Troop Camping | Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA)

Troop Camping Training

Are you excited about camping with your Girl Scout troop or group? So are we! Please review the training drop-down menus below and the Camping Learning Plan for Volunteers before booking, to understand GSEMA troop camping training requirements.

If you and your Girl Scouts are ready to camp out, it’s time to register for training. The Outdoor Basics Series will prepare you to plan a Girl Scout-led camping trip, including how to rent a campsite, outdoor meal planning and cooking, safety and risk management, packing tips, camp activities, and more! These outdoor trainings are a sequence and must be completed in order, beginning with Going Places with Girl Scouts. First Aid and CPR sessions are offered separately. Descriptions of each required session are below (printable version).

Outdoor Basics Online toggle arrow

Learn how to assess your troop’s readiness for camping as well as GSEMA safety procedures. Explore ways to ensure a girl-led experience, packing tips, and how you can spend your time at camp. Going Places with Girl Scouts is a pre-requisite. Login to gsLearn to take Outdoor Basics Online, or Online, if you haven’t taken it already.

Outdoor Basics: Cooking toggle arrow

Learn all about leading a successful camping trip, including packing tips, camp activities, fire-building skills, and basic cook-out techniques during an in-person session with experienced volunteers.

Outdoor Basics: Camping toggle arrow

Learn how your troop can embrace the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to plan and carry out a camping trip. You will learn advanced cooking methods, campfire programming, nighttime activities, and risk management procedures for camping overnight with Girl Scouts during an in-person session with experienced volunteers.

Encampments toggle arrow

Encampments, troop camping events run by service units, are a great way to meet other troops in your area that love to get outdoors. Check with your local service unit for more information on encampments.

If you're an experienced troop camping volunteer looking to run an encampment for your service unit, you can complete Encampment Director training on GS Learn.

Planning Your Troop Camping Trip

Once you’ve taken the appropriate training, you will have all the resources necessary to plan a successful troop camping trip! Troops might also consider incorporating additional activities such as:

Earning Outdoor Badges and Journeys toggle arrow

There are a number of outdoor badges (select "Outdoors"), each with activities and requirements per Girl Scout level. By earning a set of outdoor badges and completing a Take Action project focused on the outdoors, girls can complete the outdoor Journey for their Girl Scout level.

Renting Equipment and Outdoor Program Kits toggle arrow

If you’re looking to simplify your packing list, enhance the outdoor activities on your next camping trip, or lead a short program to give your troop their first exposure to camping and nature exploration. Outdoor program kits and equipment rentals are a simple way to add depth to your outdoor activities.

Equipment rentals include items such as camp stoves, dutch ovens and charcoal chimneys.

Outdoor program kits include gadgets to teach skills such as firebuilding, knot tying, orienteering, and learning to use a jackknife.

Equipment and outdoor program kits can be rented on Checkfront.

Property Guide

Let us help you choose a site for your troop's adventure. Eight properties are waiting for you!

Reserve a Property

Getting outdoors with your Girl Scout Troop for a day, night, or weekend has never been easier!

Book Activity

Build an outdoor adventure activity with archery, boating, or a challenge course program!