Outdoor Program Advisory Committee Meeting 10/23/13
Committee Members
First NameLast NameRoleBetsyTillOutdoor Programs DirectorHaleyPeelAssistant Outdoor Programs DirectorSharyl KayLawsonAdult memberDebbieWigginsAdult member-Day Camp Task ForceAlonitCohenAdult memberJoAnneBuschAdult memberBonnieLedetAdult memberAbbyWeiskeGirl memberJillMarosticaAdult memberAnnaBeuclerAdult memberJeanBeuclerAdult memberKristaBeuclerGirl member – Older Girl/Girl Led Task ForceMonicaElliottGirl member – Older Girl/Girl Led Task ForceConniiRogersAdult member– Older Girl/Girl Led task ForceExpectations of Committee Members
We brainstormed how we wanted to work together as a committee.
Work positively as a team together
Respect each other, listen, be open to ideas
NEED: create a mission/position statement
Create/implement/increase/promote council-wide
Be an example of the Girl Scout Promise
Be considerate of each other’s time
Be prepared
Ask questions/ask questions about processes
Be ready to share ideas and take action
Help share talking points about outdoor programs with other volunteers
Suggested Reading List:
Last Child Into the Woods The Nature Principle
Both by Richard Louv
What is Outdoor Programs? – Brainstorm
Getting girls outside in any manner
Developing skills, with a progression of challenge
Year-round
Specific to unique geographic areas and options within our state
No Child Left Inside
If we want to pass on our heritage, we cannot ignore needs of children to explore, get dirty, get their hands wet – NATURE PLAY – in a safe & unstructured environment
Alleviating Nature Deficit Disorder
Develops self efficiency and new experiences
Simple – Affordable – Accessible (Inclusive)
In your experience, what were you lacking when you first started leading girls in the outdoors? What have you seen lacking for other leaders/volunteers?
Wasn’t aware of manuals that already existed for Day Camps
Wish I had a list of trails listing if they are easy, medium, hard and if they are marked or not
Where was all the equipment, what was available?
Wish I had a mentor or “training buddy”
Wish they trained volunteers as well as girls from day 1 in Daisies
Wish I had a list of program-level appropriate outdoor activities
Wish it was more integrated into the 6 GSUSA pathways: trop, travel, events, camp, events, virtual
Resources established in areas outside of what we normally see – recreation districts, park districts, community service groups, schools – easy program partners or already ready to deliver programs to scouts but not connected with them
Trainings – more affordable and less repetition of content, ways for people to test out…
Communication & Marketing of opportunities: Service Unit communication, council newsletter, regions, website, blog, facebook, and?
Simple-don’t need lots of planning (easy-meaningful-fun)
Outdoor volunteer opportunity list
Cultivate programs for PA’s outdoors-specialize in assisting activities we provide resources for, good for new leaders to have girls shot them the way
Older girl programming aside from PA/CIT stuff
Cultivate love for being outdoors and doing outdoor activities for the sake of love of doing it (rather than doing something to get something)
Have Get Outdoors Days – every so many months – like Troop Tuesday
Cultivate the ethic of being out there – not being out there to get something
3 Ideas for Outdoor Programs
Each committee member submitted 3 ideas in their application. We will compile that list and vote on them in a survey before we meet again. We’ll publish our prioritized list after our next meeting.