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Ambassador Program Ideas

Program Ideas and Adaptations for Ambassadors

This year, your Ambassadors will continue to break barriers and unleash the changemakers within—and may even earn their Girl Scout Gold Award in the process. Support their success, now and always, with these fun and easy badges, Journeys, and activities, adapted for both virtual or safe in-person meetings.

How to use these resources:
Democracy for Ambassadors Badge

Ambassadors will become experts in their government and the roles of the officials they’ll help elect.

WHAT THEY'LL LEARN:

When girls have earned this badge, they’ll have learned more about their local, state, and national governments—and they’ll be ready to use that knowledge to inform their voting. 

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Tips and Resources

Michigan 2020 Women's Right to Vote Centennial Patch Program: In 2020, Girl Scouts across Michigan will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment – the constitutional amendment that gave women the right to vote. GSMISTS honors this milestone with the Michigan 2020 Women’s Right to Vote Centennial Patch. Girls can earn this patch by learning about the suffragists who fought for years for the right to vote.

Democracy for Girl Scouts with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation: Learn about the different ways you can learn about our government and the opportunities provided to Girl Scouts. Not in the Grand Rapids area? No problem! We'll discuss virtual civic education programs for your troop!

A Message from Mayor Bliss: Hey there Girl Scouts! Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss has a message for you about civic engagement.

On-Demand Program with the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation: Offers "Write Your Rep!" program for troops to schedule at a time that works best. Program is FREE.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Find out about local government 
2. Find out about state government 
3. Find out about the federal legislative branch 
4. Find out about the federal executive branch 
5. Find out about the federal judicial branch

PLAN YOUR MEETING:

  • Video demonstration: Watch Ambassador Girl Scouts lead Step 5 of this badge.
 
Cybersecurity Basics Badge

Ambassadors will explore how hackers operate and how hacking can be used for the purposes of corporate and national security. 

WHAT THEY'LL LEARN:

When girls have earned this badge, they’ll know about steganography, cyberwarfare, and a variety of different careers in cybersecurity.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Learn about different kinds of hackers
2. Hide a message in plain sight
3. Debate the ethics of hacking
4. Learn cyberwarfare strategies
5. Explore cyber careers

PLAN YOUR MEETING:

Video demonstration: See an Ambassador Girl Scout lead Step 1 of this badge. 

 
College Knowledge Badge

From test prep to financial aid, Ambassadors will explore the ins and outs of the college admissions process.

WHAT THEY'LL LEARN:

When girls have earned this badge, they’ll understand the steps in the college admissions process and be prepared to attend the school of their choice.

 Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore​ Tips and Resources

Ambassador College Knowledge with ExploreHope: The years after high school are an exciting time—you’re going out into the world and figuring out what your adult life is going to look like. Some people will go to college right after high school, and some will take different paths. If you’ve decided that college is the best choice for you and your family, you may be feeling both excited and overwhelmed. Simplify the college preparation process by tackling it step-by-step, and you’ll be ready to start your next chapter in no time! Hosted by Hope College's ExploreHope. Working with leaders of Hope College student organizations, undergraduates will lead badge steps and share their experiences with Girl Scouts.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Explore your options
2. Start the admissions process
3. Make a financial plan
4. Get set for success
5. Build healthy habits

PLAN YOUR MEETING:

  • Video Demonstration: Watch Steps 1 and 3 of this badge..
 
G-Team TV: By Girls, For Girls

Ambassadors will tune in to G-Team TV and join Hangouts with girls across the country! 

WHAT THEY'LL LEARN: 

Introducing G-Team TV! This new online show for middle and high school girls is run by a group of Girl Scouts called the G-Team. Each episode features a special look at key issues for girls and interviews with accomplished Girl Scout alums. Find every episode on Girl Scouts’ YouTube channel.

PLAN YOUR MEETING:

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind

Ambassadors learn techniques to manage stress and health.

WHAT THEY’LL LEARN: 

When girls have participated in these activities, they’ll have skills and confidence to navigate stress in a healthy, mindful manner. 

PLAN YOUR MEETING​:

  • Explore Healthy Relationships: An activity to find the connections between relationships and health.
 
