Youth Activity Archive

Note: Lasting Help is a service project that continues to benefit the community long after the original work is finished. This can be done by sharing knowledge or creating something permanent. This could be a structure or program that another organization will continue to do after the original set up is complete.

Activity Description: Create a sign with a trail map and distances to help hikers navigate the area safely.

Items Needed:

• Printed online map or existing trail map, if available.
• Blank paper
• Markers or colored pencils
• Funds to pay a professional sign maker
• (Optional) Tracing paper
• (Optional) Ruler
• (Optional) Pedometer or rolling measuring wheel

Before the Meeting Starts:

1. Get permission. (5–15 min)
   • Contact the location to verify if they will allow a sign to be installed. Verify if they have a current trail map that has distances that could be used for the sign. If not, the youth will need to make their own map. Be aware that tracing the general landscape from printed online maps is permitted, but copying them exactly is restricted due to copyright laws.

Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 30–210 min):

1. Verify the trail map. (10–120 min)
   • If there is a map, verify if it can be used as is, or needs to be revised, updated, or given a new style for the signage.
   • If there is no map, trace the basic landscape and paths from an online map onto the blank paper to make a new trail map base image. Walk the trail using a pedometer or rolling wheel to find out the total distance. Draw the trail lines clearly and write down the measured lengths to complete the design
2. Design the sign. (10–30 min)
   • Look at other trail signs and how they are laid out. Do they have anything besides the image of the trail map?
   • Create the design for the trail map sign and then give the finished design draft to a professional sign maker.
3. Install the sign. (10–60 min)
   • Assist the adults as they place the finished sign at the beginning of the trail to guide visitors.

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For More Fun Ideas and Plans

Join the Girl Scout Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Leader Help Facebook Group
_{(Not an official GSUSA Group)}

Join the Girl Scout Cadette, Senior, and Ambassador Leader Help Facebook Group
_{(Not an official GSUSA Group)}

See other Recommended Facebook Groups for some Scouting Organizations
_{(No official Groups)}

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