Monday, April 24, 2023

Every Council's Own Girl Scout Fun Patch Program That Your Girl Scouts Can Earn from Anywhere: Outdoors



Welcome back to my very weird series in which I am listing, week by week, topic by topic, every single Council's Own Girl Scout fun patch program that your Girl Scouts can earn from everywhere!

My Girl Scout troop enjoys earning Council's Own fun patches, as well as official badges and retired badges. I usually look for a fun patch that they can earn in addition to a badge whenever we're planning a big project or a trip, etc. This list is essentially just my own research written down for easy reference.

This week's category: the Outdoors! This fun patch program includes fun patches that teach specific outdoor skills, as well as ones that encourage Girl Scouts to get outside in various types of weather. All the camping fun patches live in this category. I especially love all of the fun patches here that consist of a checklist of activities that Girl Scouts can do independently--I think this is a great way to encourage kids to incorporate a wide variety of outdoor activities into their daily lives outside of Girl Scouting.

For this list, I only included fun patch programs that fit the following criteria:

  1. Girl Scouts can earn this fun patch wherever they are. I did not include any fun patch programs that have site-specific criteria, unless I felt that those criteria would be easy to substitute and still maintain the point of the fun patch program. I also didn't include fun patch programs that require time-specific criteria that have already passed, such as patches programs designed for the 2020 COVID lockdowns. I noted in the description of each patch when substitutions would be required.
  2. Girl Scouts can obtain the council's requirements to earn this fun patch. I found several instances in which the council still sells a specific fun patch, but has deleted all the requirements from its website. If I couldn't find an easy link to those requirements from another site, I did not include the patch.
  3. Girl Scouts can obtain the physical fun patch. There were also several instances in which councils still host the requirements for a fun patch program, but no longer sell the patch (or, as in the case of a few GSAK patches, they have fewer than ten remaining). If it is unlikely for a Girl Scout to be able to obtain the fun patch, I did not include it. The link to purchase each fun patch is in the caption for its graphic.

OUTDOORS


Adventure Club GSRV

Adventure Club, Girl Scouts River ValleysParticipate in three adventures. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Outdoor badges. It's a good one for a troop to earn over the course of a Girl scout year.


Awesome Autumn Adventure GSGI

Awesome Autumn Adventure, Girl Scouts of Greater IowaHave fun outdoor adventures during autumn. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Outdoor badges.



Backyard Challenge GSOFSI

Backyard Challenge, Girl Scouts of Southern IllinoisEncourages Girl Scouts to have adventures in their backyard or neighborhood. This fun patch program would be a good one for Girl Scouts to earn independently, especially if the troop doesn't meet over the summer break.


Bike Safety GSWPA

Bike Safety, Girl Scouts of Western PennsylvaniaBe a safe bicyclist by completing this fun patch program. This fun patch pairs well with the Junior Independence badge.



Bits of Joy GSEOK

Bits of Joy, Girl Scouts of Easter OklahomaCamp and complete activities to earn this fun patch. This is a super simple and easy to earn camping fun patch that would be especially great for a younger Girl Scout troop to earn during a troop family camp or Service Unit Camporee.



Cave Explorer GSEIWI

Cave Explorer, Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois. Learn about caves, their ecosystems, and how to conserve them while planning a real caving adventure. 



Duck GSSWTX

Duck, Girl Scouts of Southwest TexasCamp or spend the day outdoors in the rain.

Geocaching GSMW

Geocaching, Girl Scouts of Montana and WyomingEarn this fun patch by geocaching! This fun patch would pair well with older or younger Girl Scouts in a troop with Juniors earning their Geocacher badge. 


Get Outdoors GSBDC

Get Outdoors, Girl Scouts of Black Diamond CouncilComplete the required number of outdoor activities during the designated time period to earn this fun patch. This is a great fun patch program to have Girl Scouts earn independently, perhaps with regular check-ins during troop meetings.


Get Outdoors GSCNWI

Get Outdoors, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest IndianaComplete seasonal activities from this multi-patch program to experience a year's worth of fun outdoor activities. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Outdoor badges. This would be a good patch program to use throughout the Girl Scout year to incorporate outdoor programming into troop meetings, as well as to encourage Girl Scouts to do outdoor activities independently.


Get Outdoors GSMIDTN

Get Outdoors, Girl Scouts of Middle TennesseeEarn flames by increasing your skillset in a variety of outdoor skills.


The Great Outdoors Summer and Winter Challenge GSME

The Great Outdoors Summer and Winter Challenge, Girl Scouts of MaineComplete outdoor activities in summer and winter to earn the separate fun patches. These fun patches can be combined with any of the Outdoor badges, or earned during a camping trip.

Hammock Camping GSH

Hammock Camping, Girl Scouts of HawaiiTeaches kids the delightful skill of hammock camping.


Introduction to Orienteering GSC

Introduction to Orienteering, Girl Scouts of CitrusLearn how to Orienteer using this fun patch program. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the older Girl Scout Camping badges.


Knife Safety Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania

Knife Safety, Girl Scouts of Western PennsylvaniaMake sure you can use a knife skillfully and safely by completing this fun patch program. This fun patch pairs well with any of the Outdoor badges, or any camping trips. My troop learned knife safety as part of our Outdoor Art badge.

