Outdoor Courses and Certifications
Volunteer Instructors must successfully complete Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania outdoor training courses and certifications before facilitating council programming. Click on the courses below to view upcoming sessions. Please note: most courses are only available seasonally depending on weather and facilitator availability. Please check back periodically for new training sessions.
Archery Certification
Small Craft Safety: Canoeing
Small Craft Safety: Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
CPR, First Aid, & AED Training
Outdoor Skill-Building Videos
GSUSA created eight outdoor skill-building videos, especially for volunteers newer to Girl Scouts and older Girl Scouts as they take younger girls outside thanks to a grant from the Elliott Wildlife Values Project.
Let’s Go Camping 1 is found in gsLearn—it’s completely online! Sign into myGS to access gsLearn. You’ll find Let’s Go Camping 1 in the Content Library. This 3-hour training includes key information on outdoor progression, what volunteers are needed for a camping trip, all the planning steps for volunteers and girls, and an overview of first aid in the outdoors. Once this training is completed, volunteers can take girls on a camping trip at a lodge for two nights or less but aren’t yet allowed to build or cook over a fire or teach girls how to handle kitchen or pocket knives. It’s a great option for volunteers that are just starting their girls out on their camping adventures.
When girls are ready for tent camping and learning how to build and cook over a fire, volunteers should attend Let’s Go Camping 2 after completing Let’s Go Camping 1.
Let’s Go Camping 2 is a half-day hands-on outdoor training experience that focuses on fire-building skills, outdoor cooking, elementary knots, and knife safety.
Check the events calendar for upcoming Let’s Go Camping 2 sessions!
By successfully completing both Let’s Go Camping 1 and 2, participants will have full use of all council properties and equipment. Use of amenities such as archery, canoes, ropes courses, rifles, etc. may require additional training or a certified adult present.
Grandfather Process
Individuals who have completed Outdoor 101 and Basic Camp Training or Outdoor Skills Training will be grandfathered through and will not be required to complete any additional training to be considered an Outdoor-certified volunteer.
