The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is excited to partner with the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts to provide exclusive opportunities for Girl Scouts and their families! Programs are specifically tailored to assist Girl Scouts with earning their Eco Friend Brownie badge and the Eco Camper Junior Badge and other nature based badges. These programs are specially designed for Girl Scouts, but Girl Scouts are welcome to participate in any state program at any state park statewide. To register and for program descriptions please see the program listing below. Please be aware programs do have capacity limits and are noted in the description.
Remember to wear your Girl Scouts uniform, sash, or other apparel to be specially welcomed at DCR properties during the weekend!
For more information or questions please call Hilary Treat, Manager of Statewide Initiatives at (617) 626-4966.
We look forward to seeing you in the parks!
Date of Event: Saturday, September 14, 2024 2:00 PM-3:00 PM
Program Name: Track the Blackstone
Location: Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak Street, Uxbridge
Girl Scout Age Level: Brownies
Join us as we use natural materials to create a personal nature journal and use it to record signs of wildlife we find along the canal. Learn about the Blackstone River and learn about the life that it supports along the way. 2 mile walk. This program will be led by Sherine Hamade. Parking is free. Meet at Visitor Center. Call (508) 278-7604 for more information.
Date of Event: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Program Name: Have to Have a Habitat!
Location: Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke
Girl Scout Age Level: Juniors
Are you ready to earn your Animal Habitats badge? The best thing you can ever do to help wildlife is to make sure wild animals have enough of the right kind of habitat. Explore what makes a good habitat, take a hike to find habitat components here in the park, and help the animals in this park by cleaning up their habitat a bit. Then, create a beautiful art piece showing an animal in its natural habitat.
Date of Event: Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Program Name: Girl Scouts on the Appalachian Trail
Location: Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
Girl Scout Age Level: Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors
Every trail leads to a new adventure! Come join this Girl Scout AT Summit Tour at the highest point in Massachusetts, and learn about the historic Appalachian National Scenic Trail, while working towards your hiking and outdoor badges! Learn about the historic Appalachian Trail on this tour of the summit and what it takes to hike on it. Meet at the bronze map model on Mount Greylock summit, 3 Summit Road, Adams. This program will be led by Kristen Mabey. Parking is free. Call 413-499-4626 for more information.
Event Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Program Name: Shapes in Nature
Location: Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
Girl Scout Age Level: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors
Nature is full of colors and shapes. Imagine a butterfly's wing or a bee's honeycomb. Join us at the Visitor Center to work on the Shapes in Nature badges as we identify shapes and patterns in nature. This program will be led by Kristen Mabey. Parking is free. Call 413-499-4626 for more information.
Event Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 3:30 PM-5:00 PM
Program Name: Chasm Hike
Location: Purgatory Chasm State Park, 198 Purgatory Road, Sutton
Girl Scout Age Level: Juniors
Scramble around boulders while taking in the mystery of Purgatory Chasm! Find out about the park's history and cultural influence, the chasm's rock formations, and the wildlife that call the chasm home. In celebration of Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, extra attention will be given to the ways in which we can practice conservation and resource stewardship for the benefit of all. ½ mile hike over rocky terrain, with some boulders that need to be navigated. This program will be led by Pat Brown. Parking is free. Meet at the Pavilion. Be sure to bring water and insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear. Call (508) 234-9610 for more information - Wet weather will cancel the hike, but an alternate 30-minute presentation about the park's resources will be provided
Event Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024, 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
Program Name: Habitat Investigations
Location: Quabbin Reservoir, 100 Winsor Dam Rd., Belchertown
Girl Scout Age Level: Daisy, Brownie, Junior, Cadette, Senior, Ambassador
Ever wondered what kinds of critters live around us? Join one of our staff while we explore the Shoreline Trail and look for signs of wildlife. Please dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. 1 mile hike, easy. Meet at the Hank’s Meadow parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/4RiEq17PCNEf6s9E7. Dogs are not allowed.
Event Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 10:00 AM- 12:00 PM
Program Name: Brownie Eco Friend at Wachusett Mountain
Location: Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, 345 Mountain Road, Princeton
Girl Scout Age Level: Brownies
This program will satisfy several requirements for the Brownie Eco Friend badge. In this program, Brownies will: interview a park “ranger” and find out about their fascinating job; talk with a park interpreter about animal homes, and will see some actual examples on display; will participate in a fun outdoor activity finding houses in nature, turning over rocks and using magnifying glasses to investigate living things they find; will go on an easy half-mile hike on one of Wachusett Mountain’s beautiful trails, guided by the park interpreter, and will learn how to practice the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace. This program will be led by Nick Wisniewski. Parking is free. Meet at the Visitor Center. Be sure to bring Water, sunscreen, and snacks. Call 978-464-2987 for more information. The program will run rain-or-shine; the outdoor portion will be cancelled if there are thunderstorms or heavy rain.
Event Date: Saturday, September 14, 2024 10:00 AM-11:30 PM
Program Name: All About Flowers
Location: Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester, 3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester
Girl Scout Age Level: Juniors
This program is designed for Juniors going for their Flowers badge. We will first introduce attendees to the basic science and function of flowers, then go on a ‘flower hunt’ in the park, recording and sketching our observations in our botanist’s notebooks. Next, we’ll discuss how flowers enrich our lives, both through their medicinal properties and beauty, before making pressed-flower bookmarks and/or flower arrangements to take home. This program will be led by Austin Alexander. Parking is free. Meet at the Visitor Center. Be sure to bring water and insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear. Call 774-670-2200 for more information.
Event Date: Sunday, September 15, 2024 10:30 AM- 12:00 PM
Program Name: Painting with Natural Inks
Location: Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls
Girl Scout Age Level: Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes
Learn how artists “bottle up a landscape” and capture the essence of a place by making and using natural inks. We’ll sample red cabbage and acorn cap inks and experiment with pH to paint abstract mini “living landscapes.” You’re guaranteed to create some beautiful nature-inspired artwork suitable for framing, greeting cards, or collage. We'll talk about the importance of diversity in nature, how to safely forage for color, and resources for continuing the adventure at home! (NOTE: Program begins with instruction at 10:30 am). This program will be led by Sheila Damkoehler. Parking is free. Meet at the Great Hall. All materials provided. Call 413-863-3221 for more information.
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