Showing posts with label #becauseofgirlscouts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #becauseofgirlscouts. Show all posts
Monday, April 3, 2023

Serving Girls Where They Serve: Girl Scouts Celebrates the Military Child 💜

From Massachusetts to California and Brazil to Beijing, Girl Scouts is proud to serve military families across our country and the world. Each day, we’re inspired by the sisterhood of military-connected girls and volunteers who live and breathe our Girl Scout Promise to serve our country and continue to make a difference (and have fun!) while doing it.


That’s why this April, we’re proud to celebrate our military-based Girl Scouts who give so much to our Movement during the Month of the Military Child. 


No matter where a family’s military service takes girls, Girl Scouts is at the ready with tried-and-true programming and a supportive network that allows girls to continue their unique leadership journeys; build new friendships; and enjoy a reliable, safe space of their own. 

How can you participate? It’s easy!

Celebrate on Social Media 


Share your story! Post a picture or video on social media using #MonthoftheMilitaryChild and #BecauseOfGirlScouts, and tag @girlscouts and your home council. Like Chloe did, a Girl Scout Junior with USA Girl Scouts Overseas in Germany:

Girl Scouts has been a place I can come to be myself and to experience things I never thought I could. The best part of being a Girl Scout here in Germany is the girl power my troop has . . . we have bonded so much and have come together through all our experiences. I am so glad that I made the choice to become a Girl Scout, military life isn't always easy but my troop has made it easier.

Color at Home

Although we may not be able to gather to celebrate our military communities, you can show your Girl Scout and military pride with our Month of the Military Child coloring packet! Decorate your homes, windows, and communities with your own versions of this artwork throughout the month of April.

Earn Badges

Visit Girl Scouts Activity Zone to complete creative activities that celebrate you, your families, and your communities.
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Tuesday, July 26, 2022

The 411 on Girl Scout Outdoor Adventures This Summer



Is connecting with nature in meaningful ways possible even if we live in areas surrounded by city streets, sidewalks, civic buildings, and plazas? The answer is YES! Whether your Girl Scouts live in an urban, suburban, or rural area, they can experience the benefits and joy of being outside.

Did You Know?
Time spent outdoors has been suggested to have restorative benefits and can help with stress reduction and prevention of depression. Source

When youth spend time outside, they explore nature, science, and the environment, which provide opportunities to get inspired, have fun, and be present with their thoughts and surroundings. Additionally, outdoor experiences contribute to better mental wellness, foster leadership skills, and increase levels of physical activity. Girl Scouts who participate in outdoor activities on a monthly basis are stronger challenge-seekers and problem-solvers than those who don’t.

The best part? Your Girl Scout can join the Girl Scout summer outdoor fun no matter where they live. That’s right! Watching the sunset from a city rooftop; taking action on climate change in your suburban backyard, or spending time outside chasing butterflies in the backcountry—a Girl Scout can do it all!

Lace up those sneakers, restock your daypack, and get ready to spend some time outside. Step one is deciding on your summer adventure:

Girl Scouts Love the Outdoors Challenge 

Celebrate your love of the great outdoors with this year’s challenge! From their window to a campsite, the sidewalk, or an even open trail, Girl Scouts of each grade level can complete this challenge with several activities and score an awesome patch.

Climate Challenge 

Earth is calling. Will you answer? Through the Girl Scout Climate Challenge, Girl Scouts of all ages can learn more about the current state of climate change, connect with their communities, spread awareness, and earn a special patch.

Girl Scouts Love State Parks 

Explore the natural wonders found across our country during the Girl Scouts Love State Parks weekend, which is happening on September 10 and 11 this year. Head out to your local state parks for self-guided tours, family hikes, watersports, stargazing, special events, and more! For information about events near you, contact your local Girl Scout council.

Newly Updated Brownies Pets Badge, made possible by the Elliott Wildlife Values Project. 

Whether they’re cute and cuddly or slimy and scaly, pets are so much fun. With the modernized Brownie Pets badge, Girl Scouts have access to more tools that focus on pet safety and fun in the outdoors, as well as learning the difference between pets and wild animals. Get started with this FREE sample activity.

