Information provided by Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast.
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast (GSCCC) and councils across the nation recently held their first-ever Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend on July 13-14 for girls to experience the great outdoors, an integral part of the organization’s all-girl leadership program.
The legacy of Girl Scouts and the outdoors is profound. Studies show that 71 percent of members ages 8–14 tried their first outdoor activity through the organization and half would not have had access to outdoor activities and programming if not for Girl Scouts, according to a recent release.
According to GSCCC, “Girl Scouts of the United States of America’s cutting edge environmental conservation; camping; and outdoor science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programming is rooted in a passion for adventure and healthy risk-taking combined with taking action to protect the environment for present and future generations.”
Girl Scouts aimed to get even more girls outside through Girl Scouts Love State Parks.
In collaboration with the National Association of State Park Directors, Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast held multiple events to get girls outdoors, the release said. On July 13 at Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area, Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts (grades K—5) spent the day exploring nature. Girls and adults in attendance took a hike through the park’s oak woodlands, and learned about parasitic wasp habitats, how straddling the San Andreas Fault affects the creek bed and water flow, and about archaeology.
The girls also enjoyed a badge program where Daisies earned their Eco Learner badges, Brownies earned their Hiker badges, and Juniors earned their Animal Habitat badges.
“We are so excited to celebrate the love Girl Scouts has for the outdoors,” said Tammie Helmuth, CEO of GSCCC. “Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast offers amazing outdoor experiences for girls, including outdoor opportunities at our very own Camp Arnaz Program Center. We are so happy to be able to expand girls’ opportunities to explore the outdoors at our local state parks in the Central Coast.”
About GSCCC
Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast serves over 10,200 girls across six counties and is committed to making the Girl Scout Leadership Experience available to girls in ways that impact their lives both in the moment and into the future. Girls participate in troops, individual projects, council events, day camps, resident camps and more. A variety of leadership, outdoor skills, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) based programs and events provide girls with opportunities to learn and explore in fun and informative ways. To join or volunteer in Santa Cruz, San Benito, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara or Ventura County, visit: http://www.girlscoutsccc.org.
