More Than Cookies And Patches: Girl Scouts’ CreateHer Summer Inspires Newark Families

Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey is hosting a series of events called “CreateHer Summer”, where children have the opportunity to know more about the process of being a Girl Scout, explore healthy habits, and have the opportunity to engage in creative activities. 

Girls from Kindergarten to 8th grade are welcome to participate in this series with their friends and family. The Girl Scouts New Jersey team, including membership recruitment specialists Shante Randle, Kay Laurore, and Hannah McPherson, is working to recruit more girls of color in Newark and promote diverse troops.

“The idea is to help do different things that our girls would want to engage in and take part in for free, and bring awareness, at the same time, for the center, for them to know that this is a place that they have access to invite their friends to come to different events,” Laurore said.

Samantha, a parent of a 6-year-old who asked not to share her last name, decided to attend the event to explore Girl Scouts for her daughter. She has been impressed with the program over the past four weeks and has noticed how her daughter has gained more confidence and excitement.

“I’m really looking for her to be able to build community. I’m especially excited for her to have the opportunity to try new things that would otherwise be difficult for me to expose her to. I’m excited for the opportunity for her to share her interests with like-minded peers, and I’m also really excited for her to kind of build her confidence,” Samantha said.

Activities for the girls include dance, yoga, painting, designing clothes, and activities that allow young girls to use their creativity.

The Girl Scouts of New Jersey explained that being a Girl Scout is a family commitment — one that welcomes parents and caregivers into the community. Their goal was to show that Girl Scouts is for everyone and to encourage volunteer participation. Often, when families attend events and see the activities firsthand, parents are inspired to step up and offer the support that’s greatly needed.

“We are so much more than cookies, camps, and patches,” Randle said.

Samatha shared that events such as the one her daughter and she attended are just a taste of what it is to be a Girl Scout and how her experience has been eye-opening for them.

“I am even going as far as to talk to friends and tell them to get more involved. Because I thought Girl Scouts was like a dead thing, but it’s really not. And so we’re really excited to just spread the word and get people more involved,” Samantha said.

Up next for the CreateHER Summer series is a yoga class on Aug. 15 and a “health snacks” class on Aug. 23. Parents can find more information about upcoming Girl Scout events by visiting the “New Member Interest Form,” where they can sign up their child. Thanks to donors, Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey is able to offer free memberships and uniforms to girls in Newark.