Does your troop want to earn a Girl Scout badge with a nature expert? Join a naturalist for a badge program at the Lorain County Metro Parks! All programs will include a hike and hands-on activities.  Badges are included with every program. To register for a badge program, complete the Girl Scout requested program form at the bottom of the page.

Programs are designed for Girl Scouts exclusively. Troop Leaders and adults within the ratio are free of charge. Additional adults and siblings are welcome to enjoy the nature center while their scouts participate in programming. Most programs take 1.5 hours to complete. Each program allows a maximum of 25 girls and a minimum of 8 girls.

“Do you offer Boy Scout programming as well?”

We are currently working on our Boy Scout badge programming. It will be available in 2026. If you are interested in earning a Boy Scout badge with us, please fill out a short information form so that you can be notified once programming becomes available.

“How many volunteers will I need for my program?”

If you are not sure about the number of adults you will need for your activity, the chart below breaks down the minimum number of volunteers needed to supervise a specific number of Girl Scouts. Ratios provided by Girl Scouts of North East Ohio.

Girl Scouts Volunteer-to-Girl Ratios TWO
unrelated volunteers (at least one of whom is female) for up to this number of girls:		 ONE
additional volunteer to each additional:
Girl Scouts Daisies
(Grades K-1)		 6 1-4
Girl Scouts Brownies
(Grades 2-3)		 12 1-6
Girl Scouts Juniors
(Grades 4-5)		 16 1-8
Girl Scouts Cadettes
(Grades 6-8)		 20 1-10
Girl Scouts Seniors
(Grades 9-10)		 24 1-12

Girl Scout Programs by Grade Level:

 
 

Badge Programs Available by Request:

GIRL SCOUTS DAISIES:
ECO LEARNERS

Nature is filled with many gifts.  Understand the importance of nature and ways you can give back by protecting it! Play wildlife games, meet a live animal ambassador, learn to keep living things safe as you hike and see what “unnatural” items we can find along the trail. This program is available to scouts in the Daisy level (grades K-1) and is available at Carlisle Visitor Center and French Creek Nature Center. This program costs $8 per girl, with a maximum of 25 girls and a minimum of 8 girls. Troop Leaders and adults within the ratio are free of charge.

Scout/Grade Level:

Daisies (Grades K-1)

Dates of Availability:

Year-round

Locations:

Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange) or French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield)

Length:

Typically 1.5 hours

Cost:

$8 per scout

GIRL SCOUTS BROWNIES:
HIKER

Put on your hiking shoes and learn to become a Brownie Hiker! This naturalist-led program will include hiking basics, opportunities to practice your nature observation skills, and putting together a healthy snack to have on the trail! This program is available to scouts in the Brownie level (grades 2-3) and is available at Carlisle Visitor Center and French Creek Nature Center. This program costs $8 per girl, with a maximum of 25 girls and a minimum of 8 girls. Troop Leaders and adults within the ratio are free of charge.

Scout/Grade Level:

Brownies (Grades 2-3)

Dates of Availability:

Year-round

Locations:

Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange) or French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield)

Length:

Typically 1.5 hours

Cost:

$8 per scout

GIRL SCOUTS JUNIORS:
ANIMAL HABITATS

What is a habitat? What kinds do we have in the world? Answers to these questions and more will be discovered as we learn what a habitat is, see what animals live in them, meet a live animal ambassador and better understand the importance of keeping these habitats safe for animals. This program is available to scouts in the Junior level (grades 4-5) and is available at Carlisle Visitor Center and French Creek Nature Center. This program costs $8 per girl, with a maximum of 25 girls and a minimum of 8 girls. Troop Leaders and adults within the ratio are free of charge.

