U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
 
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News.bytesNews.bytes Extra, issue 418

Girl Scouts learn about BLM programs at B.I. G (Believe in Girls) Event

More than 4,800 Girl Scouts and their families swept into the Ontario Convention Center for the San Gorgonio Girl Scout Council's 1st annual B.I.G. (Believe in Girls) Expo. (text continues below)

Girls try on firefighter helmets and outfits much larger than they are
Girl Scouts pet a black mustang wearing a red bridle

Like a magnet, Artie, the big bay BLM mustang attracted girls to the BLM booth. There they learned about horse care from Staci Peters of the BLM's wild horse and burro program and Noël Stephens Stephens of the California Desert District office, and completed activities to earn their Junior Pet Care badge. 

BLM's Palm Springs South Coast Field Office fire program and the California Desert District's recreation and outreach personnel offered hands- on activities at the January 30 Expo, which included more than 150 exhibitors.

Zack Synder and Sal Cardoza of BLM's Morongo Canyon Fire Station, discovered the capacity of their Type III engine backseat was 12 girl scouts. Girls tried on firefighting jackets and gear, climbed on and in the truck, learned fire safety, and about jobs available in the BLM fire program. (more below)

Girl Scouts fill the seat of a fire truck
How many girls can fit in a Type III firefighting engine?

Girls could complete two activities per age level to earn the Council's Own Leave No Trace badges - including building mound fires, CSI investigation – bad tent site, and learn about animals. The booth included information about natural resources careers, FO volunteer conservation project opportunities, and about the Hiking Adventures- Amboy Crater Hike, Feb. 27th, in the Needles FO. Hiking Adventures is a partnership with the Council and CDD Recreation offering hikes on public lands. A few older girls were interested in the next phase of the Hiking Adventures program – trail crew training and backpacking.

girls surround table with information
Above: Girls learn about the "10 essentials for hiking" at a busy BLM exhibit.

Below: A Brownie Girl Scout takes the Leave No Trace BigFoot Challenge at another busy BLM exhibit.
A Brownie Girl Scout takes the Leave No Trace BigFoot Challenge at a busy BLM table.


Below: Girl Scouts trained in Leave No Trace principles, help the BLM's JoAnn Schiffer-Burdett at the BLM booth.
Girl Scouts trained in Leave No Trace principles, help at the BLM booth.

JoAnn Schiffer-Burdett, BLM California Desert District Office, 2/1/10


BLM-California News.bytes, issue 418

 
Last updated: 12-22-2010