Planning Your Event
LOCATION: The majority of this badge involves getting the girls outside. Girls will work in small groups to learn about stewardship, and learn how to take care of their environment. For this, you will need a sheltered space for the girls to sit and work on a small project. Girls will also be going on a hike. Council camp properties, or your local city, county, or state parks are the perfect places to host an Eco Stewardship event!
There are two options of how you can set up your event. Consider your age levels and how many girls you may have in each level. Note that some sessions require the different levels of girls to do different activities due to the different badge requirements.
• Age Levels: You can run this event just for one age level. In this case, you can split the girls into 5 groups (if you have a group larger than 30), or have the girls work as a single group (for groups smaller than 30).
• Rotations: If you have a larger group (more than 30 girls), and have 5 or more volunteers, you can run your event in rotations. Girls will rotate through the 5 steps of their badge: Be Prepared, Campsite, Respect Wildlife Games, Campfire & Snack, and Hike.
SOME OF THESE ACTIVITIES CAN BE ADAPTED TO BE DONE VIRTUALLY.
If you choose to do a virtual event, encourage the girls to get outside. They can attend the event from their backyard, and take the hike around their neighborhood after the event is over. Many of the virtual aspects will take a shorter amount of time than the in-person activity would. Make sure you take the timing into consideration if you choose to do a virtual event. Girls can spend one to two hours in a virtual event, if enough hands on activities are done.
SUPPLIES:
General Supplies for every level
• Leave No Trace Hand Signs Handout
• Traffic Cones
• Animal Charade Cards (index cards with a different animal on each)
Daisies
• Items to take on a hike (actual items or items written on cards)
• Poster Paper
• Markers
• Non-Nature Hike Items (see checklist)
• Non-Nature Hike Checklist
• Graham Crackers
• Chocolate Bar
• Marshmallows
• Roasting Forks
• Disposable Gloves
• Nature Scavenger Hunt Handout (1/girl)
• 2 hula hoops
Brownies:
• Items to take on a hike (actual items or items written on cards)
• Poster Paper
• Markers
• Non-Nature Hike Items (see checklist)
• Non-Nature Hike Checklist
• Fuel Wood
• Fire Starter
• Matches
• Lighter
• Edible Fire Supplies (see handout)
• Nature Scavenger Hunt Handout (1/girl)
Juniors:
• Leave No Trace Handout
• Pencils
• Colored Pencils
• Markers
• Construction Paper
• Stickers (optional)
• Tent
• Dishwashing Tubs
• Pizza box (1/girl)
• Utility Knife
• Aluminum Foil
• Plastic Wrap
• Scotch Tape
• Paint Stir stick
• Aluminum Pie Plates
• Graham Crackers
• Mini-Marshmallows
• Chocolate Chips
Activities
INTRODUCTION
• Welcome the girls to the event.
• Explain to the girls where the restrooms and drinking water can be found.
• Go through the schedule for the day.
• Let them know that there will be an evaluation at the end, and they need to complete one to earn their badge (if you are providing one).
FULL GROUP: LINK! OUTDOOR EDITION
Time: 15 minutes
Instructions:
1. Girls gather in a line facing the lead (one of the adults.)
2. The lead says their name and something they like to do outside. (I like to go swimming.)
3. Any girls who like the same thing yell ‘Link!’ and run towards the lead. The first one to reach the lead hooks her arm through the lead's. The rest of the girls go back to the line.
4. The girl then says her name and something she likes to do outside. Again, the other girls yell ‘Link!’ and try to get to the girl who linked last. Whoever gets there first links her arm with the first girl, and all the other girls return to the line.
5. As you go, try to have girls come up with new things to do outside that haven’t been said before.
6. The game continues until all the girls are part of the ‘link’. You can also see if you can find something in common with the first and last girl so they can join and make a full circle.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
Girls can use the chat log or come off mute to share the fun outdoor activities they like to do.
Ask the Girls:
• Did you find out anything new about your friends?
• Was there anything you like to do outside that wasn’t said?
• How did you feel when what you like to do outside wasn’t liked by anyone else?
FULL GROUP: INTRODUCING LEAVE NO TRACE (LNT)
Time: 15 minutes
Supplies:
• LNT Hand Signs handout
Instructions:
1. Introduce Leave No Trace. We practice Leave No Trace whenever we are outside to help protect the environment and leave as little evidence we were there as we can. There are 7 Principles—like having 7 rules we should follow. Luckily, Leave No Trace and Girl Scouts have a lot in common…we like to leave the world a better place.
