Hiking Badge
Requirements:
1) Choose a camp and trail
□ Choose a Girl Scout Camp for a day trip or overnight camping.
□ Look at your camp’s map and choose a trail.
2) Get ready before you hit the trail
□ Learn to follow trail signs.
Set up a mini trail with trail signs. Then ask your
Brownie sisters to follow it.
Brownie Trail Signs.pdf
3) Pick the right gear
□ Ask an older Girl Scout or experienced hiker. What does
she pack for a hike?
Clothes
What will I need for cool days? For warm days?
Shoes
What kind of shoes would be best for my hike?
First aid kit
What should I put in it?
Water
What will I carry it in? How will I keep it cool?
Brownie What to Bring on a Hike.pdf
4) Pack a snack for energy
□ You’ll need to keep up your energy on your hike. Pick
your favorite health snack to take with you on the
trail.
GORP, Good Old Raisins and Peanuts
Pack your own ingredients, or invite your Brownie
sisters to each contribute an ingredient. Try using
nuts, dried fruit, chocolate chips, pretzels or yogurt
chips. Then mix it up in a big bowl and store in a
small zip-close bags.
5) Go on a hike
Activities
|
Type
|
Activity Descriptions
|
supplies
|
Badge
|
At Home
|
- Try going on a night hike to see what stars come out.
- Visit a local park and go on a hike with your family.
- Visit a council camp and explore the trails.
- A hike can be long or short. Experiment with a hike around your neighborhood.
- Experiment with making snacks you could take on a hike.
- Walk somewhere that you usually drive.
- Lay trail signs around your home or yard and see if your family members can follow them.
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
|
|
Hiker
|
|
Snack
|
Snack Discussion
While enjoying snack, here are some things for girls to talk about:
Can you list some of the Leave No Trace principles?
Why should we leave nature as we find it?
What does “be considerate of other visitors” actually mean?
How can we be good Girl Scouts and help nature?
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
|
|
Hiker
|
|
Discussion (20 min)
|
Making a Plan
1. Explain to girls that they will take a short walk near the meeting place to practice their hiking skills.
2. Have the girls look at maps of the local area and see what is nearby.
3. Discuss where it is safe to walk and where they should try to avoid (busy roads, etc.).
4. As a group, have the girls plan a route for their short walk.
5. During this activity, it’s a good time to discuss with the girls why planning for a hike is important, since it helps them to be prepared. This is also a good time to talk about the Leave No Trace principles. It is not critical to cover all the principles, but it is great to have the girls pledge to “leave no trace” and help keep nature safe when exploring.
Leave No Trace Principles
1. Plan ahead.
2. Stay on the trail.
3. Carry out what you carry in.
4. Leave nature as you find it.
5. Be careful with fire.
6. Respect wildlife.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
|
Map of the area around your meeting place
Writing utensils
|
Hiker 1
|
| Discussion (10 min) |
Leaders Act Out Leave No Trace Principles
Have adult leaders act out not following the principles and have the girls suggest what the hiker did wrong.
1. Plan ahead
A hiker who goes on a hike without warm clothes or water
2. Stay on the trail
A hiker wanders off the trail and gets lost
3. Carry out what you carry in
A hiker who leaves his trash behind
4. Leave nature as you find it
A hiker who picks all the wild flowers
5. Be careful with fire
Girls who are running around a fire and almost fall in
6. Respect wildlife
A hiker who tries to pet a chipmunk
7. Be considerate of other visitors
A hiker who is being loud and doesn’t get out the the way to let others pass by going the other way
Notes: Girls had fun with this one and enjoyed telling the leaders what they were doing wrong. |
|
Hiker 1 |
| Visitor |
Ask an expert.
Invite a park ranger or experienced hiker to talk to your group about local places to hike.
From: Girl Scouts USA
|
|
Hiker 1 |
|
Game (15 min)
|
Trail Markers Game
(Hiker:Step 2-Practice a Hiking Skill)
Have the girls use trail markers to make a trail others can follow
1. Talk about what a trail is—a place to take a hike or walk that has markings/labels to direct you where to go. Have girls describe a trail they might have walked or hiked on, or you could talk about how road signs work. Why might trail signs be useful?
2. Divide girls into 4 groups. Have each group create a trail around your meeting place, using construction paper sticks, stones, and pebbles you have provided.
3. Swap trails and have the girls follow another group’s trail.
4. Talk about what worked, what didn’t and what you could use to make signs outside on a hike.
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
Notes: Girls had fun, but got a little chaotic. I gave each team a list of trail markers, but I should have had copies of the trail markers for everyone. I also should have had a big poster with them and gone over them with the girl before sending into the game. Overall a good one though and I would recommend it. I used construction paper rocks and sticks to make it easier for me, but it would have been more fun with real rocks and sticks
|
Sticks, rocks, pencils or anything that can be used to make trail signs.