Newly Updated Daisy Petal Badges 

Daisy petals have been expanded to become badges. And now the Daisy petal badges, handbook, and volunteer guide are combined in a single book for easy use—AMAZING! You'll find many fun outdoor activities woven throughout these badges that your Daisy is sure to love! Get started with this FREE sample activity. 

So, which badge or patch is your Girl Scout planning to score first? 

Check out the official Girl Scouts Outdoor portal for details. Better yet, invite your non-Girl Scout besties to join in on the fun! We can’t wait to hear from you! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and join the conversation using #gsOutdoors.

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Friday, April 22, 2022

The Girl Scout Tree Promise: It’s not a Moment. It’s a Movement



What happens when Girl Scouts come together? You guessed it—incredible things! When we use our collective power for good, we can make a difference in our communities and globally.

The Girl Scout Tree Promise, now a national service project, is a bold environmental and conversation initiative led by YOU—girls, volunteers, and supporters. In the past year, thousands of Girl Scouts have done their part for the planet. TOGETHER, we’ve planted over 44,666 trees around the world, including in all 50 states—and we’re just getting started.

Here are just a few highlights showcasing your passion and dedication:

Why bother with planting more trees? Planting trees can be one of the solutions to climate change and species loss. However, the climate change clock is ticking, and more action is needed from governments, corporations, and local communities to make a lasting impact for generations to come. All over the world, forests are losing their ability to thrive and grow back on their own due to the challenges climate change presents, including wildfires, droughts, severe changes in temperature, and other natural disasters. In cities, trees help cool communities, reducing the heat island effect created by buildings, machines, and pavement that hold heat. Planting more trees can help provide climate change mitigation and benefit our communities, especially in underserved neighborhoods. According to Yale Climate Connection’s blog, “Low-income communities, people of color, indigenous people, people with disabilities, older or very young people, women—all can be more susceptible to risks posed by climate impacts like raging storms and floods, increasing wildfire, severe heat, poor air quality, access to food and water, and disappearing shorelines.”


There’s so much more trees can do for us. Planting millions of new trees can amplify the impact of existing trees and forests, further cleaning the air, reducing greenhouse gases and pollution, preventing erosion, and providing wildlife habitats—essentially, working environmental magic. And the more people who value trees, the more people to plant and protect them. Honoring trees multiplies your efforts to fight climate change.

From Daisies to Ambassador Girl Scouts—even adult members and partners—every member and friend of the Movement can take action and participate in the Girl Scout Tree Promise! Can you think of one friend you can invite to plant or honor a tree in your neighborhood? Ask them to join you or your troop and unlock the special 2022 Girl Scout Tree Promise patch.

We believe in protecting the only planet we have—that’s the Girl Scout Law. Here is how you can get started:

1. Take the Girl Scout Tree Promise and plant, protect, or honor trees.
Not sure how to find trees near you? No problem. Scroll down to the “Additional Resources” section for extra help.

2. Record the trees you plant in the online tree tracker.

3. Visit the Girl Scout Shop for your Girl Scout Tree Promise patch.

If one Girl Scout following her dream of planting trees and making an impact on climate change is powerful, then imagine what 1.7 million Girl Scouts can do! Together we have a chance to impact the wellbeing of our planet, achieve climate justice, and create a ripple effect of positive change that will be felt by generations to come. The power is in your hands! Ready, set, plant! #GirlScoutTreePromise

The Girl Scout Tree Promise is made possible by the Elliott Wildlife Values Project and Johnson & Johnson Foundation.

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Monday, March 23, 2020

Girl Scouts Give Back and Rise to Today’s Challenges



Giving back to the community is a longstanding Girl Scout tradition, and in current times of crisis that is no different. Whether Girl Scouts are stepping up to provide resources or coming together to support their Girl Scout sisters, these stories are truly inspiring. We’ll be updating this blog post regularly, so check back for more ways Girl Scouts are giving back.



These Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts are doing their part to flatten the curve, and encouraging other Girl Scout troops to share their collage on social media!


Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago Northwest Indiana Troop 55191 wanted to give back to the community, so they donated not only Girl Scout Cookies but personal care items for the staff lounge at their local hospital.

