The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on all three of my kids, but especially on my 7 year old daughter. A natural social butterfly who thrives on friendships, structured activities, and creativity, her normally bright personality has dimmed some over the past 6 months. I’ve been desperate to teach her resilience while she adapts to the new normal that is our world right now. But, at the same time, I’ve been searching to find safe social activities for her to participate in and hopefully reignite her spark and enthusiasm for life. I was ecstatic to learn that the Girl Scouts are continuing to serve girls in my area through virtual programming and some in-person activities that follow local, state and federal safety guidelines.
With the world being uncertain and confusing for our girls, now is the best time for the girls in your life to join the Girl Scouts for several reasons.
Friendship
As a former Girl Scout myself, I have endless fond memories of earning badges, camping, completing art projects, and best of all, making life-long friends. I am still in contact with many of the women who were once members of my Girl Scout troop. Unfortunately, the pandemic has made it difficult to make and maintain friendships, for adults and kids alike. Being a Girl Scout provides girls with a sense of normalcy and a safe place to make friends, have fun, and gain critical life skills. Since Girl Scouts is a structured activity that meets regularly, friendships can be made and maintained more easily.
Leadership Skills
My daughter is a born leader, preferring to give rather than follow the instructions of her peers. While I generally think this is a positive trait, I do think she needs some guidance to learn positive ways to influence peers that will gain their respect. Girl
Scout’s one-of-a-kind leadership development program has proven results. Every activity offered is based on time-tested methods and research-backed programming that help girls take the lead – in their own lives and in the world.
Values
Raising a daughter who cares about her community and the broader world is of upmost importance to me. I want her to take a stand against racism, have an understanding of the importance of caring for our planet, and not be afraid to take risks that will give her a more empathetic understanding of the diversity in her life. The experiences a girl has in Girl Scouting are proven to cultivate values, social conscience, self-esteem, and resiliency while teaching her critical life skills that will help her into adulthood.
Now is the perfect time to join the Girl Scouts. While nobody knows how long the new norm will last, the window to impact a
girl’s development is relatively narrow and the experiences she has now will play a pivotal role in her future. Also, we know that in times like these, a sense of community is more important than ever.
With so much financial uncertainty and hardship right now, the organization is stressing that every girl deserves to be a Girl Scout regardless of her family’s ability to pay. Girl Scouts offers confidential, hassle-free financial aid that can cover membership fees, summer camp, and more. Families experiencing financial hardship or anxiety should request aid during the registration process.
Girls Scouts was a wonderful part of a pivotal time in my life, and I want the same for my daughter. In this difficult season, I’m so thankful this organization is prioritizing girls’ development and friendships and finding ways to do that safely.
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