THE BASIC 8 SKILLS
OF OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

INTRODUCTION TO OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: 101
Skill 1Outdoor Manners Skill 2Dress for the Weather
Skill 3Knots: Square & Clove Hitch Skill 4Knives: Handling & Care
Skill 5Fires: Building & Safety Skill 6Outdoor Cooking
Skill 7First Aid Skill 8Environmental Protection

Planning is essential to any successful outdoor adventure. Both the leader and the girls must take an active roll. A troop should make camping plans through its troop government (Patrol System, Steering Committee, or Town Meeting).

One of the first steps will be to clearly define the purpose of the trip. Does the troop want to learn camping skills? If so, which ones? Do the girls intend to complete badge requirements? If so, which ones? Other troop activities should also be considered. For example, campfires are a good time for learning songs, playing charades and doing shadow plays. Many badges require participation in a "Scouts Own." Outdoor ceremonies are often the ones that are most memorable. Also, girls often enjoy a great sense of pride in holding flag ceremonies. Raising or lowering the flag before the entrie camp assembly can be a great team builder. Before this activity is planned, be sure the girls know proper flag etiquette. Include a rest hour after lunch is a good time for a break. "Quiet Time" is appreciated by the girls, as well as the leaders. It's equally a good idea to get to bed early so that the next day can be full of acivity, discovery and enjoyment.

While you're at camp it is imporant to know what jobs must be done and who will do them. The use of a Kaper Chart should eliminate all discusions about job responsibilities during your adventure. Review kapers prior to the trip, in addition to camp operations, the program you have planned, and camping skills.

All girls should know: proper use and care of camp equipment, various tent and cabin living accommodations, camp night noises, animals found in that area, and of course, the type of terrain. Always be a buddy, especially at night. Each girl is responsible not only for herself, but for the welfare of others at cap. If each Girl Scout lives the Promise and Law, the troop and camp will operate smoothly.
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Skill 1:
Know and practice good outdoor manners in town and in the country.

Discuss how far camp is from home. Look at a map of the camp. Talk about how you will get there and back. Discuss proper traveling behavior. Vote on where to take a walk and then do it.
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Skill 2:
Know how to dress for the outdoors in your locality, considering weather forecasts.

Discuss the weather and what kinds of clothing are appropriate for camping. Learn to make a bedroll. Close your meeting by sitting in a circle and singing. End with Taps..
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Skill3:
Know how to tie, use, and release a square know and a clove hitch.

Divide the girls into groups. Give each girl two pieces of rope, each about a foot long. Clothese line or venetian blind cord is best, but any rope is adequate. Line the girls up, back to back. Show one group how to make a square knot. Another person shows the other group how to make a clovehitch. When a girl has mastered her knot, she raises it in one hand. When the girl behind her masters her knot. The "partners" then turn around to face each other and teach their knot to the other.
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Skill 4:
Know how to handle and care for a knife.

Discuss some of the important rules of knife-handling use and care to half the troop while half does some other project. When the second half returns to the circle, have the first half explain what they learned to them. Practive opening and closing a knife and whittling a point on a stick. Let each girl try. Practice proper handling by carving a soft bar of soap (try a soap boat with a bar of floating Ivory soap with a toothpick and paper sail).
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Skill 5:
Know how to make, use, and put out a fire for outdoor cooking.

Learn to waterproof matches. Learn about tinder, kindling, and fuel. Learn about types of wood fires. Demonstrate a foundation fire. Learn the do's and don't of fire building. You may break the girls into groups for this and then have each group do a demonstration.
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Skill 6:
Know how to cook something for yourself, something for the patrol or troop.

Have one lunch or supper meeting for the whole troop. Have one patrol cook, one set the table, and one sing and prepare the beverage. Make s'mores for dessert and share the clean up duties.
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Skill 7:
Know simple first aid for cuts, insect bits, skinned knees.

Play "Kim's Game" with first aid kit items. Cover with a cloth before the girls arrive. Pass out paper and pencils. Uncover the items for a minute and give the girls a chance to look them over, then recover. Have the girls silently list all the items they can remember. After five minutes let the girls share their lists and discuss what each item would be used for.

Talk about Poison Ivy, personal hygience, and basic first aid skills.
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Skill 8:
Know how to protect the natural world.

Discuss what measures should be taken to protect the natural world.
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Remember: "Don't put your hands or feet where your eyes can't see."



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