Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA) debuted its Kindergarten Readiness campaign last week to provide kindergarten preparation programming to local families and girls.
Kindergarten Readiness is focused on helping girls build skills that will support them in and out of the classroom, as well as provide parents/caregivers the tools they need to aid their girls. With focuses on socialization, learning and building relationships both within Girl Scouts and with the broader community, the program provides the foundation girls need to find success in their first year of school.
“Starting school in general is tough for parents of kindergarten kids. It’s a whole new world. Girl Scouts are in a prime position to swoop in and help out with that,” said Claire Gilbert, GSHPA’s Membership Coordinator who is managing the Kindergarten Readiness program.
Kindergarten Readiness provides fundamental basics that will be especially important for girls to be exposed to after having spent their developmental years in a COVID-lockdown environment. Through the program, girls will have the opportunity to establish a sense of community with other program participants and socialize outside of school.
The program doubles as a way for parents/caregivers to get their girls involved in Girl Scout programming as Daisies. At the Daisy level, girls make new friends as part of a troop, discover how they can help others and learn the beginning elements of Girl Scouting. By joining Girl Scouts as a Daisy, girls begin their Girl Scout Leadership Experience (GSLE) where they follow their own lead, learn by doing and work with other girls to learn and grow together.
Daisy troop leaders play a key role in helping kindergarten and first-grade girls explore the outdoors, grow their social skills and practice kindness and bravery. Along the way, they deepen their connection to their community and develop their own leadership style. Parents/caregivers who are interested in becoming troop leaders are eligible for GSHPA’s Daisy troop leader incentive package, which includes an extended year membership, free t-shirt, free Daisy materials, the “Make New Friends” curriculum bundle, free arts and crafts supplies kit and a personalized new leader Volunteer Toolkit session.
Girls entering kindergarten in the fall of 2022 can sign up now to participate in the program. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