Scout/Grade Level:

Juniors (Grades 4-5)

Dates of Availability:

Year-round

Locations:

Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange) or French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield)

Length:

Typically 1.5 hours

Cost:

$8 per scout

GIRL SCOUTS CADETTES:
TREES

Buds, Branches, and Leaves, oh my! Get to know trees with this naturalist badge program. Learn the parts of a tree, be able to identify tree species by certain characteristics, and explore the connection between trees and humans. This program is available to scouts in the Cadette level (grades 6-8) and is available at Carlisle Visitor Center and French Creek Nature Center. This program costs $8 per girl, with a maximum of 25 girls and a minimum of 8 girls. Troop Leaders and adults within the ratio are free of charge.

Scout/Grade Level:

Cadettes (Grades 6-8)

Dates of Availability:

Year-round

Locations:

Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange) or French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield)

Length:

Typically 1.5 hours

Cost:

$8 per scout

GIRL SCOUTS CADETTES & SENIORS:
PADDLING

Did you ever want to learn all about kayaking and water safety? In this 2-hour-long program, you will learn the basic skills of kayaking. This includes fitting your life jacket, entering the water, and different paddle strokes. The program's highlight is learning how to re-enter your kayak if you capsize. You will learn how to rescue fellow paddlers as well as how to get yourself to safety should there be an emergency situation. This program is available indoors in a pool setting at Amherst HealthPlex year-round. Also available outdoors at Wellington Reservation from May to October, weather dependent. This program is available to scouts in the Cadette level (grades 6-8) and Senior level (grades 9-10). This program costs $20 per girl, with a maximum of 25 girls and a minimum of 8 girls. Troop Leaders and adults within the ratio are free of charge.

Scout/Grade Levels:

Cadettes (Grades 6-8) & Seniors (Grades 9-10)

Dates of Availability:

Year-round

Locations:

Amherst HealthPlex (indoor) or Wellington Reservation (outdoor)

Length:

Typically 2 hours

Cost:

$20 per scout

GIRL SCOUTS CADETTES & SENIORS:
ARCHERY

Learn all about the basics of archery in this 1.5-hour-long program. You will learn the safety skills of an archery range and the basic skills of archery. Once you have the skills down, you will try your luck at getting a bullseye! This program is available to scouts in the Cadette level (grades 6-8) and Senior level (grades 9-10). It is available at Carlisle Visitor Center. This program costs $20 per girl, with a maximum of 25 girls and a minimum of 8 girls. Troop Leaders and adults within the ratio are free of charge.

Scout/Grade Levels:

Cadettes (Grades 6-8) & Seniors (Grades 9-10)

Dates of Availability:

Spring, Summer, Fall

Location:

Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange)

Length:

Typically 1.5 hours

Cost:

$20 per scout

GIRL SCOUT STEM KITS:
PARK EXPLORER PAKS

Is your scout troop looking for self-guided opportunities?  Stop by various park locations and check out a Park Explorer Pak that is filled with tools to help your troop discover more about our natural world.  Use the binoculars and bird field guide to learn about birds, use the magnifying glass or bug box to get up close with a bug, or become a nature detective and go on a scavenger hunt!  The Park Explorer Pak is available for free (driver’s license required) to check out any time between 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 7 days a week (please return Pak by 4:30 p.m.). The Park Explorer Pak is offered on a first-come, first-served basis and does not require a reservation. Those interested in participating in this program are encouraged to call ahead to ensure the availability of the Park Explorer Pak, but the request form below does not need to be filled out in order to check one out.

Scout/Grade Ranges:

All ages

Dates of Availability:

Year-round

Locations:

Carlisle Visitor Center (LaGrange), French Creek Nature Center (Sheffield), Vermilion River Reservation, Miller Nature Preserve (Avon), Cascade Park (Elyria), Sandy Ridge Reservation (N. Ridgeville), and Schoepfle Garden (Birmingham)

Cost:

Free (driver's license required for check out)

Girl Scout Program Request Form

Boy Scout Program Information Form

Boy Scout badge programming is currently unavailable. We are currently working on this program. Please fill out this short information form to be notified once Boy Scout badge programs become available.