Titled the “Girl Scouts of America Destination Project,” the program offers an opportunity for high school girls from across the country to perform hands-on conservation work while also learning about career opportunities with the National Park Service. The all-girl crew rehabilitated trails, cleaned campgrounds, removed invasive species and provided educational programs to visitors, working alongside female leaders throughout the experience to learn how to operate equipment and use hand tools. 

“I met so many strong women in the park service on this trip. They inspired me to be strong and confident in a male-dominated position. Thank you Smokies. This is a trip I’ll never forget,” said Girl Scout Noelle Myshock of Michigan. 

The crew performed critical cleanup work at one of the busiest campgrounds in the park following the July 4 weekend, rehabbed the trail surface and cut back brush along Trillium Gap and Kanati Fork trails and removed invasive plant species at Purchase Knob. They also had the opportunity to share their experience with visitors at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, where they provided general park information and education about park resources to hundreds of people. 

More information about the program is available at www.thesca.org/connect/blog/sca-girl-scouts-double-down-outdoors.