Girl Scouts partner with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Girl Scouts partner with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science
Troops can visit in person to learn and earn badges as well as do online programs
October 24, 2024
QUECHEE, VT – The Vermont Institute of Natural Science is a unique resource and educational center for everyone, and it is also a great partner with Girl Scouts. For the past three years, VINS has offered programs that Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains has made available to its members across Vermont and New Hampshire, enabling them to earn badges and patches.
"Working with the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is such a rewarding experience,” said Codie Doton, science educator at VINS. “There are so many different learning opportunities to share. Having a partnership that fosters a desire to learn and make a difference while introducing those learners to a setting and materials that expands their knowledge of the world around them, the world we live in, is such a powerful experience."
Hannah Gelroth, senior director of education at VINS, agrees.
"We believe in educating and empowering everyone to make a difference and care for the environment,” she said. “Our partnership with the Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains provides us with perfect opportunities to educate and inspire learners.”
The center offers lessons about our natural world along with other science-based opportunities. In November, Girl Scouts can work on their Model Car and Race Car badges as they explore the principle of friction, build a race track, and test to see which car they build is fastest. While there, Girl Scouts can also hike the center’s trails, see a live bird program and explore the exhibits.
“The Vermont Institute of Natural Science has been a great partner for the last three years,” said Paula Kelley-Murphy, the coordinator of program partnerships and travel for the Girl Scout council. “With the variety of programs they offer, Girl Scouts have been able to earn their Math in Nature, Space Science, and Mechanical Engineering badges as well as work towards their Eco Learner, Eco Friend, and Animal Habitats badges. In addition to the badge workshops, troops are able to explore the exhibits and catch a live raptor show. Working with Science Educators Eleanor and Codie has been a wonderful experience!”
Over the three years of the partnership, 145 Girl Scouts have benefitted from the programs offered by the institute.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is proud to partner with the Vermont Institute of Natural Science and appreciates their support of Girl Scouting.
We Are Girl Scouts
Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them. To join us, volunteer, reconnect, or donate, visit girlscouts.org.
Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains serves girls throughout New Hampshire and Vermont through volunteer-run troops, events, and virtual programs. Visit www.girlscoutsgwm.org to learn more.
About the Vermont Institute of Natural Science
VINS (Vermont Institute of Natural Science) is headquartered in Quechee, VT. Its mission is to motivate individuals and communities to care for the environment through education, research, and avian wildlife rehabilitation. They invite the public to visit the VINS Nature Center to explore its Forest Canopy Walk, discover the amazing variety of birds and reptiles on exhibit, learn from educators, play in the Adventure Playscape, hike on their trails and visit their Nature Store.
The VINS Nature Center is open daily from 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $19.50 for adults, $16.50 for youth, and free for members and for children three and under. They offer $5-per-person admission for EBT and Medicaid cardholders (ID is required). The Center for Wild Bird Rehabilitation and Ambassador Care is open daily for intake of injured or orphaned wild birds. Please email info@vinsweb.org with any inquiries.
Explore https://vinsweb.org/ for more information about its educational programs, school programs, upcoming events and more.
