ODNR Partners with Girl Scouts for Girl Scouts Love State Parks Program

COLUMBUS, OH – Let’s paint Ohio State Parks Girl Scout green! The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft is partnering with the Girl Scout Councils of Ohio’s Heartland, Western Ohio and North East Ohio to support girls, troops and families in exploring all that Ohio State Parks have to offer. Girl Scouts can celebrate our new partnership by visiting an Ohio state park with their troops or with their families on July 13-14 for a special weekend with outdoor activities planned.

“As a former Girl Scout leader, I’m thrilled we are able to partner with the Girl Scouts so they have the opportunity to visit our state parks,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “Spending time outdoors is the best way to learn about and appreciate our state’s natural resources.”

ODNR will be offering special activities for Girl Scouts July 13-14 at Alum Creek, Caesar Creek, Hocking Hills, Independence Dam and Portage Lakes state parks. Activities will vary based on location.
The legacy of Girl Scouts and the outdoors is profound. According to studies conducted by the Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA), 71 percent of girl 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. GSUSA’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 wants to get even more girls outside through Girl Scouts Love State Parks.
Ohio is one of only seven states in the nation with free admission to our 75 state parks. Ohio State Parks are an important feature of Ohio’s tourism economy and many local communities, with visitors generating annual business sales of $455.8 million in direct and indirect spending. There are state parks in 59 of Ohio’s 88 counties.
Interested in learning more about Ohio State Parks? Visit parks.ohiodnr.gov to learn more.