53rd-Annual Girl Scout Day

Girl Scouts are invited to join the park’s naturalists for a fun-filled learning adventure on Grandfather Mountain. Plus, all Girl Scouts and troop leaders are admitted free with proof of membership (all or part of a uniform or a troop roster with the leader’s name on it), and family members will receive discounted admission ($1 off child admission and $2 off adult admission). Advance reservations for park admission are not required, meaning scouts, troop leaders and family members are welcome to arrive the day of the event without admission tickets already in hand.

Tips for making your visit with us fun and comfortable:

• Please carpool. We are open to the public on Girl Scout Day, and parking may be limited.
• Dress for mountain weather: wind, rain, cold temperatures. We can be 10+ degrees cooler than your home community. Bring waterproof, windproof jackets, sneakers / athletic closed-toe shoes. NO crocs, sandals or flipflops please.
• Bring a reusable water bottle…Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We have two water-bottle refill stations. They are located in the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery lobby (behind the bear statue) and the Top Shop first floor.
• Pack your own lunch to avoid waiting in line at Mildred’s Grill. Lines can get very long around lunchtime, especially on busy Saturdays in the fall.
• Troop leaders, your scouts can complete some steps toward earning a few badges. See the program schedule for badge suggestions. We do not award or provide any badges from Grandfather Mountain.

The day has a robust schedule of simultaneous offerings (which may be subject to change due to weather or other factors). Scouts are welcome to pick and choose activities from either program list, below.

Program A:

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Leave No Trace | Williams Outdoor Learning Space, on the grass
Stop by this display to learn how to enjoy outdoor activities while being a good steward of our land, plants and animals.
All grade levels can complete some steps of the Eco Badge.

10 – 11 a.m.: Bugs, Bites and Itches! | Williams Outdoor Learning Space, located next to the Wilson Center
Learn about common insects and plants that cause bumps and itches, and first aid techniques to soothe them.
Visit the Xerces Society Ambassador Insect Table to learn about the importance of insects. Crafts and handouts will be available while supplies last.

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Bug Scavenger Hunt | Woods Walk
Search for and identify insects such as butterflies, moths, caterpillars, spiders and more.
Visit the Xerces Society Ambassador Insect Table to learn about the importance of insects. Crafts and handouts will be available while supplies last.
Brownies can complete some steps of the Bugs Badge.

12 – 3 p.m.: Meet the Raptors | TBD at the Wilson Center
Lees-McRae College wildlife rehabilitators will showcase their raptors for you to see up close.

12 – 3 p.m.: Women in Geology | Indoors in the Classroom in the Clouds in the Wilson Center
Learn about and experience careers in geology, and take home a photo of you in action, working like a real scientist. Presented by Appalachian State University’s Department of Geological and Environmental Science.

12:30 – 1 p.m.: Lunch | Location is troops’ choice.
Outdoors: all picnic areas, the Wilson Center deck, Williams Outdoor Learning Space, outside the Top Shop – all spaces are also available for the public, so space may be limited.

12:30 – 1 p.m.: Chalk Art | Breezeway outside the Wilson Center
All grade levels can complete some steps of the Outdoor Art badge creating chalk art.

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.: Women in STEM – Career Exploration | Williams Outdoor Learning Space
Meet and greet women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to learn about careers for you.
All grade levels can complete some steps of the STEM Career Exploration Badge.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Animal Olympics | Williams Outdoor Learning Space, paved driveway
Test your skills and compare them to animal world records.

3:30 – 4 p.m.: Explore the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and Animal Habitats on your own.
Check out the list of all daily programs for the day.

Program B:

10 a.m. – 4 p.m.: Leave No Trace | Williams Outdoor Learning Space, on the grass
Stop by this display to learn how to enjoy outdoor activities while being a good steward of our land, plants and animals.
All grade levels can complete some steps of the Eco Badge.

10 – 11 a.m.: Junior Hawk Watch | Swinging Bridge area
Be a community scientist and work with Grandfather Mountain naturalists to search the skies and spot migrating raptors using binoculars and field guides.

11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: Creepy Critters | Williams Outdoor Learning Space
Meet and greet our snakes, tarantula, turtle and frogs. Learn about their lifecycles and habitats.
Rain/cold weather location: Indoors in the Classroom in the Clouds

12 – 3 p.m.: Meet the Raptors | TBD at the Wilson Center
Lees-McRae College wildlife rehabilitators will showcase their raptors for you to see up close.

12 – 3 p.m.: Women in Geology | Indoors in the Classroom in the Clouds in the Wilson Center
Learn about and experience careers in geology, and take home a photo of you in action, working like a real scientist. Presented by Appalachian State University’s Department of Geological and Environmental Science.

12:30 – 1 p.m.: Lunch | Location is troops’ choice.
Outdoors: all picnic areas, the Wilson Center deck, Williams Outdoor Learning Space, outside the Top Shop – all spaces are also available for the public, so space may be limited.

12:30 – 1 p.m.: Chalk Art | Breezeway outside the Wilson Center
All grade levels can complete some steps of the Outdoor Art badge creating chalk art.

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.: Women in STEM – Career Exploration | Williams Outdoor Learning Space
Meet and greet women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to learn about careers for you.
All grade levels can complete some steps of the STEM Career Exploration Badge.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: The Life of a Honeybee | Classroom in the Clouds
Be the bee, and learn how and why honeybees pollinate flowers.
Juniors can complete some steps of the Gardener Badge.

3:30 – 4 p.m.: Explore the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery and Animal Habitats on your own.
Check out the list of all daily programs for the day.