5 Reasons Why Your Child Should Join Girl Scouts

by Mom It Forward on February 1st, 2014 | 1 Comment »

When I was a young girl I was very goal oriented. I loved learning new things, making things with my hands, and going camping. My mother signed me up for our local Brownie and Girl Scout troops when I was in grade school. I thrived in this type of environment. I loved the structure that Girl Scouts offered. I was always counting down the days until my next adventure. If you have a daughter, look into joining your local Girl Scout troop. It will be the best gift you could ever give her.

5 Reasons Why Your Child Should Join Girl Scouts

Here are a few of the reasons why I loved Girl Scouts:

1. Earning badges - I loved earning badges. With each badge, I learned a new skill. I remember making a list of all the badges I wanted to earn and then challenged myself to earn as many as I could. Some of my favorite badges that I earned where camping, cooking, ice skating, art and swimming. I still have my sash today. When I look at it, I remember all the fun things I did to earn them.

2. Making new friends - One of the best parts of Girl Scouts is meeting new people. There were several girls in my grade school that attended our troop, but I remember meeting lots of girls my age. Being a Girl Scout helped teach me the importance of being a loyal friend.

3. Camping trips - I grew up in Idaho and I love being out doors. I remember one summer our Girl Scouts troop spent the weekend camping. We learned songs, learned how to build a fire, talked about emergency preparedness and so much more. I vividly remember eating in a mess hall with 150 other Girl Scouts. I loved when we all came together to hold a flag ceremony in our uniforms. It was such a great feeling to be a part of something so inspirational.

4. Field trips - My leaders always made sure that we were visiting fun places and doing interesting projects. We visited many different types of businesses to learn about how to get a job when we got older and what type skills were needed for that job. I remember visiting the cheese factory in Idaho. I still remember tasting all the different types of cheeses. I decided right then that I didn't want to work at a cheese factory. The smell was not something I like to remember.

5. Girl Scout cookie drives - Everyone likes Girl Scout cookies, right? They are delicious! I love participating in our yearly cookie drives. I remember setting a goal to sell the most cookies in my troop. I reached my goal and was one of the top sellers in 1977. Selling cookies taught me that I can do anything I put my mind to. I learned how to talk to strangers, knock on doors, and sell things. It was an experience I will never forget.

February 7-8th starts the National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend. Here are some fun facts about the Girl Scout Cookie Program:

The Girl Scout Cookie program is the largest girl-led business in the country and generates over $700 million for girls and their communities.
In 2013, 91 percent of registered Girl Scout troops in Utah sold 1.5 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies. Troop earnings will help fund activities that include worldwide travel opportunities, career development, community service projects and more.
In 2013, Utah Girl Scouts were honored with selling the highest per-girl average in the nation with the average Girl Scout selling 325 boxes of cookies.
All program levels from Daisies to Ambassadors (K-12) participate in the Girl Scout Cookie Program.
Five of the top ten cookies sold in the U.S. are Girl Scout Cookies.
In 2013, Thin Mints were the best-selling cookies in Utah.
Shortbread are the cookies that started it all back in 1917 as a local event in Oklahoma.
Cookies are available to order January 18 – February 9. Go to www.gsutah.org for online orders and delivery from area Girl Scouts.
Cookies from orders will be delivered March 1 - March 8.
Cookie booths will be open around the community March 14 – 30. Go to www.gsutah.org and use the Girl Scout Cookie Booth Locator to find a cookie booth near you.

This year, make buying Girl Scout Cookies a priority. They are not only yummy to eat, but they are helping young girls around the nation reach goals and learn life skills.