Girl Scouts looks different than ever before, but girls from around the council have taken the changes in stride. Our girls have been staying as busy as ever, keeping up every week with virtual programming through our fun webinars, staying in touch by continuing troop meetings, and getting ready for the next school year. The Girl Scout spirit is alive and well!
This summer, the fun of connecting with others, exploring new things, and receiving snail mail combine to create a one-of-a-kind virtual experience for girls! It’s camp, reimagined… it’s Summer Camp Revamp! Learn more about it on our blog! For now, let’s check up on some Girl Scout stories.
Call and Response
Girl Scouts are the definition of sisterhood–– just take a look at Troop 55693 from Naperville! Their big goals and dreams about cookie seasons, badges they wanted to lead and earn, adventures they wanted to take, may be taking different shapes, but their spirit or dedication has remained the same, and their bond and desire to serve others is only getting stronger. Over the course of sheltering in place, this troop met over Zoom and worked on completing adoption day bags for animal shelters!
The girls have also connected on Zoom and other platforms for virtual playdates, movie nights, and even a camp-out. Pictured above are their smile jars, jars full of positive notes to remind each other that they are important, loved, and sisters! They loved making these jars so much, they made 50 more for the community and donated them to the local food pantry, hospital, and nursing home. Amazing job, girls!
Current Girl Scouts are not the only ones sharing stories with us! We recently shared advice from our older Girl Scouts to our younger ones on our Instagram, and a comment from Jill Morison proved how strong the Girl Scout experience can be even years later: “You may not know it now– but you’re building confidence and bravery. I’m a senior leader of my organization and several of my colleagues are also proud Girl Scouts too.”
Speaking of building confidence and bravery, Girl Scout Ambassadors and Seniors from GCNWI and other councils (even Puerto Rico!) have been meeting every Thursday afternoon to do just that! The girls bonded immediately and have covered all sorts of topics together, shared camping and Girl Scout memories, held a virtual prom, even made their own recipe book! The facilitator of these meetings shared with us a screenshot of a message from their group chat, a very powerful message from one girl in the group that is important for every Girl Scout (and every girl) to hear:
We hope you carry this message with you today and always!
Congratulations to the Class of 2020!
Congratulations to the Class of 2020 and to all Girl Scouts transitioning out of the organization! Savor this moment and celebrate your accomplishments.
While we have you, don’t forget you are always welcome back as a volunteer. Girl Scouts also offers a Lifetime Membership for anyone looking to remain committed to the empowerment and of young women and girls, and recent graduates can take advantage of the “young alum” discount!
Also remember we are allowing a one-time extension for 12th graders to use money-earned funds for the next membership year. Read the Graduating Seniors Funds Extension Guidelines for more details.
Sign the Girl Scouts’ Anti-Racism Pledge
Girl Scouts of USA is calling on all of us––girls, volunteers, alums, supporters, families, staff, and our suppliers and service providers––to become an active part of the mission to dismantle systemic racism and anti-Blackness in our country. Sign GSUSA’s Anti-Racism Pledge and visit our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access page to learn more about what GCNWI is doing to combat racism in our own community.
Tell us your Story
Creativity, generosity, and passion are just some of the things you bring to the table in all you do as a Girl Scout! We want to hear your stories of service, joy, and exploration–– tell us below in the comments or share your story with us on our website.