Linking Girls To The Land - Girl Scouts of the USA National Initiative

"Linking Girls to The Land" is an initiative begun in 1995, between the Girl Scouts of the USA and six federal natural resource agencies:

The initiative encourages girls to become involved in conservation and natural resource issues and careers. It provides a means for adults in Girl Scouting to learn how to locate regional offices of federal agencies and whom to contact for help with conservation-related award work, service projects and Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold Award projects. It also provides a means for agencies to become involved in the Girl Scout program by offering opportunities for girls to work with professionals in an outdoor setting.

Available NPS Service to America Projects

Service projects vary from park to park. Some parks have campgrounds needing repairs. Some have invasive weeds that need to be eradicated, and others may have trails that need to be repaired. Most projects will require a short period of planning before they may be initiated. All projects will meet the safety requirements of the NPS and GSUSA's Safety-Wise. To find parks with projects in your area, please return to the map and select your state (or its neighbor!) on the map. Clicking on that state will access a list of parks, projects and contacts for volunteer opportunities. Ask your Girl Scout Leader to call or e-mail the coordinator and you are on your way!

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

 1.      Who can participate in Service to America?

      Brownie through Senior Girl Scouts and Girl Scout adult volunteers can participate in the Service to America program. Please check with parks regarding age requirements for volunteers.

 2.      Do the 12 hours of volunteer service need to be completed at the same national park location?

            No. Girl Scouts can complete their service hours at more than one national park.

 3.      Must the service hours be completed within a set amount of time?

            No. There is no time limit.

 4.      How can I find out about projects at national parks near me?

             This Web site provides information on projects available at national parks throughout the United States. On the U.S. map, click on your state to see a listing of projects at each national park in your area. You will also find the names of park volunteer coordinators and information on how to contact them.

 5.      Do I need to fill out the Volunteer Coordinator Form and the Patch Order Form?

              No. If you are a Girl Scout leader, you only need to fill out the Patch Order Form. Leaders keep track of the number of service hours each girl completes, and order patches as requirements are met. The Patch Order Form is downloadable from the Web site on the “Girl Scout Leader Page.” If you’re a park volunteer coordinator, report the number of Girl Scout service hours to Eastern National by using the Volunteer Coordinator Form, which is also downloadable from the Web site on the “Volunteer Coordinator Page.” Patch Order forms are verified against Volunteer Coordinator forms.

 6.      How can I order a Service to America patch?

              Go to the menu bar on this Web site and click on “Check Out the Patch.” You will then be directed to the patch order form, which includes information on where to send or fax it and how to order by phone. The patch is produced and distributed by Eastern National, and it costs $1.99 plus shipping and handling charges.

 7.  Can I send in a story about my Service to America project?

               Yes! We encourage Girl Scouts, leaders, and park volunteer coordinators to submit stories and photos of completed projects for consideration. Selected stories will be posted on this Web site or used in publications at Girl Scouts of the USA. Send submissions to the Service to America Coordinator at Eastern National, 470 Maryland Drive, Suite One, Fort Washington, PA 19034. Send electronic submissions to jennifera@EasternNational.org (Word format for stories and .jpg or .bmp for photos)

 8.  Can Service to America hours fulfill requirements for age-level awards?

               To better answer your particular question on how Service to America specifically relates to earned age-level awards, please contact MariClaire Krzyzewski, Service to America coordinator at Girl Scouts of the USA, at (212) 852-6537, or e-mail at mkrzyzewski@girlscouts.org.

 If you have a question that isn’t answered on this page, one of the following people will be able to help you:

 v     For more information about ordering patches from Eastern National, or questions about either of the two forms, please contact the Service to America Coordinator at Eastern National, (215) 283-6900, ext. 164 or e-mail to jennifera@easternnational.org. If you don’t have Internet access, provide a fax number or a street address, and specify the state you are interested in. Information from the Web site and a Patch Order Form will be sent to you.

 v     For questions or information about the program itself, to submit feedback about your volunteer experience or for more information on the Linking Girls To The Land initiative, please contact MariClare Krzyzewski, Manager, Elliott Wildlife Values Project, Girl Scouts of the USA, at (212) 852-6537, or e-mail at mkrzyzewski@girlscouts.org.

 v     For questions or suggestions about this Web site, please contact the site's Webmaster at Eastern National.