New Girl Scout badges focus on navigating changes in society

Girl Scouts will have new ways to learn how to navigate a changing society via 28 new badges in the areas of entrepreneurship, math in nature and digital leadership.

“In light of parents’ top concerns for their children as they handle the increasingly digital world, the new Girl Scout badges help girls develop an entrepreneurial mindset toward technology, learn STEM skills while exploring nature, and build confidence and safe practices online,” according to a release from Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.

“Our newest badges demonstrate our commitment to continually expand our programs to ensure the best support for every girl growing up in today’s world,” said Patricia A. Burkart, CEO of GSWPA.

The new programs, and their targeted age groups, include:

• Math in Nature (grades K–5): Scouts learn math concepts as they explore and conserve the natural world in the program sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. Activities include discovering shapes and patterns in natural objects, learning about symmetry and tessellation, and mastering time and measurement theories. Concepts are used to design nectar feeders, trail maps and other outdoor tools.

“Girls often receive the message that STEM isn’t for them, but they’re especially interested in STEM concepts when they’re linked to things that girls enjoy, such as outdoor time,” the release said.

Courtesy of Heather Komlos

Daisy Scout Elaina K. of Troop 27038 recently went on her first Girl Scout camping weekend at Camp Redwing.

• Cookie Business (grades K–12): Cookie Business badges use the online shopping trend to help Scouts think like entrepreneurs as they run their own cookie businesses and incorporate online sales via the Digital Cookie platform. Badges include goal setting, effective in-person and online sales pitches, using market research, creating business plans and implementing digital marketing campaigns.

• Digital Leadership (grades K–12): These Instagram-sponsored badges are designed to support and motivate girls as they navigate the digital world. Scouts learn how to be online in a responsible and safe way, and dive into topics like managing your well-being online, balancing your time on and offline, and dealing with issues like misinformation, click bait and biases in advertising. Scouts use acquired skills to connect with others, create impact and become digital activists on social issues and causes they care about.

“The development of new badges starts with the national organization, but they’re not creating badges and programs in a vacuum,” said Chrissie Schaeffer of Unity, a Girl Scout service unit manager and leader of Greensburg-based troops 26831 and 27038.

Timely topics

Girl Scouts of the USA has a research arm that keeps leadership apprised of needs and concerns, she said, but the troops are “very much girl-led.”

“We sit down and talk about their interests and what they want to do,” she said. “We still do the traditional activities like camping, but (the new badges) are all very timely topics.

“I’m really excited about the new badges, specifically the digital leadership badges,” Schaeffer said. “I believe in the traditional Girl Scout programs but, let’s be honest, our world is a digital world now. Learning to be a respectful digital citizen is very important.”

“GSUSA develops these programs to provide girls with the skills they need for today’s world using research, information from subject matter experts, and feedback from Girl Scouts, volunteers, and local councils, including Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania,” said Stefanie Marshall, GSWPA public relations and marketing manager.

“The release of new Girl Scout programming speaks to the dedication of an organization that strives to support every girl growing up in today’s world. It’s important to not only offer a variety of programs but to also ensure that the programs are modern and interesting to our current members,” she said.

But keeping up with the times does not preclude maintaining tradition, said Linda Whipple, also a leader with troops 26831 and 27038.

“I’ve been in Girl Scouts since day one in the 1950s,” she said. “Things have changed over the years and Scouting has progressed with how the world has changed. But we still focus on the promise and learning, faith and community service.”

Whipple pointed to the organization’s mission: “Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.”

“Keeping involved in the community, helping ourselves and helping others — that’s what it’s all about,” she said. “That’s what I’m passing on.”

Information on the new badges and on membership and volunteer opportunities is available at gswpa.org or girlscouts.org.