Tag Archives: Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend

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Everything You Need to Know to Unlock the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Patch

From Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)

Embarking on outdoor adventures has always been a part of Girl Scouts’ DNA. Many of the badges the first Girl Scouts earned were tied to learning and refining outdoor skills and becoming environmental stewards (Foot Traveler badge, Animal Kingdom badge), and that hasn’t changed in our more than 100-year history.

As Girl Scouts we’ve found new ways to connect with the great outdoors and one another. We’ve spent time in our backyards, earned outdoor art badges, and even taken virtual national park tours!

Now, with warmer weather and longer days, we’re ready to take our love of the outdoors to the next level. So pack some snacks, lace up your shoes, and head outside to unlock the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors patch! You’ll enjoy nature, channel your creativity, and learn fun new things.

Here’s how to get started:

  1. Download the worksheet. Visit Girl Scouts at Home and download the official Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge worksheet. Review the list of activities and mark the ones you’re interested in.
  2. Don’t rush. The Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge kicked off May 21 and ends with Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, September 11–12, 2021. This means you have plenty of time to select the activities you’re most interested in and complete them at your own pace.
  3. Share! Use #gsoutdoors to share your story and to see how other girls are completing this fun outdoor challenge. Don’t forget to tag @girlscouts for a chance to be featured on GSUSA’s social media channels.
  4. Nominate someone. This challenge is a great way to connect with your fellow Girl Scout sisters and invite your non-Girl Scout besties to join in the fun! Nominate someone to take the challenge with you.
  5. Be prepared. As Girl Scouts, we know the importance of being prepared! If you’re venturing to a local park or hiking trail, first make sure they’re open. Pack sunscreen, bug repellant, GORP, protective gear (sunglasses, hat), and water!
  6. Get your patch through the shop via phone or email. Remember, you don’t have to do all 50 suggested activities to earn your snazzy new patch! Complete the required number of activities based on your grade level.

Getting outdoors isn’t just fun—it’s good for your overall well-being. Did you know that girls who participate in outdoor activities on a monthly basis are stronger challenge-seekers and problem-solvers than those who don’t? So don’t wait: get out and unlock your Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors patch. Tag @gscolo and @girlscouts on Twitter and Instagram and include #gsOutdoors and #GSColo to share your adventures with us.

Hydro Flask is generously supporting the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge with the goal of getting more girls outside this summer and helping build future outdoor leaders.

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Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: Cherry Creek State Park

Submitted by Sara Smaling

Metro Denver

Englewood

Brownie Troop 67255 celebrated Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend by enjoying a hike along the Pipeline and Wetlands Trail at Cherry Creek State Park.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: Boyd Lake State Park

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Jessica H.

Northern & Northeastern CO

Fort Lupton

Lizzy, a Brownie from Ft Lupton, spent the day at Boyd Lake State Park, fishing with her dad and brother. We haven’t been able to get out to spend as much time at the state parks this year, so this was a great solution, and it got brother interested too. Lizzy used the Junior Ranger pamphlet and the Girl Scout Passport to help her explore nature!

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Celebrating Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend at Home

Submitted by Marie Merrill-Exton

Southwestern CO

Pagosa Springs

Sage, a Brownie from Pagosa Springs, celebrated Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend by exploring and learning about different state parks and completing the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Passport all in the comfort of her home with the virtual option. Sage hopes to visit Ridgway State Park with her family to see and learn more about the wildlife that lives there.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: Cherry Creek State Park and Castlewood Canyon State Park

Submitted by Mackenzie W,

Metro Denver

Centennial/Aurora

I’m a Girl Scout Junior in Troop 547! I went to Cherry Creek State Park and Castlewood Canyon State Park! I like to get outdoors and have all summer, taking on a different hike almost once a week! I’ve seen many animals and plants and flowers and there is still so much to see! Hope you had as much fun as I did!

I really love getting outdoors and hiking and visiting as many state parks and national parks as I can!

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: Castlewood Canyon State Park

Submitted by Rachel Soper

Metro Denver

Lone Tree

We had a great time hiking and exploring nature as a family!

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: Roosevelt National Forest

Submitted by Riddhi Solanki

Northern & Northeastern CO

Louisville

Visiting National Parks is one of Maahi’s favorite outdoor activities. As part of Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, she explored the hidden beauty of Mitchell Lake Trailhead at Roosevelt National Forest. It was a great adventure to spot nature in various shapes and sizes. We hiked for five miles with the Girl Scout spirit to respect the nature and learn from the wilderness of the forest. This was the best experience for Colorado Brownie Maahi!

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend is Back

From Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA)

For information on Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend events in Colorado, click here.

Last year, thousands of Girl Scouts connected with nature in meaningful ways through adventure and exploration during the 2019 Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend. Your excitement and participation made it clear: Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend had to come back in 2020!

Despite many challenges posed by the global COVID-19 crisis, we are making it possible for Girl Scouts to still participate and have fun!

We’re proud to partner with the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD), so Girl Scouts can attend exciting activities at their local state park or enjoy virtual tours and resources from the safety of their homes!

Here are four things you need to know to participate and unlock your special patch for the 2020 Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend:

Choose your own state park adventure!

