Over the past month, I’ve been reminded of my days as a Girl Scout on several occasions. It all started off with a lovely care package from my parents, packed with my all-time favorite Girl Scout cookies. The nostalgia continued as the Brownie and Girl Scout troops appeared on the first floor of McElroy selling their cookies, college kids swarming around them for the delectable Thin Mints and Tagalongs (or “Peanut Butter Patties,” as they are called today).
I remember how hard I worked to sell those cookies to earn my badge. To be honest, I worked rather hard for almost every badge to decorate my vest (stylish, I know). The girl with the most badges was not only the coolest girl in the troop, but she was usually the most well-rounded, nicest, and hardest worker. At the time, I just wanted the badges so my vest didn’t look boring, but now I realize that those badges had greater significance.
I think I need to be reminded of my Girl Scout days in more ways than eating a sleeve of frozen Thin Mints on a rainy night in my dorm. To be honest, as I’ve gotten older, I can’t even remember the “Girl Scout Pledge” that we recited at the beginning of every troop meeting. I loved my troop- Troop 108, hollaaaa! We worked together, went on field trips together, and really encompassed the cliché elementary school phrase of “Girl Power.”
Today I somehow wish that more girls encompassed the “Girl Power” spirit that the Girl Scouts of America promotes. We need to work together more, and we also need to work to make ourselves better people. To earn badges, I remember that we had to do activities and tasks that would open our horizons to other people’s hobbies and interests, and I really got to know the girls in my troop that way. I wish I could get to know the girls on my floor, in my classes, or even some of my friends in such a way. Instead of working with each other, I fear that as we move from Brownies to “babes,” we’re working against each other. My troop leader would take away snack time if she saw the way some girls treat each other these days (and let me tell you, those were some pretty awesome snacks!)!
So now as Girl Scout Cookie Season is in full swing, I have decided to take on a “Do-it like a Daisy” challenge, where I will work for the badges that the earliest level of Girl Scouts work towards. Sure, I may not have the vest or the badges to deck that vest out in, but it’s the message behind the badges that count. And let’s be honest, I don’t know if I would be able to pull off the vest here on campus. Some of you may wonder, “How is this a ‘challenge’ if girls aged 5-9 earn badges for this every year?” Well to answer you skeptics, I would say that is the challenge: to see people and others through the same eyes as a 5-9 year old, and to work for my accomplishments with the same curiosity, zeal, and enthusiasm that I would work towards when I was that age.
As a Daisy, girls work for “petals” that are like badges to make themselves a full flower. These petals represent important values and ideals that people should possess. Therefore, I want to work towards acquiring these petals. If you want to join me in my Girl Scout goals, I’m going to also think of ways of how these badges translate into my college life (since I probably won’t be able to get away with doing what I did when I was 5-9 and say I feel accomplished in my goals at the age of a college-aged student).
Lupe the Lupine (Light Blue), Honest and Fair
I will work to be honest with all of my friends and express my opinions with them when I do not agree. Although I will be honest if I disagree, I will be fair and still listen to them when making decisions. I think that I will need to work to also be most honest and fair to myself in college and see if I’m being true to myself and who I want be, which means not conforming to what other people think I should be like.
Sunny the Sunflower (Yellow), Friendly and Helpful
Random acts of kindness to people on campus are a part of my everyday life. I realize I shouldn’t go through my day sticking to just “my agenda” and keeping to myself. How easy is it to just say hi and ask how someone is doing throughout the day! It doesn’t take that much more effort to be nice and help people, so I see this one as completely feasible. I want to learn that it isn’t all about “me.”
Zinni the Zinnia (Spring Green), Considerate and Caring
Similar to being friendly and helpful, I’ve worked to be more considerate and caring. I think the simplest way that I can do this is by simply listening to what other people have to say. Just reminding people that you want to give them the time of day and are always there for a shoulder to cry on or a person to vent to is a way to accomplish this value.
Tula the Tulip (Red), Courageous and Strong
Take chances! I want to be able to make decisions on my own, even when they may be challenging, and I will not back down. When I make these decisions, I want to be sure of myself and go forward with confidence. I think the important thing for college girls is to make sure we seem sure of ourselves and are not less than others because we are STRONG!
Mari the Marigold (Orange), Responsible for What I Say and Do
So many times I’ve blamed others for my actions, or act as if it wasn’t me and then not apologize, but I really need to be conscious of this. Although we are not always aware of it, what we say and do constantly affects the people around us. We need to be conscious of our decisions and see if there is an effect, positive or negative, on those around us. Also, if I do make a poor decision, whether it’s a late night decision that I try to play off or a big one in my classes, I have to own up to it and live with the consequences.
Gloria the Morning Glory (Purple), Respect Myself and Others
Too many times in college I see girls disrespecting themselves and the values a strong girl should possess. You have to believe in yourself and your values, and STICK to them – no matter what others think. That’s how you respect who you truly are.
Clover (Green), Use Resources Wisely
Recycle, conserve, and be aware of my surroundings. In college, we’re on a strict budget, so I’m going to try to use what I have and not spend recklessly (or try to some degree keep tabs of my resources). I’ll try to be craftier and not throw out as much. It all starts with the question of “How can I use this?”
Other badges that I can work on include:
– Rosie the Rose (Rose), Make the World a Better Place
– Vi the Violet (Violet), Be a Sister to Every Girl Scout
– Gerri the Geranium (Magenta), Respect Authority
– Daisy Girl Scout Daisy (Blue), Promise Center
So at the end of this month, I may be out of cookies but I’ll be full of more self-pride and respect from working towards these badges. According to “Girl Scout lingo,” I’ll be like a Daisy in full bloom! I may not be wearing a vest or sash around campus, but I will be wearing a smile with more confidence and walking with conviction in my beliefs and myself. So I challenge you, HC BC readers, to join my troop, to work towards your “badges,” and to live by “The Girl Scout Law.” Girl Power never gets old!
Source:
http://www.girlscouts.org/program/basics/for_volunteers/insignia/list/
Photo Sources:
http://www.girlscouts.org
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