When I was a child in elementary school I belonged to Girl Scouts of America. We went on camping trips, we earned badges and had lock ins. We learned how to cook on open fires and we learned the meaning of being a good friend and community member.
I like to think what I was taught from kindergarden as a Daisy to 5th grade as a Junior really stuck. I see the world in a different view than most and I contibute some of that to the Girl Scouts.
Brief History of the Girl Scouts:
Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA), commonly referred to as simply Girl Scouts, is a youth organization for girls in the United States and American girls living abroad. [2] Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, it was organized after Low met Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting, in 1911.[3] Upon returning to Savannah, Georgia, she telephoned a distant cousin, saying, "I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!"[4]
Girl Scouts prepares girls to empower themselves and promotes compassion, courage, confidence, character, leadership, entrepreneurship, and active citizenship through activities involving camping, community service, learning first aid, and earning badges by acquiring practical skills. Girl Scouts' achievements are recognized with various special awards, including the Girl Scout Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards.
Girl Scout membership is organized according to grade, with activities designed for each level. GSUSA is a member of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) and accepts girls of all backgrounds.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girl_Scouts_of_the_USA
Most people associate Girl Scouts with cookies, but believe me they are much more than that. One of the local troops in my area gave me permission to highlight on how they have been helping the homeless.
Troop mother Lenora who is not a stranger to Girl Scouts was in St. Louis giving mats to the homless and serving dinner with her troop. She and I grew up together and yes were Girl Scouts with our mothers volunteering and teaching us how to be responsible young women.
Lenora had this to say about her girls:
" Serving dinner and donating sleeping mats to the homeless in St. Louis. Troop 3570 rocks!! This was such a special occasion and it really warmed all of our hearts. 💕 We have to raise our children to make a difference in this world. I'm trying my hardest to do that. I loved seeing how loving and giving the girls could be. The men were so grateful for their food and gave many compliments. It was sweet! I loved that I got to be a part of this experience. So proud of these girls!!"
Troop 3570 Way to go girls!! So proud of the young women you have become and will continue becoming. Your stewardship is very important in these days and many can look at your Troop and gain inspiration and wisdom knowing that young ladies are working to make a change in this world.
What does stewardship mean?
1: the office, duties, and obligations of a steward2: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stewardship
2 Corinthians 4:7 Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for YAH loves a cheerful giver.
Another story that caught my eye was about a Girl ScoutTtroop in Jefferson City. These ladies had set up a free book exchange in the park. However, someone decided to burn it down.
Girl Scout Troop 71459 was given new paper receptical and they decided to put it to use.
"We painted it and the girls put their handprints on it and filled it with books," Troop Leader Lisa Cook said.
For the last year and a half park-goers at Jaycees Park and Lake would drop-off and take books.
But over the weekend, the troop found the Little Free Library burned to ash. Turning their Savannah Smiles into frowns.
The troop said they're not going to let this roadblock get them down. Once they get a new receptacle, Girl Scout Brownie Cassie Cook said they're going to put it right back in the same spot.
"We got to keep trying," she said. "A lot of us like reading and plus I think it was really helpful for the community."
http://krcgtv.com/news/local/burnt-book-exchange-baffles-girl-scouts
Follow up on the Girl Scout 71459 book exchange:
Harvey Buhr was watching the news with his wife Wednesday night when he saw Girl Scout Brownie Cassie Cook.
"News story came on about the Girl Scouts trade-a-book project they had going on," Buhr said.
When he heard the little library was destroyed, he knew he could help.
"They need some help," he said. "We can help them, so that's what we want to do."
Buhr, the owner of Industrial Enterprises, brought the idea to his crew. They were all in agreement, they would make the Girl Scouts a new library made of steel.
http://krcgtv.com/news/local/businessman-offers-to-build-new-library-for-girl-scouts-burned-down-book-exchange
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Definition of righteous:
1: acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin2a : morally right or justifiable
a righteous decision
b : arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality
righteous indignation
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/righteousness
There are a lot of things we can learn from Girl Scout Troops. I know I did when Lenora and I were younger. If you are looking for ways to donate your time or money, become a leader of a Troop or dontate. I know first hand that we are taught to raise money for our trips or for the things we were working towards. Volunteer your time and get to know the community. Your skills could be what Troops are looking for.
For more information on Girl Scouts and how to donate or volunteer:
http://www.girlscouts.org