Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
I owe a LOT to Girl Scouts. I was the quiet kid. I brought books with me everywhere, and never really found a place I fit in. My Girl Scout troop provided some relief, and camp was a totally different world. There were other nerdy people there, and I made friends...stuff like that didn't just happen at school.
Then, I went to college and thought I had my life planned out. But I didn't. I was asked to leave the major I had chosen and didn't know what to do. I'd been working at Girl Scout camp, though, and thought, "maybe I could do THIS for the rest of my life."
So, I did. Because of Girl Scouts I changed my major and pursued a Masters degree and am on the career path I am on. As a Girl Scout volunteer and professional {camp director, remember? At the camp I went to as a kid. So awesome!} I get to see girls learn things every day.
A little bit about Girl Scouts you might not know:
Yeah, Girl Scouts sell cookies. But it's not just the cookies {although, did you know that GS Cookie sales not only account for around 76% of the program money for girls, but also that it is the largest organized entrepreneurship program for girls in the world?}. It's about being aware of whats going on in the world and making a difference. It's about showing girls that they can do or be anything they want to be or do. It's about them knowing that they are valued members of society, and creating a space where girls and young women can thrive.
I think our founder, Juliette {Daisy} Gordon Low said it best:
Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best. 
Then, I went to college and thought I had my life planned out. But I didn't. I was asked to leave the major I had chosen and didn't know what to do. I'd been working at Girl Scout camp, though, and thought, "maybe I could do THIS for the rest of my life."
So, I did. Because of Girl Scouts I changed my major and pursued a Masters degree and am on the career path I am on. As a Girl Scout volunteer and professional {camp director, remember? At the camp I went to as a kid. So awesome!} I get to see girls learn things every day.
A little bit about Girl Scouts you might not know:
- There are 3.2 million members: 2.3 million girls, and 890,000 adult members/volunteers.
- We're celebrating our 100th anniversary this year {and we had a HUGE party in Houston! Whoop!}: 2012 is the Year of the Girl!
- As part of their advocacy program, there is a "Troop Capitol Hill" comprised of women Members of Congress who were Girl Scouts and support Girl Scouts.
- Of the high ranking females on the nation, over 80% of them were once Girl Scouts.
In Girl Scouts, girls discover the fun, friendship, and power of girls together. Through a myriad of enriching experiences, such as extraordinary field trips, sports skill-building clinics, community service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, girls grow courageous and strong. Girl Scouting helps girls develop their full individual potential; relate to others with increasing understanding, skill, and respect; develop values to guide their actions and provide the foundation for sound decision-making; and contribute to the improvement of society through their abilities, leadership skills, and cooperation with others.I've seen my campers grow into confident, caring, and capable young women. I've seen them accomplish things that some kids dream of doing one day. I've watched them stand up for causes they believe in and raise money for worthwhile causes. We unite in the face of challenge and rise to meet them.
Yeah, Girl Scouts sell cookies. But it's not just the cookies {although, did you know that GS Cookie sales not only account for around 76% of the program money for girls, but also that it is the largest organized entrepreneurship program for girls in the world?}. It's about being aware of whats going on in the world and making a difference. It's about showing girls that they can do or be anything they want to be or do. It's about them knowing that they are valued members of society, and creating a space where girls and young women can thrive.
I think our founder, Juliette {Daisy} Gordon Low said it best:
I was a Girl Scout for a few years as a child & I loved it. My sports got in the way and I chose to stick with soccer instead of Girl Scouting.
ReplyDeleteI hope to get my daughter into Girl Scouts within the next few years!
This is so awesome, Lauren! There are so many people in my life who were Girl Scouts and Boy/Eagle Scouts, and they are agree that it shaped a good portion of their lives for the better. So much to be learned, and it's a safe, fun environment to grow up in. I love that you've brought your leadership to Girl Scouts and that it is something you're continuing to give back to!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for joining the link-up with Em and I today!
Also, will you be at the next blogger meet-up?
I was a Girl Scout. ;) From Kindergarten to 4th grade. ;)
ReplyDeleteLauren,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you linked up with us today! I had no idea you were a Girl Scout. My dad is an Eagle Scout and I know he really loved the training and values he received through the organization. I think what the Girl Scouts do with the cookie sales is incredible. It makes me want to get my future children involved. :)
Thank you so much for sharing & linking up!
Very cool.
ReplyDelete