Letterboxing GSOFCT

Letterboxing, Girl Scouts of ConnecticutLearn how to letterbox! This all-levels fun patch program is perfect for everyone else in a multi-level troop to earn when the Brownies are earning the Letterboxer badge.


Maple Sugaring GSGWM

Maple Sugaring, Girl Scouts of the Green and White MountainsExplore the history of maple sugaring and visit a maple sugaring operation. You can substitute the place-based activities in the fun patch requirements with your own local maple sugar operations.

Moon Mayhem GSCB

Moon Mayhem, Girl Scouts of Chesapeake BayPrepare for and take a full moon hike. This pairs well with many of the Outdoor badges, or to earn during an overnight camping trip.


Night Hike GSOFSI

Night Hike, Girl Scouts of Southern IllinoisTry fun hiking activities that you can only do at night. This fun patch program pairs well with the Cadette Night Owl badge and any of the Camping badges. 


Night Owl GSCM

Night Owl, Girl Scouts of Central MarylandBecome comfortable with the nighttime aspect of overnight camping through fun games and activities. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Camping badges, and would work especially well earned during a young troop's first overnight camping trip.


One Match GSOFSI

One Match, Girl Scouts of Southern IllinoisJoin the One Match Club by mastering this specific skill! This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Camping badges. 


Operation Snowflake GSGWM

Operation Snowflake, Girl Scouts of the Green and White MountainsTry winter activities while learning how to stay safe in the cold. This fun patch program works well with the Snow or Climbing badges.


Outdoor Patch Program GSKSMO

Outdoor Patch Program, Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri. Earn bars as you master the specific skills of SWAPSLeave No TraceFirst Aid and PackingNavigationKnots and Knives, and Fire and Cooking


Outdoor Experience GSEWNI

Outdoor Experience, Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern IdahoBuild up the skills needed for primitive camping. 

Outdoor Progression, GSSS

Outdoor Progression, Girl Scouts of Silver SageLevel up a range of outdoor skills by earning this multi-patch set. This multi-patch program pairs well with the Outdoor badges. It's a good patch program to worth through over the course of a year or even a Girl Scout level.

Outdoors GSAK

Outdoors, Girl Scouts of AlaskaTry new outdoor activities. This fun patch program pairs well with any of the Outdoor or Camping badges. It would be a good patch to earn over the course of a Girl Scout year to encourage regular outdoor experiences.

Outdoor Skills GSME

Outdoor Skills, Girl Scouts of MaineEarn this by completing outdoor activities at different levels. This is a great patch program for troops who've worn out all the Outdoor badges at their levels but still want to earn something during a camping trip, AND for troops for whom the Outdoor badges at their levels are too challenging. I always have a basic camping badge on hand for my newbie campers to earn!


Penguin GSSWTX

Penguin, Girl Scouts of Southwest TexasCamp or spend the day outdoors in below-freezing temperature.


Sizzler GSSWTX

Sizzler, Girl Scouts of Southwest TexasCamp or spend the day outdoors with a temperature greater than 100 degrees.


Skills GSMIDTN

Skills, Girl Scouts of Middle TennesseeLearn knife etiquette, fire building, trail signs, compass uste, and knot tying. This fun patch program would be a good choice during a weekend camping trip or camporee.

S'more Fun GSAK

S'more Fun, Girl Scouts of AlaskaTry outdoor cooking activities while planning your Girl Scout year. This is technically a "plan your Girl Scout year in light of a global pandemic" badge, but you can easily skip the activities like "learn how to Zoom" and focus on the outdoor cooking and girl-led planning.


Snow Much Fun GSGI

Snow Much Fun, Girl Scouts of Greater IowaComplete activities that prepare you to be outdoors in winter. This fun patch program pairs well with the Snow or Climbing badges.


Sunsational Summer GSGWM

Sunsational Summer, Girl Scouts of the Green and White MountainsComplete a variety of summer activities independently and with other Girl Scouts.

Trail Hiker GSMWLP

Trail Hiker, Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and PinesHike five trails while learning more about trail hiking and hiking etiquette. 


Troop Camping GSSWTX

Troop Camping, Girl Scouts of Southwest TexasCamp with your Girl Scout troop twice in a program year. This fun patch pairs well with any of the Camping badges.


Winter Challenge GSMISTS

Winter Challenge, Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore. Complete winter activities from a checklist. This fun patch program is a good one for Girl Scouts to earn independently, perhaps over the winter school break.


Winter Fun GSSS

Winter Fun, Girl Scouts of Silver SageComplete activities from a checklist to experience fun winter activities. This fun patch program pairs well with the Snow or Climbing badge. It's a good fun patch for Girl Scouts to earn independently over the school winter break.

Winter Survival GSWPA

Winter Survival, Girl Scouts of Western PennsylvaniaLearn about winter safety and create a winter survival kit. This fun patch would pair well with any of the Snow or Climbing badges or a winter camping trip.


Here's a look at my complete fun patch series:

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Culture, Diversity, and Equity
  • Games and Sports
  • Geography/History
  • Outdoors
  • Practical Life Skills
  • Reading and Writing
  • Science
  • Service Learning
  • Social-Emotional Skills
  • Technology, Engineering, and Math
Follow my Craft Knife Facebook page for more Girl Scout resources as I exhaustively compile them!

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