Girl Scouts are Outdoor Explorers

Guest Post: Girl Scouts are Outdoor Explorers

Guest Post from Vicki Wright, GSUSA Outdoor Initiative Lead, Lifetime Girl Scout, Former CEO of multiple Girl Scout Councils

Girl Scouts Launches Inaugural Badge Series Chosen by Girls

This year, on its 103^rd Anniversary, Girl Scouts is celebrating our commitment to providing fun and beneficial outdoor experiences for girls with the launch of a new series of outdoor badges, chosen by Girl Scouts themselves.

Outdoor experiences are an integral part of Girl Scouts and are woven into Girl Scout program in such a way that girls feel comfortable trying new things and testing their limits, and gain confidence and acquire new skills in a safe and supportive all-girl environment. From a relaxed nature hike through the forests to teaming up on a wildlife conservation project to high-adventure rock-climbing, Girl Scouts offers girls a variety of opportunities to learn and grow inside and out.

My first experience with Girl Scouts was in an outdoor setting where I learned to become comfortable in the outdoors and with myself.  I did not understand at the time all that I was learning while having so much fun.  I can honestly say that my love for the outdoors came from those experiences and truly molded the person I became.

In the month of November, GSUSA began the polling process for the Girls’ Choice Outdoor Badges by inviting girls to vote on a diverse option of outdoor badge themes. Outdoor Explorer emerged as the overall theme, with five age specific Badge offerings: Outdoor Adventurer, Horseback Riding, Archery, Paddling and Ultimate Recreation Challenge.

But why is this so important to us?

According to our research (Girl Scout Research Institute’s study, More Than S’mores), girls benefit immensely from time outdoors. Girls who spend time outdoors eclipse their peers in environmental stewardship, more readily seek challenges, and are better problem solvers, all of which are traits needed for 21st century leadership.

Outdoor experiences through Girl Scouting, such as camp, are beneficial to girl leadership development across ethnicities. Latina (38 percent) and African American (40 percent) girls are more likely than their peers (28 percent) to say they overcame a fear of the outdoors through Girl Scouting; seventy-nine percent of Latina girls say they first tried an outdoor activity in Girl Scouts, and an overwhelming 59 percent of Latina girls say Girl Scouts has offered them outdoor activities they would not have otherwise had access to.

Simply put, this is important to us because it is important to girls. Once exposed to the outdoors, girls love it.  And, now more than ever, research shows us that getting outdoors is so important to the physical, social and psychological development of our girls and the health of our planet.

We want to get more girls outdoors, more often and in varied ways. Please join us in this effort.

Pledge to Go Green

Are you committed to going green? Are you passionate about recycling? Are you ready to be a part of something bigger than yourself?

Girl Scouts of Central Texas has the project just for you!

Commit to the Forever Green Take Action initiative! It's your chance to take action with Girl Scouts around the country to honor strong traditions of Girl Scouting.

I want to learn more about Forever Green. What is it? 
In conjunction with the Year of the Girl, the Forever Green Take Action projects invites girls to take action on one or more projects including Reducing Waste, Earth Hour and Rain Gardens. These projects can lead to sustainable behavioral change and environmental impact within our communities. As we kick off this initiative, we ask that girls take an online pledge stating their year long commitment to the efforts and get their friends and family to join in as well!

These projects coincides with Girl Scouts of the USA's 100th Anniversary so what better gift to the movement than measurable results; real proof that girl can change the world.

I'm almost convinced. Why else should I get involved?
The goal of this initiative is to engage approximately 800,000 Girl Scouts (25% of our membership nationally). If this goal is achieved, it will made substantial contributions, not only to girls' leadership development, but also to their surrounding environment. Girl Scouts will be seen as leaders of the healthy and green movement and others are sure to follow their lead.

I'm ready to commit. What can I do?
Your local council is focusing our efforts on the Reducing Waste project and will do so across our 46-county jurisdiction.

You can start small! 

• Encourage your friends and family to recycle.
• Make an effort to use reusable water bottles and bags.
• Volunteer to handle all recycling efforts at a school or church event. 

You can go big!

• Start a recycling program at your school.
• Work with your city to raise awareness on the importance of recycling.
• Work with your local stores to offer only reusable bags. 
• Tell your friends at lunch why they should use reusable water bottles.

Get creative! This is your project, your impact!

How do I sign up?
Visit the national Forever Green website to learn more and to take the national pledge. The head over to the GSCTX local pledge website to commit to the initiative.

Questions? Contact Kate Lipinski. 

-Kate Lipinski

Girl Scouts Pledge to Help their Communities Stay 'Forever Green'

Want to know more about the Girl Scout Forever Green Initiative? What about green projects happening in your own backyard by local Girl Scouts? Troop 250 and Girl Scout Rachel of Austin shared their experiences with the initiative and what they did to make the world a better place. With the help of the experts at Forefront Austin, we are able to share some great videos with you on their stories. Take a look, get inspired and then tell us what you did! For more information, visit the Forever Green website.

Happy Earth Day!

Happy Earth Day!! Today happens to be one of my favorite holidays, because it shines the spotlight on something that is an issue everyday of the year, nature conservation and keeping the earth clean and beautiful. To inspire you and your troop to get out there and celebrate Earth Day, I thought I’d share a story of one troop’s recent fun activity that helped beautify nature.

A few weeks ago, Girl Scout Troop Leader Ann Blasdel took her Daisy and Junior troops on a nature hike with a twist: it was all about the five senses. To start off the hike, the Daisies were each given a little film canister with a scent in it. Then, the Juniors were given canisters with matching scents. The Daisies and Juniors had to find their partners by using only their noses, and matching scents. This activity kicked off their five senses hike with exploration of the sense of smell.

Then they set off into nature, and during their hike, they noticed many colors – especially in the variety of blooming wildflowers. Here, the girls used their sense of sight. They spent the next five minutes of their hike in total silence. This activity let the girls focus on the sounds of nature around them, as they used their sense of hearing. They also experimented with touching interesting looking plants. They touched a weed that look and felt both pointy and soft, and another plant that resembled a lamb’s ear. This part of the hike focused on the sense of touch.

At a resting point, the girls finally got to use their favorite sense as they ate a snack– the sense of taste! They also talked about how, although there are some things you can taste in the wild, it isn’t okay to eat anything straight out of nature unless there is an expert present who says it’s alright. Good thinking, girls!
As they hiked back, the Girl Scouts sang some favorite camp-fire songs as they picked up trash along the trail. Even though the trail seemed very clean, the diligent Girl Scouts managed to fill up a whole bag of trash before ending their hike (check out the photo!).

These girls certainly earned their “Make the world a better place” petal, and did their part to clean up nature while enjoying a beautiful and different hike!! What a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day! What do you and your troop do to help the environment every day? Do you have any special Earth Day plans? Please let us know by commenting below!!

-Annie L.