Faith and Girl Scouts
This week when spending time researching recent Gold Award Girl Scouts, I came across Kelsey Aggrey. She earned her Gold Award creating a coop music program between different schools to allow students to participate in music programs their school was not able to offer. Her story interested me since many Girl Scouts have an interest in supporting music programs and this was a powerful way to do so.
In addition to a Gold Award project that has a unique aspect, I look to see if the Girl Scout has other interesting stories they may be able to share. Kelsey has a YouTube channel and a great part of her production relates to speaking about her Christian faith as a teenager. I was blown away by the unique and personal presentation of her faith in this medium. Her channel is https://www.youtube.com/user/cheche27100.
Then, at Mass today our Gospel reading was from Luke 10:1-12,17-20. This is the reading where Jesus sends out men to proclaim the Gospel while relying on the town they are visiting to support them in shelter, food, and drink. In his Homily, our priest shared how God has a purpose for everyone. One may not want to follow the path God has laid for them, but eventually, they will be on the path God has created for them. We must be open to listening to God and willing to follow that path that has been laid for us. In the end, everyone’s path leads to helping others to find the path God has laid for them.
This brought me back to Kelsey. She has a powerful faith and by sharing so openly she may encourage others to tune into God speaking to them. Kelsey may never meet these people in person, but her openness may help someone in need.
Another Gold Award project that related to a Girl Scout’s faith is Maysaa Khalaf. Her Gold Award project was the beautification of a cemetery in Nebraska for Yazidi / Yezidi. As her project progressed, she became a voice for the Yazidi, sharing their history and educating others.
P.R.A.Y partners with Girl Scouts to provide programs for Girl Scouts to learn more about their faith. Girl Scouts can work independently or with groups at their faith organization to complete the requirements. There are programs for many different faiths. Often Girl Scouts in troops will work on these awards independently or in a subgroup of the troop since the awards are specific to each Girl Scouts individual beliefs. You can get more information on the program on the website https://www.praypub.org/gsusa
A Catholic university near where I live has a scholarship that was set up to recognize Girl Scouts who have earned one the of Catholic religious awards and the Girl Scout Gold Award. I expect there are other institutions that may have similar opportunities for those that have earned their associated religious award through Girl Scouts.
I recently had a conversation with someone about how Catholics shouldn’t participate in Girl Scouts because of some incorrect information she had received. We discussed the facts supporting why what she had read was wrong and I reminded her Girl Scouts is what the girls in the troop (or independently with their family) make of the program. There are lots of opportunities to include faith in Girl Scouts. Our Girl Scout troop was primarily made up of Catholic and Lutheran Girl Scouts. We worked with both churches in our town and had P.R.A.Y. programs the Girl Scouts were able to participate in based on their faith outside of regular troop meetings, but fully supported by the entire troop.
How can you incorporate your faith (or your Girl Scout’s faith for adults) into Girl Scouts? I encourage you to consider this and find a way to do so that is meaningful to you. Doing so can expand your own faith and be an example to others.