Girl Scouts Are Still Making A Difference
By Matt LaBarre
Originally published in the September 2024 issue of Paxton Community News
“The Girl Scouts offer something for every girl at every age.” Monica Baldyga, Director of Membership for the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Mass says. “Girls of all ages from kindergarten through high school make life-long friends, gain leadership skills, have fun, learn while earning badges, spend time with quality role models, and give to the community!”
Baldyga, who has been Director of Membership for 5 years and been a Council staff member for 19 years, grew up in the Girl Scouts and is passionate about the organization and the opportunities scouting provides girls.
“One of the ways the Girl Scouts stand out from other organizations is the focus on being “girl-led.” Baldyga suggests. “The girls in every troop have a say about which badges and activities they will do together, establish goals, develop plans to achieve those goals, and work at those steps to the plan, including sorting out what to do if something doesn’t go as planned—which is part of life learning.”
The activities are all age appropriate, and through the process girls are given the opportunity to sample different subject matters and experiences. “Many of our troop activities are grouped into what we call our 4 Pillars of Programs.” Baldyga continues. “These programs include: Life Skills, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), Outdoors, and Financial Literacy.”
Within each program category, there are many and varied activities, again according to the troop’s interest and the age level of the troop members. For instance, under Life Skills you might learn about the basics of cooking which may also include something like the science of cooking, or budgeting and instilling the differences between needs and wants, or CPR / First Aid training, or resume writing. Girls may also select to learn and acquire additional badges on their own if they have specific interests.
“Troops might decide to go see how something is made, or learn how to make their own slime, or sample or create foods from around the world.” Baldyga says. “While camping is attractive to some, the Outdoor category might include ways to take care of the environment, or taking care of our own neighborhood and leaving no trace of litter, and school or neighborhood clean-ups.”
Badges are earned for completing activities that help girls learn about a topic, being proficient at their grade level. Each level has a badge in the same or similar category, from basic through progressively more in-depth as the scout gets older. While individual girls may select and complete badge activities on their own, the girls in the troop do work cooperatively at determining the activities and badges they will work to complete in the year, which runs from October 1st through September 30th.
The Girl Scouts provide a place where girls can learn by doing, and work cooperatively. “Our program provides girls with the opportunity to learn that it’s ok to express what they are comfortable with and not comfortable with.” Baldyga states. “They get to use their voice as they get older and in a positive way, to become part of developing a solution.”
According to Baldyga, this is all part of the Girl Scout leadership experience, Girl Scouts should be a safe place for girls where they don’t have to impress anyone, where girls can just be you.” She says.
Local Girl Scout troops are self-funded, primarily through the Girl Scout fall fundraising effort which includes sales of popcorn and magazines as well as the Girl Scout cookie drive.
No girl is turned away from the Girl Scouts because of costs. While membership dues are $35 per year, any family who has difficulty with that is offered financial assistance. The only other costs are basic uniform items such as the sash or dues to the troop, which average $2 per meeting, and are decided upon by the troop leader.
“Girls don’t have to be part of a troop to participate!” Baldyga states. Our Juliette program is designed for girls who have a schedule that may not allow for participation in the troop meetings, especially as girls get older and have their own job schedules.” Girls in this program have full access to all the materials, and there are programs specifically for the girls in the Juliette program. So any girl, even if there is no local troop or a troop that meets at her schedule, can participate in Girl Scout programs.
If you would be interested in learning more about the Girl Scouts, joining a troop, or starting a troop, call: 508-365-0115 or email: info@gscwm.org.
October 14, 2024
