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Outdoor Adventure

From the backyard to the backcountry, Girl Scouts has a long, storied, and successful history of getting girls outdoors. In fact, many Girl Scouts say that “camping trips” are one of the best things about their Girl Scout experience. And it’s true: connecting with nature in a girl-led setting is a big benefit of belonging to Girl Scouts.

Outdoor programs vary throughout the year to highlight different outdoor skills and adventures. GSSEF outdoor programs are developed with the outdoor progression in mind to provide opportunities for all Girl Scouts to enjoy the outdoors whether it is their first time venturing out or their millionth time. Make sure to keep checking the GSSEF Event Calendar throughout the year to find the adventures out there for your Girl Scout!

Day Programs: A day program is the first step in the outdoor progression. Day programs occur in a single day and can be 3-8 hours long. These programs get your Girl Scout out to camp to enjoy nature by honing outdoor skills, trying new camp activities, or working on outdoor badges. Day programs can cover topics like animal tracking, environmental stewardship, and camp activities like canoeing, hiking, archery, slingshots and so much more!
One-night Overnight Programs: The second step in the outdoor progression is to spend one night and two days outdoors at camp. These programs build more than just outdoor skills as the Girl Scouts build confidence, independence, and responsibility on what is often their first night away from home without a parent present. One-night overnight programs also include meals and snacks in the program cost. These programs take your Girl Scout to another level of adventure while working on outdoor badges, skills, conquering their fears, and making new friends.
Two-night Overnight Programs: As Girl Scouts spend the whole weekend at camp, they take the next step in their outdoor progression. These programs are designed to continue building your Girl Scout’s independence and skills in a safe environment. The Girl Scout Research Institute did a study that said 85% of Girl Scouts said camp helped them conquer their fears as well as prepare them to take on more responsibility. These programs provide more time for Girl Scouts to bond, explore, and challenge themselves outdoors.
Summer Resident Camp: Summer Resident Camp is the final step in our outdoor progression, and we would love to see your Girl Scout there! Check out our Resident Camp webpage for more details!
Family Programs: Throughout the year, we offer programs to get the whole family out to camp to enjoy the outdoors together. These Family Programs include a sampling of the favorite camp activities our Girl Scouts do like fishing, slingshots, or canoeing as well as provide an opportunity for parents and siblings to see what makes Girl Scout camp so awesome!
GSSEF Council Favorites: We have two programs we host annually that have become have-to-go camp experiences for Girl Scouts.

We Heart Welaka is our annual, open-house-style program that offers a wide variety of activities as we celebrate Camp Welaka. Activities include canoeing, archery, crafts, outdoor cooking experiences, slingshots, slackline, hiking adventures, and the list goes on.

Rock the Noc! is another favorite where we celebrate Camp Nocatee with a rocking twist focused on self-expression in the outdoors. The program includes camp favorites like archery and slacklining while adding in tons of opportunities for Girl Scouts to express themselves through art, music, and dance. Rock the Noc! is also a family program so that everyone can rock out together during the grand finale live band concert.

Want to join our Outdoor Crew? We are always seeking talented, strong, and resourceful volunteers with a passion for the outdoors to help us with our programs. If you are interested in helping out, please contact us at customercare@gssef.org and we will reach out to you with more information!

Why choose Outdoor Programming? Studies show that girls today are not spending nearly enough time outdoors. Technology and structured activities leave less time for girls to get outside and enjoy nature. But as a Girl Scout, she’ll have plenty of opportunities to create her own outdoor adventures and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and the out-of-doors—whether with her troop, at camp, or with friends and family. And that’s great news—because when Girl Scouts get outside, they:

Discover that they can better solve problems and overcome challenges
Develop leadership skills, build social bonds, and are happier overall
Become team players and care more about protecting our environment

When girls spend quality time outdoors and increase their exposure to nature, they thrive physically, emotionally, and intellectually.

Outdoor Adventure

Day Programs

One-night Overnight Programs

Two-night Overnight Programs

Summer Resident Camp

Family Programs

GSSEF Council Favorites