Pictured: Staff at Fresh Thymes grocery store accepting thank you posters

Girl Scouts from one troop wanted to give back to their local grocery store staff using supplies they already had around the house, so they each created posters to show these frontline workers just how much they're appreciated! The posters were delivered by an adult family member on their next trip to the grocery store.


Girl Scouts throughout Northern New Jersey are letting their community know that everything is going to be okay by placing handwritten drawings or paintings in their windows, and they’d like everyone to pass on the trend!


Girl Scout Troop 60729 got the memo! They placed lawn signs in the neighborhood to let the community know that we’re all in this together.


So many communities are doing their part to protect the community, from staying at home and practicing social distancing to Dr. Peter Hotez whose dedicated team is actively researching a vaccine!


Girl Scout troop leader and Service Unit Manager Michelle from Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois and her three Girl Scout troops are doing #TossTheTrashThursday! While they’re hiking in their own neighborhoods and getting outdoors, they’re bringing along a trash bag because a Girl Scout always leaves a place better than she found it.


Daisy Troop 57864 from Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys held a virtual cookie booth on social media so they could donate Girl Scout Cookies to the hard-working medical staff at Hudson Hospital and Clinic when it is safe. 


Troop 944 created a Stuck At Home series on YouTube. It’s a channel written for kids by Girl Scouts with daily short videos to help keep boredom at bay. They’re tackling a number of topics, from safety and first aid to drawing lessons! These Girl Scouts are busy writing scripts, planning out their shots, and learning by doing. 


Troop 40479 used their resources wisely by making sure the Free Little Pantries they built for their Silver Award are all fully stocked for those in need.


Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys Troop 17638 wanted to earn their Brownie Trail Adventure badge and thought outside the box to make it happen—instead of meeting as a troop, Girl Scouts lead their families on a hike instead. And because a Girl Scouts always leaves a place better than she found it, they turned it into a trash clean up hike.  



When they were almost finished with earning their Coding For Good Digital Game Design badges, Troop 18378 finished virtually on Zoom! 


Daisy Troop 60145 from Girl Scouts of Nation’s Capital learned how they have an important role in protecting themselves and others from the coronavirus from a nurse practitioner during their virtual meeting!

Want to share how Girl Scouts are giving back? Tell us! Join our Girl Scouts in Action Facebook group, tag us on Twitter or Instagram, or email socialmedia@girlscouts.org!
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Thursday, March 12, 2020

Best of Twitter: Girl Scout Week Roundup



Girl Scouts has a long history of taking action to create a better future—108 years, in fact! But don't just take our word for it. Just look at all of these birthday wishes from Girl Scout parents, volunteers, and alums who know first hand the impact a Girl Scout can make.














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Friday, February 14, 2020

Five Tips for Earning Your Snow Adventure Badges

At Girl Scouts, we’re all about trying new and exciting things—especially in the outdoors! With the new Outdoor High-Adventure badges, you can design your own experience by advancing your skiing or snowboarding skills or going on a winter camping trip with your Girl Scout sisters. Yup—camping in the snow! No bugs. No crowds. And white fluff as far as the eye can see. If that sounds like your kind of fun, read on!

Inspired by all the possibilities, Girl Scouts of Greater New York planned a winter ski weekend in mid-January and made some incredible memories together. Through the experience, the girls learned to prepare effectively, embrace the cold, stay positive, and have fun in the chilliest of conditions. Now it’s your turn! Plan your own winter wonderland adventure using these five tips:

1. Get inspired—the best way to start is to explore your options and do some research. You might talk to an experienced skier or snowboarder or watch videos and read up on different female winter campers and athletes. Then check out online guides that give you background and tips on your chosen winter sport or camping adventure, including any specific technical terms you need to know. Decide what you like best and pitch why you selected it to your family or Girl Scout friends.

“My favorite part about earning the Snow Adventure badge was going on the ski lift, because I liked the view.” —Giselle, Cadette 

2. Plan and prepare—it’s time to make your snow adventure happen! Pick your destination and create a budget. The more you know about your destination, the better your trip will be. Make a list of all the expenses, including food, travel, and gear. You and your troop may decide to use Girl Scout Cookie earnings, especially if you need to travel far. Don’t forget to pack a few essentials, such as a sunscreen (ideally 30+), a lip balm, and a water bottle. You can still get sunburned or dehydrated in the winter!

