WESTFIELD – Free “Discover Daisy Girl Scouts” events are slated this month in the city, as well as Southwick and Huntington, sponsored by Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts.
“Daisy Girl Scouts are about fun and friendship,” said Dana Carnegie, communications manager for the organization. “Girls in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten earn petals as they explore the Girl Scout Promise and Law.”
Carnegie noted the “petals” earned by the girls are the Daisy version of badges earned by older Girl Scouts.
Westfield Daisy Troop 64936 members Charlotte Daley, Willow Markel, Aria Townson, Kyleigh Popoli, Jordyn Daley and Autumn Krupa learned about the Boys’ and Girls’ Library at the Westfield Athenaeum from Patti Brose, youth services librarian, during a recent visit. (Submitted photo)
“Daisy Girl Scouts might make a difference in their community through a service project and they can sell Girl Scout cookies as well as explore nature and the outdoors,” said Carnegie.
Daisy launch parties are planned May 8 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Southwick Public Library, 95 Feeding Hills Road; May 10, 6 to 7 p.m., at Stanton Hall, 26 Russell Road, Huntington, and on May 13, 6 to 7 p.m., at the Westfield Athenaeum, 6 Elm St.
Girls will complete a fun activity during the party to earn their first patch while parents or guardians will learn how Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, noted Carnegie.
“Joining Girl Scouts is a great way to help girls build confidence, try new things, and discover their inner G.I.R.L. (go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, leader),” said Carnegie, adding that previous Girl Scout experience is not necessary.
Pat O’Connor of Westfield, who oversees Girl Scout troops in the city including Daisy Troop 64936, echoed those sentiments.
“At an age where girls are entering school and encountering a much larger, scarier, and different world that will challenge them in new and more complex ways, Daisy Girl Scouts gives girls an opportunity to explore the world in a safe, nurturing environment,” said O’Connor.
O’Connor added the “positive values” outlined in the Girl Scout Law “instills behaviors and character traits that will enable them to navigate through life’s challenges and to become future leaders.”
One of the latest projects that O’Connor’s troop enjoyed was learning about the history of the Boys’ and Girls’ Library at the Westfield Athenaeum.
“We’ve been working on a reading program and we went for a tour to learn everything the library has to offer and the girls received their own library cards,” said O’Connor.
During the launch parties, Girl Scouts will offer an extended year membership fee – $55 for membership now through Sept. 30, 2020. Financial assistance is also available.
Carnegie encourages parents to consider the Girl Scout organization for girls heading off to kindergarten or first grade in the fall.
“She has new experiences to conquer and lessons to learn, and Girl Scouts is the trusted girl expert that will help her succeed,” said Carnegie. “Your girl will participate in a Girl Scout meeting where she’ll get a taste of the fun and adventure that await her as a Girl Scout Daisy while earning her first patch.”
Local volunteers involved in the organization are also expected to attend the parties to help answer questions, and Laurie Dimock, community development specialist, will also be on hand for the festivities.
“Parents or guardians are also encouraged to learn more about forming a troop,” said Carnegie.
For more information on Girl Scouts or the events, contact Kerry O’Brien at (508) 749-3633 or via email to [email protected]. For families unable to attend the Westfield party, O’Connor can answer questions via email at [email protected] since she also serves as registrar for the Westfield service unit. Visit gscwm.org for general information about the organization.
Ava Supinski of Daisy Troop 64936 summed it up best when she said – “I like being a Daisy because I get to meet nice friends and we do fun things together.”
