Sasquatch Playground has lifetimes of wisdom and outdoor skill,
and we'd like to share that with the world!

We are creating a committee to make a comprehensive Outdoor Skill Patch Progression and Education System that is:

• Logical and sequential

  • For example, first learn to tie a tautline hitch before you are asked to hang your dunk bag line, with the tautline hitch. 

• Accessible and easy to teach

  • Girl Scout Volunteers are able to take the content in handbook-style (digital or printed) and know what to teach, how to teach it in a skill appropriate timeline, while supporting age and developmental levels, and what supplies are needed.  

  • Connections to topic experts in their neighborhoods.

• Any Girl Scout at ANY age can start where they are, and go forward

  • A Girl Scout needs to start with an overhand knot before they move to a bowline, whether or not they are a Daisy or an Ambassador. 

• Includes mastering a skill "well enough to teach" Girl Scouts in earlier progressions

  • In the Spirit of Juliette Gordon Low, "A badge is a symbol that you have done the thing it stands for often enough, thoroughly enough, and well enough to be prepared to give service in it. You wear the badge to let people know that you are prepared and willing to be called on because you are a Girl Scout."

  • There is a difference between knowing the technical way of lighting a fire from reading a book, and knowing the art of lighting a fire, bringing the flame from something tiny to a robust source of heat and delight. It takes practice, practice, practice!

• Inclusive, Specialized, and Robust

  • There are many pathways available - camping, hiking, water adventures, climbing, and more! 

  • We connect Girl Scouts with experts in their area of interest and passion.

  • The design of the patch is whole and complete for any level and uniform. There isn't a part missing or lacking because they didn't follow their interests. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Curriculum is available to be reviewed over the summer. Meetings will begin in the fall. 

Skill Experts Committee

• Estimated time requirement 5-7 hours monthly September 2022 - March 2023  for Committee Meetings and incorporating curriculum into the template (Comprehensive Draft 1). 

• This group looks at current content, evaluates curriculum delivery for flow and scaffolded learning, provides resources for learning, and makes it beautiful. 

• Committees attend Monthly Check-Ins to incorporate feedback. 

  • Second Wednesday of each Month: November 9,  December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8

  • Tentative Meeting Time: 6:00pm Start

Skill Expert Review Volunteers

• October 2022 - March 2023 - 3 hours total per subject, review Topic Sections of Comprehensive Draft 1 

• This group takes a critical look at their area of expertise for Comprehensive Draft 1 for what is missing, proofreading, and providing constructive feedback (Comprehensive Draft 2). 

Skill Expert Beta Testers

• October 2021 - February 2022, 3-5 hours per subject (to be incorporated in regular Girl Scout programming (e.g., Girl Scout Meeting, Camping Weekend, Skills Day)) 

• This group tests the aspects ready for publishing as each topic becomes ready as the final test before formal debut. 

Timeline

(Complete) Step 1: Make Overview

• Review existing curriculum

• Create a Master List of skills 

• Sort skills into major categories

• Create Initial Outline of each skill category

> NOW > Step 2: Now until September 14  Recruit Skill Experts 

• Experts receive Initial Outlines soon after signing up for their committees

• Experts attend Skill Expert Orientation Meeting: September 14, 2022, 6:30-8:00 pm PACIFIC.

Step 3: BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 14 and OCTOBER 12th: Skill Expert Committees have first meeting by Skill Area & ongoing online collaboration

• Look at Skill Initial Outline and make additions

• Organize Skills from Initial Outline into detailed, appropriate progression steps

• Validate, specify, and define what those skills mean in an Expanded Outline (template provided) 

• Begin to procure or create excellent content suited to teach Girl Scout Leaders and Girl Scouts

  • Possibility - Network with Experts or Older Girl Scouts for Higher Award Projects to create content

Step 4: October 12 - Begin combining all committee work into  DRAFT 1 SKILL SECTIONS

• All Experts attend Skill Expert Working Meeting: October 12, 2021, 6:00-9:00 pm PACIFIC

• Report back Initial Committee Work

• Assign Review Meetings for each Skill Area over the next several 2nd Wednesdays. 

• Review overall progressions for cross-skills (For example: make sure that a Lark's Head is taught BEFORE hanging a dunk bag line)

• Continue to procure and create content suited to teach Girl Scout Leaders and Girl Scouts

  • Continue to Network with Experts or Older Girl Scouts for Higher Award Projects to create content

Step 5: Late Fall 2022 - Early 2023 Begin Distributing DRAFT 1 SKILL SECTIONS to Key Experienced Girl Scout Leaders and Volunteers 

• DRAFT 1 issued to the community to try it out, noting challenges and successes. 

• Feedback is given to Skill Expert Committees to incorporate into DRAFT 2. 

• Continue to procure and create content suited to teach Girl Scout Leaders and Girl Scouts

  • Continue to Network with Experts or Older Girl Scouts for Higher Award Projects

• Integrate feedback to create Final Draft on completed SKILL SECTIONS 

Step 6: Fall/Winter 2023-2024 Launch Final Draft for broad publication. 

Step 7: Spring 2024 - Program Launch

Questions You Might Ask

This feels like a short timeline. Are we going to crash into a breakdown?

We realize that it is quick AND

1) We are talking to Experts, who have been teaching these skills for a very long time, and probably already know all of the information we are asking to be put into a template. 

2) Formalizing Skill Progressions tends to be put on the back burner. We'd like to prioritize and get things moving! 

I can't Volunteer now, but I can Volunteer later -- will there be opportunities at a later date?

We'd love to include you whenever you can be available. We may add you to the committee (if needed), or ask you to help and review in other ways. It's helpful to have people from the outside with fresh eyes take a look at what we are doing. 

I am an Expert, I've already built curriculum.
- Would you like a copy of it? YES! Anything you are willing to share is welcome. #OpenSourceIsTheFuture
- But I don't want to attend meetings? We'd welcome you to submit your input before our September 14th meeting. We'd also love to have you Review the Curriculum once it is built. 

I know a lot about a Skill, but I don't consider myself an Expert. Can I still help out?

Yes! Firstly - Consider, that as a human being, we often doubt our own credibility, so you might actually be an Expert. Secondly, all people with knowledge in a subject area are on a range, and as we come together, we'll build something brilliant. 

I have another question, how do I get it answered?

We LOVE questions. If you have a question, others have that same one. Send it to: SasquatchPlayground@gmail.com

Count Me In! 

If you think this is a great project, and would like to help, please complete our Outdoor Champion Interest Application.