As the Happy Camper, you're guiding the troop through the outdoor progression -- gradually building the girls' (and the adults') comfort with being outdoors. The goal is one outdoor activity per semester, starting simple and building up over the years. You don't need to be a camping expert on day one; the training will get you there.
Outdoor training is tiered across all councils. You climb the ladder one step at a time as the troop's ambitions grow. Log into MyGS, navigate to gsLearn, and look for:
Tier 1: Council Travel/Trip Policies - The same policies course the Events Manager takes. Required for any outing away from the regular meeting location. Take this first.
Tier 2: Day Trips & Basic Overnights - Covers field trips, basic day hikes, and overnights in buildings with climate control (heat, electricity, running water). Your council may call this "Out & About" or "Let's Go" or similar. Required before your first day hike or building-based sleepover.
Tier 3: Fire & Cooking - Covers building campfires, cooking simple meals over a fire, and making s'mores. Your council may call this "Food Fire & Fun" or "Let's Go" or similar. Required before building a campfire or cooking over an open flame with the troop (even "just grilling").
Tier 4: Outdoor Overnight Skills - Covers the full range of camping skills: planning, budgeting, packing, safety, fire building, cooking, sanitation, and sleeping outdoors. Your council may call this "Outdoor Skills" or "Let's Go" or similar. Required before overnight trips in an outdoor setting (include backyard slumber parties).
Ask your Council: "What outdoor training courses do you offer and when are they scheduled?" by emailing Customer Care from your Council's website. Many councils offer the in-person outdoor coursess only once or twice a year, so plan ahead. Taking Tiers 1 and 2 in your first year is a great pace. Tier 3 in year 2 gets you to campfires. Tier 4 when the troop is ready for real camping.
The outdoor training is tiered. The first course usually covers basic field trips because the first few experiences outdoors are things like taking short hikes in local parks, etc.
Be sure to check with the At-Home Emergency Contact for your troop for each event, to confirm they'll be available in case of emergency.
You don't need all the training at once. Taking the first few courses (usually offered online) in your first year is a great pace.
There are badges related to hiking and camping at every Girl Scout level, so outdoor activities can count towards badge work.
The idea is that by the time the girls are emotionally ready to camp, they're also intellectually ready because you've been gradually building their skills.
Download the Happy Camper role sample letter.
This is a customizable Word document that your co-leader can fill in with your Council's specific training links and hand to you.