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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.
Group Camping Specific Checkpoints
Planning and Supervision
___ The leader has taken council group(troop) camp training in teaching and supervising group camping. As an alternative, a program consultant trained in group camping may help the leader and the girls prepare for the group camping trip and then accompany the leader and the group on the trip.
___ Group camp training generally covers these topics:
___ Girl Scout program activities appropriate to the outdoor setting
___ Discussion of other camping opportunities available to group members, including day, core-staff, and resident camp, as well as wider opportunities
___ Group preparation for the trip, including procedures for cookouts, kapers, and special activities
___ Activities and camping skills, including minimal impact camping skills, that represent steps in a natural progression
___ Safety standards, activity check points, supervision, and council policies for camping and outdoor activities
___ The use of group government in camping
___ Resources of the site and surround ing area
___ First-aid and other emergency pro cedures
___ Methods of dealing with home sickness
___ Awareness and understanding of differing social, economic, and ethnic backgrounds
___ For group camping, the leader should also note the following:
___ Each group is accompanied by at least two adults. The girl-to-leader ratios given in Program Standard 13 are observed. (See page 69.)
___ Girls participate in the planning and preparation for the trip. Girls plan menus, activities, rules for group living, and on-site activities.
___ Girls learn about appropriate clothing, footwear, bedding, packing, personal health care, and ways to dress for changes in weather conditions.
___ Safety rules are observed for out door cooking, hiking, swimming, science activities, boating, etc. (Refer to the activity checkpoints for further information on these topics.)
Clothing
___ Shoes, hiking boots, or sneakers and socks are worn; no sandals, flip-flops, or bare feet.
Equipment
___ Sleeping bags are stuffed with filler appropriate for the anticipated temperature. (Check the label.)
___ No candles, kerosene lamps, portable cookstoves, or any device with an open flame is ever used inside tents. Battery-powered lights are recommended. Lanterns fueled by propane, butane, kerosene, or gas may be used outdoors.
___ Heaters may not be used inside tents.
Site
___ State and local regulations related to drinking water, sanitation, fire building, etc., are observed.
___ Before council approval, the site is inspected or a firsthand report is obtained in advance to assess any hazards and the suitability of the site.
___ Potentially dangerous areas, such as sharp dropoffs, are clearly marked.
___ Chemicals and flammable materials are locked in a dry, well-ventilated storage area.
___ Fire extinguishers are available, suited to the activities, checked regularly, and accessible to all participants.
___ Adults know how to use fire extinguishers.
___ At least one toilet facility with an adjacent hand-washing facility is provided for every 20 overnight campers.
___ Separate sleeping and bathroom facilities are provided for adult males accompanying the group.
___ The site is left clean. “Clean” means removal of trash and evidence of human activities. It does not mean removal of natural materials, such as leaves, from trails.
___ There is adequate shelter from possible inclement weather.
___ Precautions are taken to protect against harmful insects and ticks, animals, and poisonous plants. Campers are taught to identify and avoid them.
___ Mosquito netting and insect repel lent are used where needed.
___ Additional information can be found in Outdoor Education in Girl Scouting.
Emergency Procedures and First Aid
___ A first-aider is present.
___ A vehicle is available or an ambulance is on call at all times to trans port an injured or sick person.
___ Search-and-rescue procedures for missing persons are written out in advance, reviewed, and practiced by girls and leaders. The procedures are posted.
___ A fire drill is practiced on the site, particularly from the sleeping area.
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.