  • Self-Care Tips At Home: Tune in to this Girl Scout Campfire Chat to hear from Joan Kuhl, author of Dig Your Heels In for tips. Like many women, you work hard and you’re proud of all you accomplish, both at school and in your personal life. But you wonder—how do you prevent burnout when the lines between school and home are blurred? Girl Scout alum and “women and work” expert Joan Kuhl guides us through some techniques that will help bring balance to your life.
  • Journal Writing for Beginners with Leigh Newman: If you’ve ever wanted to keep a journal, but didn’t know where to start, then this Girl Scout Campfire Chat is for you. Girl Scout alum and literary whiz Leigh Newman, memoirist and former books editor of Oprah.com, will walk you through how to begin journaling about your life—from sharing your most authentic thoughts and feelings to describing the events that shape your world in ways that will resonate with you for years to come.
  • Leading an engaging meeting: Recommendations for facilitating group conversations, handling supplies, and organizing your meeting   
  • Digital games and ice breakers 
  • Virtual meeting agenda (PDF): Use this resource to help you adapt the meeting plans found in the Volunteer Toolkit
  • Virtual Events Calendar: Search for upcoming wellness events and tune in as a troop!
Entrepreneur Accelerator Badge

Ambassadors will think and act like entrepreneurs as they bring their business vision to life, learn how to work with a team, and motivate people to take a chance with them. 

Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Tips and Resources

Ask an Entrepreneur! Q&A with Wendy Winn of Elevated Grand Rapids - In this video, hear from Girl Scout alumna and businesswoman Wendy Winn. Learn about her experience as an entrepreneur, co-founding Elevated Grand Rapids, and share advice for learning business skill.

Business Etiquette with Stellaluna Events - Learn from an entrepreneur! In this video, Kalamazoo’s Stellaluna Events presents about modern day business skills. Senior and Ambassador Girl Scouts are invited to hear Brooke’s experience as a businesswoman and learn business etiquette.

WHAT THEY’LL LEARN: 

When girls have earned this badge, they’ll have the skills to come up with a business idea, produce a prototype, identify customers, solicit feedback, improve their idea, then create a business plan and pitch it.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Come up with a business idea and create a prototype  
2. Develop a customer profile  
3. Conduct market research 
4. Come up with a business model  
5. Pitch your business 

PLAN YOUR MEETING​:

  • Video demonstration: Watch a volunteer lead Step 1 of this badge.

 
Global Action Award

Ambassadors find out what climate change means to them, their Girl Scout community, and the world. 

WHAT THEY’LL LEARN: 

When girls have earned this badge, they’ll understand what climate change means and have completed a global action climate challenge.

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Learn about the Global Goals and Global Action Award
  2. Find out about climate change
  3. Explore responses to climate change
  4. Focus on a climate change issue
  5. Explore action for climate change

PLAN YOUR MEETING​:

  • Watch a movie that showcases the dangers of climate change.
  • Challenge girls to film their own climate change story. Watch this video to find out how.

 

  • Challenge girls to design an anti-climate change city. Watch this video to       find out how.

    •  
    World Thinking Day Award

    Every year, Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world celebrate February 22 as a day of international friendship called World Thinking Day. The 2021 theme for World Thinking Day is "Peacebuilding." To earn this award, girls will explore the theme's meaning, and practice the skills to resolve conflict in peaceful ways and take action to make our world and communities more peaceful places. 

    PURPOSE: 

    When girls have earned this badge, they’ll understand what peacebuilding means and will have made a peace pledge for World Thinking Day. 

    REQUIREMENTS

    1. Explore World Thinking Day
    2. Explore peacebuilding
    3. Find peace inside
    4. Find out what peacebuilding means
    5. Put peace into action: create a peace pledge

    PLAN YOUR MEETING​

    Go Gold: Preparing for the Gold Award

    Ambassadors will explore the Gold Award.

    PURPOSE: 

    Gold Award Girl Scouts are the dreamers and the doers who take “make the world a better place” to the next level.  To earn the Gold Award, high school Girl Scouts research the root cause of a community issue they are passionate about, then lead a team to tackle it, by planning and implementing a project that has tangible and lasting impact on their communities and beyond.

    Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Tips and Resources

    GSMISTS Gold Award Training - Find out what girls need to do to earn their Girl Scout Gold Award. Check out our Event Calendar for an upcoming opportunity. 

