Giving Back: A Girl Scout Field Trip

Our Brownie troop had just finished working on the Philanthropy Badge and wanted to put some of what we'd learned about non profits giving back and serving others into action.  We decided as a troop to expereince in person two area organizations that help families and children by offering them some supplies to fill their pantry and closets.  In addition to the girls' each bringing items to share, our troop gave each organization a portion of our Cookie Sale profits in Target Gift Cards.

The first stop on the field trip was at Teddy Bear Hollow which is a place for families and children who are dealing with the death of a loved one.  TBH exists to mend the hearts of grieving children and families through support groups, camps, and other activities.  The Brownies did a great job listening to the Director who gave them a tour, showed them a movie about the programs (which got all the mothers in the room teary), and discussed how to help friends in grief.  Miss A was thrilled when she learned that the craft supplies she brought along would be used to make Memory Photo Frames and Christmas Ornaments.

Our second stop on the Field Trip was to the Rainbow House which is a great organization that provides free accommodations for families who have a child under going care at Children's Hospital. Our family had the privilege of serving lunch there on Christmas so I was so excited to show this off to the girls. We were excited to learn that Rainbow House is in the process of building an even bigger and better "home away from home for families" as the need is so big that on the day that we toured the House, it was filled to capacity.

The girls thought the Rainbow House was such a nice place and fell in love with the idea of helping out so we signed up to bring dinner in June for the Guests.  It was a lightbulb moment for these girls to see families who are spending time away from all the things and people they know to care for a child in the hospital.  I could see their hearts begin to swell with pride thinking they might be able to help just a little bit.  What a great moment to see the girls realize that they could be difference makers!