On World Thinking Day, celebrated annually on Feb. 22, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides across the globe celebrate international friendship through activities and projects focused on a theme.
This year’s theme is “Our World, Our Thriving Future: The Environment and Global Poverty.” Girl Scouts are encouraged to explore how these issues are challenging for girls and women in their own communities and around the world. As you think about the issues that contribute to these problems, consider the little things you can do to make a big difference.
Troops throughout Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania will mark World Thinking Day with programs that foster sisterhood.
Looking for inspiration? Consider these ideas from troops in our council
Host an international party
Follow the lead of Troop 30363 in Luzerne County and throw a party! Girls choose a country to research and present to the troop while offering food related to that country as a treat for all to share. Check out these easy (and yummy!) international treats. To help girls understand their place in the world, the troop leader will also display cards from all 50 states as well as from other countries.
Combine information and fun
Who says tri-fold boards are only for science fairs? Girls in Service Unit 153 in Carlisle will display information on various countries on the boards, present a short talk about the country, share snacks, and trade SWAPS. To emphasize the importance of “being a sister to every Girl Scout,” the girls will also bring a small monetary contribution to the Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Fund.
Spread cultural awareness
Consider sharing food, a dance, a song, a craft, or anything that represents another country like the girls will do in Service Unit 165, located in Perry County. Find easy craft ideas here.
Travel around the world
Fourteen countries will be represented in a World Thinking Day event held by troops in Service Unit 175 in Dauphin County. The day will begin with a flag ceremony, with each troop providing a flag of the country they represent, followed by an opportunity for girls to travel from country to country to sample food, play games, make crafts, and more. Thinking about hosting a similar event? Create a small passport for girls to stamp at each country they visit.
Keep it simple
You can celebrate World Thinking Day without a lot of fuss by taking a cue from troops in Service Unit 715 in Lancaster County. The troops host a bowling event where they distribute papers with fill-in-the-blank information about the Girl Scout holiday. Look for World Thinking Day activity sheets you can print and hand out, or have girls complete coloring pages at a meeting.
Did your troop or service unit host a World Thinking Day event? Fill out a Mission Moment and tell us all about it!
Written by Cathy Molitoris, Marketing Coordinator for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania.