Tag: Joliet

Girl Scouts Save the City in Journey World

Girl Scouts Save the City in Journey World

More than 40 local Girl Scouts became super heroes for the day as they fought off evil forces to save Journey World.

A new, immersive program from Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana (GSGCNWI), Journey World is a “unique, hands-on learning experience that builds personal and interpersonal skills through the challenge of establishing a city and running your own business, ” according to Victoria Golden, program manager of financial literacy and entrepreneurship for GSGCNWI.

file_000
Girl Scouts shop for spy gear in the Journey World shop

In the Journey World Challenge, participants take on new roles, such as mayor, radio DJ, bank president and much more in an attempt to save the city from impending doom. Once roles have been assigned, participants tackle fun and exciting challenges, such as becoming superheros or saving the city from a zombie apocalypse.

Earlier this month, girls in kindergarten through third grade participated in the Journey World Challenge at GSGCNWI’s Joliet Gathering Place and they were assisted by some special guests: David Velazquez of M&M Bank; Monica Bibian of D’Arcy Automobiles, who is also a DJ for WJOL in Joliet; along with volunteers and staff from the Girl Scout office.

key-to-the-city-5
Girl Scouts present Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk with the key to their Super Hero City

The girls were also treated to a visit by Joliet Mayor Bob O’Dekirk and presented him with the key to their Super Hero City. Later in the afternoon, Dr. Theresa Rouse, superintendent of Joliet Public Schools District 86, visited as well.

During the program, the girls learned essential financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills. As the girls were leaving one girl stated, “Wow, it’s not easy running a business” along with another girl sharing, “I can’t wait to be a grown up and start my own business!”

Journey World is also available for school field trips, youth group events, corporate team-building events and adults who just want to have fun. For more information and to register, please visit www.girlscoutsgcnwi.org.

Local Girl Scouts Honor Famous Alumnae for Women’s History Month

Local Girl Scouts Honor Famous Alumnae for Women’s History Month

In honor of Women’s History Month, Girl Scouts at Sator Sanchez Elementary School in Joliet, Illinois paid homage to famous Girl Scout alumnae during an after-school performance.

Aranza S., an 11-year-old Girl Scout Junior, presented the biography for Christa McAuliffe, a former Girl Scout and troop leader. She was an astronaut killed in the Space Shuttle Challenge disaster in 1986.

“The thing I like most about being a Girl Scout is that we get to learn about different things,” Aranza said. “I liked learning about Christa because she went to outer space. I’m really into space and like to learn about all the different planets.”

Other famous Girl Scouts honored during the performance included Josephine Groves, who founded the first African-American Girl Scout troop in 1942; Sandra Day O’Connor, retired associate justice of the Supreme Court; and first lady Michelle Obama, the honorary national president of Girl Scouts of the USA.

“I never knew she was a lawyer and a writer,” said Luz M., an 11-year-old Girl Scout Junior, who presented the biography for Obama. “It also surprised me she was born in Chicago.”

During the performance, the girls also thanked United Way of Will County for supporting the GirlSpace program, which serves girls in at-risk communities and seeks to bring the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to life through a variety of curricular areas, including science, technology, engineering and math, financial literacy and healthy living.

“Without the generosity of supporters, such as United Way, we can’t make this program grow,” said Patricia Colin, a GirlSpace facilitator.

Erika Diaz, assistant principal at Sanchez Elementary School, said it’s important for girls to learn about other influential Girl Scouts, especially during Women’s History Month.

“A lot of times, girls don’t hear about women scientists or inventors,” said Diaz, who was a Girl Scout growing up. “They need to feel empowered.”

Lisa Marie Moreno, principal of Sanchez Elementary School who was also a Girl Scout, agreed.

“It’s so necessary for girls to feel confident, have a sense of purpose and learn about giving back to the community,” she said.