MATTER
During the spring of 2018 , Community Outreach and Extended
Learning facilitator Jackie noticed that many of the girls in her troop were
unfamiliar with each other and some girls were experiencing adolescent
growing pains. She said, “With the efforts to get the girls comfortable and
associated with one another, I thought we would work on our Brownie
Making Friends Badge…it would be perfect for this group because we had
previously talked about being a good friend, sisterhood, and girl power.”
Given the non-traditional nature of Community Outreach and Extended
Learning troops, where girls are meeting in an after-school environment,
Jackie had to get creative with the badge requirements. While she was
unable to invite another troop into their meeting, she brainstormed
alternative ways for girls to communicate and interact. After discussing
with the troop, everyone decided it would be fun to make new friends via
letter writing!
Troop 1309 from Johnston exchanged pen pal letters with Troop 3131 from
Cranston. Like any pen pal situation, the girls knew nothing about whom
they were writing to, but the initial hesitation wore off after they received
their first letters back! Everyone was so excited, and the girls not only
looked forward to receiving their letters, but also enjoyed the forgotten
art of letter writing. Girls wrote inspiring messages to each other, and
were thrilled to learn what they had in common. They exchanged letters
three times, and through this process Jackie saw the girls’ growth, stating,
“Overall, I think the girls enjoyed meeting and talking to each other
as pen pals. It was especially exciting when they were able to relate! I
think the concept of writing letters was interesting to them seeing that
communication and technology is so easily accessible today. The girls felt
empowered and important when sending and receiving letters to their
new friends.”
Facilitators like Jackie, and the entire Community Outreach and
Extended Learning Program, truly make a difference in the lives of
girls who may not have had the opportunity to be a Girl Scout in a
traditional troop environment. Here at GSSNE we believe every girl
who wants to be a Girl Scout, should be a Girl Scout!