Girl Scout volunteers are the heart of our movement, championing girls' ambitions, making their dreams possible, and giving them the tools they need to become tomorrow's leaders. While many volunteers are caregivers, teachers, and established community leaders, many don't realize that volunteering with Girl Scouts can start as early as 18 years old with a valid background check!
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio has fostered the involvement of younger volunteers in many ways—one being through a relationship with the University of Cincinnati (UC). UC students who participate can assist with multiple council activities, including the chance to lead six- to eight-week series programs at local schools that do not have Girl Scout troops. These series are designed to give girls a facilitated experience through a curriculum of songs, games, STEM activities, traditions, and more, with the hope that interest between caregivers and girls will lead to the formation of new troops.
Earlier this month, a dedicated group of UC student volunteers and GSWO staff wrapped up an eight-week series at Cheviot Elementary School in Cincinnati. Through an adapted curriculum, the girls who participated in this series completed steps toward earning badges, doing fun activities about nutrition, static electricity (the girls' favorite!), and so much more. The four UC volunteers who led this series made a difference in the lives of elementary-age girls who participated and gained valuable life skills and rewarding experiences through their volunteer work!
Here's what they said about volunteering with Girl Scouts:
Caiti
Early Childhood Education Student
"Gabrielle is my best friend, and she volunteered with Girl Scouts for a year before me and told me all about it. I'm going into education, so I thought this would be a great way for me to start working with kids. I decided to [volunteer], and I really loved it. This is my second year working with Girl Scouts, and I've definitely gained more leadership from it."
Gabrielle
Psychology Student
"I really love working with children. I saw the opportunity to work with Girl Scouts and remembered being a Girl Scout when I was younger. I loved doing extracurricular activities with other kids in my school that I might not have had a class with, and it was fun to be led by either a parent or troop leader. I wanted to help others in the same way."
Jaycee
Psychology Student
"I chose to volunteer because I was in Girl Scouts when I was younger. I learned a lot of great things that I still remember. There are a lot of important skills you learn—even the simplest things, like knowing your mom's phone number. Being a leader for these girls has been the best thing; you can tell they really love it.”
Sadie
Commercial Music Production Student
"I chose Girl Scouts because I grew up doing a lot of service work through religion with my family. I remember being a younger girl and looking up to the older people in my life and how much they impacted me. I always had adults who cared about me, so I really wanted to be that person for someone else."
Start your own volunteering journey with Girl Scouts to champion the sky-high, world-changing goals of tomorrow's leaders.
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