2. Have the girls stand in the middle of a large area (it could be a playfield or a larger room). Tell the girls that one side will be the ‘Okay’ side, and one will be the ‘No Way’ side. You will read a scenario, and the girls need to go to the side they think is accurate for the scenario. Okay means that it fits with LNT and is okay to do, and No Way is what they should not do. After each principle, teach the hand sign that goes with it.
• Before going on a hike, I’m going to check the weather of where I’m going so I’m dressed properly. (Okay- Be Prepared- know where you are going and be prepared for any weather that may happen.)
• If I see a really cool flower in the woods off the trail, I am going to leave the trail to get a closer look. (No WayHike on Durable Surfaces- we should stay on already established paths. By leaving the path we could be ruining a small ecosystem.)
• I just finished my apple. I’m going to throw it in the woods because it won’t hurt anything. (No Way- Dispose of Waste Properly- Animals could be attracted to the food and put themselves or hikers at risk by coming closer to humans)
• I found a really neat rock on the shore of Lake Superior! I’m going to take a picture of it and leave it where I found it. (Okay- Leave Nature- All parts of nature are important. Leave what you find as it is- you can take pictures, but that is it.)
• When I build a fire, I use a fire ring. If there isn’t a fire ring, then I’ll use a fire pan or camp stove. (OkayMinimal Impact Fire- Fires can cause permanent damage on nature. If there is a fire ring, then you can use that. If not, you should use a fire pan or camp stove, rather than creating fire on bare ground.)
• When hiking along a well-used trail, a squirrel comes up while I’m eating lunch. I give it some of my sandwich. (No Way- Respect Wildlife- You should not approach wildlife, or else they may get used to humans. Keep a good distance away from all wildlife.)
• When I’m camping I love to listen to music! I play it loud so that everyone at the campsite can enjoy it too! (No Way- Be Respectful of other visitors- Be respectful of other people on the trail or at the campsite. Being loud and disruptive could ruin somebody else’s camping experience.)
3. See if the girls at the end can do all the hand signs by memory.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
Show the girls the Leave No Trace video. Then use the chat or poll feature to go through the scenarios.
Ask the Girls:
• Why do you think we follow the Leave No Trace principles?
• Why is important to Leave No Trace?
ROTATION A: BE PREPARED
Time: 45 minutes
Supplies:
• Daisies & Brownies: Items to take on a hike (or cards with the items), Poster Paper, Markers
• Juniors: LNT Handout, Pencils, Colored Pencils, Markers, Construction Paper, Stickers (optional)
Instructions:
For this rotation, Daisies and Brownies will play a version of Kim’s Game, and learn how to Be Kind while they are outdoors. Juniors will be grouped into seven groups and create a poster to teach others about the Leave NO Trace principles.
Daisies & Brownies
• Ahead of time: Lay out all the items below. For Brownies, don’t include a few items in this step. Cover the items with a blanket.
Water bottle | Bug Spray | Sunscreen | Tennis Shoes | Snack Waterproof Case | Non-Toxic Soap OR Sanitizer | First Aid Kit Map/Compass | Extra Socks | Rain Gear | Whistle | Sweatshirt Notebook & Pencil | Pocket Knife | Change of Clothes
• Tell the girls when they arrive that they are going to play a game. Under the blanket are a number of items that they should take with them when they go on a hike. When you remove the blanket, they will have 1 minute to try to remember as many things as they can that are under the blanket. They are not allowed to touch anything, they just need to remember what is there.
• Remove the blanket and give the girls a minute to look at the items. After the time is up, put the blanket back.
• As a group, list all the items that the girls can come up with that are under the blanket. As they mention an item, discuss why they need that item on a hike.
• When they’ve named all they could, give the girls another 30 seconds to look at the items to see if there is anything they missed.
• For the Brownies, ask them if there is anything not under the blanket that they should also take with them on a hike. Also, ask the girls if there is anything they should bring if it is cold, raining, or they are going on a day hike.
• Finish by asking the girls what kinds of things they can do to be kind when they hike outdoors. The next time they are hiking (it could be the same day if this is one of the first rotations), ask the girls to remember those things to they are kind and courteous to other visitors.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
Take a picture of the items ahead of time and include it in a slide deck. You can also lay them out, and turn your video to the items.
Juniors:
• Review the 7 Principles with the girls. Use the LNT Hand Signs Handout to help the girls through the principles.
• Split the girls into groups of 2-3 girls. Each group will create a poster to help promote one of the 7 principles. They should include what the principle is, and some things they can do to follow the principle.
• Girls will then share their principle with the larger group.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL! Split the girls into breakout rooms (if using Zoom). One girl can create the poster while the others make suggestions. If you are unable to use breakout rooms, assign the principles randomly, and the girls can create a poster on their own.
