Outdoor Experiences

Horseback Riding

Approved Ranches and Stables: Horseback riding facilities may be added or discontinued during the year based on compliance with our council’s list of safety checkpoints and insurance requirements. Each listed stable has an annual facility inspection, follows Safety Activity Checkpoints standards, and has appropriate insurance for riders. Other local stables have chosen not to be inspected and approved. Therefore, only use the stables on the Approved Horseback Riding Ranches and Stables when doing Girl Scout activities even if you personally use a different stable for your family riding.
Guidelines: Review the horseback riding guidelines prior to scheduling your event.
Paperwork: Each rider must have a signed Girl Scout Horseback Riding Permission Slip & Waiver from a parent or guardian which lists the horseback riding guidelines. This protects you, the ranch, and Girl Scouts. Troop leaders keep one copy of the waiver until after the riding session is done in case of an accident. Stables will require an additional waiver (usually found on their web site)from their particular stable. The troop leader should keep a copy of this waiver until after the riding session is done, in case of an accident.
Rider Ability: As outlined in the Safety Activity Checkpoints, trail riding will only be allowed based on the ability of the least experienced rider. For the safety of the girls and the entire group, if the instructors do not feel that all of the girls can control their horses sufficiently to go out of the ring, the entire group will not participate in a trail ride. No refunds will be issued.
Minimum Age/Grade is 4th Grade: Due to the girls’ physical size and maturity level, we do not recommend horseback riding for girls younger than Girl Scout Juniors (grade 3 or younger). Even though some Girl Scout Brownies may be experienced riders, attending as a Girl Scout Brownie group is not recommended by Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast.
Questions and Suggestions: Specific information about the riding experience and facilities should be directed to the individual ranches. If you have Girl Scout questions about horseback riding, contact us here or call 800-565-4475.
Ranches and Stables Wanting Approval: Contact us to become an approved facility. All Safety Activity Checkpoints need to be followed by the ranch and a proof of liability insurance for $1 million needs to be on file.

Outdoor Activities

Many times troops or families want to get outdoors without going to an event. You can always use an outdoor focused badge or journey for lots of outdoor activity ideas. Some outdoor focused resources include:

Daisy Environmental Activity packet
Brownie Environmental Activity packet
Junior Environmental Activity packet
Group Games packet (not all of these games need to be played outdoors but many can)

Other outdoor activities you can do with your troop or family include:

Take a hike at a new park. How is the landscape different from your local park? Are the plants different? Are the animals different?
Go geocaching
Try letterboxing
Get some binoculars and go birdwatching
Check out your local nature centers, conservancies or state and national parks for programs geared to families or kids.
Visit a zoo
Get outside when it is raining- jump in puddles, check out how the rain changes the colors of trees, plants. What critters come out when it rains?
Go play in the snow and build a snowman, make snow angels or go sledding

No matter which activity you chose, the important thing is to get outdoors and have some fun!

Outdoor Events

Many council sponsored events provide girls with experiences in the outdoors and are designed to build their confidence and skills. Trained facilitators guide both girls and adults so they can then continue these activities on their own. Events are structured for girls, troops, or families.

Check out the outdoor events we offer in Connections and the Summer Camps Guide.