Outdoor training camp teaches future Girl Scout volunteers
PENN TWP — Janet Kovacs, who has 57 years in Girl Scouting, whittled away on a bar of soap.
“It's a good thing to be able to give the new leaders some skills,” said Kovacs of Erie. “It empowers them that yes they can do this with their girls especially if they haven't done this stuff as a child or even when they were younger themselves.”
About 100 volunteers took to the wilderness on a hazy Saturday morning for the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania's three-day Outdoor Training Summit at Camp Redwing, 103 Rader School Road, Renfrew. The organization serves 27 counties.
In the camp's third year, the training is designed for volunteers to build confidence in their outdoor skills and learn different ways to teach those skills to girls of all ages, said Amy Snyder, adult development manager for the Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.
New this year was instruction on more certification training, including in small craft canoe as well as archery and slingshot.
The camp's mission is to support volunteers so they are able to get girls outside, she said.
Depending on their age and level, all Girl Scouts are encouraged to do outdoor activities, which can range from outdoor observation sessions to hikes and camping trips, she said.
In the outdoor skills sessions, volunteers receive basic training to be able to take girls to camp. Lessons include basic knots and knife skills and cooking their own meal over a fire they build and maintain along with how to teach those skills to the girls.
Krystal Boburchock whittled away at a brown branch with her black pocket knife.Her first time to camp, she enjoyed the weekend filled with bonding and learning the skills with others, said Boburchock of Somerset, who is the leader of Girl Scout Troop 40342.Nick Schaffer of Greensburg attended the training with his wife, who is the leader of two troops, to gain more certifications to take back to their group.Although his wife had attended the camp previously, it was Schaffer's first time.“It's very informative,” Schaffer said. “I think it's awesome to educate people to get youth involved in outdoor activities and give them experiences that maybe they are not able to have.”Kovacs taught volunteers knife skills. Two tips for teaching students include promoting a safety space and reminding girls to close the knife when they are not using it, she said.Bonding is a benefit of the camp as leaders work together to learn, said Kovacs, a life-long scouter, who has been training volunteers since 2005.“I love training new leaders because it's a way to pass these skills down from generation to generation,” she said.The organization relies on volunteers, Snyder said, adding the Girls Scouts Western Pennsylvania has about 6,000 volunteers.“Girls are at the heart of our organization. Right outside of that circle are our volunteers,” she said. “It wouldn't happen without volunteers.”
Call 800-248-3355 or visit gswpa.org if you are interested in volunteering for Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.