Ask the Girls
• What Leave No Trace principles did we focus on?
• How else can we follow these principles?
• What are other ways you can follow the Leave No Trace principles before leaving home?
ROTATION B: CAMPSITE FOR DAISIES AND BROWNIES
Time: 45 minutes
Supplies:
• Daisies & Brownies: Non-Nature Hike items, Non-Nature Hike checklist, markers
Instructions:
• For this rotation, Daisies and Brownies will complete a Non-Nature hike. They will be looking for items that might be left at a campsite after people leave it. Juniors will practice setting up a campsite following the Leave No Trace principles.
Daisies and Brownies: Non-Nature Hike
• Say: When hiking or camping, you should pack out everything you pack in. Everything that you take with you on trail, you should take home with you. Sometimes people don’t do this, and you might find items that shouldn’t be there when you are hiking or camping. You should always tell an adult if you see something in nature that shouldn’t be there. They can help you pick it up and take it out with you if it is safe.
• Give each girl a checklist of the items that are hidden. Have the girls find a buddy, and explore the area.
• After about 15 minutes, or when all the girls have found the items, regroup. Ask the girls if they were able to find everything. Go through the area as a group and find all the items.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
Girls should either print off the Seek & Find sheet, or you can show the graphic on screen, or you can do both. Girls should find the 10 hidden ‘garbage’ items.
Ask the Girls (for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors):
• What Leave No Trace principle did we focus on? (Daisies and Brownies: Dispose of Waste Properly, Juniors: Camp on Durable Surfaces and Dispose of Waste Properly)
• What else can you do during your hiking/camping trip to follow these principles?
• Have you not followed them at any point? What could you have done differently?
• What should you do if you see someone not following the Principles?
ROTATION B: CAMPSITE FOR JUNIORS
Time: 45 minutes
Supplies:
• Juniors: Tent, dish washing tubs
• Juniors Virtual: Popsicle sticks, colored paper, glue, permanent markers, scissors
Instructions:
• Ahead of Time: Choose the area you will use for the campsite before the event. You can hide the items for the Non-Nature hike in the same space you will use for the Juniors campsite. Make sure it has space to put up a tent and start a fire. You will need to hide the items for the Non-Nature hike ahead of time in a wooded area. You should be able to see all the girls as they are trying to find the objects. Make sure some items are easy to find, while others are harder. It’s okay to have the items hidden while the Juniors are there, just make sure they don’t move them.
Juniors: Set Up a Campsite
• As a large group, take a short hike around the main area that you are in. Ask the girls if there are any spaces that would work well as a good campsite. Tell them that a good campsite needs:
• To be 200 feet away from any water source. This would be a lake, river, or stream.
• No hanging branches overhead.
• Space away from dry brush to set up a fire. Ideally there would be a fire scar, but if not you need space to set up a fire pan or camp stove, and to get your food ready.
• Space to set up a tent (or several tents depending on your group).
• Split the girls into two groups. Spend 10-15 minutes in each part, then switch groups:
• Tent Set Up: Girl should find a space to set up the tent. Let them know the size (2, 4, or 6 person tents are the easiest). Then have the girls work as a group to set up the tent. When they’re finished, take it down so the other group can set it up.
• Cooking Space Set Up: discuss with the girls what they would need for their cooking space
• Cooking: Is there a fire scar, or would they need a camp stove or a fire pan? If they are cooking with a fire, is there firewood nearby, or do they need to find firewood. If they need to find firewood, just looking around is there enough wood?
• Do they have space to prep the food? Do they have what they need to do dishwashing (plastic tubs and camp dish soap)? How far away from any sleeping area and/or water should they dump their dishwater (scatter the water at least 20 ft away from your sleeping area and any water source)?
• Explain the dishwashing process: Wash dishes with soap, rinse in warm clean water, sanitize in bleach water, and let air dry using a dunk line.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
Make a tent out of popsicle sticks and colored paper, then discuss what they need to look for when setting up a campsite. Use the talking points above for how to set up a campsite.
• Using permanent markers, color the popsicle sticks however you want. You may want to color them the same color as the paper you will be using as a background, or you can use a different color.
• Glue 3 popsicle sticks together to create the frame of your tent.
• While the glue is drying, cut out a triangle of colored paper in the color you want your tent to be. Also cut out two small strips of brown paper, a white half oval for the door, and some orange paper in the shape of a fire.
• Once the popsicle sticks are secure, glue on the fire and the door of your tent.
