Date: Sat Aug 21, 8:00 AM CST - Sat Aug 21, 4:00 PM CST
Category:
- Outdoor
Level:
- Ambassadors,
- Seniors,
- Volunteers,
- Ambassadors
Introducing the Girl Scouts Small Craft Safety Training Program! In August of 2019, the American Red Cross retired their Small Craft Safety Program. Since that time, we have worked to develop an equivalent program that would allow Girl Scouts to enjoy aquatic activities like canoeing and sailing.
This spring, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri is introducing the new Girl Scouts Small Craft Safety blended-learning program. When adult volunteers complete any of our Small Craft Safety courses, they will learn how to prevent, recognize, and respond to many types of aquatic emergencies as well as self-rescue and non-swimming rescues for aquatic emergencies, skills formerly covered in the American Red Cross’s Basic Water Rescue program.
As a blended-learning program, each Girl Scouts Small Craft Safety course is comprised of a 25-minute prerequisite video (in gsLearn) and an in-person presentation and skills session. The online instructional video must be completed before attending the in-person session. Each in-person session encompasses basic water rescue skills that participants will practice in a swimming pool at one of our camp properties. In addition, each class involves a specialized hands-on skills component that will build confidence and competence in managing a canoe and/or sailboat. Each skills component requires strenuous physical activity, including capsizing, emptying, and reboarding a canoe or sailboat while wearing a PFD (personal flotation device/life-jacket) at a lake on one of our camp properties.
The Girl Scouts Small Craft Safety courses may be found in the Small
Craft Safety learning path in gsLearn. Courses in the learning path
include:
1. GSUSA Small Craft Safety Training – online 25-minute
prerequisite video
2. Small Craft Safety: Canoeing
3.
Small Craft Safety: Moving Water
4. Small Craft Safety: Sailing
Instructions for how to access, navigate, and complete courses in gsLearn may be found on our website. Successful demonstration of all skills is required. If you have a medical condition or disability that may prevent you from participating in all activities, or if you have questions about being able to fully participate in the Small Craft Safety courses, please contact Shaun Lindhoff at slindhoff@girlscoutsem.org or 314.400.4628.
Girl Scouts Small Craft Safety program courses are renewable every three years. Girls ages 16 and up are welcome to participate. Fee is due at registration. Financial assistance is available.
For information on COVID-19 protocol for in-person courses, please refer to Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri COVID-19 Protocol.
Girl Scouts Small Craft Safety Training-Canoeing is applicable to all Girl Scout program levels. This course is required for volunteers who wish to take girls canoeing on flat water (no current) on or off council property. In this class, you will learn basic safety guidelines for canoeing and how to maneuver a canoe using flat-water paddling strokes.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own U.S. Coastguard approved PFD/lifejacket, otherwise, one will be provided to you during training. On the weekend of June 12/13, participants have the option to complete additional Small Craft Safety courses, with sailing on June 12 and moving water on June 13. Individual registration for each course is required.
Questions regarding registration? Contact the Answer Center at 314.400.4600 or at answercenter@girlscoutsem.org.
Questions regarding this course? Contact Shaun Lindhoff at 314.400.4628 or at slindhoff@girlscoutsem.org.
Written cancellation requests must be emailed to the Answer Center at answercenter@girlscoutsem.org before the registration deadline in order to receive a refund.
