Teaching skills that range from first aid, to knotting techniques and to the use of a pocket knife are included in the new Outdoor Skiils Series that is taught by the Matawan-Aberdeen Girl Scouts.
Girl Scouts of the USA is a leadership program that encourages girls to become leaders in their communities and beyond.
As part of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, girls are encouraged to think globally and act locally, guided by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, according to Girl Scout Troop 60403 leader Kimberly Yue.
“We created the Outdoor Skills Series to help girls become comfortable with being outdoors and camping,” Yue said.
Yue has been a volunteer leader for her daughter’s troop for eight years and a volunteer with Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore for five years.
“Every three years we have a town-wide camping event called Encampment at Camp Sacajawea in Howell. We wanted to work on skills ahead of time so the girls would be comfortable putting their skills to practice at camp. It also serves as a refresher for the leaders,” Yue said. “Leaders must attend outdoor skills training through council, but this offers yet another chance to practice.”
The Matawan-Aberdeen Girl Scouts complete service projects that include park cleanups, plantings, working with animal shelters, establishing a free little library in Cliffwood, providing toys and supplies to children in foster care and teaching girls about disaster preparedness.
Each month, the girls attend a session in which a specific skill is taught. The young women have the opportunity to practice what they have learned. Since December, the Matawan-Aberdeen Girl Scouts has held a skills event once each month, Yue said.
As part of the Outdoor Skills Series, the young women have already learned about knots, first aid, Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Placed Somewhere (SWAPS) and the use of a compass and pocket knives. Future skills to be taught will include how to assemble a tent, fishing, outdoor cooking, building a fire, and geocaching, according to Yue.
The leadership team includes Yue, a pediatric nurse practitioner who organized the first aid skills event and Betty Trivisone, the leader of the Matawan-Aberdeen Girl Scouts leadership team and outdoor trainer for Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore, who organized the knots program.
And, the team is also comprised of Girl Scout leader to fifth grade Juniors and first grade Daisies Kelly Tatarka, who organized the pocket knives skills event; Girl Scout leader to eighth grade Cadettes Kellie Ritter, who organized the compass skills event; and Girl Scout leader to fourth grade Juniors Cheryl Cortopassi, who provided support to everyone during the monthly events, according to Yue.
“This month the girls will learn how to pack a proper bedroll for sleeping, how to pack for camp and how patrols work while camping. In June, they will learn about fishing and tent assembly” she said.
Yue said more than 240 girls ranging in age from kindergarten to seniors in high school are participating.
“Camping and outdoor skills have always been a part of Girl Scouts. It is more than cookies and crafts. As a leadership program our badges and journeys teach skills such as conflict resolution, effective communication, advocacy, appreciation, conservation of natural resources and civic engagement, to name a few,” Yue said.
As for the annual cookie sale, Yue said it is “more than just our main fundraiser.” She said selling the popular varieties of cookies teaches girls how to set goals, interact with adults, make change, become entrepreneurs, sell a product and more.
“As more research surfaces about the benefits of connecting with the outdoors and nature, we hope the skills, knowledge and appreciation of the world around us will help the girls in their lives now and in the future,” Yue said. “The pride with which we see a girl achieve when they accomplish a skill, overcome a fear and take a chance are worth every minute of the hard work putting this Outdoor Skills Series together. Our team is committed to continuing to provide these opportunities for girls.”
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