ROTATION C: RESPECT WILDLIFE GAMES
Time: 45 minutes
Supplies:
• Park Ranger: Cones (to mark the playing area)
• Animal Charades: Animal Cards
Instructions:
All the girls will be playing some games to learn about animals, and how to respect them when they are hiking or camping.
• Park Ranger (similar to Uncle Sam)
• Have girls line up on one edge of playing area. Each girl should pick an animal.
• One girl is the tagger. The rest of the girls ask the tagger if they may cross.
• The tagger chooses an animal adaptation (fur, claws, horns, etc.). If their animal has that, they may cross safely. If not, then they wait until those who crossed safely are across. When the girls who are safe are across, then those who didn’t have the adaptation need to try to make it across without getting caught.
• The game ends when there is one girl left. That girl can then become the tagger. Girls choose a different animal and play the game again.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
• Choose one girl to be the ‘Park Ranger’. Have all of the other girls choose an animal, but they shouldn’t say it out loud.
• Encourage the girls to have their videos on. It’s okay if they don’t, but it makes it more fun. Have the girls put their hands on their heads. Explain that when they are out, they will take their hands off their heads.
• The Park Ranger will say an animal adaptation (fur, claws, horns, etc.). If their animal has that adaptation, then they are still in the game. If their animal does not, then they are out.
• The final girl left is the winner. She will then become the park ranger, and the rest of the girls should choose a new animal.
• Animal Charades
• Let each girl pick an animal. Alternately, write out animals on index cards, and let each girl randomly pick one.
• The girl will act out the animal, without making any noises (for Daisies they can be allowed to make the noises).
• The other girls will try to guess the animal. The girl who guesses correctly first can be the next one to act. If she has already gone, she can pick someone who hasn’t gone yet.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
Animal charades is really easy to do virtually. Through most virtual platforms, you are able to send private messages to participants. For the girl acting out, you can send just her the animal she should be acting out.
Ask the Girls:
• What kinds of animals that you chose or acted out do you think you might find on a hike near your home?
• What can you do to make sure you respect wildlife when you’re hiking or camping?
ROTATION D: CAMPFIRE & SNACK FOR DAISIES & BROWNIES
Time: 45 minutes
Supplies:
• Daisies: A fire going already, Graham Crackers, Chocolate, Marshmallows, Roasting forks, disposable gloves
• Brownies: Fuel wood, fire starter, matches, water, a lighter (just in case), supplies for edible campfires (see Edible Campfire instructions on page 13)
Instructions:
For Daisies and Brownies, you have the option to do the activity with a fire, or to do the one without a fire. In both cases you will discuss with the girls fire safety.
Daisy/Brownie Fire Safety
• Have the girls sit around the fire respectfully. Then, go through the fire safety rules. As you go through each rule, ask the girls why they think it’s important. Also, safely show what the girls should not do when around the fire, emphasizing that you are an adult and are being careful while being unsafe.
1. Do not run around the fire. You should only walk when near the fire, and around the fire circle.
2. You should not be jumping over or stepping over the seating around the fire. You could trip and hurt yourself or even fall into the fire.
3. When you are near the fire, anything dangling should be tied back or tucked away. This includes long hair or hoodie strings.
4. If there are two fire rings, you should only be between them if you are cooking food over the fire or helping to take care of it. Otherwise, you should be outside the outer ring.
5. You should never step inside the inner fire ring. It can get very hot within the inner fire ring.
6. When cooking over the fire, you should always have 3 points touching the ground, ideally two feet and a knee. This keeps you stable, and allows you to move away quickly in case something happens with the fire.
7. Do not swing your cooking utensil around. Whether it’s hot from being in the fire, it has food on it, you don’t want to risk hurting someone or losing your food.
Daisy/ Brownie Without a Fire
1. If you are unable to make a fire, or are doing this VIRTUALLY , you can make edible fires with the girls to teach them how to build a fire.
2. Use the directions on the handout at the end to make the edible fire.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
You can do this with a video of a fire going on your screen. Go through the fire safety rules with the girls. Then make Indoor S’mores!
• Make sure the girls have parents available.
• Preheat the oven to a broil.
• Place as many graham cracker halves as you want S’mores on a cookie sheet.
• Top graham crackers with marshmallows (cut them in half if you are having issues with them rolling off).
• Place the cookie sheet in the oven for 1-2 minutes, until the marshmallows are golden brown.
• Take them out, and add a square of chocolate and the other half of the graham cracker.
• Enjoy!
ROTATION D: CAMPFIRE & SNACK FOR JUNIORS
Time: 45 minutes
Supplies:
Juniors: a clean pizza box (or any shallow box), utility knife, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, tape, paint stir stick, aluminum pie plates, graham crackers, mini-marshmallows, chocolate chips.
