Tag Archives: Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge

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Everything You Need to Know to Unlock the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Patch

From Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)

Embarking on outdoor adventures has always been a part of Girl Scouts’ DNA. Many of the badges the first Girl Scouts earned were tied to learning and refining outdoor skills and becoming environmental stewards (Foot Traveler badge, Animal Kingdom badge), and that hasn’t changed in our more than 100-year history.

As Girl Scouts we’ve found new ways to connect with the great outdoors and one another. We’ve spent time in our backyards, earned outdoor art badges, and even taken virtual national park tours!

Now, with warmer weather and longer days, we’re ready to take our love of the outdoors to the next level. So pack some snacks, lace up your shoes, and head outside to unlock the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors patch! You’ll enjoy nature, channel your creativity, and learn fun new things.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Download the worksheet. Visit Girl Scouts at Home and download the official Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge worksheet. Review the list of activities and mark the ones you’re interested in.
  2. Don’t rush. The Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge kicked off May 21 and ends with Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, September 11–12, 2021. This means you have plenty of time to select the activities you’re most interested in and complete them at your own pace.
  3. Share! Use #gsoutdoors to share your story and to see how other girls are completing this fun outdoor challenge. Don’t forget to tag @girlscouts for a chance to be featured on GSUSA’s social media channels.
  4. Nominate someone. This challenge is a great way to connect with your fellow Girl Scout sisters and invite your non-Girl Scout besties to join in the fun! Nominate someone to take the challenge with you.
  5. Be prepared. As Girl Scouts, we know the importance of being prepared! If you’re venturing to a local park or hiking trail, first make sure they’re open. Pack sunscreen, bug repellant, GORP, protective gear (sunglasses, hat), and water!
  6. Get your patch through the shop via phone or email. Remember, you don’t have to do all 50 suggested activities to earn your snazzy new patch! Complete the required number of activities based on your grade level.

Getting outdoors isn’t just fun—it’s good for your overall well-being. Did you know that girls who participate in outdoor activities on a monthly basis are stronger challenge-seekers and problem-solvers than those who don’t? So don’t wait: get out and unlock your Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors patch. Tag @gscolo and @girlscouts on Twitter and Instagram and include #gsOutdoors and #GSColo to share your adventures with us.

Hydro Flask is generously supporting the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge with the goal of getting more girls outside this summer and helping build future outdoor leaders.

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Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge

Submitted by Wendy Theys

Southwestern CO

Pagosa Springs

Girl Scout Brownie Olivia is feeling adventurous while social distancing, and completing the steps required for the Girl Scouts Love The Outdoors Challenge patch. Not only is Olivia proud and having a blast tackling each task, the whole family is enjoying time together making Girl Scout memories.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Brownie Hanna Loved the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge

Submitted by Naya Dribinski

Northern & Northeastern CO

Superior

Soon to be 8-year-old Girl Scout Brownie Hanna of Superior completed the 2020 Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge by completing more than 25 activities this summer! Hanna has enjoyed camping out for the first time, getting up in the middle of the night for stargazing, finding constellations, seeing the rings of Saturn through her telescope, seeing comet NEOWISE, and watching the sunrise. She has loved participating in several virtual Girl Scout camp-in, camp-outs and day camps nationally. Among her favorites were Kiwa Day Camp, Horse Camp, and Month of Magic! Her most favorite experience so far this summer was learning about snow leopards! Hanna LOVES being a Girl Scout Brownie and is grateful for all the fun and shared sisterhood found in Girl Scouts!

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Exploring My World

Submitted by Catherine D.

Metro Denver

Castle Rock

I am six-years-old and in my second year as a Daisy. I just moved with my family to Colorado, and because of the pandemic, it has been a little challenging to get to know our new area. But, the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge has been so much fun and helped us find safe activities to do as we explore our new state.

This summer, I have been hiking and camping in the mountains, drawing the view from our deck, watching the sunrise, boating, learning how to cast a fishing pole, planting flowers at home, and many other fun outdoor activities, while learning to respect and protect the environment! I am working to conquer my fear of live fish (when fishing in the lake), and no longer scream when someone catches one. Most recently, I hiked four miles in the Rockies (more than 10,000-feet elevation). I learned about the thinner air at higher elevations, the importance of hydration while hiking, and how to “Leave No Trace” while in nature.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Get Outdoors with Girl Scouts

While we can’t gather in person with our troops or at camp, check out these links to practice your outdoor skills, work on outdoor badges, get outside with your family, and spend time in the great outdoors this summer. Make sure to stay safe by staying up-to-date on the current COVID -19 guidelines on travel, outdoor recreation, social distancing, and more by visiting the Colorado Department of Health website and reading the Leave No trace recommendations on recreating outside in a COVID-19 era.

  1. Pack some snacks, lace up your shoes, and head outside to unlock the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors patch! You’ll enjoy nature, channel your creativity, and learn fun new things.
  2. Need to get outdoors, but live in an urban area? Go Urban Hiking!
  3. Visit the Leave No Trace website for outdoor activity recommendations to do as a family, online learning resources, and lots of other resources.
  4. Check out Children & Nature Network for tips, tools, blogs and webinars in outdoor resources.
  5. Sign up for the Outside Every Day Challenge to receive emails with ideas, tips and resources for getting your family outside every day.
  6. Now is a great time to get your outdoor gear in shape for your next adventure! Check out 50 ways to get your gear in shape.
  7. Check out the National Park Trust website for at-home activities and distance learning opportunities to help bring the outdoors and parks to you.
  8. Visit a Colorado State Park. Select campground are now open for reservation. Learn more on their website.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Earn the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge Patch

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Summer is the perfect time to get outdoors safely while social distancing! While you’re at it, join the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge. You’ll enjoy nature, channel your creativity, learn fun new things, and EARN A COOL PATCH. If you are unable to complete an activity due to social distancing guidelines, you can find an alternative. Take a virtual tour of a park online, gaze out of a window, or look through family photos of outdoor adventures. Drawing a picture works too!

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Check out the activities. Learn more about the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge patch here: https://www.girlscouts.org/content/dam/girlscouts-gsusa/forms-and-documents/at_home/GSlovesOutdoors_Woorksheet_v5.pdf
  2. Nominate someone. We may be distanced, but we’re certainly not distant! This challenge is a great way to connect with your fellow Girl Scout sisters and invite your non-Girl Scout besties to join in the fun! Nominate someone to take the challenge with you.
  3. Be prepared. As Girl Scouts, we know the importance of being prepared! If you’re venturing to a local park or hiking trail, first make sure they’re open. Pack sunscreen, bug repellant, snacks, protective gear (sunglasses, hat), and water!
  4. Get your patch. Remember, you don’t have to do all 51 suggested activities to earn your snazzy new patch! Complete the required number of activities based on your grade level.

Don’t rush! The Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge doesn’t end until Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, September 12–13, 2020. This means you have plenty of time to select the activities you’re most interested in and complete them at your own pace.

As you earn this patch, be sure to share your photos and videos with GSCO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and here on the blog. Twitter and Instagram users should also use #GSColo and #gsoutdoors.

The Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge is possible thanks to Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson has been championing women and giving them the tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed at work and at home since its founding more than 130 years ago. Johnson & Johnson’s generous support of the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors prepares girls to experiment, explore their environment, and push boundaries in healthy ways, all while learning how they can improve the world through STEM.

Head to the GSCO website to find more links to practice your outdoor skills, work on outdoor badges, get outside with your family, and spend time in the great outdoors this summer.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.