What do you do if the camping trip you booked a few months ago, will now be cold and rainy? OSG leaders were asked this question, and they had a whole lot of suggestions! Below, are tips from our leaders from all across the country! Bring 3 or 4 extra tarps. I find that they are better than most footprints...
Are you looking for ideas of story books to read to your otters during meetings? This list, complied by Haley Skaer, has some great ones! She has even added a short note after each title to tell you a little more about that book. Many of these go with a certain holiday or time of year. It may be helpful...
Being a leader in Outdoor Service Guides is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. However, it isn’t always easy. Today, I’m offering tips from long time leaders about how to have a successful group and be an amazing leader. This is advice for you, no matter which age level you work with. Rule #1: Make it Fun...
The Tan Otter Paw is based on making crafts, but if you have never selected crafts for young children, especially children with fine motor delays, this one can be tricky. Here, I am going to share with you craft ideas you can use for this badge. I am also going to give you tricks and tips you can use if...
GSM Tips / Otters / Pathfinders / Timberwolves
by Laura Sowdon · Published February 14, 2023 · Last modified February 8, 2023
As scout leaders, we teach a lot of knots. Using better ropes, can make teaching them a lot easier! Different groups have different ropes that they prefer for this reason. When teaching knots, scouts often need to remember which end of the rope they are working with. One easy way to do this, is by adding a stripe of colored...
As part of a happy and healthy Outdoor Service Guides group, you should plan for your guides to have a lot of fun. One easy way to make every meeting more fun, is to start with a game! This is a list of games that work well for groups of guides. There are Icebreakers for the start of the year,...
Recently I wrote up how to complete the Red Paw for otters in a set of meetings. Below, I’ve done the same thing for the Blue Paw. This set includes needing to have 5 meetings, one of them focused on your service project, plus a camping trip. If you want to work on the blue paw and red paw both...
How do you work on getting through an otter paw quickly and efficiently? Is there a way to plan a set of meetings to check those boxes faster? Below, I’ve outlined a plan to complete the Red Paw for otters in just 4 meetings, plus a camping trip. In general, I don’t recommend working to get through the otter paws...
Forms and Leader Guides / GSM Tips / Otters / Pathfinders / Rovering / Timberwolves
by Laura Sowdon · Published July 10, 2021 · Last modified April 1, 2022
Part of our mission in OSG is to create “Scouting for All.” In this quest, we not only scout with people of all races, religions, backgrounds, genders, and orientations, but also with scouts who are neurodiverse and experience a variety of physical and learning challenges. While some of those differences make no difference to the scout leader or the program,...
Story time is part of many otter meetings. Kids just love stories, and picture books can help them relate to others, grasp new ideas and develop empathy for others and our natural world. Amazingly, you can even do a story time over zoom, if your group can’t meet in person. But if you aren’t a children’s librarian, how do you...
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