If you think being a Girl Scout is all cookies and beads, think again. With the mission of “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place,” you can believe that Scouting is a great way for young ladies to receive the influences and experiences necessary to grow into responsible, driven woman. One way that the Girl Scouts can help to open doors to future careers is through programs geared to spark a girl’s interest in science, technology, engineering and math; by doing so, young women may be inclined to enter into the growing fields of science and technology.
While society offers up many cultural icons — deserving or not — for impressionable young minds to imitate, it’s tough to be a girl.
“With all of the other things going on, it’s hard for a girl to be able to be herself and to be true to herself,” said Girl Scout Membership Manager of Aroostook County Wendy Burtchell. “I think that through the Girl Scouts and their mission of teaching the courage, confidence and character needed to make the world a better place, the scouts have instilled in to them that they can become leaders and be whoever and whatever they want to be.”
While the Girl Scouts still offer activities enjoyed by Scouts of all generations, like arts and crafts, ladies now are exposed to things like yoga, orienteering, rock climbing, and gardening in addition to needlepoint and other timeless activities.
It’s a good thing that the Girl Scouts of Maine have three camps in their backyard, because according to Burtchell, the girls love the outdoors.
Participating ages of the Girl Scouts range from kindergarten to grade-12; to find a troop in your area for membership, contact Burtchell at 551-1193 or visit www.girlscoutsofmaine.org for more information.
