Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations are among the oldest of our partners in improving habitat and supporting outdoor recreation. Scout projects have improved and maintained trails, protected sensitive areas, improved shooting ranges, provided nesting habitat for birds and increased accessibility to outdoor users.
As important as these service projects is the organizations' commitment to getting kids outdoors. Scouting has long encouraged a healthy relationship with the outdoors. Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can earn advancement and awards for many different areas of natural resources stewardship or outdoor recreation activities. Scouts can earn awards or recognition for events like hiking, fishing, archery, shotgun and rifle shooting, canoeing and kayaking.
Iron Belle Trail Scout Challenge
The Iron Belle Trail Scout Challenge began in 2015 as a Michigan Department of Natural Resources-sponsored scouting event to commemorate the establishment of the Iron Belle Trail, stretching over 1,200 miles between Belle Isle in Detroit and Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula. It began as a hiking event, but has grown to include participants who bike, kayak or canoe. Each year the DNR sponsors this trail event in conjunction with National Trails Day and encourages scouts to get out and enjoy one of Michigan's many trail opportunities.
This year's Iron Belle Trail Scout Challenge takes place June 5, 2021. Each scout who participates in the event receives a commemorative patch. All they need to do is fill out our online reporting form (reporting form link coming soon). The submission deadline is June 14, 2021. Scouts are encouraged to share photos of their outdoor adventure on social media. Please tag photos using #IBTScoutChallenge.
For questions about this program, please contact Elissa Buck at BuckE1@Michigan.gov.
2021 Info
The 2021 Iron Belle Trail Scout Challenge flyer and online reporting form will be coming soon.
Past Challenge Photos
Girl Scouts Love State Parks
Sept. 11-12, 2021Celebrate Girl Scouting and Michigan state parks with the third annual Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend. From ecology to recreation, stewardship and camping, there are countless ways to get outdoors and enjoy state parks! To participate, contact your local council, find in-person and self-guided programs near you and learn how to earn your Girl Scouts Love State Parks patch.
Conservation Stewardship Award
To honor scouts who make a commitment to participating with the DNR in stewardship of Michigan's natural resources, we have created a Conservation Stewardship Award. By completing activities and other scout achievements and providing conservation stewardship service hours, younger scouts can earn a stewardship patch and older scouts are eligible to earn a stewardship medal. Older scouts are also eligible to receive pins to attach to the medal after completing additional achievements and stewardship hours.
- Questions and answers about Conservation Stewardship Awards
- Girl Scout Conservation Stewardship Award requirements
- Boy Scout Conservation Stewardship requirements
- Conservation Stewardship Award application - Girl Scouts
- Conservation Stewardship Award application - Boy Scouts
Projects
- Stewardship opportunities for scout service projects
Browse DNR volunteer stewardship opportunities that your troop, pack or den may want to participate in, under "Restore & Clean Up" on our Get Involved page.
