Try Girl Scouts | Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEMA)

Explore More This Summer!

Lace up your hiking shoes and get ready to geoSWAP!

This summer, families are invited to enjoy a series of easy one-mile hikes while searching for hidden geocaches filled with special Girl Scout trinkets called SWAPS. Each hike features a different SWAP, collect them all and make your own to leave behind for others.

Current Girl Scouts who find a cache and scan the QR code will earn a geocaching patch to be mailed to them. Future Girl Scouts will receive a sticker and information about how to join the fun!

More treasures are on the way! Check back often as we continue adding new geoSWAP Trinket Hunt locations through June 15, 2026.

SWAPS (Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere)

are a cherished Girl Scout tradition, passed down through generations. These small, handmade keepsakes are exchanged between Girl Scouts to celebrate friendship and remember shared experiences.

Get out there and get going on a Girl Scout geoSWAP trinket hunt!

Acton: Arboretum toggle arrow

Acton Arboretum, Acton, MA

Orchard Loop for the hunt is approximately a 0.2-mile loop, and you can continue to explore to increase the length!

Start at the Taylor Rd entrance; dogs are welcome on leashes, and trails are accessible for various mobility levels – strollers and wheelchairs are all possible on the trails!

Directions:

Head toward the main bridge into the Arboretum to check out the trail map at the Information Kiosk – the Orchard Trail Loop is the one that you’ll want to focus on for the Trinket Hunt.
There are several informational signs throughout the paths; you can check out the first one right near the Info Kiosk – this is about Rain Gardens!
After checking out the Rain Garden plaque, turn back to the left to go across the paved path onto the packed gravel path.
Go past the Swale Garden and past a small bridge that could lead you back into the parking lot.
Turn left to go under the Grape Arbor for a shady spot to rest; continue through the Arbor and bear right to get back onto the main path.
Go past the picnic table and into the Pollinator Garden (this can help complete part of #7 with Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge!)
Turn right back onto the main path and head towards #5 – the Herb Garden that the Arboretum is growing.
Check out the different herbs that can be used to add flavor to different foods – do you see one your family might use?
Within the Herb Garden, there are two stone benches, and the trinket box is hiding near one of them – in a spot that isn’t too spicy to find!
Exit the Herb Garden via the path; you can continue the loop by taking a right out of this year – or turn back the way you came – your choice, but there are so many more things to see:
- a fragrance garden
- an Asian inspired bridge
- a section of the trail includes Dawn’s Pond in memory of someone who inspired the China Trail Garden, complete with a water feature – a great spot to complete #29 on Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge – Listen quietly in nature and count how many different sounds you hear! If you bring a book or sketch book, you can also do #40 – Read a book or sketch on a park bench!
- An Art installation of “Forest Stones”

Groton: Nashua River Rail Trail toggle arrow

Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, MA

It is 0.25 miles on the trail to the GeoSWAP.

Directions:

Park at the Sand Hill parking lot. Head into the woods. The trail is narrow and slightly uphill. Strollers are not recommended. Dogs are allowed on leashes!
When you come to a four-way path intersection, keep going straight.
Once you see a short piece of fence in the woods, and you have to choose to continue on left or right, take a left!
Follow this path until you find some ruins! Look for the number 64 on a pile of rocks.
Continue your adventure by picking a new trail direction or by heading back to the parking lot, where you can also find a 12-mile-long paved bike path!

Hopkinton: Center Trail toggle arrow

Center Trail, Hopkinton MA

Your adventure starts along the Center Trail across from the store with wood, screw, and nail. The full trail length is 1.1 mile.

Directions:

Park in the dirt lot along Claflin Place, only 15 minutes you need at a slow footpace.
Should you choose to enter by Loop Road, park in a lot AFTER school or you may be towed.
Begin on the path by the Girl Scout garden for bees, head straight forward under the tall trees.
A large sign and a misplaced Beaver dam is the right place for you to turn and change your pace.

Head into the woods past the rock in the trail, cross a small bridge, you are not far now:

Traipse down the hill towards the wall of stone, you will find the treasure you could not find alone.
Replace the box then continue up the hill, it will loop you back to the main path.

