You’re a force of nature, Girl Scout

And you are ready for more outdoor adventures.

Whether you’re discovering the wildlife in your own backyard, swimming in a lake for the first time at summer camp or being a citizen scientist and observing bees in your neighborhood park, every outdoor adventure grows your “I’ve got this” attitude. And once you unlock that confidence, you’ll aim as high as the stars you see outside your cabin window.

Ways to get outdoors

Troop Camping

Are you ready for an outdoor adventure? Camping is a key (and fun!) component of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and troop camping provides an easy way for girls and volunteers to experience the great outdoors. Plan a group excursion to explore the outdoors with your troop today!

Requirements for Troop Camping toggle arrow

At least one Basic Troop Camp certified adult.
At least one First Aid/CPR/AED certified adult.
At least one Basic Water Rescue certified adult, if planning to be in or around water.
A lifeguard, if swimming.
A kayak/canoe/sailing certified adult if kayaking, canoeing or sailing.
An archery certified adult, if archering.
Two zip-line certified adults, if zip-lining.
A girl permission/health form for each girl and a health/information form for each adult.

Note: Different adults should fill each required role, e.g., the camp-certified adult and the first aid-certified adult should NOT be the same person. This is to facilitate the ability for the first-aider to leave camp if need be in an emergency and still allow the rest of the troop to be covered by a camp certified person.

Resident Camp

Summer camp at Kamp Kiwanis offers opportunities for all girls to safely have fun, develop new friendships, and build confidence via mastering new skills. Choose from full, 6 day-5 night, sessions, or mini-sessions which last 3 days and 2 nights. Sail Away sailing camp is always a favorite and is open to girls of all skill levels: beginners to experienced sailors! We're also excited to offer the resident camp experience to your troops. It'll be a campout for all ages - from daisies to volunteers!

Summer Camp

Summer camp is the place where girls build friendships, confidence and life long memories!

Sail Away Camp

Learn to sail and have an AWESOME time on beautiful Lake Martin!

GSSA Council Properties

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama's council properties are available throughout the year for troops to experience camping in a variety ways, with activities appropriate for all levels. Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama Council camps offer a wide array of safe outdoors experiences, including canoeing, hatchet throwing, outdoor skills, kayaking, hiking, campfires, and more.

Kamp Kiwanis // Lake Martin, Eclectic toggle arrow

Kamp Kiwanis

110 acres situated on beautiful Lake Martin in Eclectic.

Kamp Kiwanis is located on 110 acres 45 minutes north of Montgomery in Eclectic, on beautiful Lake Martin. Kamp Kiwanis is the perfect spot for sailing, kayaking, and rid- ing the pontoon boat or swimming. With its wooded trails and awe-inspiring lake-front views, Kamp Kiwanis makes it fun for every girl to participate in her favorite camp activities. This is also the home of our popular Sail Away Camp, where girls learn and practice their sailing skills.

Program Possibilities: Nature crafts and plant identification, hikes, cookouts, ecology, star-gazing, camp beautification, archery, canoeing, pedal-boating, paddle-boarding, kayaking, sailing, swimming, fishing, ziplining, ax-throwing, bb guns, and badge work.

Notes: This camp is closed late November-February for the winter season.

Size: 110 acres; on Lake Martin.

Capacity: 154 (overnight campers)

Overnight Application (ONLINE)

Please email Customer Care if you have any questions.

Camp Sid Edmonds // Bay Minette toggle arrow

Camp Sid Edmonds

Program Possibilities: Nature crafts and plant identification, hikes, cookouts, ecology, stargazing, camp beautification, archery, canoeing, paddle-boarding, row-boating, kayaking, swimming, and badge work.

Size: 192 acres with a 48-acre lake

Capacity: 68 (overnight campers)

Overnight Application (ONLINE)

Please email questions to customer care.

Outdoor Resources

Outdoor Essentials toggle arrow

Outdoor Essentials Progressive Patch Program (PDF)

GSSA’s own Outdoor Essentials Patch includes an adult certification opportunity. Adults interested in earning this certification must first complete the Overnight Certification Knowledge Check, then complete the Outdoor Essentials Certification Knowledge Check, then provide evidence (video, photo, or demonstrate in-person) of their ability to teach and demonstrate the five skills emphasized in the GSSA’s own Outdoor Essentials Patch program. Once the evidence is reviewed and approved by council staff, the volunteer will receive confirmation of their Outdoor Essentials Certification and will be able to lead Girl Scouts in outdoor camping activities.

Outdoor Essentials Resource Manual (PDF)

Leave No Trace Project by Gold Award Girl Scout Grace Breshears toggle arrow

For Grace Breshears Gold Award project, she wanted to raise awareness of the Leave No Trace (LNT) principles that center around leaving less of a footprint when in the outdoors. During her project, she built a total of 14 benches along the Hickory Trail at Kiwanis and the Green Trail, the longest trail, at Scoutshire Woods. Beside each bench is one of seven signs that gives information about the LNT principle for that bench as well as discussion questions and a game or song to go along with that principle.

Girl Scouts are invited to follow Grace's activity sheets to earn their Leave No Trace patch. They can also watch Grace's video to get a general overview of each principle along with the hand sign to go with it.

Thank you Grace for helping us learn how to protect our environment!

Troop 9327 Silver Award Project - Identifying Trees at Kamp Kiwanis toggle arrow

Troop 9327 earned their Girl Scout Silver Award by completing a project they named The Hickory Trail Helpers. They worked on identifying trees along the Hickory Trail at Kamp Kiwanis and made a new post that shows what the trees are as well as putting a QSR reader code to pull up information about that tree. They also repaired bridges on the trail to make them safe and planted new bushes to make the trail beautiful.

Thank you Troop 9327 for making our camp and this world a better place!

Equipment Rental toggle arrow

GSSA Service Centers offer limited equipment rentals:

Reserve Rental Items (WEB)

Email customercare@girlscoutssa.org with questions.

two young girl scouts outside at state park using binoculars - older girl is helping daisy girl scout see nature

Girl Scouts Love State Parks

Take part in this annual celebration where Girl Scouts come together to explore their local state parks.

LEARN MORE

Council Finder

Camp and Outdoors