Overview
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is excited to partner with the Girl Scouts Councils of 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 help plan your visit and for helpful links please visit here! 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!
Things to know before you go:
- All children must be accompanied by an adult.
- Be season smart and safe. Dress for the weather by wearing sturdy footgear and dressing in layers for maximum comfort.
- Carry drinking water and snacks.
- Have a map and cell phone.
- Seasonal weather such as heavy rains and storms affect parks and trails. All events, programs and activities are subject to change. Please take a moment to call ahead to confirm.
Eastern Region Programs
Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Avenue, North Easton
September 13, 2025 10-10:30am
Kids Mansion Tour
What would it have been like to live in the Ames Mansion as a kid? Step back in time on this 30-minute, first floor tour of the Ames Mansion. 0.25mi down to mansion on flat, carriage road. This program accommodates 15 total people. The program is led by Dave Lewis. Meet at Ames Mansion. Park in Main Lot. This program is intended for grade 3 and up.
Revere Beach Reservation, Revere Beach Boulevard, Revere
September 13, 10-11am
Massachusetts Coastal Gulls: Identification and Fun!
Let’s Explore the Gulls!
Did you know there are many different kinds of gulls along Massachusetts coasts? We’ll become Gull Detectives as we explore Revere Beach and try to spot the Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, and Ring-billed Gull. We may also see migrating Laughing and Bonaparte’s Gulls!
Along the way, we’ll watch for Common Terns, Double-crested Cormorants, shorebirds, and ducks.
To make it even more fun, we’ll play games designed to help us identify gulls and learn fun biology facts about them. This program can accommodate 20 people. It is led by Matt Nash. Meet near the clock on the sidewalk along Revere Beach Boulevard, directly across from the Markey Memorial Footbridge. Free parking along Revere Beach Boulevard. Please bring binoculars. Intended for Juniors.
Breakheart Reservation, 177 Forest St. Saugus
September 13, 2025 1-3pm
Learn to Fish
Learn how to fish at Breakheart Reservation! Equipment will be provided, but you may also bring your own. .5 mile walk. This program accommodates 20 total people. The program is led by Jessica Narog-Hutton. Meet and park at Visitor Center.
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 131 Waquoit, East Falmouth
September 13, 2025 1-3pm
Migration: bird walk and kite flying
Migration is in full swing and we will take a walk along the beach and nearby trails to look for some of our migratory shorebirds or songbirds. Then we will make our own bird kite and fly it at the beach. .5 mile walk. This program accommodates an unlimited number of people. The program is led by Jayne DiCandio. Meet at picnic tables/parking lot. Park at South Cape Beach. This program is intended for all ages. Please bring binoculars if you have them and dress for walking on beach. Rain cancels this program.
Borderland State Park, 259 Massapoag Avenue, North Easton
September 14, 2025 10:00AM- 11:00AM
Explore Nature: By the Pond
Have you ever wondered what lives in the ponds at Borderland State Park? Join park staff in a hands-on activity that explores who calls our ponds home. We will use nets to dig through leaves and sediment to see who we find! .25 mile walk to pond. This program accommodates 20 total people. The program is led by Maeve Studholme. Meet at the Visitor Center. Park in the Main Lot. This program is intended for grades 4 and up. Please bring shoes and clothes that can get wet/mucky. In case of inclement weather, call ahead at 508-238-6566 or email at borderland.park@mass.gov to ensure program is still happening.
Maudslay State Park, 74 Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport
September 14, 2025 12-2pm
Outdoor Art Maker
Learn how to make art outdoors at Maudslay State Park. Supplies will be provided. This program accommodates 15 total people. This program is led by Nicole Chouinard. Meet and park at Park HQ
Central and Western Region Programs
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak Street, Uxbridge MA
September 13, 2025 2:00-3:00pm
Take A Bug Field Trip
Come join us for a bug field trip! We'll learn more about the thriving little communities that are built around a fallen log in this hands-on experience. 1 mile walk. This program will be led by Sherine Hamade. Parking is free. Meet at Visitor Center. Intended audience is Brownies. 25 people max. Bring sturdy shoes. Call (508) 278-7604 for more information. Inclement weather will cancel.
