When you live by the Girl Scout Law, you pledge to be a sister to every Girl Scout. World Thinking Day makes that goal a little easier.

Established in 1926 during the fourth Girl Scout World Conference, the day is celebrated on Feb. 22. The Girl Guides and Girl Scouts at the conference chose the date to honor the birthdays of Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, and his wife, Olive Baden-Powell, who was World Chief Guide.

Building on the concept of “think globally, act locally,” World Thinking Day encourages troops to consider their place in the international community. Girls can explore different cultures, raise awareness about global issues, and participate in activities related to the World Thinking Day theme.

The official date of World Thinking Day may be in February, but you don’t have to wait until then to plan your troop activities. Get started helping your Girl Scouts embrace perspectives outside their own as they think about this year’s theme: “Our World, Our Thriving Future: The Environment and Global Poverty.” Specifically, troops are encouraged to consider how these issues are even more challenging for girls and women around the world.

Girl Scouts can earn the World Thinking Day award by completing steps in the Activity Guides for each age level. Check out a guide for Daisies, Brownies, and Juniors or one for Cadettes, Seniors, and Ambassadors.

“World Thinking Day helps Girl Scouts understand how they are connected to other girls around the globe,” said Kim Krummerich, regional director for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. “Through fun activities, troops can discover new things, learn about people in other countries, and broaden their world view. Individual troops can participate in World Thinking Day activities or Service Units can host larger events to bring multiple troops together for a World Thinking Day celebration.”

Here are some fun ideas to get you ready for this year’s World Thinking Day:

• Sing “The World Song” with your troop and then create your own song or poem.
• Invite someone from another culture to speak at a troop meeting.
• Learn about “Wangari’s Trees of Peace” by watching this video or checking the book out from your local library.
• Discover the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Global Advocacy Champions and their impact on their communities.
• Understand the value of microloans for female entrepreneurs, and invite a financial planner to share more about this money resource with your troop.

You can take the focus of your World Thinking Day celebration and expand beyond it with activities to earn a Multicultural Awareness Patch as well. No matter what you choose to do to mark World Thinking Day, it’s bound to spark discussion among your girls while they learn new things and have fun!

By Cathy Molitoris, Marketing Coordinator for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.