Backpacking
Designed with outdoor skill progression in mind, GSHPA's backpacking program is an outdoor experience she won't want to miss! Each level of the program offers new challenges, and new opportunities to grow her outdoor skills and knowledge. Two amazing GSHPA volunteers run programs throughout the year, which you can find on our Event Calendar.
See level descriptions and prerequisites and explore backpacking resources helpful to any backpacker below!
Introductory Course 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Participants in the backpacking program will receive a patch and rocker for their initial program, and then a rocker for each unique level of programming they attend after.
Backpacking Resources
Backpacking Resources
How To Videos
Leave No Trace
At GSHPA, we believe in responsible behavior and respecting the environment. That’s why we're one of only two Girl Scout Councils that are Leave No Trace Partners! The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics is a national organization that supports protecting the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. That’s something we can get behind!
How can Girl Scouts ensure they’re practicing #LNT daily?
There are seven principles of Leave No Trace. It’s important that Girl Scouts are familiar with these principles, considering so many of our activities happen in the outdoors. Let’s go through each one and think about how the principles apply to Girl Scouts.
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
2. Travel & Camp on Durable Surfaces
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
4. Leave What You Find
5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
6. Respect Wildlife
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Leave No Trace Activities for Girl Scouts
Additional Resources for Adult Volunteers/Leaders
Meet the Volunteers
Connie has been a Girl Scout volunteer for 13 years. She has degrees in
Physical Therapy and Industrial Hygiene/Safety and is currently employed
by Geisinger Health System. Find her trail hiking, backpacking, mountain
biking, skiing, gardening, and even indoors quilting. She is certified
in Wilderness First Aid, CPR, and is a Level 1 NICA coach.
Addie has been a Girl Scout since first grade and an adult volunteer
since 2014. She has worked as a camp counselor at many camps. When Addie
isn’t teaching ESL to middle and high school students, she can be found
trail running, hiking, camping, or backpacking. She has completed a 50k
trail run and hopes to do a 50-mile race in 2020! She is certified in
Wilderness First Aid and First Aid/CPR/AED.
Have questions about the Backpacking program? Reach out to our Member Services team at MemberServices@gshpa.org or 800-692-7816.
