Resources Guides Monster Camping Patch

Req 1: Progression and Planning
Girls who are new to camping need to acclimate themselves to aspects of it gradually. There’s an ideal progression from short outdoor day trip to a weekend outdoors. Planning what will go on and what they will need is an important, integral part of the progression, so they get used to the idea of what their environment and gear will be, and feel some control over their situation and are familiar with equipment that they may not have used before.

If your troop is experienced in the outdoors, choose the appropriate spot in the progression to begin.

If your troop has never been camping, start by choosing and planning a hike, nature investigation, museum overnight, lodge stay or other sleepover that fits within Safety-Wise guidelines. So many communities have so many facilities available that it isn’t possible for us to list them all, but chances are that if it feels like a good idea to you and the girls, and is a stretch from what they are used to, it’s a good start.

For this starter trip, girls (with leader guidance, but not direction) need to plan:

• Time schedule, including meals, activities and free time
• Meals, including nutritional balance, portions, shopping and preparation
• Personal gear, and how to pack
• Troop gear, and how to pack
• Kaper chart, assigning all chores

Req 2: Safety Prep
All girls and adults in the troop should learn or review camping safety requirements, including:

• Buddy system
• Knowing your surroundings
• First Aid kit check
• Emergency plan
• Fire care and safety rules
• Rules of conduct

Req 3: Camp Craft Skill Development
The council offers program backpacks (Skill Packs) that help troops learn and practice these important skills. Use Skill Packs so the girls become experienced at each one and can use the skills easily when camping. You can borrow them at each SU meeting from now on.

• Knots
• Outdoor cooking
• Fire building and safety
• Compass

Req 4: Team Building and Cooperation
Girls learn to share outdoor living space, to cooperate, to honor quiet time and to make new friends at Monster Camping.

Before you go, the troop needs to decide on Rules of Conduct that will prevail during the trip. They will be posted at the troop’s campsite, and everyone with the troop must follow them. Consequences for breaking rules should be developed during the planning stage, using positive discipline.

Have the girls participate in a non-competitive team building game, and explain how the experience relates to troop camping. A lot of mutual support, encouragement and trust is needed to work and play outdoors. There’s a teambuilding Skill Pack to help with this.

Req 5: Monster Camping
It will all come together at your Montster Camping event. The last requirement is pure fun: come and do everything you have learned!

Helpful Resources
• Outdoor Education in GS
• Safety-Wise
• Roughing It Easy recipes, available at Resource Center
• Skill Packs