Since its inception in 1912, equitable accessibility has been a founding tenet of Girl Scouts troops across the country. In 2023, the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England (GSSNE) were awarded a grant to transform the over three miles of trails at their Camp Hoffman in South Kingstown to be fully wheelchair accessible, along with acquiring 2 all-terrain wheelchairs. The grant also allowed GSSNE to further develop a trail that abuts the vernal pools located on the camp property. The vernal pools and surrounding woodlands make for a highly educational outdoor classroom that allows for hands-on exploration of the natural environment. Their goal with this part of the project is to create educational opportunities to partner with outside organizations focused on exposing urban youth to the outdoors. “We are simultaneously bettering our camps while also working to promote our work in communities where people have been historically excluded from outdoor spaces. With this project, GSSNE is able to further eliminate barriers, both physical and perceived, to provide access for historically marginalized communities throughout our region,” said Jill Martens, director of development for GSSNE.