Hobbies And Interests
Bring First Aid Kits
One of the most important tips for those who are planning on hiking with children or those who are inexperienced with hiking is to bring a first aid kit in case of an emergency. The Washington Trails Association suggests that your first aid kit be packed with sunscreen, acetaminophen, antihistamines, bandages, calamine lotion, tweezers and antibacterial wipes. Make sure that you think about each of your troop's individual needs and pack your first aid kit accordingly.
Plan Ahead
Before you even think about going on a hiking trail, you must plan ahead. Think about how experienced your Girl Scout troop is with hiking. If the girls have never been hiking before, don't pick a 5-mile-long trail far from home. Instead, choose a short trail that is close to home and that is classified as easy without too many hills and with a clearly defined trail. Plan to hike on a trail that has a destination, like a lake or a special tree.
Teach Responsibility
While on your hike, teach the girls in your Girl Scout troop about responsibility. If you see any litter along the trail that you are hiking on, ask the girls how this makes them feel. Explain to them how litter can adversely affect the wildlife that calls the trail its home. Talk to them about keeping their voices down so that they don't scare animals along the trail. Remind them not to pick flowers and plants along the way because they are living things.
Earn a Patch
Every Girl Scout loves to earn a patch that she can wear on her uniform. The organization Linking Girls to the Land is affiliated with the Girl Scouts of the USA and offers a patch called the Get With the Land Patch. Your troop members can earn this patch by demonstrating their passion for responsibility. Have your Girl Scouts Troop teach their schoolmates about the Tread Lightly Pledge, which encourages children to be safe and responsible in the wild. After completing the hike and demonstrating your knowledge of the Tread Lightly Pledge, your troop can earn their patch.