We are excited to be working with several of the state parks in our P2P footprint to bring girls fun and free programming during the annual Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend happening September 10-12. Look below for all the details on where and when you and your Girl Scouts can get outside and explore. You can also download the Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend passport to use as a guide through your weekend activities and be sure to order your 2021 patch.
Grandfather Mountain State Park
- Saturday, September 11, 12:15-12:45 p.m.: Eco Learner Badge– Nature gives us many gifts-now learn some ways to give back by protecting nature. When you’ve earned this badge, you’ll have learned three ways to protect the environment when you go outdoors. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Daisies.
To pre-register, please call 828-963-9522. The max for the program is 10 participants. Please note: The program takes place at 4198 Hwy 105 N. Banner Elk – not at the Grandfather Mountain attraction. - Saturday, September 11, 1-1:30 p.m.: Bugs– Explore the world of bugs and learn more about these little creatures that do so much. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Brownies.
To pre-register, please call 828-963-9522. The max for the program is 10 participants. Please note: The program takes place at 4198 Hwy 105 N. Banner Elk – not at the Grandfather Mountain attraction. - Saturday, September 11, 1:45-2:45 p.m.: Animal Habitats– Find out more about where animals live, how they play and how humans can help them. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Juniors.
To pre-register, please call 828-963-9522. The max for the program is 10 participants. Please note: The program takes place at 4198 Hwy 105 N. Banner Elk – not at the Grandfather Mountain attraction. - Sunday, September 12, Noon- 1p.m.: Trees– Find out all about trees: from the shade to the science, the fruit to the forest and the legends to the lumber. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Cadettes.
To pre-register, please call 828-963-9522. The max for the program is 10 participants. Please note: The program takes place at 4198 Hwy 105 N. Banner Elk – not at the Grandfather Mountain attraction. - Sunday, September 12, 1-2 p.m.: Sky– The sky is a masterpiece. Every day it graces us with living art, whether through a glorious sunset, shifting cloud formations or the stunning display of night stars. No wonder we take every opportunity to spend time outdoors. Our world is a stage, and the sky performs with beauty, wonder and mystery. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Seniors.
To pre-register, please call 828-963-9522. The max for the program is 10 participants. Please note: The program takes place at 4198 Hwy 105 N. Banner Elk – not at the Grandfather Mountain attraction. - Sunday, September 12, 2-3 p.m.: Ambassador Trail Adventure– Choose your adventure: Coach another girl in trail running or take a multiday backpacking trip. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Ambassadors.
To pre-register, please call 828-963-9522. The max for the program is 10 participants. Please note: The program takes place at 4198 Hwy 105 N. Banner Elk – not at the Grandfather Mountain attraction.
Haw River State Park
- Friday, September 10, 6-9:30 p.m.: Nighttime Bat Ecology– Nighttime Bat Ecology is an interactive experience in nature with bats. Girl Scouts will learn about the importance of bats through interactive games, activities and will be able to identify bat species. After experiencing the program, the girls will participate in a campfire with songs and s’mores. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Juniors and Cadettes.
To pre-register, please call the Haw River State Park Education Department at 336-342-6181. Troops can pre-register by girl and/or Juliettes can pre-register individually. The max for the program is 45 participants. This program also has Animal Habitats and Night Owl Badge opportunities.
Pilot Mountain State Park
- Saturday, September 11, 10-11:30 a.m. – Come by the Visitor Center – Junior Ranger, crafts, museum, gift shop and learn about Pilot Mountain! Meet with Girl Scout staff and a park ranger. Programs are open to all Girl Scouts.
- Saturday, September 11, 11:30 a.m.- 2:15 p.m.– Take a Girl Scout shuttle from the Visitor Center to the top of Pilot Mountain to explore, eat lunch (bring your own) and join a park ranger for a Bug Safari! Bug Safari programs will run 12:30-1:15 p.m. and 1:30-2:15 p.m. The last shuttle down the mountain will be at 2:30 p.m.*
*Please note: Along with the Girl Scout shuttle there is also a Pilot Mountain shuttle for that runs for $5 a person (10 and under free) - Saturday, September 11, 2:30-3 p.m.– A ranger will be available at the Visitor Center to help with Junior Ranger activities and swear in Girl Scouts who have completed their Junior Ranger booklet.
New River State Park
- Saturday, September 11, 10-11 a.m.– Join a State Ranger at Wagoner Access picnic area near the ranger station to learn about the New River State Park. We will be hiking along the Running Cedar trail to complete some of the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge requirements. Please bring water and your outdoor curiosity! This is an in-person event at the park, open to all Girl Scouts. (Wagoner Access address: 1477 Wagoner Access Road, Jefferson, NC)
Stone Mountain State Park
- Friday, September 10: What are Macroinvertebrates?– This virtual program highlights how to sample and identify macroinverbrates in the stream to learn about what fish eat and to determine water quality. Participants can watch the instructional video and then use the macroinvertebrate key (can also be obtained at the park office) to do some self-guided stream sampling on the East Prong Roaring River that runs through the park. This program is open to all Girl Scouts.
South Mountains State Park
- Saturday, September 11, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.: Year of the Beetle Celebration– Join park staff in celebrating The Year of the Beetle. This year’s program will include three sessions led by Park Rangers and staff. We’ll have events to test your skills in the Beetle-Olympics, a take-home beetle craft and a bug hunt and ID session. This is an in-person event at the park, open to Girl Scout Daisies through Cadettes.
Girl Scout Day at Grandfather Mountain
- Saturday, September 18, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.: On Girl Scout Day, all Girl Scouts in uniform and their troop leaders (leaders must be in uniform too or show a pin, proof of membership) are admitted to Grandfather Mountain for free, while discounted admission is available for family members joining them. There will be a schedule of events that girls are welcome to participate in or they can just enjoy the beauty of the scenery on top of the mountain.
Virtual Opportunity:
- Sunday, September 12, 6-8 a.m.: USA Girl Scouts Overseas Presents Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2021– Join Leave No Trace Master Educator and USA Girl Scouts Overseas Global Facilitator, Melissa Riederer, as we explore the great outdoors and our relationship with mother nature. In this interactive sessions, girls will learn the principles of Leave No Trace, virtually explore state parks and forests and participate in hands-on activity. You can find registration information here.
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