Have you heard about the impact that local Girl Scouts are making on the city of Duvall? Maia, a 13-year-old Girl Scout in Duvall recently shared her story in a first place-winning essay as a part of a competition for all Girl Scouts in western Washington.
In her essay, Maia writes about how Girl Scouts has changed her life though exciting new opportunities, and how the program has helped her develop important new skills such as horse riding, pitching a tent, and being a leader. She writes about how local troops are helping the city of Duvall to be a better place with a range of service projects from picking up trash in the park to helping the city raise money for crossing flags on Main Street.
Maia also expresses the need to empower every girl in Duvall through Girl Scouting regardless of their socioeconomic status. Did you know that Girl Scouts has financial assistance as well as community outreach to girls who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity to participate?
A lot of girls grow up to be entrepreneurs, community leaders and actively engaged citizens because of their work in Girl Scouts. In fact, the Girl Scout Research Institute shows that more Girl Scouts go to and graduate from college, and long-time Girl Scouts actually earn more as adults than non-Girl Scouts.
Maia is just one of many inspiring Girl Scouts in Duvall finding her greatness, sharing her ideas and passions and working hard to make the world a better place! Read her essay below....
How Girl Scouts Has Changed Me
I have been in Girl Scouts for four years. Those years have been filled with life-changing experiences. I started out as a Junior, so I didn’t have much time to warm up to doing big Take Action projects, but I managed to earn both my Bronze and my Silver with the help and encouragement of my fellow troop mates and troop leader. I have gained many skills through Girl Scouts such as horse riding, pitching a tent, and being a leader.
Before I joined Girl Scouts I had a pretty boring life. But when I joined Girl Scouts I got to do so much more with my life! I got to go camping, tree climbing, and horse riding, just to name a few of the activities I’ve done with my troop! But to me Girl Scouts isn’t just fun and games. I’ve also learned important skills from running a business to making books and solving crimes.
I feel proud to be part of such a wonderful organization like Girl Scouts which helps girls all over the world learn to be leaders and to help their community! My troop and many other local troops have helped my community in many ways, from picking up trash in a park to helping the city raise money for crossing flags on Main Street.
I feel as though Girl Scouts helps every girl build character and gives them confidence and self-esteem. Since joining Girl Scouts I feel that I have become a better person who better adheres to the Girl Scout Law and has more confidence in myself and others. I think every girl should be given the choice to join girl scouts no matter where she lives or how much money her family has.
Sincerely,
Maia McGrath,
Girl Scouts of Western Washington, Duvall, Service Unit #441, Troop #43647
