Girl Scout of the USA has introduced the Leadership Journeys and appears to be moving the program to focus on these new materials in the future, so I figured now was as good a time as any to give them a try. Yes, I have mixed feelings, as I've mentioned in my Review of the New Leadership Experience, but I have been a firm believer in the Girl Scout program and have seen what it can do for the girls who participate so I will give the Journey a wholehearted try. I introduced it to my girls as a cool new program from the Girl Scouts.
The Junior program is Agent of Change and focus on teaching the girls that they can make a difference. It helps them work from the inside out to discover:
- The Power of One: their own individual power - strenghts, skills, talents and uniqueness as well as seeing how other women have exercised their individual power to make a difference
- The Power of Team: the power of bringing together a number of people to focus on an issue or project
- The Power of Community: what happens when the team mobilizes a community to make a difference
As it's a new program I'm pretty much following the Leaders' Guide while planning and carrying out my activities. It outlines 7 sessions to complete the Journey, though I can see where it may take an extra one or two. The girls' book has activities, suggestions and logs for them to follow along the way.
I'm working with 2 Juniors, both 4th graders, as the 5th grade Juniors in my troop are beginning activities to prepare for Bridging to Cadettes, so my group is small. I decided to complete the girl activities along with them as an extra participant although I may have to rethink that and step back so they'll take the lead more.
Follow our Jouney:
- Agent of Change Session 1: Beginning to discover our own unique powers