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Camping Activities Checkpoints
These checkpoints apply to all activities listed under the category “Camping
Activities”
The leader must review the Step 1 checkpoints and these Camping Activities checkpoints before reading the activity specific checkpoints that follow.
Planning and Supervision
The leader:
___ Uses the principles of minimal impact camping in Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting.
___ Obtains site permits, if needed, in advance
Equipment
The leader:
___ Uses flame resistant tents. Plastic tents are not used.
___ Uses portable cookstoves whenever possible to reduce the use of wood in backcountry areas.
Clothing
The leader:
___ Makes a complete checklist of group and personal equipment and distributes it to group members.
___ Makes sure soft-soled shoes, such as sneakers, are worn around the campsite to reduce environmental impact. Girls learn the proper care of their feet, such as treatment for blisters.
Site
Campsite Sanitation
The leader:
___ Stores garbage in an insect- and animal-proof container with a plastic inner lining, and covers it securely when there is a campsite garbage pickup service.
___ When there is no garbage pickup service, removes all garbage from the campsite in plastic bags and discards as appropriate, or recycles whenever possible. Does not bury food. Carries out grease and fuel canisters.
Primitive Campsites
The leader:
___ When primitive camping, chooses and sets up a campsite well before dark.
___ Uses a previously established campsite if available.
___ Makes sure the campsite is level and located at least 200 feet from all water sources and below tree- line.
___ Avoids fragile mountain meadows and areas of wet soil.
___ Avoids camping under dead tree limbs.
___ Uses existing fire rings if a fire is necessary.
___ If a latrine is not available, uses individual “cat holes” - at least 200 feet away from the trail and known water sources - to dispose of human waste.
___ Does dishwashing and personal bathing at least 200 feet away from water sources.
___ Stores food well away from tents and out of the reach of animals. Where necessary, hang food at least 10 feet high from a rope stretched between two trees. If the site is in bear country, check with local authorities on precautions to take.
___ Sees that garbage, tampons, sanitary supplies, and toilet paper are carried out.
Emergency Procedures
The leader:
___ Posts telephone numbers for all emergency care and council contacts where appropriate or the adult in charge carries them, and knows the location of the telephone.
___ Writes, reviews, and practices evacuation and emergency plans for severe weather with girls and posts the plan.
Hiking Specific Checkpoints
This checkpoint does not apply to short walks.
Planning and Supervision
___ Hikes are restricted to a reasonable length as determined by age, level of experience, nature of the terrain, physical condition of the hikers, disabilities, weather conditions, and time of day.
___ The group leader has experience in teaching hiking techniques and trip planning.
___ Instructions are given on the safety rules for hiking.
___ The buddy system is used. The hiking party consists of a minimum of four people, including the adults. (If injury occurs, one person cares for the patient while the other two seek help.)
___ There is one adult in the lead and another adult at the rear of each group of hikers.
___ Girls are instructed in how to adjust day packs.
___ Off-trail hiking is avoided. Girls stay on the pathway to avoid trampling trailside plants and causing erosion.
___ Each girl carries a minimum of one quart of water.
___ There are adequate rest periods, with time to replenish fluids and eat high-energy food.
___ Guidelines are developed for dealing with problems that may arise with other groups of hikers.
Site
___ The route is known to one of the adult leaders or a report is obtained in advance to assess potential hazards such as poisonous plants, dangerous animals, unsafe drinking water, cliffs, and dropoffs. Unsafe routes are avoided.
___ The route chosen is within the ability of every girl in the group; the pace accommodates the slowest hiker.
___ Terrain, mileage, and hiking time are known to the hikers in advance.
___ Respect for the environment is demonstrated. Eating wild foods, walking on or uprooting plants, interfering with or feeding wild animals, and littering is avoided.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
___ A first-aider, level 1, is present. A first-aider, level 2, is present for hikes of 10 miles or more and away from emergency assistance.
___ The first-aider is prepared to handle cases of hypothermia, blisters, sprains, fractures, insect stings and tick bites, snake bites, sunburn, and heat- and cold-related injuries.
___ A search-and-rescue plan for lost hikers is written down and under stood by everyone in advance.
National Organizations
Appalachian Mountain Club
(www.outdoors.org), Appalachian
Trail Conference (www.atconf.org).
These pages are for check-list purposes only. Please refer to
your Safety-Wise book to make sure the checklist information is current and
accurate.
These pages are not endorsed by Girl Scouts of the USA. 'Girl Scouts' and
'Girl Scouts of the USA' are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Girl
Scouts of the USA.