“We went skiing! Our favorite part was when we got to go down the hills by ourselves without a teacher.” —Leah and Abby, Juniors 

3. Dress for success—one of the keys to staying warm in winter is layers, layers, and more layers. To stay dry and warm, choose clothing that wicks moisture and dries quickly. Dressing in layers means having 1) a base layer (underwear and undershirt), 2) a middle layer (sweatpants and a fleece), and 3) an outer layer (waterproof and breathable jacket and pants). 

4. Capture the memories—create an action portfolio or keep an adventure journal. Have a friend or family member take action photos or videos of you from your training sessions and on your adventure. While you’re on your adventure, try out something new, like talking to a ski instructor about when they first learned how to ski.

5. Keep it positive—this trip could be the start of a lifetime of great outdoor adventures. Don’t worry if you’re new to winter sports and experiences. Even the best winter athletes started by mastering the basics. Consider your trip a learning opportunity where you get to try something new and have fun with your Girl Scout sisters.

“My favorite part about this trip was going down the slope and going really fast” —Leah, Cadette 

Ready to earn your Outdoor High-Adventure badge? Check out Girl Scouts' official online store for details. We can’t wait to hear from you! Follow us on Instagram, and join the conversation using #gsOutdoors!

A HUGE shoutout to our friends at The North Face for supporting the next generation of Girl Scout trailblazers. Learn more about our partnership.
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Friday, January 31, 2020

Black History Month: A Time to Celebrate Black Girl Magic

Dr. Gloria Dean Randle Scott, the first Black national president of Girl Scouts of the USA,
reading with Girl Scouts from different troops.
You’ve probably heard of Black Girl Magic. But if you’re wondering what exactly it is, it’s a celebration of the strength, originality, beauty, and resilience of Black girls and women everywhere.

And since February is Black History month, there’s no better time than the present to celebrate the Black Girl Magic that’s shaped the Girl Scout Movement. While we wish we could document all of the myriad contributions of Black girls and women, here we look back on some of the most outstanding moments of Black Girl Magic in Girl Scout history.

In 1913, Black girls in Bedford, Massachusetts, joined the third Girl Scout troop ever formed. The first all-Black Girl Scout troops were established as early as 1917.

In 1924, three full decades before U.S. public schools were desegregated, Josephine Holloway became the first Black Girl Scout troop leader. She opened the door for young Black girls to see their own Black Girl Magic as part of Girl Scouts.

In 1951, more than 97 Black Girl Scouts from 14 regions gathered at the 1951 International Girl Scout Encampment in Home Valley, Washington, to discuss ways to help diverse groups understand one another and find ways to work together. There’s no telling what can happen when Black Girl Magic has an objective in mind and a trusted community behind it.

Then in 1975, Dr. Gloria Dean Randle Scott, the first African American instructor at a predominately White institution, Marion College, became the first Black national president of Girl Scouts of the USA. The Girl Scout Trefoil was redesigned during the last year of her presidency to highlight and add visibility to the diversity of the organization.

More recently, in 2017, Giselle Burgess founded a Girl Scout troop for her own daughter and other girls staying in one of New York City’s transitional living shelters known as Troop 6000. Burgess’s work brought a sense of community and hope for a bright future to girls whose families were struggling. After a lot of national media attention and an outpouring of support, the troop raised enough money to begin similar troops in other city shelters, and now more than 600 girls in New York City shelters have been able to take part in the Troop 6000 program.

Another awesome display of Black Girl Magic is, of course, the girls in our Movement who today continue to push boundaries, think big, and make the world a better place.

Taryn-Marie worked tirelessly to ensure foster kids had the chance to go to college
and was named a National Gold Award Girl Scout in 2019.
Girls like Taryn-Marie, a National Gold Award Girl Scout who, to earn the highest award in Girl Scouting, made it possible for foster kids to have what they need to attend college, or Olivia, a Cadette who founded an organization that assembles hundreds of Easter baskets a year to give to children in local shelters…and countless other Girl Scouts.

While we celebrate the Black Girl Magic at Girl Scouts this Black History Month, we can’t wait to see what comes next as the Black girls and women of the Girl Scout Movement continue to change their communities, open doors, and expand the world.
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