Submitted by Jessica Spangler

Metro Denver

Denver

Four Juniors in multi-level Troop 65659 came together in 2020 with a goal: earn the Bronze Award. They finished the aMUSE Journey online, culminating in a play they created to bust the stereotype that firefighters are male (https://youtu.be/I8lFJo2C3C4).

Meeting online once or twice per month, they built their team, virtually toured their neighborhoods, observed eleven problems, and interviewed experts. In December, they finalized their choice: children being left out and socially excluded.

They started 2021 with a vision to address feeling left out: “Happy, Helping, Gathering, Respect Others’ Feelings, Feel Welcomed, Respect others, Speaking to each other, Go somewhere and talk.” They said their goal for the project was to include “horses” and “campfires.” Julianna had an idea to help children feel welcome: a “Kindness Board” where each youth would write something positive about another and post it for everyone to see.

In March and April, despite two of the girls being unable to continue with the project, Juniors Kennedy and Julianna continued undaunted and created the You Are Invited Club for all children and youth who feel left out and excluded.

They personally visited two nonprofit farms that provide classes and programming to youth in the community and asked the owners to host their club. They were so grateful that both farms said yes! They made videos to advertise their new program (https://youtu.be/AsAyz1uar9c and https://youtu.be/wgIXa2KL91c).

Once the new club was publicized by each farm, Kennedy and Julianna got together for a mini-pizza party to create a poster, write thank you notes, and celebrate their accomplishment that was a year and a half in the making.

We want to hear how your girl is using her Girl Scout skills by taking initiative, caring for the community, and Girl Scouting at home. She can send in her story here.