By DANIELLE SHOCKEY
Guest Columnist
As we grow into another exciting back-to-school season, caregivers and educators alike are looking for ways to provide our young learners with every advantage possible. We understand that today’s world requires more than just academic prowess to succeed; it calls for confident, empowered individuals who are equipped with a diverse skill set and a resilient spirit.
That’s why, in addition to traditional education, we’re inviting school-aged girls to join Girl Scouts, where we’re nurturing the dreamers, thinkers, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow.
At Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, we are proud to provide a dynamic space where girls can try new things, have fun, see themselves through a happy, confident, and vibrant lens with a world of possibility before them.
Our mission is simple yet powerful: to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place; and Girl Scouts has been and will continue to bring this mission to life by building unique programs for girls, girls and caregivers, and girls in Girl Scout Troops to communities across Indiana.
As an organization we take immense pride in the vast, unique Girl Scout program options that we believe are profound companion experiences to what girls are learning in school. Girl Scout programs are like having hundreds of little field trips to choose from, and not only that, but girls also get to go on them with their favorite friends! The choices in Girl Scouts are nearly unlimited, from outdoor adventure, to travel and the arts, to STEM and beyond.
We understand that for our girls to grow up grounded with a sense of positive self-image they will need to have time to wonder, explore, imagine, dream, fall, fail, and preserve; and at Girl Scouts we believe what we offer to girls is all these things. This combined with the fact that these moments happen in a supported small group setting with an adult role model who is there to celebrate her, challenge her, and sometime just listen.
Participating in Girl Scouts isn’t just about acquiring skills; it’s about building a network of like-minded friends who share dreams and aspirations. Through teamwork, camaraderie, and adventure, girls forge bonds that last a lifetime. They experience firsthand the strength that comes from collaboration, a lesson that will serve them well in both their personal and professional lives.
As we navigate an ever-changing world, it’s crucial to equip girls with the tools they need to thrive. Girl Scouts understands the importance of holistic development, where academic excellence combines seamlessly with self-assurance and adaptability. We believe that by empowering girls, we are contributing to a brighter future for all.
So, as the school bells ring and the classrooms fill, let us also remember to nurture every girl’s potential outside the classroom. Let us provide them with the chance to explore, to create, and to lead. Let us show them that they can do and be anything they set their minds to. Let us join hands in empowering the next generation of remarkable women.
To learn more about how Girl Scouts is shaping the leaders of tomorrow, visit GirlScoutsIndiana.org and join us in this exciting journey of growth, discovery, empowerment, adventure, and leadership.
Danielle Shockey is the chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, which serves 18,000 Girls and 12,000 adults across 45 Indiana counties. A Girl Scout alum, her experience and passion for serving Indiana’s youth spans a 20-year career in education prior to her now five years with Girl Scouts.