Our Mission
California Girl Scout Backpackers is a coalition of adult Girl Scouts dedicated to creating as many opportunities as possible for girls to explore the wilderness with nothing but the pack on their back. We share resources, knowledge, and fellowship, supporting councils, interest groups, troops, and individuals in developing and strengthening their own backpacking programs. We believe that when girls venture into the wilderness, they return as strong, capable leaders ready to make the world a better place.
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We share program content and manuals, trip itineraries, equipment discounts, and all manners of backpacking resources.
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We bring together Girl Scout backpacking leaders at all levels to support one another and help others launch their own programs.
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We gather annually to celebrate achievements, tackle challenges, plan for the future, and enjoy time together outdoors.
Girls backpacking safely and skillfully through the wilderness supports our national organization's mission and delivers on all Girl Scout outcomes.
Our History
On October 21, 2017, twenty-three Girl Scout backpacking volunteers from across California gathered for the first California Girl Scout Backpackers (CAGS Backpackers) roundtable at the Girl Scouts San Diego Balboa Campus. This all-volunteer group included council programs, an interest group, a legacy troop, and a few individuals with budding ideas for starting programs in their regions. Over the weekend, they shared their programs, needs, challenges, and aspirations.
United by a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to guiding scouts into the wilderness, these volunteers combined a backpacker’s camaraderie with Girl Scouts’ collaborative spirit. Each participant made a lasting contribution to CAGS Backpackers, helping define its mission and shape its goals.
The CAGS Backpackers logo is based on a hand-drawn design by longtime Girl Scout volunteer Ted Oyama, master trainer for both Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA) and Girl Scouts of Orange County. Ted single-handedly sustained GSGLA’s backpacking training program for many years and is a recipient of the Thanks Badge, Girl Scouts’ highest volunteer honor.
Founding Groups
Girl Scouts San Diego
GSSD Backpacking Trainers
Council Trainers
Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles
GSGLA Adult Educators
Council Trainers
Shark Bait
Troop
Girl Scouts of Northern California
NorCal BIG
Interest Group
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In Attendance
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast
The First CAGS Backpackers Summit
October 21, 2017 - San Diego, CA