The end of summer is the time when families regroup and make plans for the fall, and now is a great time for young girls to broaden their experiences and make new friends through Girls Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.
Don’t know much about Girl Scouts other than the delicious cookies they sell? Here is your chance to find out more. Girls and their families who aren’t already members can learn more about what Girl Scouts has to offer by attending a fun, hands-on robot-building party at a local park — or Zoom screen — this fall.
Exploring Girl Scouts through robot-building parties
From early September through the end of October, Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan is hosting a series of robot building parties so young girls who are not members and their families can learn what Girl Scouts is all about.
“If you don’t know much about Girl Scouts or don’t know if it might be a good fit for your family, come to an event and tell us about your daughter’s interests and the skills she is hoping to gain,” says Amanda Thomas, vice president of customer support for Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. “We can tell you what we offer and see if it might be a good fit for you.”
To meet varying schedules, the parties are scheduled on weekends and weekdays, and during evening and daytime hours. All events are free to attend, and there’s no obligation to join a troop.
More than 50 events are already scheduled, with more to come, Thomas says. “The focus is really an introduction to Girl Scouts through fun robot-building parties. Parents and girls can try an activity at home or at one of our socially distanced events,” she says.
Trying new activities and building friendships
Kindergarten through third grade is an especially good time to introduce girls to Girl Scouts, says Thomas.
“Girls tell us that they build confidence in their abilities when they can try new things in an all-girls environment,” says Thomas. “They have no fear of looking silly because they feel comfortable and supported within a strong group of friends who are all learning together.”
Immersive activities are at the heart of Girl Scout experiences, and many young girls enjoy digging into outdoor pursuits like camping, canoeing, kayaking and rock wall climbing. In southeast Michigan, there are two local Girl Scout camp properties girls can visit — either overnight or on day trips — with their troops or with their families.
Girl Scouts also meet at Huron-Clinton Metroparks, state parks and local parks in their communities to experience outdoor exploration, learn outdoor cooking and practice first aid skills. Throughout all of these activities, young girls learn how to identify and solve problems and develop a strong sense of self while learning the value of relationships.
“These are the times they can build confidence, be bold and try new things,” Thomas says. “They create a strong foundation that helps them continue to explore as they grow older.”
Attend a robot building party near you or online. Learn more about Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan at www.gssem.org.
