Guiding

• The Girls First program is now entirely available online. Pathfinders can navigate their own program journey on the online platform. Vote for your favourite program modules, plan activities, track your badges and share your thoughts on things we’ve done on this interactive platform!
• This Condensed_Pathfinder Program Book is a great resource. Keep a hard or digital copy of this book handy, to refer to as you work through the Pathfinder program and towards your Canada Cord!
• Check out the Girl Guides of Canada national site to register for a unit, and for information about scholarships, nationally-sponsored trips, and more.
• BC Girl Guides site has information about provincially-sponsored trips and activities, challenge crests, and more!
• The West Coast Area Camping page has information about Area-organized outdoor adventures, training opportunities, and camping resources!
• Holidaze is an ever-popular week-long summer camp at Camp Olave, where Pathfinders can earn valuable leadership and volunteer hours as Councillors and Councillors-in-Training. Registration opens late March/early April each year, and fills up quickly.

Uniforms and Pathfinder Program

Uniforms are expected to be worn to all meetings and outings and can be ordered from the online store.  Please make sure to wear the following items to each meeting:

• Pathfinder T-shirt
• Pathfinder tie
• Pin tab
• comfortable shoes

Outdoor Adventures

Planning outdoor adventures and getting outside is a big part of the Pathfinder experience! Here are some resources to help you get outside. This list is not exhaustive, so please share other tips or websites you think others would find useful!

Trip planning:

• Girl Guides of Canada is committed to “Leave No Trace” adventuring. This means taking only pictures, leaving only footprints, and helping sustain and protect the outdoors for generations to come.
• AdventureSmart Canada has tonnes of information and ideas on how to plan and prepare for safety and fun in the wilderness. Their online trip planning tool is especially useful! Always create and log a trip plan before heading out into the backcountry.
• Heading outdoors? Don’t leave home without your ten essential safety items. North Shore Search and Rescue’s overview of the ten essentials is great.

Backpacking and overnight adventures:

• Planning a backpacking trip? MEC has an excellent Backpacking Checklist to help you organize your gear!
• Knowing how to treat water in the backcountry will keep you healthy and happy on the trail. Check out MEC’s guide to Backcountry Water Treatment.
• Need an overview of how to plan your food for a backpacking trip? REI’s tips and tricks are handy.
• Cooking on the trail can be fun and delicious! Check out some of the great recipes from Wildbackpacker, Backpacking Chef, and BC GGC’s Colleen
• Made it to camp? Setting up camp can be an art and a science. Check out these Wilderness Campsite Set-up tips from the West Coast Area Camping Committee.
• Staying fresh and clean on the trail can make being outside more fun and comfortable. Check out the West Coast Area Camping Committee’s backcountry hygiene tips and tricks.

Snow & Winter Camping:

The West Coast Area Camping Committee has prepared lots of resources for winter camping. They’re excellent! Give them a read-through for some ideas and inspiration.

• First Aid & Care
• Food & Cooking
• Clothing & Layering
• Tents & Shelters
• Personal Kit List
• Winter Camping Pocket Guide Book, Part 1 and Part 2