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Acts of Service, Acts of Kindness
Troop 94 in Virginia Beach, a multi-level troop made up of homeschoolers and led by Southern Van Auken, dedicated troop activity time to earning the Spread Kindness patch this year — and, of course, being kind! At a meeting in February, the Girl Scouts did a community service project, focused on food insecurity, with PiN, a ministry that provides a hot meal six days a week for those sleeping outside as well as other special services. The Girl Scouts took turns working in the kitchen at the church where they hold their troop meetings to make sandwiches that were later delivered to PiN.
Activities also included making anonymous gift packets for each other. They wrote positive note cards and included items like journals that could be used at home for practicing “self-kindness.” Some messaging was provided, such as “Have courage and be kind for where there is kindness, there is goodness and where there is goodness there is magic,” and Girl Scouts were also encouraged to create their own messages.
So, what is kindness? Why should we be kind? These are some questions to use with Girl Scout Daisies and Brownies. You can start by discussing how it makes them feel when someone does something kind for them, or when they do something kind for another person! Older Girl Scouts can dive a bit deeper and do some research on their own. They’ll find that the effects of kindness on the body and brain can be quite impactful; a good resource to explore is the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.
How can you spread kindness? Make a list of at least 10 ways you can be kind to another person. Think about how you can be kind at home, at school/work and in your community. If in a troop, work together to come up with ideas of kind acts that the group can do, or has done for others, or acts of kindness someone has done for those in the group. Kindness causes a “Ripple Effect” — it’s almost like magic! Your kind action will make someone feel happy, loved or inspired! It will most certainly cause that person to be nicer or happier. They are then more likely to do something kind for someone else. You don’t need a magic wand or a rabbit to pull out of a hat — just good words and deeds to make the world a better place. Every day for one week, be courageous and try something new. Do something kind for someone and see how it makes you and them feel!
Be Kind to Yourself Activities
- Write a gratitude list
- Read a book
- Paint your nails
- Ride your bike
- Go for a walk
- Drink more water
- Set positive goals for yourself
- Do yoga
- Turn off electronics/screens for a day
- Compliment yourself
- Do something you’re afraid to do, such as perform a song or dance in front of someone. How do you feel now that you’ve done it?
- Be yourself! If you want to wear a mismatched outfit, do it! If you like ranch on your pizza but others don’t, do it anyway! It feels good to be yourself.
Sample Badge Opportunities
- Daisies: Work to earn your Zinni (light green) petal! Be kind and practice the “art of sharing”.
- Brownies: Work to earn your Girl Scout Way badge. Step 4: Leave a Place Better than you found it! Clean up after your meeting, at school, an event, or at your friend’s home or your own. Work to earn your Snacks badge by making a healthy snack and share a treat with your family or friends.
- Juniors: Work to earn your Simple Meals badge. Make a healthy meal for your family or friends and spread a little kindness!
(You can earn a GSCCC Spread Kindness patch for taking action just like the Girl Scouts of Troop 94.)
