By: Jennifer Taylor, Communications & Public Relations Assistant

We know girls greatly enjoy the outdoor experiences they have in Girl Scouts and that those experiences are extremely beneficial for girls. Now there is a new and exciting way for girls to explore the outdoors, take action, and learn the history of our national parks! Girl Scouts of the USA has partnered with the National Park Service for the Girl Scout Ranger Program to help celebrate the centennial celebration of our national parks.

So, what does this partnership mean for the girls of Girl Scouts – NC Coastal Pines? It means new adventures and opportunities await you at one of North Carolina’s 10 national parks. From the Great Smoky Mountains to the Cape Hatteras National Seashore and points in between, girls will be able to experience the beauty of our glorious state while also doing what Girl Scouts do best – taking action to make their world a better place.

The National Park Service has many fantastic organized programs such as the junior rangers, web rangers, and environmental education. Girls can also choose to take part in ongoing service projects at the park which help preserve the natural resources of the park. Girls have the opportunity to earn a certificate and a patch.

But, even better, Girl Scouts can get creative and design a custom program for themselves or their troop that serves to complete a journey, a badge program (hint, hint – Outdoor Explorers badges, anyone?), or a highest award take action project. Imagine the possibilities!

So, where to start? Take a look at the national park sites in NC and think about where you would most enjoy exploring and making a difference. Click on the link for the website to each individual park to learn more. From there, girls can get busy coming up with brilliant ideas!

Armed with a few good ideas, a parent or troop leader should contact the park directly to discuss how the Girl Scouts can participate in an organized event or put their ideas into action. For complete information on the Girl Scout Ranger Program, visit the National Park Service’s youth program website.

Are you ready? We can’t wait for Girl Scouts to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of our National Park Service. Let us know how you and your girls plan to rock out the great outdoors this year!