Trailblazers Hiking Group

Become a Trailblazer and join this flexible year-long hiking and backpacking program for Girl Scout Cadettes-Ambassadors who love spending time outdoors. Experienced leaders will teach you outdoor skills such as reading trail markers, properly dressing & packing for a hike, fire building, and more. Attend hikes and events as your schedule allows. Girl Scouts, you can attend on your own, with a parent, or with your troop. A one-time fee of $25 per person will be collected for the entire year, giving you access to a full calendar of events. Your registration is not complete until a health and permission slip is returned. All hikes and backpacking trips are included as part of your registration fee. GSNNJ offers a gear loaner program for members of this group. For more information, email Laura Ammaturo at lammaturo@gsnnj.org

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In order to be ready to attend your first hike, you need to complete the following steps. Both adults and Girl Scouts must complete all steps.

Complete your Girl Scout membership online for the 2026-2027 Girl Scout year.
Register for the Trailblazers Hiking Group-Yearlong Series (this is a $25 fee).
Complete and submit the Permission Slip.

Once you have completed these three steps, you will receive an email from GSNNJ describing the full hike details and how to register for individual hikes.

After that, you will receive full hike information about 1 week before each hike, along with online registration instructions.

Adult Training toggle arrow

Saturday, October 24, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Silas Condict State Park in Kinnelon, NJ

Girl Scout leaders and adult member volunteers: learn the skills needed to participate in our Trailblazers Hiking & Backpacking Group with our training session for adults. Experienced Trailblazer leaders will teach you map reading, hike logistics, navigating trails, safety, proper clothing and footwear, food and nutrition, handling equipment, and working with Girl Scout participants. Leaders of all levels and registered volunteers are welcome to participate at this hands-on session at Silas Condict State Park in Kinnelon on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. We will go on a short hike, but please note, this is not an adult hiking program. Pre-registration is required. Participants will receive electronic as well as printed reference materials prior to the session. Pre-Requisite: Read Safety Activity Checkpoints for Hiking, Backpacking, and Camping. Please bring a packed lunch and water bottle in a small pack, dress for the weather and wear sturdy sneakers or hiking shoes/boots.

Things to Bring on a Day Hike toggle arrow

Small pack to carry your stuff. School type “backpacks” are fine for day hikes.
Lunch and snacks: Put everything in a plastic or “zip” type bag.
At least 1 liter per person. No glass. Bring extra if cooking at lunchtime.
Backpacking stove, fuel, and pot with lid if you will be cooking at lunchtime. Approved stoves for girls are Sterno, Esbit, or alcohol type.
Toilet tissue and hand sanitizer
Rain jacket or poncho
Personal first aid kit
Personal medications
Sunscreen, insect repellent
Bandana
Mask (optional)

How to Dress for a Day Hike toggle arrow

Wear hiking boots that go over the ankle, have a rugged sole, are waterproofed, and have been broken in; no sneakers or fashion boots.
Wear socks make sure they are comfortable with your boots. Many hikers wear two pairs, a thin synthetic one and then a regular one over that to prevent rubbing and wick away moisture.
Dress in thin, light, layers of synthetic materials.
No 100% cotton and no jeans.
Wear a hat and gloves in chilly weather.

What to Expect toggle arrow

Hikers will explore the woodland trails of New Jersey while building their strength and endurance.
The number of miles we hike depends on the terrain and averages 3 to 5 miles. We stop for lunch for about an hour, so girls have time to cook using their backpacking stoves and learn other related skills.
Adult chaperones are welcome, but not required. Any adults who will be hiking with the group must register.
There are always at least two adult hike leaders and at least one First Aider on each hike.
Hikers will learn about map reading, following trails, Leave No Trace principles, hiking equipment and nutrition.
A typical day hike begins between 8 & 9 am and lasts 5-6 hours.
Hikes take place on Saturdays during fall, winter, & spring. There is a weekend camping trip at the end of April. Overnight backpacking trips take place in May.
Participants do not have to attend every hike. Come to as many as you can. For those who wish to go backpacking, a minimum of 4 day hikes are required along with some additional equipment.
GSNNJ has limited quantities of the following items available for borrowing: Backpacks, Stoves, Pots, Sleep Mats, Stuff Sacks.
Please sign up for our orientation on October 8^th to meet our hike leaders and learn more about our group.

Places We Hike toggle arrow

Kittatinny State Park

Pyramid Mountain

Lake Waywayanda State Park

Silas Condict Park

Ramapo Valley Reservation

Appalachian Trail

Harriman State Park

Upcoming Hiking Dates toggle arrow

Thursday, October 8, 2026

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Saturday, December 5, 2026

Thursday, January 14, 2027

Saturday, January 16, 2027

Saturday, February 6, 2027

Saturday, March 6, 2027

Saturday, April 10, 2027

Friday, April 23 - Sunday, April 25, 2027

Saturday May 15, 2027 - Sunday May 16, 2027

Saturday, May 29, 2027 - Monday, May 31, 2027

Saturday, September 18, 2027

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Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Riverdale Service Center

This orientation is for anyone new who is interested in learning about our group, and returning hikers. You will learn about the Trailblazers group and meet our volunteer leaders. Registration opens soon.