouts and Driver Checklist (PDF)
Emergency Procedures (PDF)
Council Properties and Reservations (WEB)
Equipment Depot (WEB)

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Thanks to a grant from the Elliott Wildlife Values Project, GSUSA has created nine new outdoor skill-building videos especially for volunteers newer to Girl Scouts and older Girl Scouts as they take younger girls outside:

Forms

Health & Permission Form (PDF/Online)

Troop Use: A paper Health & Permission form must be completed and signed annually by caregiver/guardian and as changes occur, to be returned to the troop leader. The troop volunteer (co-leader/chaperone) should carry these forms with them for Girl Scout activities at all times.
Dakota Horizons Council Use: This form must be completed and submitted to council as requested for specific council activities (events or camps). An online Health & Permission form is available and can be submitted up to 6 days prior to the session date. At 5 days or closer to the session date, a paper Health & Permission form (PDF form) must be completed, printed and presented at session check in.

Travel Application – The travel application must be submitted for council approval prior to any troop/group travel that includes 1 or more overnights. Prepare to submit the application by completing the Travel Planning Packet to submit with the application.

First Aid Treatment Notification Form (PDF)

Camp Properties

Reserve a camp property for your troop or group. Most properties are available to the public.

RESERVATIONS