Girl Scouting is a wonderful adventure. It allows girls of all ages to become closer to their community and to be the best person that they can be. However, most girls stop their scouting adventures in the early stages, usually as a Brownie or Junior. Therefore, many people don't know about the benefits and wonderful opportunities that come with being an older Girl Scout.
So, I've compiled a list of the glorious things about being an older Girl Scout. These are perks, things that I love about Girl Scouts, and other things that the older girls can do.
1. The gold award.
So, what is the Gold Award? According to the Girl Scouts official website, "The Girl Scout Gold Award represents the highest achievement in Girl Scouting."
Girls who earn their Gold Award get many benefits. They are able to get numerous scholarships. If they want to go into the U.S. military, they enter a rank higher.
2. You can enter Girl Scouts at any level.
I didn't know this at the time that I entered. My little sister was a Daisy at the time, and I would've been a second year Senior. I was at a service unit meeting and spoke to another leader, who got me involved. Now, not even a year later, I am bridging to Ambassador and have earned numerous badges and pins, and am working on my Gold Award.
3. It doesn't matter if you're in a troop or not.
I am in a troop that is composed of Daisies, Brownies, a Junior and me, a Senior. I love being in a troop because I love working with the younger girls, but some girls don't have the availability in a troop or don't want to be in a troop. For that reason, there is the option of Juliette Scouting. These are girls who do all the same things as a regular Girl Scout. They just don't belong to a troop.
4. Fun community service projects!
I have had wonderful experiences with community service and volunteer work. For the 2015-16 GS Year, our troop racked up a whopping 200+ hours of community service. Apart from those hours, I personally did 105. I received awards, yes, but the real award was being able to see the smiling faces of the people I worked with.
5. It shapes you into a better person.
I was able to blossom through this program. It has shaped me into a person who enjoys the little things, such as seeing a happy person. It has allowed me to be the best person that I can possibly be.
