Get outdoors! Girls love dirt!
Whether you're an experienced backpacker or you've never hiked before, you can expose your girls to amazing outdoor experiences. Below are ideas from experienced leaders. At the end, there are links to general information about getting outside with children.
Hiking
- Washington Trails Association has the BEST information on hikes throughout Washington State.
- Nature Walk at Bridle Trails State Park (Free)(D,B,J): Contact [email protected] for guided ranger walk.
- Nature Walk at Lewis Creek Park (Free) (D,B,J): Ranger-led programs available or do your own Scavenger hunt.
- UW Botanical Garden nature walks: Hands-on badge-related activities during a two-hour guided tour. $8/girl.
- Self-guided tour of UW Botanical Garden: Explorer Packs supply you with field guides, scavenger hunts, magnifying lenses and activity ideas. $20 to rent for two hours. To reserve call 206-685-8033 or email [email protected].
- A family-oriented interpretive tour of Juanita Bay Park is led by the Eastside Park Rangers on the first Sunday of every month. Free. No pre-registration required. Can schedule a tour for groups if requested. (all)
- Night Hike at Big Finn Hill County Park: Park after hours on the street on NE 138th Pl. Make sure you know the route!
Overnight Adventures
- Camp at one of our amazing Washington State Parks (all) Can filter the search based on area, amenities, available dates etc. (all)
- Winter Camping in Cabins or Yurts (B and up): Tolt Macdonald County Park, Dash Point State Park, Kanasket-Palmer State Park, Bay View State Park, Kayak Point County Park, River Ranch Troop Houses
Winter Fun
- Snowshoeing (B and up) – Snowshoes available from GSWW Equipment Depot
- Snow Tubing at Snoqualmie Pass ($20-24 pp) (B and up)
- Mt. Rainier guided snowshoe walks ($5pp) (J and up)
Day Trips
- Beach Naturalist Walk with Seattle Aquarium (all).
- Tree Climbing in Marymoor Park: Use special tree climbing harnesses and ropes to climb up an old oak.
- Walk or Bike Cross Kirkland Corridor. Explore the many side trails. Make it a scavenger hunt. Pick up trash along the way.
- Bike the Sammamish River Trail, end at Whole Foods for an ice cream treat.
- Canoe the Slough and learn about the ecosystem. Three hour guided tour includes safety talk and paddling equipment. $18 non-Bellevue Resident (C and up. J if canoe experienced).
- Scouts in the Wild at Mercer Slough- numerous programs with hands on badge based activities. Sept-June. (all)
- REI Boathouse at Meydenbauer Bay or Enatai Beach Park - Hourly rentals of kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards
Outdoor Resources
- 10 Essentials: A list for Girl Scouts and more info from WTA.
- Leave No Trace
- Day Hike Packing List
- WTA Hiking with Children
- Keeping Kids Engaged on the Trail
- Outdoor Overnight Training through GSWW: Required for ANY outdoor overnight experience with Girl Scouts. Learn to prepare for and plan an overnight with girls. Basic outdoor skills will include operating lanterns and propane stoves, group outdoor cooking, building campfires and practice sleeping outside. This required workshop should be taken six to eight weeks prior to the overnight to allow time to involve the girls in planning. This workshop is an overnight workshop sleeping outdoors. It allows troops to stay overnight for two nights in any outdoor situation.
- Outdoor Leadership Training through WTA: This course teaches basic hiking and camping skills to adults who want to take children outdoors.