I didn’t know when I started volunteering that my troop contained queer and gender-expansive youth, or that learning to provide a safe space for them would be part of my work as a troop leader. The journey that my Troop and I have been on has only expanded my love of being their Troop Leader.
May is Mental Health Month, which is a great reason to discuss some of the ways that Girl Scouting can cultivate mental health for girls and the adults they grow up to be.
Here are some useful resources for finding age-appropriate diverse books for your Girl Scouts to explore:
As Girl Scouts embark on their journeys as leaders in a diverse world, how can troop leaders empower girls and make the world a better place by celebrating the LGBTQ+ community?
Every year more of the cookie sale goes digital, and Girl Scout troops need new virtual keys to success. Enter the mastermind group—a peer-group of like-minded Cookie Bosses who meet online to build S.M.A.R.T. entrepreneurship goals, and rely on each other for support, accountability, collaboration, and inspiration.
Research on how kids respond to and recover from a crisis focuses on the six elements of resilience: connection, routine, belonging, expression, participation, and empowerment. “Adulting” life skills are an amazing way to give kids a routine role in their family lives that makes them feel connected and empowered to help out in an age-appropriate way.
Whether you want to celebrate International Friendship Day on July 30, or spend an entire week filled with sisterhood, these friendship activities will help your Girl Scouts stay connected with their besties, forge new relationships, and, most importantly, have fun!
From healthy self-esteem, a positive sense of self, and supporting a positive body image, there are many ways we can build the confidence and support the development of strong girls.
Helping your girls build a growth mindset will not only transform their mistakes and failures into opportunities, but it will also build resilience and determination for future success!
John Muir once said “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” Becoming nature deficient is easy in a world increasingly dependent on technology and convenience. However, taking time to bask in nature by hiking is an important and fun way we can get outdoors, with or without our troops.
There are many ways to be a leader in Girl Scouts. Avery earned her Leadership in Action award to become a Camp Aide, and learned what it really means to be a leader and a role model for younger girls.
Girl Scouts is a place of growth and safety for all girls—no matter their race, religion, ability, gender identity, or sexuality. In a contentious world, this is easier said than done. So how do we, as volunteers, create a space where any girl can thrive and feel supported as her whole self?
