A Girl Scout’s “new experience” means something
unique to each girl.
Every time a Girl Scout steps out of her comfort zone to try something new, she discovers
she can do more than she ever thought possible. And she’s surrounded by a network of Girl
Scout sisters to cheer her on, to support her if she falls, and to encourage her to try again.
Snow much fun!
Dakotah, a 6-year old Daisy Girl Scout,
recently moved with her family from Texas to
McMurrary in Washington County. Dakotah
joined Troop 52941 in November 2017, shortly
after the move.
She jumped right into the fun by participating
in the GSWPA Get Outdoors Winter Challenge, a
fun, seasonal patch program that engages girls
in a variety of outdoor activities. “The list gave
me ideas of fun things to do,” Dakotah said.
Dakotah likes the snow because it means sled
riding and icicles. “It doesn’t snow in Texas, so
I have never seen an icicle until I moved here,
but I like the icicles everywhere!” she said.
This year brought
exciting new
Journeys and
badges!
Combined with existing
programs, these new Journeys
and badges help girls empower
themselves to unleash their
inner strengths and accomplish
amazing things.
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Life Skills Badge
(College prep)
STEM Journeys (Engineering
& Computer Science)
STEM Badges
(Cybersecurity, Mechanical
Engineering, Robotics &
Space Science)
Outdoor Badges
(Environmental
Stewardship)
29% of Girl Scouts say that Girl Scouting has
helped them overcome fear of an outdoor activity.*
*According to a 2014 study from the Girl Scout Research Institute.
Rock the boat, girls!
GSWPA Troop 30487 of Erie County tried canoes for the first time during their weekend
camping trip at Camp Skymeadow in Armstrong County.
Troop leaders, Leanne, Angela, and Molly, knew the activity was beyond the comfort zone of
some of the girls, a few of which made it clear ahead of time that they wouldn’t go out on
the water.
But, with a wonderful, encouraging instructor and after watching their friends having fun
out on the water, the confidence in them started to grow, and soon the whole group was in
canoes learning about canoe safety, practicing switching spots with one another, and racing
across the pond with their new paddle skills.
71% of girls first tried an
outdoor activity in Girl Scouts.*
*According to a 2014 study from the Girl Scout Research Institute.
Elizabeth Keppler, 13, steers the canoe from the back while Maddy Dyne,
12, paddles in front on their troop’s first canoeing experience at Camp
Skymeadow. Both girls are members of Erie County Troop 30487.
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