Whether you’re at school, in a club / organization or perhaps just looking for something to do, it seems we all do service. However, in doing service for others, we often have favorites that we enjoy doing.
This badge features favorite service projects recommended by Girl Scouts.
Steps
Popular Service
1. Collect.
Collecting items for others seems to be a very popular service project. This came in from many people. Some items that have been collected include:
- Books
- Coats
- Food
- Hygiene products
- Mittens and scarves
- Pop-top tabs
- Shoes
- Toys
2. Holidays.
Many service projects revolve around the holidays. Understandably, most happen during the school year when Girl Scout troops are active. Some holiday favorite projects include:
- Serving hot meals
- Caroling
- Decorating
3. Make.
Girl Scouts love making / creating things. So, why not put it into our service projects? Some things our girls like include:
- Cards (holiday)
- Cookies
- Decorate windows / walls
- Ornaments
- Pet treats / toys
- Placemats / drawings
4. Outdoors.
Girls love doing special activities where they meet, whether it is a church, school or any other building. These activities include:
- Decorating / painting
- Picking up trash
- Planting
- Raking leaves
- Weeding
5. Organizations.
Looking for someone (or something) that needs a helping hand? Here are some of our favorites.
- Girl Scouts (troops, service unit, council)
- Local food pantries
- Local nursing homes
- Local shelters
- Meals on Wheels
- Ronald McDonald House
- Salvation Army
6. Specific.
There were a lot of recommendations for specific organizations or projects. Check out the Service Fun supplement to see what was recommended by Girl Scout leaders in the United States. Pick one or more to learn about that your girls might like to try.
A Bit More
7. Tradition.
Doing a service project year after year allows girls to look forward to doing it. It also makes it easier on the service unit and organization you’re supporting, minimizing the time and effort needed to plan the project. Service units allow a larger number of girls to participate as well. Does your service unit have a service tradition? If not, discuss starting one that works with your community.
8. Partner.
Looking for a little help but you don’t want to involve the entire service unit? Try partnering up with another troop or group. This works especially well with an older and younger girl troop. It allows the older girls some leadership experience while the younger girls can see what they can do when they become older. Also, if you have multiple troops at a school or church, working together for a larger project may be more beneficial. Look at ways you might partner with another troop(s).
9. Share.
Some service projects can be passed from troop to troop. Explore how you might pass a service project to another troop.
10. Addition.
Do you have a special service project that your girls loved doing? Feel free to share it for inclusion with this badge program or at your local meetings.
Supplements
SUPP_My Fav Service_2in_12up_larajla
- Avery 2.5” round label printable, 12 up
SUPP_ My Fav Service_Checklist_larajla
- Badge checklist
SUPP_Service Fun_Recommended_larajla
- Specific recommended service projects
Sites to Explore
See sites listed in Recommended supplement.
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs