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Girl Scouts Loved Spreading Kindness to Pets
Girl Scouts know a thing or two about being kind. When you live by the Girl Scout Law, you do your best to be “friendly and helpful, considerate and caring.” Kindness is the most powerful of all our social-emotional skills. In 2023, Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast launched the “Spread Kindness” patch program, and the response was so incredible that we brought it back, this time with a community service focus on helping our four-legged friends.
Kicking off last October, which is National Adopt-a-Pet Month, Girl Scouts were encouraged to learn about animals, reach out to local shelters, and take action to help where they could. The stories we have heard from across our council have warmed our hearts, and we wanted to thank everyone who participated in this amazing experience.
Girl Scouts made treats and toys, cleaned cages, donated supplies, shared information about pet waste with their communities, and so much more as part of earning this year’s patch. Many found that the activities tied in nicely with other Girl Scout programs, such as the new Animal badge series.
Troop 1106 worked with the Peninsula SPCA and did just that, working on several badges as they went. Volunteer Emily Moore shared, “They made pet bingo cards and cat toys and particularly enjoyed cleaning out the habitats of guinea pigs and bunnies and having the opportunity to feed them! They also loved visiting the shelter’s Petting Zoo and feeding the goats, llamas, alpacas, donkeys and bunnies!”
Troop 1018, the winner of our Chalk Art Contest who had their drawing featured in GSCCC’s Thanksgiving communications, took it a step further and held a “Pet Palooza” fall encampment for their Service Unit. Campers were encouraged to dress as their favorite animal. The event featured a supply drive to benefit the Gloucester Mathews Humane Society, pet-themed games and crafts, and all the traditional fun of an encampment including archery, canoeing, and SWAPS. Leader Jennifer Glaspell said, “The four girls led a lot of the activities at camp which was great to see their enthusiasm and leadership skills. They all have pets and absolutely love animals.” Using their winning artwork as inspiration, they had special patches made to commemorate the weekend!
Girl Scout Daisy Verity, an Individually Registered Member (or “Juliette”), did activities at home with her family to earn her patch — including cleaning kitty litter boxes with her dad! Her mother said, “We talked about the importance of scooping the poop. Living right by the water, it also reflected the messaging of the Elizabeth River Project and Verity learned how pet waste can affect the water and the animals in our own backyard.”
The bonds we share with our pets, and the love we have for all animals, were on display during this special project and we are overwhelmed by the kindnesses you’ve shown and the positive feedback from the Girl Scouts who took part. You have all made the world a better place!
The theme for next year’s Spread Kindness patch program will be announced soon, and we can’t wait to see what you do!
