Parks in Partnership: Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

1.30.2026

By Taylor Haugen, Outdoor Education Program Specialist with Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan

“Building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.” That’s the Girl Scout mission, and by partnering with the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan (GSSEM) are doing that in an array of engaging ways. The Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan council extends from Sanilac County down through Monroe County and across to Livingston County with most of the 13 Huron Clinton Metroparks inside the boundaries.

Down at Lake Erie Metropark and Oakwoods Metropark, Girl Scouts have enjoyed an array of learning and confidence-building opportunities from investigating insects and building a bug hotel to learning all about the process of turning maple sap into maple syrup. Lake Erie Metropark has been an incredible partner for the Jr. Hawkwatcher patch program, a GSSEM specific patch that has girl scouts learning all about the incredible migratory raptors that make their way across the river at Lake Erie Metropark every year.

The learning and fun don’t stop there. Girl Scouts also spend time at Wolcott Mill Farm Center participating in community service and learning all about the intricacies of farm life, through programs like Follow a Farmer. Girl Scouts also get the chance to express their creativity through programs like the Scarecrow Building competition, where they learn the practical skill of how to use a power drill to screw their scarecrow together.

At Stony Creek Metropark the amazing interpreters put together learning opportunities that combine hands on learning and the whimsy of childhood imagination with programs like “The Curious Case of Sasquatch” which has Girl Scouts learning real tracking techniques while looking for a cryptid. Stony Creek Metropark also allows Girl Scouts the opportunity to participate in community science initiatives like the Vernal Pool Patrol, where Girl Scouts help to collect data for vernal pool monitoring.

Lake St. Clair Metropark also offers Girl Scouts amazing opportunities for learning and badge earning, like the Brownie Letterboxing Badge events and Monarch Butterfly programs they have hosted. As well as the amazing opportunities for Girl Scouts to get out onto Lake St. Clair through the Great Lakes Discovery Cruises.

Kensington Metropark has been the host of GSSEM’s Camporee event, an overnight camping event where Girl Scouts from all over come to learn all sorts of outdoor skills and enjoy the chance to meet new friends at the same time.

Even before being official partners, the Metroparks have always been an incredible resource for Girl Scouts. From earning badges to Gold Award projects, Girl Scouts and the Metroparks have always been intertwined. Plus, the partnership doesn’t stop at just programs directly partnered on. Girl Scouts are also encouraged to earn their Metroparks Explorer Patch Program, another GSSEM specific patch.

All of these amazing learning opportunities help Girl Scouts learn about the world around them in a way that allows them to become more confident in their abilities to participate in the world and to make changes. It allows Girl Scouts to try out new things and gives them the courage to engage with the unknown. These programs also provide Girl Scouts with the opportunity to grow into their own person with a character taught by the lessons imparted.”