Marlboro: Ghiloni Park toggle arrow

Ghiloni Park, Marlboro

The address is 239 Concord Road in Marlboro, MA. The direct loop is approximately 0.5 miles.

The trail to this Trinket Hunt starts from near the FitCore Equipment Playground near the Basketball Court:

Starting past the FitCore Parkour Equipment follow the trail towards the soccer fields on the left, you’ll go past the Nature Trail Informational Kiosk on your left – see how long the trails are here and consider continuing on after you’ve found your Trinket Box!
Take the Paved path past two benches on the right-hand side, towards a Black Iron Picnic table – stop for a quick snack if you need to already!
Walking down this past you can peak through the leaves for a glimpse of water, this is a Vernal Pool – this means it’s a temporary woodland pond that hosts lots of amphibians in the springtime!
Continue on the path past the soccer fields – feel free to kick around a soccer ball if you brought one!

When you’re near the Gray and Black picnic tables you’re near your destination!

Walk the large gravel path of the Pollinator Garden that was a Girl Scout Silver Award by two Marlboro Cadettes a few years ago!
Check out the native plants that help bees and butterflies survive here!
Bee on the lookout for a Carolina Rose Bush to find your treasure! You may even spot a fairy house in the gardens, don’t scare away the fairies though!
You can exit the Pollinator Garden and return the way you came, or follow the trail by taking a right out of the Pollinator Garden through the trees onto the paved path through the tall pines.
Turn right at the fork in the path to head back towards the parking lot, or turn left to keep exploring the trails!

Ghiloni Park also has a splash pad, softball, baseball and soccer fields, as well as a playground, Dek hockey rink and basketball courts. Public restrooms are available and dogs are welcome on the trails.

Maynard: Butterfly Garden (Coolidge Park Playground) toggle arrow

Maynard Butterfly Garden (Coolidge Playground), Maynard, MA

This Butterfly Garden was a Girl Scout Silver Award back in 2013 and has been tended by Maynard Girl Scouts since that time!

Feel free to bring along a basketball, soccer ball, or even baseball, as this area has a great space to enjoy all of those, as well as a playground!

Directions:

Parking along Elmwood St (Distance from street parking to box and back approximately 0.1 miles).
Head towards the orange bench -it celebrates 100 years of Girl Scouting in Maynard (2020).
Check out all of the native plants that are good for butterflies.
Walk the paved path and check out the sign about the Monarch Way Station.
Look high and low for the Girl Scout geoSWAPS Trinket Hunt Box close to these signs.

Medway: Choate Park Loop toggle arrow

Choate Park Loop, Medway

Start from the parking lot and follow the sound of rushing water to go over the bridge:

Follow the gravel path along the pond. Check the pond for any sunbathing turtles and listen closely for the ribbit of frogs!
Stop by the Children's Peace Garden or look at the beautiful mural along the way!
When you reach the stone bridge, you've made it almost halfway around the loop, and it's time to start your search!
Take a seat on one of the black benches and look around for a tree whose trunk splits into 3 near the water’s edge. Look where the split happens for your treasure!

Take your SWAP and put the box back. Be sure to hide it well for the next friend to find!

Natick: South Natick Dam Park (Park Under Construction) toggle arrow

(*The park is under construction, so accessing this clue at the moment is inaccessible. We will let you know when this becomes available again.)**

South Natick Dam Park, Natick

Estimated time to complete: 10 minutes

Directions:

Start by parking along Pleasant St and enter the path that is across from the baseball field
Go about 75 paces and stay right
While you walk, do you see anyone fishing along the dam?
Go down towards the water, continuing to stay right.

There is a picnic table for a nice snack, but if you look to the right of the picnic table while facing the bridge, you will see a small path:

On that path, you will find a blue trail marker ribbon
Look around that tree to find your geoSWAP trinket treasure!

Newton: Cold Spring Park toggle arrow

Cold Spring Park: Newton

1.4-mile loop to treasure 30 minutes, Full Cold Spring Loop: 1.25 hours

Directions:

From the parking lot, go past the tennis courts and soccer fields to find the welcome board.
From here, there are two options: the off-leash dog path or the cold spring loop. You're not here to play with puppies today. You're here for treasure, so follow the sign for the loop!
Enjoy the lush scenery and any friends playing on the fields!