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, 345 Mountain Road, Princeton
September 13, 2025 10:00am- 12:00pm
Brownie Eco Friend at Wachusett Mountain
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 costs $5 Mass/$20 Out of State License Plate. Meet at the Visitor Center. Intended audience is Brownies. Be sure to bring Water, sunscreen, and snacks. 10 people max. 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.
Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
September 13, 2025 10-11:30am
Be a Nature Photographer
Enjoy an easy paced walk in a wildflower meadow or woodland trail with opportunities to photograph the beauty of our majestic mountain landscapes. Then create a Nature Photo Journal for your pictures! Craft supplies will be provided. Up to .5 mile walk. This program accommodates 25 total people. The program is led by Meshell Bordeleau. Meet at Mount Greylock Visitor Center. This program is intended for Juniors and up. Please bring camera, tablet, or cell phone for photos. Wear sturdy shoes; bring a snack, bug spray, sunscreen and water. Rain cancels walk. Craft will be rain or shine.
Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls
Septmber 13, 2025 10:30am-12pm
Falling for Trees Gel Printing
Who doesn't love the bright colors of maple leaves in fall? Oak trees deserve our praise too! Show your appreciation and make your own fall colors with leaf gel printing. Along the way, learn how much oaks, maples and more do for us. Ideal for Outdoor Art Maker and Outdoor Art Creator badges. All materials provided. For ages 5 and up. Meet in the Great Hall. This program accommodates 20 total people. The program is led by Wren Wood.
Quabbin Reservoir, 100 Winsor Dam Rd., Belchertown
September 13, 2025 11am-12pm
Habitat Investigation
Explore animal habitats as you walk through a meadow, a forest, and along the shoreline of the Quabbin Reservoir. For grades 1-5. Meet at Hanks Meadow. Parking is free. Bring water and bug spray. Rain cancels this program. This program accommodates 25 total people. The program is led by Brittany Guntor.
Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke
September 13, 2025 1-2:30pm
Trees to the Rescue
Earn your “Trees” badge at Holyoke Heritage State Park, where over 30 species of trees are within an easy walk. Use stamps on your checklist as you learn about each tree’s superhero skills in filtering air, cooling hot cityscapes and more. .5 mile walk. Meet at the Visitor Center. This program can accommodate 20 total people. The program is led by Nancy Condon. It is intended for Cadettes and up. Bring water. Rain cancels.
Wachusett Reservoir, 167 Temple Street, West Boylston
September 13, 2025 2-3:30pm
Wonders of Water
Get started on a journey to learn how to protect the waters of our planet. Take a 3/4 mile round trip nature walk to the reservoir's shore, find out about the jobs it takes to protect the water, and conduct a water-quality experiment. Take home ideas of what you can do to protect clean water. Meet at Wachusett Reservoir Gate 22, 167 Temple Street, West Boylston MA. This program can accommodate 25 total people.. Intended for all ages. Please bring water and bug spray. No dogs allowed on Water Supply Protection lands. Rain cancels. This program is led by Kathryn Parent.
Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
September 14, 2025 10:30am- 12pm
Girl Scout AT Summit Tour
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 and outdoor badges! Up to .5 mile walk. This program accommodates 25 total people. It is led by Caroline Scully. Meet at the Relief Map at Mount Greylock Summit. This program is intended for Daisies and up. Be prepared for weather, wear sturdy shoes; bring a snack, bug spray, sunscreen and drinking water. Rain cancels
Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke
September 14, 2025 1-2pm
Outdoors is Good for Everybody
Earn your “Outdoor Adventurer” badge at Holyoke Heritage State Park. Explore the outdoor treasures in this urban oasis, learn some useful outdoor skills and find out how the outdoors is good for everybody. .5 mile walk. This program accommodates 20 total people. It is led by Amber Clinton. Meet at the Visitor Center. This program is intended for Brownies and up. Bring water and a day pack. Rain cancels.