Girl Scouts

Lead the Way by Caring for Your Parks!

Every September, Girl Scouts lead the way at their favorite South Carolina State Parks. Girl Scouts participate in self-guided tours, family hikes, watersports, stargazing, and more; all while fostering a clean environment for everyone to enjoy with Pick Up America.

The next Girl Scouts Love State Parks events are September 14 and 15, 2024.



Lead the Way while Earning a Patch!

Girl Scouts love the outdoors and enjoy state parks year-round. Girl Scouts can earn the Scout Carolina patch by working to help protect the special places—our state parks.

The Scout Carolina patch is a way the South Carolina State Park Service will be recognizing Girl Scouts and Girl Scout Troops who work to help protect the special places that are state parks. Girl Scouts can only earn the patch by fulfilling the requirements while camping at a park, but may work on it over the course of several camping trips at different state parks. Girl Scouts may also earn the award by completing the Bronze, Silver, or Gold Award at a South Carolina State Park.


Requirements are as follows:

  1. Camp at a state park for two nights where you practice Leave No Trace camping.
  2. As a troop, participate in a service project at one or more parks while camping there. The project must be approved by a Park Ranger and in order to qualify, each Girl Scout who earns the patch should provide at least four hours of service. The project(s) must meet one of the following criteria:
    1. Helps to protect natural or cultural resources of the park
    2. Enhances the Girl Scout camping area for future campers
    3. Assists with the conducting of a park program or event
    4. Enhances visitor experience
  3. Interview a Park Ranger about their career as a South Carolina Park Ranger

Once the criteria is met by the Girl Scout, the patch may be obtained for a donation of $2 per patch.

For more information on the Scout Carolina Program contact the South Carolina State Park Service via email or phone at 803-734-0156.


Scouting Activities

Parks are perfect places for scouts of all ages to explore, work on badge requirements, learn, have fun and so much more! Our parks offer activities such as scavenger hunts, orienteering courses, group camping areas, access to outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and the list goes on and on.

We have assembled a list of parks and various activities that are perfect for scouts and scouting groups. Check our scout activities page or consider doing some of the activities below.

  • Become a Junior Ranger and participate in fun activities and programs that help you learn more about the parks and our mission.
  • Ahead of your park visit, pledge to Pick up America. #PickUpAmerica
  • Earn your Badges and Awards at South Carolina's state parks!


Scouting Projects

Over the years, scouts have contributed countless hours completing worthwhile projects throughout the South Carolina State Park Service. As scout projects are completed throughout the park service, we will highlight some of them on our scouting projects page. If you have recently completed a scout project at a park, ask the park ranger how you can have your project featured.


When you visit a state park throughout the year, please be sure to:

  • Wear your Girl Scout vest or sash so that you will be recognized as a Girl Scout during your visit.
  • Take photos of your visit and share them on social media, to show how engaged Girl Scouts are at the parks!  Share using hashtag #SCStateParks and #GSLoveStateParks on all social media channels, or make sure to tag us on Facebook (@SC.State.Parks), Twitter (@SC_State_Parks), and Instagram (@SCStateParks).
  • Learn the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, and teach others how to protect and preserve South Carolina's state parks.