Choose how you want to participate—you heard us right! Celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend on September 12–13, 2020 by signing up for in-person events with your council. Check with your council to make sure they are participating and hosting in-person events. You can choose to opt-out of in-person events and explore state parks online from the comfort of your couch. But wait! There’s more: To help you discover the magic of state parks from home, we’ve created a special video interactive map—EPIC!

The Patch and the Passport

Whether you choose to participate in an in-person event or explore state parks virtually, you can earn your limited-edition 2020 Girl Scouts Love State Parks patch. Head to the Girl Scout Shop or a participating council store and claim your patch. Don’t forget, you can also print and work on your Girl Scout State Parks Passport.

Enjoy the Outdoors Responsibly

You may live in a state where it’s OK to enjoy the outdoors during the pandemic. Of course, as Girl Scouts, we always want to practice safety and be prepared. Here are a few tips for you to consider before going outdoors:

  1. Check with your council for guidance regarding event preregistration and requirements. These may vary from council to council.
  2. Pack snacks, water, and any essentials, such as hand sanitizer or sunscreen.
  3. If advised by your council or your state government, bring a face mask.
  4. Leave no trace! Respect your state parks and be sure to take your garbage back with you.
  5. Check the state park you’re visiting about which of their usual amenities might be closed. Call in advance to find out, for instance, if their restrooms are open for use—if not, make sure you go before you go!

Share! Share! Share!

Don’t forget to share the fun on social media! Be sure to tag Girl Scouts of Colorado on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram and use #gscolo and #gsoutdoors. You can also share your stories on the GSCO Blog using the Share Your Stories Form.

Girl Scouts is about having life-changing experiences, building friendships, and making the world a better place by caring for our beautiful planet and those around us. And the outdoors is the perfect place to do it all! So, don’t wait! Get started on your Girl Scouts Love State Parks adventure.

The Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend is possible thanks to Johnson & Johnson.

Johnson & Johnson has been championing women and giving them the tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed at work and at home since its founding more than 130 years ago. Johnson & Johnson’s has generously supported the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, which prepares girls to experiment, explore their environment, and push boundaries in healthy ways, all while learning how they can improve the world through STEM.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend: Project Greenify, a Girl Scout Gold Award Project

 

Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend is coming up September 12 – 13, 2020! This year, girls can participate virtually or in–person by visiting select Colorado State Parks to participate in self–guided activities like nature trails, junior ranger programs, activity backpacks, and more! RSVP and learn more here: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/girl_scouts_love_sta.html

Leading up to this event, we want to showcase a fantastic Girl Scout Gold Award project related to state parks, “Project Greenify,” from Sidney B.  Read on to learn more about Sidney’s project:

My name is Sidney. I am currently a Junior in high school at Steamboat Mountain School. I have been a Girl Scout since I was in kindergarten and am currently working towards earning my Gold Award, which is the highest honor you can receive as a Girl Scout. My project is focused on state park waste diversion. However, a huge part of my project is focused on educating the public on the basics of recycling and waste diversion in hopes to inspire and empower future generations to make a difference and share their knowledge with the world! My project branched into a variety of pieces such as a staff orientation to educate staff at state parks on the basics of waste diversion so that they can help share their knowledge. I worked to create a Junior Ranger curriculum that includes reduce, reuse, and recycle guidelines. I did my own in-person waste sorts with the public in order to bring awareness and get helpful data as an insight into the issue of recycling contamination. To help further knowledge of recycling, I developed and posted signage that is both sustainable and durable that will help educate people and empower them to make the right choice! Every piece of my project aims at sustainability of our amazing state parks for future generations of girls to enjoy.

As you may know, September 12 and 13 is Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend! This is a chance to celebrate our state parks and the amazing opportunities and wild spaces they protect while giving way for changing our environment for the better.

As a piece of my Gold Award project, I have created a YouTube Channel called Project Greenify to share fun and educational videos for Girl Scouts across Routt County and Colorado. I have created a series of three different videos along with attached resources. The first is a general overarching introduction to waste diversion and recycling, and teaches the basics of environmental stewardship. The second video teaches how to do your very own waste sort at home and learn why our waste matters. The third video is a fun activity called “Birds and Worms’ and is designed for young Brownies and Daisies. By watching these videos and completing these activities, Girl Scouts are continuing the legacy of environmental stewardship, using resources wisely, and making the world a better place! In addition, Girls will be able to work towards earning their “eco” badges.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.

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Win an Annual Colorado State Park Pass in Celebration of Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend

You have two opportunities to be entered into a drawing to win an Annual Colorado State Park Pass valued at $80!

First Chance to Win:

Step One: Renew your Girl Scouts of Colorado membership for the 2020 – 2021 Membership Year on or before September 8, 2020.

Step Two: Register to participate in Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend on September 12 and 13, 2020. Link to register: https://www.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/en/events-repository/2020/girl_scouts_love_sta.html Members who register to participate in-person and virtually will be entered into the drawing.

Second Chance to Win:

Complete Steps One and Two above.

Step Three: Post photos of you/your family/troop enjoying Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend 2020 in-person or virtually on the social media network of your choice. For your entry to be counted, you must also tag Girl Scouts of Colorado on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram AND you must post the photo by Tuesday, September 15, 2020. Twitter and Instagram users are also encouraged to use #GSColo and #gsoutdoors.

*** This contest is only available to members of Girl Scouts of Colorado.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.