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
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm
Nature Exploration: Ponding
Join Borderland State Park for an exploration of pond life! We will use nets to stir up the bottom of the pond to see what we catch. Bring shoes and clothes that can get wet. This program will be led by Maeve Studholme. Parking costs $5 Mass/$20 Out of State License Plate. Meet at the Visitor Center. Intended audience is all ages. Nets provided, bring shoes/clothes that can get wet. 25 people max. Call 508-238-6566 for more information.
F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, 45 Mill Street Foxboro
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 10:00am-12:00pm
Bridal Trail Hike
Join DCR park staff for a 3-mile moderately paced walk along the Bridal Trail, Healthy Heart Trail at F.G. Hills State Forest on Sunday, September 15, at 1:00pm. Before we begin the hike we will go over some hiking basics and what we should bring on our hike. Trails will be hilly and rocky, dress for the weather. Along the route, we will also take breaks and talk about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Inclement weather will cancel this hike. This program will be led by Paul Clifford. Parking is free. Meet at the parking lot for the Contact Station, 45 Middle St. Intended audience is Brownies. Be sure to bring bug spray and dress for the weather. 20 people max.
F. Gilbert Hills State Forest, 45 Mill Street Foxboro
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 1:00-3:00pm
Bridal Trail Hike
Join DCR park staff for a 3-mile moderately paced walk along the Bridal Trail, Healthy Heart Trail at F.G. Hills State Forest on Sunday, September 15, at 1:00pm. Before we begin the hike we will go over some hiking basics and what we should bring on our hike. Trails will be hilly and rocky, dress for the weather. Along the route, we will also take breaks and talk about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Inclement weather will cancel this hike. This program will be led by Paul Clifford. Parking is free. Meet at the parking lot for the Contact Station, 45 Middle St. Intended audience is Brownies. Be sure to bring bug spray and dress for the weather. 20 people max.
Halibut Point State Park, 4 Gott Avenue, Rockport
Saturday, September 14, 2024 11:30am-12:00pm
Quarry Quest Trail Adventure
Adventure trails you may have never been on before! The secret trail brings you along the Quarry's edge and back to the Visitor Center area. Unscrabble words in search of a hidden Treasure Box!!! This program will be led by Mark Murray-Brown. Parking costs $5 Mass/$20 Out of State License Plate. Meet at the Visitor Center. .25-mile hike (20 minutes). Intended audience is Brownies. Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray. 30 people max. Call 978-546-2997 for more information.
Harold Parker State Forest, 305 Middleton Rd., North Andover
Saturday, September 14, 2024 9:00-10:30am
Exploring Sudden Pond
Discover the life of Sudden Pond found above, below, and all around the water. (There is more than sunfish swimming in the water!) This program will be led by Mary Pyburn. Parking is free. Meet at Sudden Pond (17 Middleton Rd, North Reading). Hike is less than one mile. Intended audience is Juniors. Be sure to bring change of clothes if you become wet/muddy, water, snacks, bug spray. 20 people max. Call 978-475-7972 for more information.
Maudslay State Park, 74 Curzon Mill Road, Newburyport
September 14, 2024 10:00-11:00am
Outdoor Art Creator
Get creative with the world around you! See how sticks, rocks, and plants can make something beautiful with your imagination. Learn to appreciate nature by doing art. This program will be led by Elise Coleman. Parking is $5 Mass/$20 Out of State License Plate. Meet at the Park Headquarters. Intended audience is Brownies. 20 people max. Be sure to bring water, sunscreen, bug spray, snack. Call 978-465-7223 for more information.
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 131 Waquoit, East Falmouth
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:00-11:30am
Nature Discovery and Art
Come talk a guided nature walk we will listen for birds and other sounds, look for different textures and collect items for a nature art project. We will use our creative minds to make a wall hanging, collage and or prints of what we find. We will meet the requirements for the Outdoor Art Maker and the outdoor Art Creator. This program will be led by Jayne DiCandio. Parking is free. Meet at the Visitor Center. Intended audience is Daisies and Brownies. 20 people max. Call 339-987-0273 for more information.
Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, 131 Waquoit, East Falmouth
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 2:00-3:30pm
Upcycling and Nature Art
We will find innovative ways to make art from items discarded at the beach and other plastics. We will look for natural items to add to our creations. We will also make paper from items we find. We will meet the requirements for the Outdoor Art Explorer and the Outdoor Art Apprentice. Rain or Shine. This program will be led by Jayne DiCandio. Parking is free. Meet at the Visitor Center. Intended audience is Juniors and Cadettes. 20 people max. Call 339-987-0273 for more information.
Central and Western Region Programs
Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, 287 Oak Street, Uxbridge MA
Saturday, September 14, 2024 2:00-3:00pm
Track the Blackstone
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. Intended audience is Brownies. 30 people max. Call (508) 278-7604 for more information.
Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 10:00am-12:00pm
Have to Have a Habitat!
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. For Junior Girl Scouts. 20 people max.
Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
Saturday, September 14, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm
Girl Scouts on the AT
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. Intended audience is Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors. 25 people max. Call 413-499-4626 for more information.
Mount Greylock State Reservation, 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 12-1:30pm
Shapes in Nature
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. Intended audience is Daisies to Juniors. 40 people max. Call 413-499-4626 for more information.
Purgatory Chasm State Park, 198 Purgatory Road, Sutton
Saturday, September 14, 2024 3:30-5:00pm
Chasm Hike
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 costs $5 Mass/$20 Out of State License Plate. Meet at the Pavilion. Intended audience is Daisies. Be sure to bring water and insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear. 30 people max. 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
Purgatory Chasm State Park, 198 Purgatory Road, Sutton
Sunday, September 15, 2024 3:30-5:00pm
Chasm Hike
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 costs $5 Mass/$20 Out of State License Plate. Meet at the Pavilion. Intended audience is Juniors. Be sure to bring water and insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear. 30 people max. 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
Quabbin Reservoir, 100 Winsor Dam Rd., Belchertown
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm
Habitat Investigations
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. 25 people max.
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, 345 Mountain Road, Princeton
Saturday, September 14, 2024 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.
Blackstone River Valley Heritage Center at Worcester, 3 Paul Clancy Way, Worcester
Saturday, September 14, 2024 10:00am-11:30pm
All About Flowers
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. Intended audience is Juniors. Be sure to bring water and insect repellent and wear sturdy footwear. 15 people max. Call 774-670-2200 for more information.
Great Falls Discovery Center, 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls
Sunday, September 15, 2024 10:30am- 12:00pm
Painting with Natural Inks
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. Intended audience is Daisies, Brownies, Juniors, or Cadettes. All materials provided. 24 people max. Call 413-863-3221 for more information.