For more than 100 years Girl Scouts has stood for making the world a better place, and pledged to “help people at all times.” Those words carry great weight and responsibility and inspire us with strength as we denounce institutional racism, violence, injustice, and inequity.
To make the world a better place, we must commit to working together build an antiracist society. Not being a racist is not enough. Honoring diversity without being inclusive is not enough. Inclusivity is a big part of the Girl Scout DNA. From the very moment founder Juliette Gordon Low first mentioned her plans to start Girl Scouts, it was set to be an organization not only for the girls of Savannah but also for “all of America, and all the world." And if you didn’t already know, Girl Scouts is a nonpolitical, nonpartisan organization, we are not red or blue, we are Girl Scout green and proud.
Building Beyond Today Programs
This past year Girl Scouts experienced a global pandemic, widespread lockdowns, separation from their friends, social unrest, and a long-term pause on many social activities and routines. Processing these big changes can really take a toll on physical and mental health. That’s why as we continue to focus on creating a community for all girls to thrive, we’re encouraging girls to support one another through the healing process. Join us by participating in this year’s Building Beyond Today initiative, the Thrive series, and related patch program activities.
The Building Beyond Today and Thrive activity patches can be purchased on our Patch Order form or by emailing our retail shop. The Building Beyond Today patch should be worn with the Thrive activity patches, so start by purchasing the Building Beyond Today patch and then the activity patches.
When girls have earned this patch, they’ll have developed an appreciation of the uniqueness and commonalities of themselves and others, and the rich diversity of various cultures in their community and in the world. Girls will also deepen their understanding and respect for people who may be different from them and learn how to better relate to others.
The Thrive Challenge offers Girl Scouts an opportunity to learn
about different people, cultures, customs, and more. We invite all
Girls Scouts in K-12th grade to complete the challenge. Girls can
complete the challenge on their own (supported by their family) or
troops can participate together. Simply take on at least two challenge
ideas per letter (T.H.R.I.V.E.) to complete the Thrive Challenge. Then
purchase your Thrive Challenge patch.
Click
here for the Thrive Challenge.
The Thrive
Challenge patch should be worn with the Building Beyond Today patch.
Both patches are available in our retail stores. Snag yours by
emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
Thrive Book Club
Download the Thrive Book Series suggested reading list. This reading list is aimed at helping you broaden your view of the world. Discussion questions for the books will help you reflect on what you’ve read. You are also encouraged to creatively capture the book(s) you read.
Thrive Book Club Reading List:
The Thrive Book Series patch should be worn with the Building Beyond Today patch. Both patches are available in our retail stores. Snag yours by emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
There are several things you can do to ensure you’re taking good care of yourself both physically and mentally. Are you getting enough sleep, practicing mindfulness, exercising regularly, scheduling time to connect with family/friends, and doing things that make you happy? That’s great! Each of these things and more can contribute to overall wellbeing and support girls on their road to healing.
Click here to share your tips with fellow Girl Scouts to complete this patch! Remember to follow us on social media, as we’ll feature several of these tips there.
The How do you thrive? patch should be worn with the Building Beyond Today patch. Both patches are available in our retail stores. Snag yours by emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
Remember to check out the International Bipolar Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Patch program. The patch program objectives are to educate Girl Scouts about the brain and its influence on thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and through that knowledge, increase awareness and understanding of mental illness. Patches are FREE!
As part of our council-wide community service project, Honoring Everyday Changemakers, we’re inviting Girl Scouts to share their creation for the 2022 Thrive Art Show submission. It’s easy to participate, simply snap a photo of how you honored the changemaker and submit it along with a short description – that’s it! Submissions accepted September 2021 - April 2022. The Thrive Art Show will be available for online viewing in June 2022. Several lucky Girl Scouts will receive a special thank you gift for submitting.
Click here to submit your “artwork”/ photograph of how you honored a changemaker.
Submissions will be accepted for the following monthly themes, submit at any time. Individual and troop submission are welcome. Submission link closes on April 30, 2022.
Here are more ways you and your troop can take part:
Think about the people who support and inspire you. They might be teachers, parents, or any individuals serving your community and supporting others. Talk about why it’s important that we honor people who support us.
Once you’ve decided on one person you’d like to honor, decide how you (and your troop!) will show your gratitude. You could write a letter to tell the person what their support has meant to you, or you could support a cause they champion.
Reflect on the experience of recognizing this person. How did it feel for you? How did they react? Were your actions responded to by others in your community? How so?
Once you or your troop has completed the service project and submitted the photograph for inclusion in the Thrive Art Show, head on over to purchase the patch. The Thrive Art Show patch should be worn with the Building Beyond Today patch. Both patches are available in our retail stores. Snag yours by emailing an order to shop@nccoastalpines.org.
Resources for Parents
While we should be having conversations about race and racism regularly, checking in with your girl is crucial when racist violence claims lives and sparks widespread protest, grief, and unrest around the nation. See the resources below for guidance on navigating racism with your girls.
Resources for Troop Leaders and Volunteers
As a Girl Scout volunteer, making all girls and families feel welcome and offering a safe space for your girl to talk about important issues is vital. Review these resources as you navigate discussions.
The Girl Scout Multicultural Community Celebration Fun Patch was designed to celebrate the countless contributions that diverse communities have made and continue to make in the United States. Girl Scouts of all levels and their leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn each segment of this fun patch, whether they choose to do one or all of them. We encourage girls from all ethnic backgrounds to participate, they are sure to learn interesting new things.
GSUSA Hispanic Heritage Month (All) During Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15), we celebrate the countless contributions that Hispanic people and Latinos have made and continue to make in the United States. We honor the cultural richness of all people in the U.S. whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Girls and leaders have plenty of activities to choose from to earn this fun patch. And regardless of their specific ethnic heritage, they’re sure to learn interesting new things. Additionally, we invite you to complete our council patch program, Discovering Hispanic Heritage, too! You can purchase these patches by emailing shop@nccoastalpines.org or visiting your local retail shop.
GSUSA Native American Heritage Month Celebration “I’m a Girl Scout!” fun patch is designed to provide Girl Scouts and volunteers of all backgrounds with an opportunity to learn more about the cultures, histories, and traditions of over 574 tribes and communities honored during Native American Heritage Month. We invite you to explore the cultures of the Indian Nations in your state and across the country! We’ve got plenty of activities for you to choose from, so that you can make new discoveries and have tons of fun learning while earning a cool patch!
Additionally, we invite you to complete our council patch program, North Carolina American Indian Patch Program, too! You can purchase these patches by emailing shop@nccoastalpines.org or visiting your local retail shop.
Ways to Take Action
Have resources to share? Email them to us! Share with us how your troop is taking action through our Girl Scout story form.