Instructions:
Juniors will learn how to make a solar cooker and make s’mores in them. Complete the fire/cooking activities first, them have the girls make trail mix.
Make a Solar Cooker
• Girls should have an adult help them cut three sides of a square in the top of the pizza box.
• Wrap aluminum foil around the flap. On the inside of the box where you cut tape plastic wrap to create a window.
• Line the bottom of the box with black paper. Roll up newspaper to line the edges of the inside of the box.
• Break the graham crackers apart and line the bottom of the pan. Cover them with the marshmallows, then the chocolate chips.
• Put the pan in the solar cooker. Close the lid, and use the paint stick to prop up the flap so that the food is covered by the plastic wrap and the aluminum foil is facing direct sunlight.
• Let your dish cook (it may take a while). While their food is cooking, go over the fire safety rules in the Daisy section.
• Use mittens when taking your food out of the solar cooker. Enjoy!
• Tip: If it’s not sunny out, you can heat this up quick in an oven. Girls can then take their solar cookers home and try it out on a day it is sunny.
MAKE IT VIRTUAL!
Girls can do this at home as well. They just need to have the supplies on hand.
ROTATION E: HIKE
Time: 45 minutes
Supplies:
• Daisies: Nature Scavenger Hunt (1/girl),2 Hula Hoops, pencils or markers
• Brownies: Nature Scavenger Hunt (1/girl), pencils or markers
• Juniors: N/A
Instructions: Girls will be taking a hike. Each age level will look for something or do something different.
(Note: This rotation will not be able to be done virtually. Give the girls the requirement and have them complete this activity on their own with their families.)
Daisies
• It is difficult to take Daisies on a longer hike. Take the girls on a short hike that will take 15-20 minutes. You will break up the hike by looking at what the girls can find in a hula hoop at two different points.
• Ahead of time: Place the two hula hoops in different places along the trail you will take the girls hiking. Make sure you have the hoop just off the trail, so that the girls won’t be disturbing too much of nature.
• Have the girls get ready to go outside. They should put on sunscreen, bug spray, and have a full water bottle when going on a hike.
• Give each girl a copy of the nature scavenger hunt and something to write with.
• Go through the items on the list, and let the girls know they need to be quiet to be able to find some of the things on the list. Also let the girls know that while they are hiking they need to keep an eye out for a hula hoop on the ground, and that it is for a special activity and they aren’t to pick it up.
• Start your hike.
• When you come to a hula hoop:
• Have the girls gather around the hoop. Ask them to name as many things as they can see in the hoop. If there is a rock or log within the hoop, they can lift it up to see what is underneath it.
• Talk with the girls about why it’s important to not go off the trail. If they do, they may disturb the insects and plants they can find in the hoop.
Brownies
• Take the girls on a hike that will last 15-20 minutes.
• Have the girls get ready to go outside. They should put on sunscreen, bug spray, and have a full water bottle when going on a hike.
• Give each girl a copy of the scavenger hunt. As they are looking for the items on the list, tell them that they should also be looking for different kinds of animal homes. They should observe the area around them, looking at the ground for burrows or spiders webs, and in the trees for squirrel or birds nests.
• Take the girls on their hike. Remind them to be quiet, so that they might be able to see wildlife.
• When you return from your hike, take the girls to a clear space in the woods, with little underbrush. Have the girls try to make animal homes similar to the ones they found using sticks and rocks they can find on the ground.
Juniors
• Take the girls on a hike that will last about 30 minutes.
• Have the girls get ready to go outside. They should put on sunscreen, bug spray, and have a full water bottle when going on a hike.
• Tell the girls that they will be playing ‘I Spy’. They are going to look for various types of wildlife, in addition to items that need ‘fixing’. This could be places where other girls are going off trail, places where soil erosion is obvious, or dead trees that could be hazards to anyone walking under them.
• At the end of the hike, discuss with the girls what they could do to help prevent some of the issues they saw. Perhaps somehow blocking off places where girls were going off trail, using rocks or logs to help prevent erosion, or cutting down the dead trees.
CLOSING AND EVALUATION
Time: 10 minutes
• Thank all the girls for attending.
• Have all girl attendees complete an evaluation.
• Hand out badges (if applicable).
Handouts
• Edible Campfire
• Printable Seek & Find
• Promo Flyer
• Leave No
Trace Hand Signs
• Nature Scavenger Hunt
• Social Media Graphic
• Non-Nature Hike Checklist
• Evaluation
