Girl Scouts Make an Impact in East Austin

Mention the words “Girl Scouts” and most people’s minds will jump to the one thing they know and love best about the organization: the cookies.  But behind the iconic, brightly colored boxes filled with those mysteriously irresistible confections are real girls with real stories who have joined the Girl Scouts on their way to becoming strong, responsible women.

For nearly a century, the Girl Scouts of America have helped girls of all ages develop confidence, social conscience, and leadership skills that they can use and build on for the rest of their lives.  The Girl Scouts of Central Texas continue this mission daily through tight-knit troops all over Austin and various neighborhood initiatives.  One such initiative is taking place in East Austin, where girls at East Austin College Prep and the surrounding Govalle/Johnston Terrace neighborhood are given the opportunity to spend time with and learn from Girl Scout leaders.

Over the 2010-2011 school year, girls at East Austin Prep completed a leadership curriculum taught by local Girl Scout volunteers.  While the Girl Scout program was a requirement for girls in the fall, they were given the choice to continue or opt out during the spring.  The girls formed two troops, one for each the 6^th and 7^th grade.  Although the girls participating in the Girl Scouts have their fees waived, they engage in many of the activities of a typical troop, including the ever-anticipated cookie sales.  In addition, the girls took an active lead in community service by setting up games for kids to play at the monthly Capital Area Food Bank Mobile Food Pantry offered at the Southwest Key Headquarters.  Another significant accomplishment was a vegetable garden that they planted and continue to tend to in front of the Café del Sol.  Vegetables grown in the garden are then routinely used in the Café’s menu items.

This summer, the Girl Scouts continue their leadership program in conjunction with the 2011 STEM Summer Institute taking place at East Austin College Prep.  The Girl Scouts have proven a valuable partner to East Austin College Prep and their program promises to continue to flourish.

- Kelle Kampa

Communications Intern

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