Local Girl Scout Program Aims to Change Statistics

Did you know girls are completely aware gender barriers still persist in today's society? According to a recent study by the Girl Scout Research Institute, 57 percent of girl respondents agree if they were to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering or math, they would "have to work harder than a man to be taken seriously."*

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois (GSNI) wants to change statistics like this with “Girls Today…Design Divas Tomorrow!” program where girls discover their inner designer while creating innovative structures. Highlights include dissecting toys, developing prototypes, designing a bubble product, building a catapult and competing to see who can fling a marshmallow the farthest. Participants will also learn electrical secrets by exploring Snap Circuits™ while creating their own electronic board game and light-up bracelet! This program is funded in part by Fox Valley United Way.

The program is March 26–30, from 9:15 A.M.–3:45 P.M. at GSNI's Camp Dean in Big Rock. There will be a bus pick-up/drop-off available at Thompson Middle School, 440 Boulder Hill Pass in Oswego. The program is open to all girls in grades 6–8.

There is a $25 fee with financial assistance available. Fee includes lunches/snacks for each day, as well as all program supplies. There is an additional one-time $12 fee for non-Girl Scouts. This fee registers participants as Girl Scouts, allowing them to participate in this program, as well as many others. Registration deadline for this program is March 1. To register, call Pam Schnecke at 847-741-5521, Ext. 7140.

About Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois

Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois serves nearly 20,000 girls and 6,000 adult volunteers in parts or all of Boone, Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Jo Daviess, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties.

Through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, girls in grades K through 12 are engaged in discovering themselves, connecting with others, and taking action to make the world a better place. Girls develop leadership potential by participating in age-appropriate activities that enable them to discover their values, skills, and the world around them. Activities in science and technology, business and economic literacy, and outdoor and environmental awareness provide girls with opportunities for fun and friendship while fostering the development of leadership skills and self-esteem. For more information on 100th anniversary activities, or how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois, visit www.girlscoutsni.org or call 1-800-242-5591.

About Girl Scouts of the USA

Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.2 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouts is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries.

**Girl Scout Research Institute study findings available at http://www.girlscouts.org/research/publications/stem/generation_stem_what_girls_say.asp.