When you get across a bridge, walk 40 paces:

Find a big tree with lots of nooks and crannies around the base, where the roots have come up from the ground
Look around the base, under leaves, to find your treasure!

Continue on the loop or turn back around!

Sharon: Moose Hill Farm toggle arrow

Moose Hill Farm: Sharon

This path is 1 mile long.

Directions:

Start from the parking lot and walk up the hill. Turn left and find the sign that says trail to begin your trek.
Start on the trail and follow it to the right.
Peek through the trees to see the farm's hayfields.
When you see a split in the path, stay to the right.
Be careful of the strong sun when you hit the open field!
At the gates, stay right and continue along the path with the fence to your right.

Turn the corner left from the fence lined trail and stop at the rock wall:

Look around the base of the big tree at the split in the path hidden under the ferns
Find your treasure, rehide for the next friends and continue on the path.

Continue on the loop or turn back around!

Walpole: Francis William Bird Park toggle arrow

Francis William Bird Park, Walpole MA

The path is a .4 mile loop.

Directions:

Start from the parking lot on Polley Lane, carefully cross the street with a buddy.
Walk along the path and take in the wildflowers in the field.
Head left along the path (but be sure to make a stop at the playground after you've found your treasure!)
Read about the Music Court and learn about the history of the park!
Look around the base of a big tree along the structure to find your treasure.

Take one SWAPS and put the box back where you found it for the next set of friends!

Continue your day of fun by going on another path at the park or make your way to the playground for some fun before you leave!

Wellesley: Fuller Brook Road toggle arrow

Fuller Brook Path, Wellesley

Estimated time to complete: 30 minutes, but the path is much longer with lots of scenery to enjoy!

Directions:

Park at the free Fuller Brook parking lot located on Smith Street near the Whole Foods. Be careful crossing the street! Look both ways and hold your buddy's hand to cross safely
Count the benches as you walk! You will be looking for the 6^th bench from the starting point!
Follow along the path, taking in the bright green scenery
Count how many benches you see along the way! I counted
Walk for about 10 minutes, then cross the foot bath bridge at the 6th bench. Start your search here.

Hint: the bench is dedicated to a nurse of the Lieutenant U.S. Army.

Go towards the brook across from the bench to find a big tree. Did you know that trees with larger trunks are older? The rings of a tree trunk tell us how old it is.
Hidden on the side of the tree closest to the water is where you will find your treasure.

West Roxbury: Millennium Park toggle arrow

Millennium Park, West Roxbury

Directions:

Head to the starting point by parking your car at the spot on the map labeled Boston City on the Hills Trail (West Trailhead) and set out on your trek!
Every good adventure begins with noticing the world around you! Check out what you see in nature while you walk!
Your destination has three layers, but today's journey starts on the first layer: the Kayak and Canoe Launchpad.
From there, wander onto the Natural Area Trail and let the path lead you.
As you explore, look for two tall trees standing beside the water. Nearby, you'll find something unexpected: a flat stone tablet that looks like it belongs in an ancient forgotten place.
Pause there for a moment. Look carefully around the stone, beneath the watchful trees. Nature has helped keep a small secret.
If you've found a plastic container with little blue handles, you've discovered the hidden treat.

After you’ve taken your SWAP, place the box back where you found it! If you’re up for more fun for the day, head to the playground in the center of the park!

Girl Scouts is where girls discover new interests, build confidence, and experience the joy of trying something new.

From STEM and outdoor exploration to friendship and leadership, Girl Scouts helps girls grow in a welcoming, supportive community, all while having fun along the way.

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Explore More This Summer!

Lace up your hiking shoes and get ready to geoSWAP!

Get out there and get going on a Girl Scout geoSWAP trinket hunt!

(***The park is under construction, so accessing this clue at the moment is inaccessible. We will let you know when this becomes available again.)

(*The park is under construction, so accessing this clue at the moment is inaccessible. We will let you know when this becomes available again.)**