PENNSYLVANIA, USA — As the weather starts to cool down, state parks are encouraging more community interaction.
The latest push is a partnership with Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA).
The national initiative, Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, encourages girls of all ages to get outdoors and interact with their environment. The annual program provides Scouts with activities to complete in their local state parks, plus additional activities hosted by GSHPA.
Pennsylvania’s state parks have participated in the event since 2019, when it was created. This year, 25 of Pennsylvania’s 124 state parks participated in the event.
The parks offered activities for all age groups, including monarch butterfly tagging, salamander habitat cleanup and trash pickup around the parks. Scouts who completed the activities had the opportunity to earn a badge on the national and local levels. But GSHPA outdoor programs coordinator Natalie Larson said there’s a purpose beyond the patch.
“We just hope it helps foster a relationship between the girls and the great outdoors,” Larson explained.
At the same time, Larson says Scouts can build leadership and teamwork skills by working with their troops to complete the park projects or participating in self-guided tours through their local parks.
John Hallas, state parks director with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, says learning to connect with nature doesn’t end with Girl Scouts.
“I am hopeful that these programs help build stronger connections for young people interested in nature, as well as building new connections for scouts,” Hallas released in a statement.
And while Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend has passed, the opportunities for more environmental interaction are endless.
“We have programs all throughout the year, not just this weekend, to help get girls outdoors and work on their leadership skills,” Larson said.
Now that school is back in session, many Girl Scout troops are scheduling their meetings for the year, but Larson says there’s still time to get involved.
“Right now, we are in our membership registration period, and it’s a great time to join Girl Scouts because troops are forming, we’re looking for adult members who can be volunteers as well as troop leaders and of course girls who are interested in becoming Girl Scouts,” Larson said.
Scouting offers opportunities for girls to help make a difference in the community and environment one step at a time.