It’s hard to imagine that one woman founded Girl Scouts. She just had a passion for girls to grow strong, feel successful, support each other and become accomplished at doing things girls just ordinarily didn‘t do. What insight and ability to see the big picture!

Juliette Gordon Low, or “Daisy”, started her idea of a program for girls when she made a call to a distant relative stating, “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!” On March 12, 1912, Daisy gathered 18 girls to register the first troop of American Girl Guides. Margaret “Daisy Doots” Gordon, her niece and namesake, was the first registered member. The name of the organization was changed to Girl Scouts of the USA in 1915.

It’s hard to believe, but from the original 18 girls, Girl Scouting has grown to 3.5 million members in hundreds of countries around the world. Girl Scouts is the largest educational organization for girls in the world and has influenced more than 50 million girls, women and men who have belonged to it.

Our Girl Scout Birthday is around the corner, how will you show your Girl Scout pride? March 12, 2012 has been designated as Wear Your Uniform to School or Work (Proud Girl Scout) Day. Girl and adult Girl Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms to let your peers see how proud you are to be a Girl Scout. And of course, patches are available (see image); contact your local regional office for information.

Here are some ways you can be Girl Scout proud every day during Girl Scout Spirit Week:

• Wear your Girl Scout uniform/pin.
• Wear a Girl Scout shirt.
• Wear green.
• Paint or dye your hair green.
• Wear your jacket or vest with participation badges and fun patches
• Wear a bandana (in honor of camping).
• Decorate your office, cube or school with green streamers and balloons.
• Make a Girl Scout good deed catcher and encourage co-workers to play a quick game.
• Ask former Girl Scouts to recite the Girl Scout Promise or Law.
• Gather former members and sing Girl Scout songs.
• Create a Friendship Circle and do the Girl Scout squeeze
• Give the Girl Scout handshake when passing each other in the hall
• Post your favorite Girl Scout memory on the Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland Facebook page.
• Wear your Special Whatchamacallits Affectionately Pinned Somewhere (SWAPS).
• Bring SWAPS for the people in your office.
• Make s’mores for your friends.
• Take GORP to work. You know, “good old raisins and peanuts,” “granola, oats, raisins and peanuts” or “gobs of raw protein.” (Be sure you check to see if your co-workers are allergic to any of these items first.)
• Do a service project.
• Click here to learn more about the history of Girl Scout and Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low.
• Share with your co-workers and friends, how much you enjoy being a Girl Scout.

The purpose of this promotion is to get as many people across the council to wear their Girl Scout uniform or Girl Scout Pin to school or work on this monumental day during our 100^th celebration! If girls are “proud” that day, they can notify their troop leader who will in turn, order them a Proud Scout Patch.

Resources:

Flyer and Order Form

Half sheet Flyer for Girls Parents & Volunteers

Questions and comments can go to Monica Legleiter, MVP Area Manager, at  785.625.5671 or mlegleiter@kansasgirlscouts.org