This post about the Girl Scout’s “I can’t wait to” recruitment program is sponsored by the Girl Scouts through Mom it Forward, but all thoughts, opinions, and #Icantwaitto experiences are mine and my family’s.
What can YOU not wait to do?
“I can’t wait to go to Utah to see my cousins that I haven’t ever seen since we haven’t been to Grandma’s house in so long.”
“I can’t wait to go go-carting again!”
“I can’t wait to finish the book that I’ve been reading.”
“I can’t wait to play a full game of golf with Daddy…with a cart and stuff.”
When I asked my 10 year old daughter, Reese, what she couldn’t wait to do, she had a whole list ready for me. As I wrote her I-can’t-wait-tos down, she said, “I think that’s it. Will you read me the list?” I read the list back to her and she nodded her approval. “Yep, those are the things I can’t wait to do.”
My “I can’t wait to” list may be a little bit longer (and more expensive) than Reese’s, but I still love the feeling of excited anticipation when I just can’t wait for something…like when I’m on the verge of an exciting trip and all I have to do is go to sleep and wake up the next morning and it’s time! I can remember back when I was Reese’s age, and my friends and I would whisper and giggle and make wonderful, big plans (maybe not all realistic, but still so much fun).
Remembering those times make me smile, and I smile knowing that Reese is in that exciting stage right now.
Another thing that I KNOW Reese can’t wait to do is join Girl Scouts. Her big sister, Necco, was in both Brownies and Girl Scouts and Reese would have joined her troop then if she had been old enough. Reese would usually tag along with me when I dropped Necco off and picked her up at her meetings and she couldn’t wait to grow a few more inches so that she could join along in all of their fun arts and crafts, field trips, camping adventures, songs, and cooler than cool badges.
Girl Scouting is the place for girls to have fun and try new experiences such as turning ordinary household items into robots, convincing the mayor to install a swing for special needs children in a park, or hiking the Appalachian Trail.
The Girl Scouts inspired Necco to be more confident and pushed her to try new things that she wouldn’t have tried otherwise. I couldn’t imagine a better thing to involve my girls in.
Necco’s experience in the Girl Scouts wouldn’t have been possible had it not been for the volunteer leaders that made every week special. I even had the chance to be a guest instructor and had a blast teaching such an eager, attentive group of girls. Girl Scouts seemed to enliven the girls in Necco’s troop – they were all excited to be there and ready to learn.
“We want every girl to be so excited about the adventures she’ll have with us that she can hardly wait for it, because she knows she can do anything she sets her mind to. That feeling starts with parents who encourage their daughters, and volunteers who are role models.”
About the Girls Scouts
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls’ healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer or reconnect with, or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800-GSUSA-4-U (212-852-8000) or visit www.girlscouts.org/join.
Check out what First Lady Michelle Obama has to say about the Girl Scouts:
The Girl Scouts needs YOU!
Girl Scout volunteers are critical in order to help foster a safe and supportive environment in which girls can be themselves, have fun and experience new things – especially during their elementary years of development. Volunteers are also needed to help counteract some of the personal and external societal barriers, which still exist for girls and young women pursuing their full potential.
Here are just a few statistics on the Girl Scouts. All of the programs that we’ve enjoyed (and thousands upon thousands of girls and their families have learned to appreciate) would not be possible without adult volunteers.
- Nationally, Girl Scouting has 3.2 million girl and adult members – 2.3 million girls and 890,000 adult volunteers.
- Girl Scouts has increased Hispanic membership by 55 percent since 2000.
- Seventy-five percent of all girl members are in grades K-5.
- from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries.
- Of Girl Scout alumnae, 38 percent have attained college degrees, compared to 28 percent of non-alumnae.
Connect with the Girl Scouts and find out more!
- Girl Scouts Website
- Girl Scouts on Facebook
- Girl Scouts on Twitter – @girlscouts
- Girl Scouts on Pinterest
- Girl Scouts on YouTube
© 2013, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply