Outdoor Skills Day

Kaitlyn from Troop 759 shows Jadyn how to tie a square knot.

In preparation for Great Outdoors Month in June, 15 members of Chesapeake Girl Scout Troop 759 hosted an outdoor skills day for 70 younger Girl Scouts on May 21 at A Place for Girls, the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast program center in Great Bridge. The girls, who are fourth and fifth graders, recognized that few opportunities exist for younger Girl Scouts to receive outdoor training, and they wanted to teach them skills they need for camping.

During the event, Troop 759 taught important lessons, such as knife safety, knot tying and gear needed for camp, as well as fun camp songs and games. They also shared information about animal habitats, taught girls how to wash dishes at camp and led an activity station with nature crafts. A favorite activity for the afternoon was learning how to cook outdoors. Girls learned how to build a campfire and roast marshmallows to make s’mores and built box ovens to cook pizzas.

Girls prepare a pizza to cook in a box oven.

Troop 759 planned the outdoor skills day with the help of their troop leaders, including Carolyn Engler and Kevin Wilkinson, both of whom are active duty military and dedicate off duty time to supporting their daughters through Girl Scouting. For their project, the members of Troop 759 will earn the Girl Scout Bronze Award, the third highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting.

“Helping the girls earn the Bronze Award has been a rewarding experience,” Engler said.

In addition to the outdoor skills day, Troop 759 is active serving the community. Eight members of the troop will receive recognition for the hours they have committed to community service with a Presidential Volunteer Service Award this year.