Girl Scout Program Expands in Flint

The mission of Girl Scouts is to "build girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place."

As with any extracurricular program, there are costs associated with participation and adult volunteers are needed to run the program. With a $10,000 grant from the Flint Women and Girls Fund, girls at Northridge Academy, a magnet school in Flint, will have an opportunity to participate in Girl Scouts this school year.

The Girl Engagement Initiative (GEI) serves girls in low-income schools who may face barriers that could limit their participation in Girl Scouts. The program is focused on kindergarten through fifth grade girls and is led by trained Girl Scout staff. Girls will explore leadership skills using the "It's Your Story-Tell It!" leadership curriculum and engage in related hands-on activities.

Amberlee Beasley is a Girl Engagement Consultant with Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan. She leads the GEI program at Genesee STEM Academy in Flint Township.

"Scouting helps girls gain leadership skills, positive values and build healthy relationships," said Amberlee. "I have seen girls become more confident in being who they are, gain an interest in STEM, and develop positive relationships with each other. They also develop trust in me as a leader and as a positive female role model in their life."

Girls work on theme-based activities such as discovering the benefit of a balance diet and physical activity, navigating healthy relationships, and identifying ways to enhance self- expression.

"My greatest satisfaction in being a Girl Scout leader is providing the girls with new and unique opportunities that help build their interests and self-esteem," she added.