Outdoor Training

If your troop wants to go hiking or have an outdoor cookout, or they want to go on an overnight campout, at least one participating adult troop volunteer must complete GSMW’s Outdoor Trainings. The first step in the training is available through gsLearn. The second part of the training is an in-person Outdoor Cookout Training. The gsLearn portion will allow a volunteer to take their girls on short day hikes and outdoor excursions. The in-person Outdoor Cookout Training allows troops to campout, cookout, and have campfires.

To keep training current and to maintain updates to policies, ethics, traditions, and procedures, volunteers must complete the gsLearn and Outdoor Cookout Training every three years. Keep in mind that each outdoor trip requires the presence of at least one First Aid and CPR trained adult. And every outdoor trip taking your group more than 30 minutes away from access to emergency medical services requires the presence of an adult trained in Wilderness First Aid and CPR.

Access gsLearn to get started now!

The Outdoor Training videos and questionnaires are located in gsLearn. Once you are logged in to gsLearn, just search for the learning path: GSMW Outdoor Training and begin your courses! There are 6 video based courses and 1 manual based course with knowledge checks along the way.

Have questions about how to access gsLearn?
Check out the My Account Tip Sheet: gsLearn for more information. The manual will be accessible through gsLearn or you can download it below.

Download the Outdoor Training Manual

GSMW offers the in-person “Outdoor Cookout Training” throughout the year, usually in the spring, and often through GSMW’s summer troop camps. Once the in-person portion is complete, you'll go back to gsLearn to complete the final course. This will help GSMW keep an accurate record of who’s certified so we can approve troop trip requests.

Are you Interested in participating in an outdoor cookout training?
Your regional Membership Experience Manager (MEM) may be available to provide this training from April 15th - June 30th. Please fill out the Outdoor Cookout Training Request Form and your MEM will reach out to you with options.

A minimum of six volunteers is needed to make this training successful. If you need help finding interested volunteers, we will be more than happy to help!

Are you interested in being an Outdoor Trainer?
Please contact customercare@gsmw.org and list your
qualifications, location, and contact information.

STEP 1: Outdoor Video Training for Simple Outdoor Activities

Outdoor Video Training for Simple Outdoor Activities

At GSMW, we aim to give troop leaders, volunteers, and Girl Scouts the tools and guidance necessary to have a safe and fun outdoor experience. For your convenience, we have developed an online training system to support you through the first stages of outdoor progression from strolls in the park to short hikes.

Before you have an outdoor cookout or a campout with your troop, you are going to want to progress through simpler outdoor activities like talking about the outdoors, taking a walk through a local park, and going on a short 1 - 2 mile hike.

Before you take your troop on simple outdoor adventures like these, please complete the questionnaire entitled “Outdoor Video Training Questionnaire” linked below. The questionnaire will accompany a set of videos. You can answer the questions as the video plays.

Take the Outdoor Video Training Questionnaire
30 - 45 minutes to complete questionnaire
Plus a 30-45 minute Leave-No-Trace Certification Course

A GSMW representative will contact you after the quiz to confirm your completion of this portion of the training.

STEP 2: Outdoor Manual Training for Long Hikes and Overnight Campouts

Outdoor Training for Cookouts, Long Hikes, and Campouts

To take your troop on longer hikes, out for a campfire or cookout, or on an overnight camping adventure, in addition to the Outdoor Video Training Questionnaire (Step 1, above), at least one participating adult volunteer must complete the Outdoor Training Manual Questionnaire (below), and then must participate in an Outdoor Cookout Training (Step 3, below).

Download the Outdoor Training Manual

Peruse the Outdoor Training Manual to familiarize yourself with its content. Before your first outdoor adventure, read the manual in its entirety. Take your time reading the content that is most unfamiliar to you. You do not need to print the entire manual, but you may want to print pages to share with your troop. Before each subsequent outdoor adventure, review the content and take note of the issues that will most likely affect your trip.

Take the Outdoor Training Manual Questionnaire
This should take about 45-60 minutes to complete.

You can answer the questions while perusing the pages of the manual.
All of the questions are in the order they appear in the manual.
A GSMW representative will contact you after you submit your questionnaire. The email will confirm your completion of this portion of the training and confirm that you are able to find an in-person Outdoor Cookout Training that will work for you.

STEP 3: Outdoor Cookout Training

Before having a campfire, cookout, or campout with your troop, complete the two online trainings (Step 1 and Step 2, above), and complete the full Outdoor Training series by attending an in-person Outdoor Cookout Training.

Outdoor Cookout Training

This will take two to three hours to complete, depending on the facilitator.
There are staff and volunteers near your region who can help provide this training. Talk with other volunteers in your area to gauge interest in an Outdoor Cookout Training.
Once you have a handful of like-minded volunteers, send an email to Customer Care to request Outdoor Cookout Training near you.
Keep an eye on the www.gsmw.org events calendar for Outdoor Cookout Trainings that have already been planned.