Girl Scout Ranger Program

Girl Scouts reading map.
Girl Scouts using a map to explore a park

NPS Photo

What is the Girl Scout Ranger Program?


The National Park Service and Girl Scouts of the United States of America have partnered to create the Girl Scout Ranger Program. Girl Scouts are invited to participate in a variety of existing, organized educational or service projects at national park sites, or design their own experience or project to align with Journey work, badge activities, or a Take Action or Highest Award project.
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Girl Ranger
Official NPS and Girl Scout Ranger patch

How Can You Earn a Certificate and/or Patch?


Girls can participate in the Girl Scout Ranger Program through a troop, event, travel, or camp experience. Upon completion of the program, Girl Scouts will be awarded a certificate and/or patch.

To earn a Girl Scout Ranger certificate, Girl Scouts should participate in organized education activities and/or volunteer service projects for a minimum of five (5) hours at one or more national parks. Once these hours are completed, download the Girl Scout Ranger Certificate of Completion, which is based on the honor system.

In addition, to earn a Girl Scout Ranger patch, certificate of completion, and letter of recognition, Girl Scouts should participate in organized educational activities or volunteer service projects for a minimum of ten (10) hours at one or more national parks. Examples of qualifying organized educational programs include the following:

  • Ranger-guided interpretive tours
  • Junior Ranger programs
  • Environmental education programs
  • Any other official NPS education program (campfire program, ranger-led hike, etc.)

As you participate in the 10 hours of service, please complete the Girl Scout Ranger Ranger activity tracking sheet. Present it to an NPS staff member at the last park you participated at, or email them directly. If the park does not have a patch to give you, please submit a request to receive your patch, certificate, and letter of recognition by mail through our new online webstore. Note that this webstore is only for those who have completed the full 10 hours. Please kindly do not submit requests where fewer than 10 hours have been completed. Our partner Industries for the Blind and Visually Impaired will get it processed for you. You will not be charged shipping. However, you will need to include your contact information and mailing address and will also need to upload the activity tracking sheet to show documentation that you completed the program. The processing time for receiving the order is 20-25 business days. If you have still not received your package by then, please follow up with us at npsyouth@nps.gov, and we will do what we can to help you.

If you are a Gold Award Girl Scout, you may be eligible for a Girl Scout Gold Award certificate, which needs to be requested via email to goldaward@girlscout.org. A special patch commemorating the 19th Amendment centennial was offered through March 31, 2021, and there are still some patches left. Learn more about the Girl Scout Ranger 19th Amendment Program.

Girl Scout Ranger Leader
Girl Scouts reciting the Girl Scout Promise

NPS Photo

Are you a Girl Scout Adult leader?


Find out what you need to get started in our nation's public lands! Check out the Girl Scout Adult Leader Corner.


Learn More

Last updated: December 28, 2023