A listing of different trail signs for groups of girls to use.
Trail Signs 2.pdf
Brownie Trail Signs.pdf
|
Hiker 2
|
| Game (10 min) |
Learn about plants and animals
Bring in samples of leaves from around your neighborhood and ask the girls to name the trees.
Ask the girls where they might look for certain plants or animals.
Where would you look to find:
Bring in some picture of local animals and teach them the names.
|
leaves
animal and insect pictures |
Hiker 2 |
| Game (10 min) |
Layer Relay
Learn what it means to wear "Layers" of clothing. Discuss what types of clothes would be appropriate for different times of the year.
Then split the girls into teams and split the teams evenly on each side of the room.
One girl starts by putting on all the layers. She runs to the other side of the room and takes them all off.
The next girl puts on these same clothes and goes to the opposite side.
The team that finishes first wins.
|
several sets of clothes that represent layers |
Hiker 2 |
|
Hike (10 min discussion + hike length)
|
Hiking Skills
1. Now that you know where you will go on your walk (practice hike), talk about the roles girls will have on the hike. Divide the girls into 3 groups and assign each group one f the roles below.
The Trailblazers are in charge of directions and will trace the group’s progress on the map as you go.
The Plant Detectives will write down all the plants that they see on the walk.
The Animal and Bug Detectives will write down all the animals and bugs that they see.
2. Have each group talk about what they will need to do and if they need any supplies to fulfill their role.
3. As you are walking, remind the girls that each group has their own job to do. If you have time you can play “I Spy.” Start with the rainbow and try to find something in each color or use the alphabet and
have the girls find things that start with each letter of the alphabet.
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
|
Simple map of route
Paper
Writing utensils
|
Hiker 2 and 5
|
|
Game (15 min)
|
What to Pack?
(Hiker: Step 3-Pick the Right Gear)
1. Gather the girls together and tell them you are going to decide what you need to pack for your walk (remind girls that this is the first Leave No Trace principle: Plan ahead).
2. Give them paper cutouts of various things (some good to bring on a hike and some not) and an envelope decorated with a backpack.
Items that you would take on a hike
o For example: clothes suitable for the weather, sturdy shoes, first aid kit, water, simple snack, map, compass, etc.
Items that you would not take on a hike
o For example: teddy bear, flip flops, laptop, messy snack
3. Split the girls into groups of 4 and have each be lead by a leader.
4. Have the girls look at each item and discuss in their group why or why they wouldn’t bring it on the hike and then put it in the backpack
5. Then gather the girls back together and have each group show a thing they did and did not bring on the hike and tell the group why they made that decision.
For example: Why should you take a map? Why should you avoid wearing flip flops? When it comes to what snack to bring, you can have the girls think of what snack would be logical to take on a hike. It is important to bring something healthy, easy to carry and with not much waste.
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
Notes: Girls had fun with this and it generated a lot of good discussion. At the end, I had one girl from each group choose one item from their backpack and present why the group included it. This worked well and I should keep doing this: where I have the groups report back to the whole troop on what they discussed. I went with paper copies of backpacks and items (because it was too much to bring in four sets of everything
|
Backpack
Items that you would take on a hike
o For example: clothes suitable for the weather, sturdy shoes, first aid kit, water, simple snack,
map, compass, etc.
Items that you would not take on a hike
o For example: teddy bear, flip flops, laptop, messy snack
Materials to make a snack
o For example: Raw fruits and vegetables
or
Envelope decorated as a backpack
Printouts of items to bring and not bring on a hike
What to Pack Props.pdf
|
Hiker 3
|
|
Craft (15 min)
|
GORP
Have each girl bring an item to add to a trail snack mix. Suggest raisins, nuts (check for allergies), Cheerios, dried fruit, etc.
1. Have each girl add her contribution to the snack mix. Mix ingredients together. Then put some into smaller bags for each girl to carry and eat during the hike. Remind them that they should “leave no
trace” meaning they must be careful to make sure their plastic bags make it into the trash when they are empty. They may also find a way to reuse the bag while on the hike.
2. Talk about places you might like to take a hike as a group, or where the girls would like to take their family on a hike. Would they want to go on a picnic or visit a special place?
3. Discuss how taking a healthy snack on a hike is a good way to keep up your energy.
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
Notes: Very fun. Only set up one station, but I should have set up two.
|
Gorp ingredients
Sandwich-size Ziploc bags, one per girl
Large bowl or large Ziploc bag to mix ingredients
|
Hiker 4
|
|
Game (30 min)
|
Go on a Hike
Obtain a map or draw a map of the area you will take your group to explore.
