OFFICIAL SITE OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795 |
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NEW JERSEY STATE PARK SERVICE TO HOST PROGRAMS AS PART OF (19/P056) TRENTON –As part of a national campaign to get “every girl outside,” nearly 25 state parks, forests and historic sites will be taking part in the “Girl Scouts Love State Parks” initiative this Saturday and Sunday.
“We are proud to be a part of this national effort, which advances the Girl Scouts’ mission to build well-rounded leaders,” Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said. “From the Highlands to Cape May, our state parks and forests will be providing opportunities for Girl Scouts to learn about and enjoy the wonderful natural resources we strive to protect in New Jersey.” The parks will host a number of outdoors-related activities, including nature scavenger hunts, nature walks, pond and stream studies, shoreline cleanups, rope-bridge building, history lessons, even a star party and much more. “We are incredibly proud of our 107-year legacy of giving girls access to amazing outdoor experiences that help them build important life and leadership skills,” said Girl Scouts USA CEO Sylvia Acevedo. “We want to continue to get more girls outside to explore the world around them and learn the importance of environmental stewardship. “Girl Scouts Loves State Parks” is another exciting way for girls to take advantage of our unique and adventurous outdoor programming.” The official kick-off celebration will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 13, at Brendan T. Byrne State Forest in the Pinelands of Burlington County.
Since its founding in 1912, the Girl Scouts organization has been committed to ensuring every girl has a unique outdoor experience. The Girl Scout Research Institute’s “More than S’mores” report found that girls with more frequent and longer-in-duration outdoor experiences are more likely than their peers with less outdoor exposure to seek challenges and be better problem solvers, traits that are important for being strong leaders. All girls who participate in any of the programs will receive a 2019 “Girl Scouts Love State Parks” fun patch (pictured above). Participants do not have to be Girl Scouts. For more information, click on the photo above or visit www.gscsnj.org/en/events/Girl-Scouts-Love-State-Parks.html The 450,000-acre New Jersey State Park System boasts 47 parks, forests, recreation areas battlefields and marinas. Parks provide health and fitness opportunities, outdoor classrooms to study nature, greenways for wildlife conservation, links to history and regional tourism opportunities. The State Park Service recently launched an “I Heart NJ Parks” social media campaign, #iheartNJParks, that provides opportunities for visitors to highlight favorite parks on their personal social media accounts. Like the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks Follow the New Jersey State Park Service on Instagram @newjerseystateparks Follow the DEP on Twitter @NewJerseyDEP ### |
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“Our parks and forests have long been important places for Girl Scouts to earn badges while learning about nature, history and why these are special places,” said State Park Service Director Olivia Glenn. “This event brings it all together in one big weekend of fun, learning, enrichment and excitement. Our staff is really looking forward to being part of this groundbreaking campaign.”