When I was in second grade, I became a Girl Scout. I was shy, but I always wanted to learn new things and participate in as many activities as I could. I learned skills in social relations, cooking, first aid, and other practical skills. I attribute much of my growth to Girl Scouts. It pushed me to try new things and meet new people.

Last year, I volunteered at a day-session for second graders where we taught them about the cookie program, covering topics from cookie elevator pitches to handling money. I helped the younger girls write pitches, make description booklets, and money envelopes. I had a specific interaction with a girl who reminded me of myself at her age. She wasn’t talking to any of the other girls, and she was so captivated by her work that she was completely in her own world. I started talking to her about her hobbies, and we shared about our love for reading. She started to open up to me and she got excited when I told her that I had read one of her favorite book series when I was her age. I remember when I was younger, I was so excited when one of the older girls talked to me. I would like to think that I had some sort of impact on her, even if it was just for the day.

I want to be able to have more of these meaningful experiences while teaching girls practical skills they can carry through the rest of their lives, whether consciously or not. My purpose is to teach people new skills so that they can grow and expand their comfort zones.  I could do this by creating events for young girls that tie into the Girl Scouts organizations. I could create and lead badge-in-a-day programs, journey experiences, or interviews with inspirational women.

My hope is that these girls can carry the skills they learn and pass them on to people they know.