Girl Scouts of Central Illinois is excited to offer a new environmental education program for schools and groups of all ages. Participants will supplement their classroom learning with hands-on, curriculum-driven activities at GSCI’s beautiful camp facilities. Visiting a natural area in different seasons provides a wonderful opportunity to teach students about nature’s cycles and processes in a way that is difficult to teach from a textbook. Our goal is to help young people gain an appreciation for the natural world through interactive educational opportunities in an “outdoor classroom.” These field trip experiences are designed to increase environmental awareness and appreciation, which we believe will help children to develop increased understanding and respect for the environment, for themselves, and for others. For more information and a list of curricula, please see below.

Outdoor Education Brochure
Outdoor Education Curriculum

The Outdoor Ed Daze Spring 2010 newsletter gives leaders information for Earth and Arbor Day. It assists leaders with information on what they can do to celebrate the "Green Holidays" and how to prarticipate in the Give a Hand, Get a Tree Program! This newsletter is complete with badge, snacks and craft ideas!

Outdoor Ed Daze Spring 2010 newsletter

Everyone can enjoy the outdoors! It isn’t just a place for camping and hiking enthusiasts. There are so many things to see and do in the outdoors that the list can go on and on but we are going to start your creative thinking with 50.

50 Outdoor Activities to do with your Troop

One important thing to remember when taking your troop outdoors is to follow a natural progression of outdoor activities. For example, it’s a good idea to come to a council-sponsored program at camp before taking your troop on an overnight camping trip. Get the girls (and yourself, if necessary) comfortable in the outdoors before you
progress to the more advanced activities like camping, canoeing, or outdoor cooking.

As always, remember to follow Safety-Wise when doing outdoor activities with your troop and make sure you have completed the appropriate outdoor and First Aid & CPR trainings. It’s very important to be safe and prepared.