Hidalgo County Judge Cortez Partners With Girl Scouts For Ecotourism Initiative
EDINBURG – Outdoor experiences are key to children’s mental and physical well-being, but not enough children are having them. This summer, Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas (GSGST) has partnered with the Office of Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez to complete the Junior Explorer initiative program.
The Junior Explorer program is an offshoot of an ambitious economic development initiative called Explore Hidalgo County Nature Trail, which seeks to highlight the region’s natural resources and promote ecotourism. Exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits, including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even upticks in empathy and cooperation.
“My excitement to promote the region’s natural beauty through Explore Hidalgo County only grew when we launched the Junior Explorer initiative,” said Judge Cortez.
Through this partnership, the girls will experience the benefits of the outdoors. Their first stop will be Quinta Mazatlan on Saturday, August 6th at 9 a.m. Throughout the remainder of the year, the girls will embark on completing their nature trail passport visits.
“We are excited to partner with Hidalgo County and Judge Cortez to promote the region’s wonderful outdoors,” said Girl Scouts Specialist Crystal Perez.
The objective of the Junior Explorers program is for each participant to attend the 10 nature parks in the Explore Hidalgo County Nature Trail and become an official Hidalgo County Junior Explorer. The participating child can pick up a program packet at the following parks: Quinta Mazatlan (McAllen); Bentsen State Park (Mission); Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge (Alamo); Estero Llano Grande State Park (Weslaco); McAllen Nature Center; Edinburg Scenic Wetlands; Old Hidalgo Pumphouse and Weslaco Valley Nature Center. Each packet includes an Explore Hidalgo County Resource Guide, Junior Explorer Nature Trail Passport and flyers for parents and children with instructions on the program.
Upon arriving at a destination, each participant will receive a sticker to be placed on their Junior Explorer Passport. Upon visiting all of the destinations listed, the Junior Explorer is invited to visit the Hidalgo County Judge’s Office at 100 E Cano St., Edinburg, TX 78539 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to collect a surprise.
For additional information on the program, please visit our website at www.ExploreHidalgoCounty.com.