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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.
Trip/Travel Camping Specific Checkpoints
Experienced campers—girls and adult leaders—can plan and go trip camping. Trip camping involves camping at different sites over three or more nights and traveling from one site to another under one’s own power or by vehicle or animal that permits individual guidance (for example, bicycle, canoe, horse, sail boat).
Travel camping (using campsites as a means of accommodations) is planned and carried out by a group of girls and adult leaders who are experienced campers. The group uses motorized transportation to move from one site to another over a period of three or more nights. Motorized transportation is usually a bus, van, or automobile but may also be an airplane, boat, or train, or a combination of vehicles.
Planning and Supervision
When preparing for and conducting the trip, use the activity checkpoints in this book; specifically, check the mode of travel (canoeing, backpacking, kayaking, bicycling, skiing) and the activities engaged in (such as outdoor cooking or swimming).
___ The trip/travel camping leader possesses knowledge, skills, and experience in the following areas:
o Outdoor leadership
o Progression and readiness
o Trip planning
o Safety management
o First aid, safety, handling emergency situations
o judgment and maturity
o Program activities specific to the trip
o Group dynamics and management
o Supervision of both girls and adults
o Participation in similar trips
o Familiarity with the area in which the trip is conducted
o Physical fitness and skills necessary to lead the group
___ A minimum of two adult leaders, at least one of whom is female, are present on each trip. In addition, follow the adult-to-girl ratio as set in Program Standard 1 3. (See page 69.)
___ Adult leaders selected for the trip are trained or have documented experience in the following areas:
o Travel or trip camping skills
o Group management and group dynamics
o Child development
o Mode of transportation
o Site orientation
o First aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
o Emergency procedures
o Operational procedures
o Minor maintenance for equipment and vehicle, as appropriate
___ For each trip, girls and leaders receive a pre-trip orientation that includes the following:
o First-aid procedures
o Use of the buddy system and emergency and rescue proce dures
o Environmental awareness and protection procedures
o Program plans for mode of travel and geographic area
o Operational procedures: purification of water, food preparation, camping equipment, sanitation procedures, and food storage procedures
___ For trips by small craft, the supervising adult is currently certified as an instructor as specified in the activity checkpoint for the particular mode of transportation or certified in Small Craft Safety from the American Red Cross, or has equivalent certification or documented experience indicating knowledge and skill in the supervision of similar trips.
___ For trips that involve swimming, an adult currently certified in life- guarding or the equivalent is present.
___ A currently signed agreement with providers of trip/travel camping services specifies responsibility for compliance with these trip/travel camping guidelines.
Equipment
___ Girls and adult leaders are protect ed from the natural elements (rain, snow, wind, sun, cold, insects, ticks, etc.) by the following, as appropriate to the geographic location and season:
o Shelter
o Clothing
o Sleeping gear
o Repellents
o Sunblocks
___
o Name of girl or adult
o Name of Girl Scout council
o Telephone number of emergency contact
___ All girls and adult leaders have on their person a card with their name, address, and telephone number; the council name, address, and telephone number; and the name of a contact person.
Transportation
___ Each driver of motorized transportation is at least 21 years old and holds a valid operator’s license appropriate to the vehicle. The Girl Scout council checks the operator’s driving record.
___ There is a relief driver for trips of more than four hours. The relief driver holds a valid operator’s license for the vehicle operated, and her or his driving record is checked.
___ If a trailer is used, it is in compliance with all state, local, and federal regulations for the areas of travel. The assigned driver is experienced in pulling a trailer. No girls or adult leaders ride in the trailer.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
___ A first-aider, level 2, is present.
___ There are written procedures to follow if a group member needs to be removed from the trip.
___ The group communicates with the contact person at home or the council office about the progress of the trip.
___ Phone numbers and exact locations of medical assistance and emergency help are carried on the trip. A copy of the complete trip plan is on file with the council office.
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
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Scouts of the USA.