Girl Scouts Love State Parks
Every September, during Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend, Virginia State Parks offers a variety of programs to connect Girl Scouts with nature while earning badges. From guided hikes and plant identification to campfire building and backpacking basics, this special weekend helps Girl Scouts learn outdoor skills, build confidence and become advocates for the environment.
Upcoming Events
This event has been canceled.
Aug. 11, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?
Sept. 11, 2026 9:00 a.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Raymond R. "Andy" Guest, Jr. Shenandoah River State Park
Calling all Girl Scouts! Welcome to Shenandoah River State Park!
Sept. 11, 2026 9:00 a.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 3:00 p.m.
Seven Bends State Park
Calling all Girl Scouts and Scout leaders!
Sept. 11, 2026 9:00 a.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 5:00 p.m.
Westmoreland State Park
Calling all adventurous Girl Scouts!
Sept. 11, 2026 9:00 a.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 5:00 p.m.
Fairy Stone State Park
Calling all Girl Scouts! Welcome to Fairy Stone State Park!
Sept. 11, 2026. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
False Cape State Park
Take a 4-hour guided tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park!
Sept. 11, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
High Bridge Trail State Park
Staff and volunteers of High Bridge Trail State Park can offer a wide variety of programming that can fulfill some requirements for earning Girl Scout badges.
Sept. 11, 2026 10:00 a.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Kiptopeke State Park
Who wants to earn their Girl Scouts Love State Parks Badge at Kiptopeke State Park?
Sept. 11, 2026 10:00 a.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Culpeper Battlefields State Park
Calling All Girl Scouts!
Sept. 11, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
What do you think of when you hear term wildlife?
Sept. 11, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Clinch River State Park
Mussel's and Aquatic Bugs, oh my!
Sept. 11, 2026. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
Play classic Hide-and-Seek with a modern twist!
Sept. 11, 2026. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Slither and splash into the world of reptiles while taking steps toward earning your Girl Scouts Voice for Animals badge.
Sept. 11, 2026. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hayfields State Park
Can you track the ranger out on the trail during Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend?
Sept. 11, 2026 4:00 p.m. - Sept. 12, 2026 8:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
Explore our park and learn something new with some special programming: Friday, Sept.
Sept. 11, 2026. 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
What does fire mean to you?
Sept. 11, 2026 4:00 p.m. - Sept. 12, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Belle Isle State Park
Join a Ranger for a weekend of activities to that help you earn the Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge 2026 badge (Activity List).
Sept. 11, 2026. 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Slip on your closed-toe shoes and get ready to explore the creek during Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend.
Sept. 11, 2026 6:00 p.m. - Sept. 12, 2026 10:00 p.m.
Natural Bridge State Park
Will you go on an owl prowl, help rangers set up telescopes for an astronomy night, or camp underneath the stars?
Sept. 11, 2026. 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Can't seem to get your campfire lit?
Sept. 11, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Leesylvania State Park
Join park rangers for a campfire at the Visitor Center.
Sept. 11, 2026 7:00 p.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 4:00 p.m.
Pocahontas State Park
Who loves State Parks?
Sept. 11, 2026 7:00 p.m. - Sept. 13, 2026 1:30 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
From the backyard to the backcountry, Girl Scouts USA has a long and storied history of getting every girl outdoors.
Sept. 11, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
How did people light their fires before electric lighters?
Sept. 11, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Welcome to the park!
Sept. 12, 2026. 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Older Girl Scouts may enjoy this hike. For hikers who just want to enjoy their time outdoors and trek on.
Sept. 12, 2026. 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
In honor of National Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend, join us for an educational, yet thrilling trek.
Sept. 12, 2026. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
False Cape State Park
Take a 4-hour guided tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park!
Sept. 12, 2026. 9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Older Girl Scouts may enjoy this program.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grayson Highlands State Park
There are more than just fish that live in the creeks at Grayson Highlands State Park! Beat the heat and get your feet wet searching for critters and macroinvertebrates that live in the cold mountain streams.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wilderness Road State Park
Across Virginia, women made the journey into the wilderness with hearts full of hope.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Sweet Run State Park
Celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks with a special day of exploration, history, and outdoor adventure designed around badge-inspired activities for Daisy, Brownie, and Junior Girl Scouts!
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Hayfields State Park
In honor of National Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend, join us for a tree trek along Laurel Loop.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Lake Anna State Park
In this hike and craft program, you'll join a ranger on a short hike to learn different ways to identify several tree species you can find around Lake Anna State Park and Virginia.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
New River Trail State Park
Who wants to make paint with us?
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Join a ranger on a guided hike to learn more about different birds, plants, and ecosystems found in the park.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Bear Creek Lake State Park
The park will offer several activities this weekend to help scouts attain a badge or simply have fun in the outdoors. Be sure to get your 2026 GSA booklet from your council to get free parking.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
James River State Park
Cast into one of our most popular outdoor pastimes with Fishing Fundamentals, a hands-on introduction perfect for new anglers and curious kids.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
High Bridge Trail State Park
Staff and volunteers of High Bridge Trail State Park can offer a wide variety of programming that can fulfill some requirements for earning Girl Scout badges.
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Caledon State Park
Come hunt for shark teeth on the shoreline of the Potomac!
Sept. 12, 2026. 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Pottery and ceramics have been made and used by humans across the world for nearly 30,000 years.
Sept. 12, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Widewater State Park
Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?
Sept. 12, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Chippokes State Park
Curious about Virginia's native snakes?
