What I Took for Girl Scout Camp Training

When I prepared for Girl Scout Camp Training, I bought myself some waterproof hiking boots.

WP Harper Hiking Boots by Magellan were my choice.

Found at Academy.com then bought in store, all the reviews told me they were comfortable right out of the box, and that was very important since I bought them quite last minute.

The reviews were right.  They were comfortable, and though I didn't test them, it did keep my feet dry in the short wet grass.

What I Took for GS Camp Training 
in the South Texas Fall

Mexican blanket
      for cold nights, you want extra layers

Hiking backpack
      when selecting a backpack, be sure you have a comfortable waistband, outside
      pockets, and the straps on the bottom for your pad or blanket

Waterproof hiking boots
      waterproof is crucial, as well as them being light in weight

Duct tape
     you can repair so many things with it

Bandana
     wrap it around your wrist for easy access and can also be used to wipe off
     sweat

Mess kit
     this ones clear why you need it, I prefer metal because you can heat it over the
     fire

Mesh bag/dunk bag
     for cleaning your mess kit, be sure it has a drawstring--in addition to the dunk
     bag, you could take galvanized buckets to wash dishes, we didn't need to since
     that was provided at the training

Waterproof bag
     this is precaution for an extra pair of clothes

Long socks
      your boots will be over your ankle, so should your socks, I bought baseball
      socks

Long pants
     even if it is hot, you should wear long pants to protect your legs

Long sleeved tops
     think thin for layering

Short sleeved tops
     think, again, thin for layering

Light jacket
     layering

Unders
     obviously, and bring only exactly how many days you will be there, more
     weight is more weight

Sport bras (instead of regular bras)
     you will be more comfortable and you won't muck up your good stuff

Bag for laundry
     you don't want to mix your dank clothes with your clean clothes--I used a large
     wet bag

Waterproof phone case/sack
     be prepared incase it rains

Cap/sun hat
     nothing fancy and something you don't mind getting sweat on

Gloves
     if it's cold, you'll want some with touchscreen ability

Work gloves
     you'll want these when working with wood and fire

Infinity scarf
     this can come in handy for many things; wrap, sling, or to keep warm

Hydration belt/bladder backpack/cinch bag
     if you are planning for Girl Scout camping, you need to keep paperwork with
     you and sometimes medications, and you need to stay hydrated, these can solve
     both your problems

Snacks
     if you are hiking, don't take these, but if this is for training, you'll want snacks,
     especially if you're like me with an iron deficiency

Windproof matches
     it'll make it easier to light the fire if they want you to use matches

Wind resistant long lighter
     if they don't care, this is better than matches

Sleeping bag/comforter and sheets
     this one is clear why

First aid kit
     bandages, wraps, hydrogen peroxide, thermometer, fever reducer, pain reliever,
     Benadryl--just your basics

Pocket knife

     we learned knife safety, if you are going for training, you will too, and if you

     are just camping, you should always have a knife with you

If You Are in Tents

Blow up mattress
     I prefere the double hight, they are much easier to get in and out of

Heavy duty tarp
     you will want one for under your tent, take two if you will be camping in rocky
     soil

Tent
     if you are supposed to sleep in tents, clearly, you would need one

Don't forget your prescribed medications!

 When doing Girl Scout Camp Training, listen, learn, and have a lot of fun!

I know I did!

Tell me if I left anything out.

What did y'all take on y'alls camp training days?

Girl Scout Camp Training

(I just saw that I hadn't posted this and I am so sorry!  It's been ready to go for months, as I did this Camp Training late last Fall, and I can't believe it's not out there for y'all to laugh about.  I love camping!  My co-leader on the other hand...)

As a teen, I camped every summer with our church youth organization; Young Women.  I always loved it.

When I became a mother, I wasn't sure if I still would, until we took this trip, and I know now that I like camping no matter with children or not.

Just recently, I went on a Girl Scout Camp Training weekend.  There wasn't much information, before hand, about what we were to do, so I wasn't sure how "campy" it was all going to be.  All I did know, was we were to be sleeping in cabins.

I went with one other leader from our troop.  She's not outdoorsy, so I feared a little for her.  When I packed, the only thing I bought were hiking boots, she bought everything.  Even a new comforter, just for camping.  It was fun though.

We started with learning about fires and making fire starters.

These are pieces of candle sticks wrapped in wax paper.

We then went out and made our own little fires.

I was the only one to get mine on the first try.

I used my fire starter.

"That's cheating!" they said.

I said, "Why did we make fire starters if we weren't going to use them?"

My other troop leader, posing, was in the first team to start the fire for lunch.

I truly was proud of how well she did.  The type to refuse to not wear make up and perfume on a camping trip, she did very well.

I was a chef for lunch.

We made foil dinners for lunch.

Our dessert cooking in a dutch oven.

The extra potatoes, onions, and carrots.

It was a beef patty with potatoes, onions, and carrots.

It was good!

Our ready dessert.

An apple spice cake.

My serving of apple spice cake.

I forgot to take pictures of where we slept.  It was very nice.  I much looked more like a place you'd rent to hunt than a place for Girl Scout camping.

The next morning was cold and I didn't have a beanie.

I did, though, bring my black infinity scarf.

I wrapped it around my head three times; it kept my ears warm and hair back as we make breakfast.

She was a cook this time.

We had eggs, bacon, and tortillas.

Next, was knots.

Tents!

We split into two teams and each put up a two man tent.

Our tent had two doors, which made me very intrigued.

Cooking lunch!

We had Scout Stew.

My servings.

See that mess kit?  The bowl and the plate? 

 It was my father in law's when he was in the army.

Lunch's dessert.

PEACH COBBLER!

The absolute best dessert you can make on a camping trip!

It was such a nostalgic taste.

My share.

Us with our instructors.

The woman on the furthest left is in her mid-80s.  She's been doing this a long time.  Before we all left after lunch, she told us we might be her last camp training she does, and if we were, it was a great way to go.

We had a lot of fun.

If you are a troop leader getting ready to go to camp training,

don't worry, it's not hard and it's a lot of fun.  

Wear layers to peal off as you work.

Don't try using peppermint to deter mosquitos.  It works, but nats love it dearly.

This post was just a view of the fun I had at camp.

Return next week for a quick list on what I took to Girl Scout camp training!

See y'all then!