Create a list of 10–15 scavenger items for the girls to seek out on their hike. You can use landmarks, items found in the surrounding environment like rocks or pinecones, or items you bring and place
1. Split the girls into small groups and give each group a checklist. Then take the girls on a short hike around your meeting place or other determined area, indoors or outdoors, to find the items.
2. Instruct girls to take notes or draw pictures of the things they see, hear, or smell near the items they find.
3. After girls complete the scavenger hunt, have them share the other things they found on the hike.
4. Have the girls talk about their favorite part of hiking.
4. Optional: Teach the girls a song they can sing while hiking. If needed, use example below.
Goin' On a Lion Hunt (Audience echoes each line and sets up clap/lap-slapping rhythm.)
Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?
Mud!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. (Make sloshing sounds and move hands as if wading through mud.)
Following verses:
Sticks. (Snap fingers.)
Tree. (Make gestures climbing up and down.)
Gate. (Make gate-opening gestures.)
River. (Make swimming gestures.)
Cave. (Go in it and find lion. Reverse all motions quickly to get home.)
From: Girl Scouts River Valleys
Variation:
Notes: I had copies of the map and when we went on the walk, and we came to an intersection, I let the girls tell me which way to go. They had a blast and kept wanting to pick up trash (and make the a place better than they found it). Next time, I will bring gloves and trash bags.
|
Notebook or scavenger item list
general hiking scavenger hunt.pdf
Writing utensils
GORP snack
|
Hiker 5
|
| Hike |
Have a scavenger hunt.
Make a list of ten things you might find along your trail. It might be a smooth rock, a yellow leaf,an acorn, or a pinecone.
From: Girl Scouts USA
|
list of items
general hiking scavenger hunt.pdf
pencils
|
Hiker 5 |
| Hike |
Play "I Spy."
Start with the rainbow and find something in each color. Or try to find things that start with each letter of the alphabet!
From: Girl Scouts USA
|
|
Hiker 5 |
| Hike |
Do a detective hike.
Bring a guidebook and identify new leaves or tracks on the trail.
From: Girl Scouts USA
|
handout of plants or animals
|
Hiker 5 |
Outings and Visitors
Field Trip Ideas
o Visit a local park and use your hiking skills out on a trail
o Visit a Girl Scout camp to explore the trails
o Visit a store which carries hiking/camping equipment.
Speaker Ideas
o Invite a park ranger to your meeting
o Invite an older Girl Scout or family member that enjoys hiking to talk about their experiences
Sample Meeting 1
Brownie - Hiker Badge.docx
Brownie - Hiker Badge.pdf
What to Pack Props.pdf
Animal and bugs of Massachussetts.pdf
Brownie - Hiker Badge
Badges earned:
Brownies: Hiker Badge (Steps 1-5)
Notes on Girls absent or special issues:
|
Time
|
Description
|
Supplies
|
Who will lead
|
|
Opening Activity (10 min)
|
Snack
|
|
|
|
Circle (5 min)
|
Pledge of Allegiance
GS promise
|
|
|
|
Discussion (10 min)
|
Hiker:Step 1-Decide where to go
Show map of hike planned around school
Talk about Leave No Trace Principles
Have adult leaders act out not following the principles and have the girls suggest what the hiker did wrong.
1. Plan ahead
A hiker who goes on a hike without warm clothes or water
2. Stay on the trail
A hiker wanders off the trail and gets lost
3. Carry out what you carry in
A hiker who leaves his trash behind
4. Leave nature as you find it
A hiker who picks all the wild flowers
5. Be careful with fire
Girls who are running around a fire and almost fall in
6. Respect wildlife
A hiker who tries to pet a chipmunk
7. Be considerate of other visitors
A hiker who is being loud and doesn’t get out the the way to let others pass by going the other way
Notes: Girls had fun with this one and enjoyed telling the leaders what they were doing wrong.
|
Maps
Props
|
|
|
Game (10 min)
|
Learn about Trail Markers
Trail Markers Game (Hiker:Step 2-Practice a Hiking Skill)
Have the girls use trail markers to make a trail others can follow
1. Talk about what a trail is—a place to take a hike or walk that has markings/labels to direct you where to go. Have girls describe a trail they might have walked or hiked on, or you could talk about how road signs work. Why might trail signs be useful?
2. Divide girls into 4 groups. Have each group create a trail around your meeting place, using construction paper sticks, stones, and pebbles you have provided.
3. Swap trails and have the girls follow another group’s trail.
4. Talk about what worked, what didn’t and what you could use to make signs outside on a hike.
Notes: Girls had fun, but got a little chaotic. I gave each team a list of trail markers, but I should have had copies of the trail markers for everyone. I also should have had a big poster with them and gone over them with the girl before sending into the game. Overall a good one though and I would recommend it. Also would have been more fun with real rocks and sticks
|
print outs of trail markers
construction paper sticks, stones, and pebbles
|
All leaders will work with one group
|
|
Game (10min)
|
What to Pack? (Hiker: Step 3-Pick the Right Gear)
1. Gather the girls together and tell them you are going to decide what you need to pack for your walk (remind girls that this is the first Leave No Trace principle: Plan ahead).