Sept. 12, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Occoneechee State Park
Join us in paying homage to 70,000 years of history and human tradition as we learn the sport of Archery.
Sept. 12, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Discover the long, rich history of Virginia’s tobacco production on a short hike to one of Smith Mountain Lake State Park’s tobacco barns.
Sept. 12, 2026. 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Get ready to explore the outdoors during with this beginner-friendly hiking program.
Sept. 12, 2026. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sky Meadows State Park
Girl Scouts far and wide are invited to a day of outdoor exploration at Sky Meadows State Park!
Sept. 12, 2026. 12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Holliday Lake State Park
Join us a for a day of adventure and fun during Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend!
Sept. 12, 2026. 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Caledon State Park
Turn your found fossils into wearable art!
Sept. 12, 2026. 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Discover the shapes hidden in nature on this fun and interactive walk designed for guests 7-10 years old and their caregivers.
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
Knowing how to be prepared in the wild is a skill we should all be equipped with.
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Southwest Virginia Museum
All Girl Scouts are invited to the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park to participate in Girl Scouts Love State Parks Day on Saturday, September 12 from 1-3 p.m. The theme for this year’s program is Lead the Way.
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Calling all curious explorers!
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
New River Trail State Park
Come out to the New River, get your feet wet, and explore life underwater!
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Did you know you can identify some turtles just by looking at their shells?
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Roasting on an open fire isn’t the only thing chestnuts are good for!
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
James River State Park
Take your first shot at archery in this beginner-friendly workshop.
Sept. 12, 2026. 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Caledon State Park
Come on down to the river for an in-seine-ly good time!
Sept. 12, 2026. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Widewater State Park
Join us in removing invasive plants from our ecosystem!
Sept. 12, 2026. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
What is paracord, and what is it used for?
Sept. 12, 2026. 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Earth Manners explores what it means to be a good neighbor to people, wildlife, and the places we share.
Sept. 12, 2026. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Celebrate Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend with a creative, nature-inspired adventure by the lake.
Sept. 12, 2026. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
James River State Park
Explore the park’s different ecosystems that provide habitats for an array of unique mammals, reptiles, fish, amphibians, and birds.
Sept. 12, 2026. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
Dive into an ancient craft with a ranger, known as Gyotaku fish printing.
Sept. 12, 2026. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Hungry Mother State Park
Hungry Mother is made up of many micro-ecosystems.
Sept. 12, 2026. 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
What will we scoop up this time?
Sept. 12, 2026. 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Travel back in time over 160 years ago.
Sept. 12, 2026. 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Powhatan State Park
Calling all Girl Scouts, girls, and women of all ages!
Sept. 12, 2026. 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Experience the fun of paddling during Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend with a canoeing program that helps you work toward your Senior Paddling Badge.
Sept. 12, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
Where's the best place to fish at the park?
Sept. 12, 2026. 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Claytor Lake State Park
What do you know about our scaly friends?
Sept. 12, 2026. 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Douthat State Park
Step into the quiet, mysterious woods of Douthat State Park after dark for an unforgettable experience.
Sept. 13, 2026. 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Widewater State Park
Join our Park Rangers as they discuss the history, ecology, and culture of the Widewater peninsula.
Sept. 13, 2026. 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
False Cape State Park
Take a 4-hour guided tour through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge and False Cape State Park!
Sept. 13, 2026. 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Chippokes State Park
Join us as we learn more about the prehistoric history of Chippokes State Park through fossils that can be found right on our beaches!
Sept. 13, 2026. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
High Bridge Trail State Park
Staff and volunteers of High Bridge Trail State Park can offer a wide variety of programming that can fulfill some requirements for earning Girl Scout badges.
Sept. 13, 2026. 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Pottery and ceramics have been made and used by humans across the world for nearly 30,000 years.
Sept. 13, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Widewater State Park
Have you ever wondered how long it takes for our trash to fully decompose? This program will explore our trash and its effect on the environment.
Sept. 13, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park
Get "hooked" on fishing!
Sept. 13, 2026. 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
Learn about the people who lived and worshipped around the Smith Mountain Lake area long before the dam was built.
Sept. 13, 2026. 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Smith Mountain Lake State Park
“What does the fox say?” Did you know that there are two different foxes found in Virginia, the red fox and the grey fox?
Sept. 13, 2026. 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Discover the shapes hidden in nature on this fun and interactive walk designed for guests 7-10 years old and their caregivers.
Sept. 13, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Chippokes State Park
If you're curious about trees, satisfy your curiosity on this Arbor Adventure! Join a ranger on Chippoax Trace Trail to identify Chippokes' fauna, specifically trees. This trail takes visitors from rolling farm fields, into canopied woodlands, and to a worthwhile scenic view of the beautiful salt marshes of Chippokes.
Sept. 13, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Natural Tunnel State Park
Learn how Mother Nature can both inspire and help you create your next masterpiece.
This event has been canceled.
Sept. 13, 2026. 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Twin Lakes State Park
This land-based, hook-free fishing game is a fun and safe way to learn how to cast, but even those who are fishing fanatics will enjoy trying to beat out the competition in this game of limited resources.
Sept. 13, 2026. 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Widewater State Park
Will you take up the bow and try your hand at the sport of archery?
Sept. 13, 2026. 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park
Did you ever wonder how animals thrive in their ecosystems?
Sept. 13, 2026. 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
Mason Neck State Park
Earth Manners explores what it means to be a good neighbor to people, wildlife, and the places we share.
Sept. 13, 2026. 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Hayfields State Park
Have you ever wondered what different animals furs feel like?
