Do Girl Scouts Learn Survival Skills?

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Last Updated on June 12, 2023 by Umar

Girl Scouts is an organization that aims to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place

One of the ways they achieve this is by teaching girls various outdoor and survival skills.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the different survival skills that Girl Scouts learn and how these skills contribute to their overall development.

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Outdoor Badges and Activities

Girl Scouts offers a wide range of outdoor badges and activities that help girls develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and the outdoors

These badges cover various topics, such as camping, hiking, outdoor cooking, and environmental stewardship.

Some of the outdoor badges and activities include:

  • Basic 8 Camping Skills Patch Program: This program teaches girls essential camping skills, such as knot tying, campsite organization, and outdoor cooking.
  • Outdoor Survival Badge: Offered by the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana Council, this badge educates girls on survival skills and fosters respect, appreciation, and understanding for nature and the wilderness.
  • Ambassador Survival Camper Badge: This badge is designed for Ambassador-level Girl Scouts and focuses on outdoor survival camping skills.

Developing Leadership and Teamwork Skills

Girl Scouts emphasizes the importance of leadership and teamwork skills in their programs.

By participating in outdoor activities, girls learn to work together, respect each other, and collaborate to overcome challenges

These experiences contribute to their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, making them better prepared for real-life situations.

STEM and Outdoor Skills

Girl Scouts also encourages girls to explore science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through outdoor activities.

Research shows that girls are interested in STEM and excel at it, but they often don’t pursue these fields due to various reasons

By incorporating STEM into outdoor programs, girls become more interested in these subjects and develop skills that can help them make the world a better place.

Health Benefits of Outdoor Activities

Outdoor experiences are essential for mental and physical well-being

Engaging in outdoor activities, such as hiking, swimming, and camping, helps girls develop a strong connection to nature and the outdoors.

Regular outdoor experiences have been shown to boost self-confidence in girls

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Survival Skills in Girl Scouts

Girl Scouts teaches various survival skills that can be useful in emergency situations.

Some of these skills include:

  1. Building a survival kit and first aid gear: Girls learn the importance of each item in a survival kit and how to use them effectively.
  2. Communicating with whistle signals: Whistle signals can be used to communicate over long distances or in situations where verbal communication is not possible.
  3. Learning useful knots: Knot tying is an essential skill for various outdoor activities, such as camping and hiking.
  4. Fire-making: Girls learn how to safely start and maintain a fire, which is crucial for warmth, cooking, and signaling for help in survival situations.
  5. Navigation: Girls learn how to use a compass and read maps to navigate through the wilderness.

Teaching and Inspiring Others

One of the core values of Girl Scouts is to teach and inspire others.

Girls are encouraged to share their knowledge and skills with their peers, family, and community members

This not only helps them reinforce their learning but also promotes a culture of preparedness and outdoor appreciation.

Conclusion

Girl Scouts provides an excellent platform for girls to learn and develop essential survival skills.

Through various outdoor badges, activities, and programs, girls gain valuable knowledge and experience in outdoor survival, leadership, teamwork, and STEM.

These skills not only prepare them for emergency situations but also contribute to their overall personal growth and development.

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