2. Give them paper cutouts of various things (some good to bring on a hike and some not) and an envelope decorated with a backpack.
Items that you would take on a hike
o For example: clothes suitable for the weather, sturdy shoes, first aid kit, water, simple snack, map, compass, etc.
Items that you would not take on a hike
o For example: teddy bear, flip flops, laptop, messy snack
3. Split the girls into groups of 4 and have each be lead by a leader.
4. Have the girls look at each item and discuss in their group why or why they wouldn’t bring it on the hike and then put it in the backpack
5. Then gather the girls back together and have each group show a thing they did and did not bring on the hike and tell the group why they made that decision.
Notes: Girls had fun with this and it generated a lot of good discussion. At the end, I had one girl from each group choose one item from their backpack and present why the group included it. This worked well and I should keep doing this: where I have the groups report back to the whole troop on what they discussed.
|
Envelope decorated as a backpack
Printouts of items to bring and not bring on a hike
|
All leaders with work with one group
|
|
Activity (10 min)
|
Have the girls make their own trail mix to take home (Hiker:Step 4-Pack a snack for energy)
Talk with the girls about high energy hiking snacks
Bring an items to add to a trail snack mix: raisins, nuts (check for allergies), Cheerios, dried fruit, etc.
Have each girl choose the ingredients that she wants to put in her snack mix and add them with a spoon into her own ziplock bag.
Notes: Very fun. Only set up one station, but I should have set up two.
|
sharpie
ziplock bags
stuff for trail mix
spoons and bowls
|
|
|
Hike (20 min)
|
Hiking Skills
(Hiker: Step 5-Take a Hikes)
Now that you know where you will go on your walk (practice hike), go for it.
Notes: I had copies of the map and when we went on the walk, and we came to an intersection, I let the girls tell me which way to go. They had a blast and kept wanting to pick up trash (and make the a place better than they found it). Next time, I will bring gloves and trash bags.
|
Simple map of route
Paper
Writing utensils
|
|
|
Backup Activity (10 min)
|
Learn about plants and animals
Bring in samples of leaves from around your neighborhood and ask the girls to name the trees.
Ask the girls where they might look for certain plants or animals.
Where would you look to find:
Bring in some picture of local animals and teach them the names.
Notes:Didn’t get to this one.
|
leaves
animal and insect pictures
|
|
|
Back up Game (10 min)
|
Layer Relay
Learn what it means to wear "Layers" of clothing. Discuss what types of clothes would be appropriate for different times of the year.
Then split the girls into teams and split the teams evenly on each side of the room.
One girl starts by putting on all the layers. She runs to the other side of the room and takes them all off.
The next girl puts on these same clothes and goes to the opposite side.
The team that finishes first wins.
Notes:Didn’t get to this one.
|
several sets of clothes that represent layers
|
|
|
Backup Activity (5 min)
|
Teach the girls a song they can sing while hiking.
If needed, use example below.
Goin' On a Lion Hunt (Audience echoes each line and sets up clap/lap-slapping rhythm.)
Goin' on a lion hunt.
Goin to catch a big one.
I'm not afraid.
Look, what's up ahead?
Mud!
Can't go over it.
Can't go under it.
Can't go around it.
Gotta go through it. (Make sloshing sounds and move hands as if wading through mud.)
Following verses:
Sticks. (Snap fingers.)
Tree. (Make gestures climbing up and down.)
Gate. (Make gate-opening gestures.)
River. (Make swimming gestures.)
Cave. (Go in it and find lion. Reverse all motions quickly to get home.)
Notes:Didn’t get to this one.
|
|
|
|
Clean up (5 min)
|
|
|
|
|
Closing
(5 min)
|
Song
Friendship Squeeze
|
|
|
Follow Up Email:
Dear all,
Today your daughter earned their Hiker badge
Please help your daughter fill out her award log in her Girl Scout notebook.
We earned the Hiker Badge by learning
-
the 7 leave no trace principles
-
how to prepare for a hike
-
how trail markers work
-
how to make trail mix for a high energy snack
-
And did a short hike
If your daughter wants to do more with her hiking skills, some at home activities are:
-
Try going on a night hike to see what stars come out.
-
Visit a local park and go on a hike with your family.
-
A hike can be long or short. Experiment with a hike around your neighborhood.
-
Experiment with making snacks you could take on a hike.
-
Walk somewhere that you usually drive.
-
Lay trail signs around your home or yard and see if your family members can follow them. Trail signs we used are attached.
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.