(Part of Junior Outdoor Journey Set)
(Note: Per GSUSA’s 2025 Award Log: “These awards are retiring on 10/1/26”. This will still remain as a badge.)
Yes – 2011 Is the current GSUSA badge
Released in 2017 but is considered part of the 2011 Girl’s Guide. The Junior page has information on when all badges were released.
Can be earned as a single badge or as part of the Junior Outdoor Journey set. (Journeys retire in Oct 2026.)
What is this badge about?
Explore Leave No Trace, prepare food with minimal or no trash, hike with conservation in mind, and camp with minimal impact.
Choose your own activities!
Activity List(Not Available Yet)
Our Summary* of requirements:
- Teach others the 7 Leave No Trace principles (family, friends, OR younger scouts) OR talk to an experienced camper/park ranger/camp director about the principles.
- Prepare food with minimal or no trash (reusable containers, OR fresh fruit and veggies) OR use solar cooking (grilled cheese, nachos, French bread pizza, s’mores, OR roasted apple slices).
- Set up a camp area (kitchen/wash area, sleeping area, OR campfire area) using leave no trace and local safety regulations (food storage, water, OR firewood).
- Make something about the 7 Leave No Trace principles (skit/song/comic) OR Play a game about one of the Leave No Trace principles (surface hopscotch, wildlife habitat mimic, OR knot tying race).
- Take a hike with conservation in mind (scavenger hunt for local plants/trees/insects/wildlife/water sources, note things you could make a conservation plan about, OR take sound recordings/video/photos/sketch about wildlife and share them with others after the hike).
* – This summary is based off the GSUSA booklet activity choices.
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What is a good Troop Meeting Plan besides the VTK?
- PDF Meeting Plan (Mtg 1 and Mtg 2) from GSRV (River Valley) – Archived Copy of Mtg1 and Mtg2
- Special mention – Play Durable Surface Hopscotch for Step 4.
Click to Expand → All Known Meeting Plans and Resource Links
Meeting Plans
- Booklet Info from Scouts Honor Wiki
- PDF Meeting Plan (Mtg 1 and Mtg 2) from GSRV (River Valley) – Archived Copy of Mtg1 and Mtg2
- Meeting Plan from Jerseyshore GS
- Slideshow on Google Docs from GSCI – Archived Copy of PPT
Other Resources
- (Not Available Yet)
See the Activity List – choose your own activities! - Outdoor Journey Plan at Creating Butterflies
- Learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace (GSUSA Leave No Trace)
- Play Durable Surface Hopscotch
- Durable Surface Quick Concept by Scouting America
- Edible Campfire by GSCB
- Booklet Info from Scouts Honor Wiki
- View Booklet Online
What is a good way to earn the badge at home?
- Archived Copy of PDF from GSKSMO at Home – Original Link
- At Home Plan from NCParks
Click to Expand → All Known At Home Plans
At Home Plans
- Archived Copy of PDF from GSKSMO at Home – Original Link
- At Home Plan from NCParks
- Google Classroom (request by email/phone number) under “Virtual Badges for Juniors” from GSHS
- Google Forms Step by Step Activities (No registration needed) from GSMidTN
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GSUSA Information and Details
Five steps are needed to complete this badge:
- Learn the Leave No Trace Seven Principles
- Plan meals with the environment in mind
- Prepare a minimal impact campsite
- Have fun with Leave No Trace
- Take a conservation hike
Click to Expand → GSUSA Official Resources
- Buy the GSUSA Leader Guide Booklet (View Online)
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- GSUSA Volunteer Toolkit (VTK) free plan for 2 Meetings – No links available. This is only accessible through MyGS log-in on Council’s website for troop leaders
- Mtg 1: Leave No Trace (Presentation, Expert, OR Share), AND Food (Snacks, Solar Cooker, OR No-Trash Meal)
- Mtg 2: Set Up (Camp Kitchen, Sleeping Area, OR Campfire Area), Play (Leave No Trace Game, Skit, or Dunk Line), AND Eco Activity (Natural Habitats, Record Wildlife, OR Conservation Plan)
- Brownie Checklist for Outdoor Adventures by GSUSA
- Girl Scout Readiness in Camping by GSUSA
- Outdoor Progression Chart by GSUSA
- Junior Tips Before Takeoff by GSUSA
- Junior Eco Camper Mtg 2 Activity Choices by GSUSA
- Junior Leave No Trace (Illustrated) by GSUSA
- Junior Leave No Trace (List) by GSUSA
- Junior Camping List by GSUSA
- Junior Packing Essentials by GSUSA
- Junior Items to Pack in Your Duffel by GSUSA
- VTK Pizza Box Solar Oven by GSUSA
- VTK Tie a Clove Hitch Knot by GSUSA
- VTK Surface Hopscotch by GSUSA
- Fire Building: VTK Build a Teepee Fire by GSUSA
- Fire Building: Video Introduction to Fire Building by GSUSA
- Fire Building: VTK Junior Build A Fire Instructions by GSUSA
- Fire Building: VTK Campfire Safety Rules by GSUSA
- Fire Building: VTK Safety Tips for Fires by GSUSA
- VTK Knot Tying Relay by GSUSA
- Fire Building: Video Introduction to Cooking Outdoors by GSUSA
- Video Outdoor Songs and Games by GSUSA
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Is there a matching badge for Multi-Level Troops?
Learn about the Animal Themed Multi-level GSUSA 2011 badges.
Learn about the Camper Multi-level GSUSA 2011 badges.
Where does this go on the Uniform?
This is can be considered a Journey Badge – Click Here to see diagrams and details on where to place it. This can also be a Skill Based Badge when the Outdoor Journey is not planned – Click Here to see diagrams and details on where to place it.
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For More Fun Ideas and Plans
for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Scouts
Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
(Not an official GSUSA Group)
This is a supportive Facebook community for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scout leaders. Whether you’re seeking advice, fresh ideas, or meeting plans, you’re in the right place! Let’s inspire each other, share our experiences, and make every troop meeting a memorable adventure.
Find out how you can support The Badge Archive!
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- Return to the Junior Badge List.
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