More than just a patch

A few weeks ago, my six year old daughter, Sophia, came home from school and said, " Mom, I want to join the Girl Scouts.”  She proceeded to tell me that you get treats and a vest and cool patches and could she please please do it.  In her eyes anything that involves a snack is cool, so I just told her the usual, “ maybe, I’ll look into it. ”

When she kept asking I figured I should actually look into it and see what the program was all about.  I have to admit that I never was a Girl Scout and besides the dangerously delicious Thin Mints, Tagalongs and Samoa cookies they sell (yes, I know them by name), I didn’t know much about the organization.

As soon as I logged onto the organization’s homepage I was excited.  Building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.  Okay, who doesn’t want that for their daughter?  Through monthly afterschool meetings the girls participate in volunteer projects, focus on lessons in science, nature and the arts and earn Learning Petals, otherwise known and the coveted patches.

One of the things that was reiterated through out the website is the fact that the program focuses on building leadership, values and teaches the girls about self-worth, all important things that Sophia can take and apply through out her life.  In this day and age kids are quick to be mean and cruel to each other, so I loved the idea of her being surrounded by other girls who can build each other up instead of tear each other down.  Okay, this all sounded good, so I guess Sophia had won this one.  

I officially have a Daisy at our house.  Daisy is the first level of the program for K-1st graders.  I spent Monday night brushing the cobwebs off the iron and cursing the badges as I stayed up late trying to iron them on in all the right spots.  But, I knew it was totally worth it when Sophia woke up in the morning and wanted to model her vest.  She immediately ran into the bathroom, climbing up on the counter and looked at herself in the mirror.  I could see she was beaming with pride and excited to be a part of something.

Even though it’s the snacks, the vest and the patches that have her excited, it’s about so much more.  I’m looking forward to her exploring the program and seeing the life lessons it teaches her.  For more information on Girl Scouts and how to get your daughter involved, contact your child’s school or visit www.grmists.org.