Is this really GOLD?

"Now Freedom (Girl Scout, former foster child) is working to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award by collecting backpacks for underprivileged youngsters up through high school.

"Older foster children need help, too, she says, which is something most people don’t recognize. And she’s dedicated to helping “foster cares” because most “never know where your next meal or set of clothes” will come from."

Well, darn it!  This was on the GSUSA blog, and it is soooo not representative of a Gold Award Project, on the surface.  This is a great service project that Freedom has chosen, and she is obviously passionate about it, having been a foster child herself.  But is this ACTION?

Remember, we talk about the parable in training:  "Give a man a fish and he eats for a day..." That's a service project. Well-meaning. Hearfelt.  But it only makes a difference for a day or two.   "Teach a man to fish, and he eats for a lifetime."  That's more Gold-style.  Create a solution that is measurable and makes a sustainable change in the community.  That is what TAKING ACTION is all about!

We want our girls to think critically.  And we want them to have to do some research. They need to start with the issue, and then understand the root cause of the problem.  And THEN they need to do research to find out what's already being done to address this issue? Who or what agencies have a mission-driven goal to solve the problem?  Can the girl work with one of them?  Who can she identify to partner with? 

This is the critical thinking piece that most girls will want to gloss over, because it's maybe a little difficult.  Or they're lazy thinkers. Or they don't have time. Or...whatever excuse they can come up with!  But remember, this is the time for these girls to use and develop their skills, even if it takes time.  These high schoolers are college-bound, and the Gold Award experience is one that can help them as they move forward.

So, lean on them to do the work.  We want them to be proud of the work they're doing, just as much as we are soooo proud of them.