As a young girl, I was very involved in Girl Scouts. While I did just happen to set a cookie-selling record for my district , participating in Girl Scouts meant so much more than selling cookies. I loved learning about nature, camping, and how to be independent. It helped me to develop great friendships and taught me how to be a leader. At camp, I was able to experience so many adventures from archery, rock climbing, to traditional activities like campfires and hiking. I was so excited when my daughter showed interest in Girl Scouts as well. I knew it would provide her with so many of same opportunities that have benefited me.
Girl Scouts has been inspiring girls and young women to be confident and active since 1912! They are continuing that tradition today through the Together Counts Program. The Together Counts program is nationwide and provided by the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation to inspire active and healthy living through physical activity and nutrition.
The principle behind the program is called Energy Balance, which just means balancing the calories we consume with the calories we expend.
Energy In: the calories you get from eating and drinking.
Energy Out: the calories you burn from physical activities
In partnership with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, Girl Scouts developed three “healthy habits” booklets to easily incorporate energy balance into meetings, outings, events and adventures. The free booklets help guide girls as they learn to lead active, healthy lifestyles.
The 3 Healthy Habits booklets available for download include:
- Between Earth and Sky with Healthy Habits – girls learn about the many plants, trees, and animals that flourish in nature, and also build important leadership skills.
- WOW! Wonders of Water with Healthy Habits – girls discover the many forms and paths that water takes and how to protect it. They also learn how to engage in teamwork, speak effectively to convey a message, and inspire others
- Get Moving! with Healthy Habits– girls learn how to use their energy to protect Earth’s energy and build important leadership skills.
For other resources on inspiring the girls in your life to stay active or get involved with Together Counts and Girl Scouts, be sure to check out these great sites :
- Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Twitter: On Twitter, GSNC shares council information including awards, resources, highlights from council events and volunteering opportunities.
- Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Facebook: Similar to Twitter, the GSNC Facebook page shares photo albums of troop activities, news from around the region, and partner content from Together Counts.
- Together Counts Website –The website is consumer friendly—aimed at parents and educators and provides resources, tips, recipes and more.
- Together Counts Blog – The Together Counts blog is the main source of all consumer-friendly news including HWCF campaigns, announcements and content from HWCF partners around the topic of healthy eating habits and incorporating more physical activity.
- Together Counts Twitter – On Twitter, Together Counts shares everything from digital assets (video, infographics) to industry or conference news related to food in addition to campaign and partner news.
- Together Counts Pinterest – Together Counts’ resource for sharing recipe inspiration from across the network, family activity ideas and pins from partners that relate to family eating and activity including Girl Scouts, Healthy Dining Finders, etc.
Oh, these are great! Bring back awesome memories of being a Girl Scout, for sure!
My days as a Girl Scout were treasured memories as well!
I was a girl scout for many years. Now that I have all boys, I am a boy scout mom.
The skills learned in Girl Scouts /Boy Scouts carries on into adulthood. So proud to have been a part of this and have our children involved. I love that they make the materials available to everyone!
My daughter and I were both involved in Girl Scouts. It’s a great organization.
Isn’t it awesome that it can be a family tradition. I know that it’s something I can always feel good about!
I wish my girls would show an interested in girl scouts (here girl guides and brownies) I think it’s such a great idea, and helps so many girls especially with self esteem issues!
Completely!! The positivity and support that girls receive is unparalleled
I really like that the Girl Scouts have 3 booklets for healthy habits for young girls. It’s so important to teach our children about the importance of health which is something I wish I had grown up knowing.
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They are really addressing the whole person. Creating a strong mind & body for young women.
I was never involved in Girl Scouts but I do love their concept. I love how they empower and help build up girls.
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Encouraging our young people through every avenue possible! I love Girl Scouts for this!
I love all of the values that the Girl Scouts instill in young girls. It’s a great organization for helping to build up their self-esteem.
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I totally agree! I love that they are encouraging girls to take ownership and be self starters in their communities and their lives.
We don’t have Girl Scouts here. I have been thinking about trying to start a group.
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You would be a fantastic troop leader!!! How wonderful to think of bringing this to the girls in your community!!
These booklets sound like great resources for girls. What a great program to learn and have fun!
I never got the opportunity to be a Girl Scout. I wish I had. They are a wonderful organization that does a lot to help young girls.
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You could still be a part of Girl Scouts by applying to be a troop leader for your girls!
I was born and raised in Toronto Ontario Canada, and in Canada they call Girl scouts Girl Guides and they do pretty much the same things. My daughter has no interest in joining girl scouts. Bella is totally happy with buying the girl scout cookies though.
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Very interesting! I wonder if they are the same affiliation. Girl Scout cookies are soooo addictive!
These sound like great books for girls. I was a girl scout and I had so much then.
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The girl scouts has been around for a long time healing to shape young girls into responsible adults. Plus I love their cookies.
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Girl Scouts is such a great group for girls to get involved in. There are so many great things they learn and they make great friendships. The cookies are also amazing.
I am glad to see the Girl Scouts going in this direction. I am sure that they are able to connect with these girls and have somewhat of a lasting impression on them when it comes to improving their health.
I like that the Girl Scouts are doing this initiative. It is important to stress good health to the kids.
It really is! Supporting our young ladies in every aspect of personal health is so important to growing a strong society.
Sounds awesome and it brings back my sweet scout memories. The booklets you have listed here are great resource for girls and it would be very supportive to them as well. Thanks a lot for sharing this useful information.
I never got to be a Girl Scout but I wish I did. My friends that were in girl scouts had such a good time together and I remember feeling so left out.
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