CAPTION: National Girl Scout week is March 9 through March 15, and March 12 is the recognized birthday of Girl Scouts in the United States. The Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council created a guide for troops and individuals to celebrate the week. CREDIT GIRL SCOUTS OF KANSAS HEARTLAND COUNCIL
By Kate Irelan
March 12 is National Girl Scout Day and the recognized birthday of Girl Scouts in the United States. The day is all about Girl Scout Troops celebrating in their own democratically chosen way. According to Muriel Boyce, Director of Communications with the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council, “It’s the most fun week we have.”
“Councils across the nation are celebrating,” said Boyce.
It is up to the individual troops and girls to celebrate the way they choose. “
It is girl-led how they celebrate, depending on their age. They look at ideas and vote on them.”
There are four troops in the Hutchinson area. Two troops meet at Buhler schools, one meets at a Hutchinson school and the other meets at a Nickerson school.
According to the national website, girlscouts.org, Girl Scouts started on March 12, 1912, by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia.
“At a time when women in the United States couldn’t yet vote and were expected to stick to strict social norms, encouraging girls to embrace their unique strengths and create their own opportunities was game-changing. That small gathering of girls over 100 years ago ignited a movement across America where every girl could unlock her full potential, find lifelong friends, and make the world a better place.”
Boyce said that the Heartland Council has created a guide to help local troops show their pride throughout the week. On Sunday, Girl Scouts could celebrate their spirit, and troops that are more faith-based could determine how they wanted to celebrate, whether it was volunteering at their local church or helping members of their church.
Wednesday is National Girl Scout Day and the recognized birthday of Girl Scouts. Boyce said that Girl Scouts are encouraged to wear their Girl Scout gear, a Girl Scout t-shirt or something green. Then, on Service Saturday, Girl Scouts are asked how to give back to their community.
“Some Girl Scouts use this time to clean up headstones at their local cemetery, trash in parks, things like that,” said Boyce. “It’s up to them. The projects are girl-led, depending on their age. They look at ideas and vote on them.”
Boyce said that the office of the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland will celebrate Service Saturday by cleaning up the park that surrounds their office in Wichita.
The patch design Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Council can earn by celebrating National Girl Scout Week or the Girl Scout’s birthday on March 12.
Girl Scouts who participate in celebrating the nationally recognized week earn a patch that says “Girl Scout Proud.” For more information about joining a Girl Scout troop, or become a troop leader or volunteer, visit their website or call 888-686-6468.
