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2026 Girls Scouts Love State Parks
Event Date
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Girl Scouts Love State Parks is back!
In partnership with Girl Scouts USA and the National Association of State Parks Directors, Washington State Parks will join parks across the country for a weekend celebrating Girl Scouts, the outdoors and all the fun you can have in a state park.
Seven of our state parks will offer special activities throughout the weekend. Each one will include a little learning, a little work and lots of fun, plus the chance to get a Girl Scouts Love State Parks Passport stamped. Passports are available to Scouts and to the general public.
Best of all, these events are free and open to everyone! You can find more info about each event on our website.
Fort Worden State Park
Junior Preservationist
Saturday, September 19, 11:00 a.m.
Meet at: Battery Stoddard
Contact: Interpretive Specialist, Kelsey Lang, 360-344-4426, kelsey.lang@parks.wa.gov
“Jr. Preservationist” program and work party. Girl Scouts will learn how we care for historical structures and get the opportunity to help us finish the exterior restoration of Battery Stoddard.
Things to bring: This will involve painting, so everyone should come prepared with clothes that they don’t mind getting paint on.
Maryhill State Park
Blackberry Busters
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 a.m.
Meet at: Park Shelter 2 in the Day Use Area
Contact: Aerial Williams, 509-790-9944, aerial.williams@parks.wa.gov
Description: Blackberry Busters is a two-hour stewardship and interpretive program designed for Girl Scout troops grades 3-8. The program will rely on guided discussion, hands-on learning and observation. Scouts will first assist park staff by manually removing invasive Himalayan blackberries from a designated restoration area within Maryhill State Park. Shortly after, scouts will participate in an interactive interpretive program that explores why their work matters.
Participants will leave with an understanding of invasive species, habitat restoration and the role everyone can play in protecting natural resources. This program aims to empower the youth to become stewards by sharing what they have learned with their families, friends and communities.
Things to bring: Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, water, thorn-proof work gloves, hat (recommended).
Moran State Park
Eagle Eyes
Saturday, September 19, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meet at: Cascade Lake day-use area, located at 3786 Olga Road. Look for rangers stationed at a table near the picnic shelter next to the playground.
Contact: Interpretive Specialist, Emily Herman, 360-643-5767, Emily.Herman@parks.wa.gov
Description: The San Juan Islands boast one of the largest populations of bald eagles in the lower 48. Learn about these majestic birds and their remarkable comeback from the brink of extinction. Spin the wheel and play bald eagle trivia! Prizes will be awarded to all who participate.
Service Project at Cascade Lake
Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Meet at: Cascade Lake day-use area, located at 3786 Olga Road. Look for rangers stationed at a table near the picnic shelter next to the playground.
Contact: Interpretive Specialist, Emily Herman, 360-643-5767, Emily.Herman@parks.wa.gov
Mount Spokane State Park
Volunteer Project
Saturday, September 19, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meet at: Bald Knob Campground, 27719 N Mt Spokane Park Drive, Mead, WA 99021
Contact: Rianna Bidon, 509-890-3241, Rianna.bidon@parks.wa.gov
Description: Cleaning up and maintaining the campground. Activities include raking up pinecones/branches; removing “ladder fuel” (lower dead limbs pruned from trees) with handsaws and loppers; touch-up staining picnic tables; pulling invasive species; and cleaning out fire pits!
Things to bring: gloves, long pants, closed-toe shoes and sunglasses for eye protection.
Interpretive Hike
Saturday, September 19, 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Meet at: Bald Knob Campground, 27719 N Mt Spokane Park Drive, Mead WA 99021
Contact: Kara Frashefski, 509-505-7721, kara.frashefski@parks.wa.gov
Description: Learn about the wildlife of the mountain, then take a 2-mile round-trip hike to the historic CCC campsite. Mostly flat, paved and unpaved surfaces and will take approximately 1 hour to complete.
Things to bring: closed-toe shoes and jacket.
Interpretive Event
Sunday, September 20, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Meet at: Selkirk Lodge, 27722 N Mt. Spokane Rd, Mead WA 99021
Contact: Camryn Harbert, 509-238-4258, Camryn.harbert@parks.wa.gov
Description: Learn about the plants of the mountain ecosystem inside the Selkirk Lodge, then take a short hike outside. Approximately 1.5hrs total.
Things to bring: closed-toe shoes and jacket.
Riverside State Park-Bowl and Pitcher area
Self-led activities
Saturday and Sunday, September 19- 20
Description: Girl Scouts can participate in self-led activities to earn patches and badges. Pick up guide at welcome booth at Riverside.
Seaquest State Park and Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center
Self-guided exploration of the Visitor Center
Saturday, September 19, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Meet at: Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center
Contact: Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, 360-274-0962, silver.lake@parks.gov
Description: Self-guided exploration of the Visitor Center, film, and ½- mile walking trail. Try out our Junior Volcano Explorer program to earn a badge.
Mount St. Helens ranger talk + wildcraft camp
Saturday, September 19, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Meet at: Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center
Contact: Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, 360-274-0962, silver.lake@parks.gov
Mount St. Helens ranger talk + wildcraft camp. Join park staff as we explore the amazing plants and animals that returned to the landscape after the 1980 eruption. Following the ranger program will be a craft session creating blackberry and elderberry beads, cordage, and stick + string weaving.
Service project at the campground
Sunday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Meet at: Seaquest State Park’s Day Use Area
Contact: Mount Saint Helens Visitor Center, 360-274-0962, silver.lake@parks.gov
Description: Service project at the campground. Invasive species removal and park cleanup.
Things to bring: Gardening gloves and hand-clippers. Other supplies will be provided
Steamboat Rock State Park
Guided Hike
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Meet at: Trailhead (CXT)
Contact: Interpretive Specialist, Mary Jo Day, 509-632-3192
Description:
- Introductions, hiker preparedness, cautionary critters, etc.
- The first part of the trail has a lot of flora/fauna – talks on what we encounter will vary with what animals are out and about and what plants capture the most interest.
- Next is where the trail opens and the bluffs are very visible. Geology, history, ice age floods…
- At the bridge: nature trivia, enjoy the creek, water break/free time.
- As we move through the corridor, we will discuss the Northrup’s endeavors in the area i.e., working the land, developing the irrigation, getting set up.
- At the homestead, tell the story of what happened with the Northrups and how the land came to be a part of the State Parks.
- Walk back, sing, chat, free stroll with friends.
- At the trailhead, overview of what we learned about, and prizes for correct answers!
Things to bring: Closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, and water.
Related events
19 Sep
2026 International Coastal Cleanup
Come clean up the Pacific Coast and Salish Sea coastlines on September 19!
19 Sep
Don't Trash our Treasures at Moran State Park
Don’t Trash our Treasures is a service program where Girl Scouts, ages 8 and older, will pick up micro-trash around Cascade Lake and learn about its environmental impacts. The public is welcome to participate.Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and close-toed shoes. Bring water, extra layers, sunscreen, and a hat. Reusable water bottles are strongly encouraged.
19 Sep