If you’ve been itching to get outside and explore the great outdoors, this is your chance: join Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GCNWI) and Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) for the second annual Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend from Sept. 12 to 13!
Open to all girls and families, join us, and thousands of people from across the nation for a weekend full of wildlife discovery, skill-building, and nature exploration through live webinars, in-person events, and independent activities!
Earn a special patch by participating in the events or using the Girl Scouts Love State Parks passport to download, complete, and track activities from home!
Join us for GCNWI Programs!
Live Animals from the Indiana Dunes | Sept. 12 at 4:30 p.m. | Zoom
With Lake Michigan at its northern border and a history of glacial advance and melting, the Indiana Dunes has several diverse habitats that provide homes for many different reptiles and amphibians. All ages are invited to join an Indiana State Park Interpretive Naturalist virtually for this live animal program that showcases some reptiles and amphibians that are specially adapted to survive in the Indiana Dunes State Park!
Scavenger Hunt at the Indiana Dunes | Sept. 12 – 13 | In-Person
From the beach to the dunes, there are clues to be found! All ages of Girl Scouts are welcome to visit the Indiana Dunes State Park any time over the weekend to comb the sand and land for hints.
Anyone who registers will receive the scavenger hunt ahead of time and can visit the park any time during the weekend. Make sure to visit the Nature Center once you have completed the scavenger hunt to receive your award!
Registration closes Sept. 5–– register and learn more details on our website.
Map Reading | Sept. 12 at 10 a.m. | Zoom
Are you getting ready to head out on an adventure? Maybe planning a stroll in your neighborhood, a nearby community, or even in a State Park? Make sure you’re prepared by freshening up your map reading skills. Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors, join us as we take a walk down the path of all things map reading.
For this webinar, you’ll need:
- 4+ pieces of paper
- 1 pencil
- coloring utensils (markers/crayons/colored pencils)
- 1+ map (any type will do – could be a map of your town, a state park, etc.)
- Zoom access
Register before Sept. 5 to join!
Animal Tracks | Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. | Zoom
Have you ever walked around your neighborhood or hiked through a State Park and noticed animal tracks on the ground? Have you wondered what kinds of animals might have left these tracks? Join us to explore and learn about the local wildlife that may live in a State Park near you.
You’ll need:
- 3 pieces of paper
- 1 pencil
- 1 pair of scissors
- coloring utensils (markers, crayons, colored pencils)
- 1 brown or black marker, crayon, or colored pencil
- Zoom access
- Optional Supplies: stapler or hole punch and yarn
Register before Sept. 6 to secure your spot!
Girl Scouts Love State Parks 2019
Last year, 84 Girl Scouts and parents attended the Full Moon Hike at the Indiana State Dunes, and as you can see, it was a blast! They set out to hike to the beach where the telescope was located (for some perfect up-close moon action), but just as they set off, thunder sounded. (Fun fact: July’s full moon is named the Thunder Moon!)
What followed was an evening full of quick adaptions: an impromptu snake program to wait out the thunderstorm, and after driving to the beach, an impromptu night-beach program!
It goes to show that Girl Scouts are flexible and ready for anything, especially when it comes to the outdoors!
Planning a hike or adventure?
Share your Girl Scouts Love State Parks experience and planning with us! Tag us at @girlscoutsgcnwi on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
and use the hashtags #GSLOVESPARKS!
Go Cross-Country!
Looking for even MORE Girl Scouts Love State Parks activities?
Join GSUSA and councils across the nation at virtual programs all weekend long! State and national parks from all over the country are providing amazing events for Girl Scouts everywhere.
Visit GSUSA’s website for more information on nationwide programming!