    PLAN YOUR MEETING​

    • Go for the Gold—Tips from Gold Award Girl Scouts 
      Learn the five elements of a successful Gold Award.   
    • Gold Award overview (webpage)
    • Gold Award Guidelines 
    • Make the World a Better Place activity: Prepare for the Gold Award. 
    • Understanding Take Action activity: Explore the difference between community service and Take Action Projects.  
    • Girl Scouts Change the World: Meet the 2020 National Gold Award Girl Scouts—ten girls just like you and who’ve changed the world while still in high school. Find out how they earned the top award in Girl Scouting and the $20,000 college scholarship that goes along with it. This event was recorded during the 2020 National Gold Award Girl Scout celebration. 
    • Go for the Gold: Get inspired to earn the greatest honor in Girl Scouting by tackling issues in your communities and making the world a better place. Hear how two National Gold Award Girl Scouts—Alex and Kiara—chose their focus, planned their projects, and made an impact. This conversation was recorded during the 2020 Girl Scouts Change the World celebration. 

    When a girl is ready to be a Gold Award Girl Scout, your council needs to be the first to know! Contact them now so they can hook you up with everything you’ll need before getting started. Find your  local Girl Scout council. 

    Survival Camper Badge

    Ambassadors will test their skills with limited supplies and have an unforgettable experience with their camping crew. 

    PURPOSE: 

    When girls have earned this badge, they’ll have planned and gone on a survival camping trip with a group of Girl Scouts or family members.

    Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Tips and Resources

    Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace - Interested in working on an outdoor badge this summer? An important step found in nearly all outdoor badges is learning how to minimize your impact on nature. Learn the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace through this video. 

    Learn a Survival Camp Skill - Learn what it takes to strike a fire with flint and steel, then practice the method yourself!  Always have an adult present, even for practice.

    REQUIREMENTS 

    1. Plan a survival camping trip
    2. Gather your gear
    3. Plan and prepare your trip meals
    4. Learn a survival camp skill 
    5. Go camping 

    PLAN YOUR MEETING​

    Watch a volunteer lead Step 3 of this badge.

     
    Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey

    Ambassadors learn how citizen scientists make observations, collect data, and help scientists conduct scientific research.

    PURPOSE: 

    When girls have earned this award, they will have sharpened their observation and data collection skills through three citizen science activities. Ambassadors will also have put their skills into practice through a Take Action project. 

    Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Tips and Resources

    National Service Project: Citizen Science - Curious about the Citizen Scientist National Service Project? Hear from GSMISTS Astronomy Club members Paris and Emma as they dive into what Citizen Science is and how you can participate! 

    REQUIREMENTS

    1. Find out how citizen scientists make observations, collect data, and help scientists conduct scientific research
    2. Do three citizen science activities: make observations about your environment, design a way to test a hypothesis, and participate in a SciStarter project
    3. Plan a Take Action project that helps others 

    PLAN YOUR MEETING​

    Watch a volunteer lead Part 1 of this Journey.

     
    • Patch Opportunity: The Girl Scout Tree Promise
    • Awesome Girls: Protect the Planet Event: Check out this exciting, hands-on event with three environmental scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)! You’ll hear directly from these accomplished women about how they got their start and the issues that matter to them. They’ll tell you what they do at the EPA, why it’s important, and how you can help. And, as a super-special way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the EPA, every girl who registers to view this event (either live or recorded) will be able to receive a free EPA patch!
    • Ambassador Take Action Guide
    • Leading an engaging meeting: Recommendations for facilitating group conversations, handling supplies, and organizing your meeting   
    • Digital games and ice breakers
    • Virtual Events Calendar: Search for other events that support this Journey and tune in as a troop!
    • Virtual meeting agenda (PDF): Use this resource to help you adapt the meeting plans found in the Volunteer Toolkit
    • Girl Scout Camp: Find in-person and virtual camp opportunities.
    • Step-by-step planner: Sign in to the Volunteer Toolkit to find materials lists, scripts, meeting aids, and more for Meetings 1–6 of the Think Like a Citizen Scientist Journey.  
    Bridging to Adult Award and Ceremony 

    Ambassadors will take the steps needed to plan a bridging to adult ceremony.

    WHAT THEY'LL LEARN: 

    When girls have earned this award, they will have shared and connected with incoming Ambassadors, learned what is available for the future as an alum, and celebrated their accomplishments. 

    REQUIREMENTS: 

    1. Earn the Bridging to Adult award 
    2. Plan the bridging ceremony 
    3. Begin to explore Girl Scout opportunities as an adult  
    4. Provide updated contact information

    PLAN YOUR MEETING: 

    After Ambassadors  

    Ambassadors will discuss how they want to stay involved and keep in touch with Girl Scouts.

    WHAT THEY'LL LEARN: 

    After this meeting, girls will know about adult Girl Scouting and will have decided how to stay connected with Girl Scouts after graduation.

    REQUIREMENTS: 

    1. Review the opportunities available to girls as adults 
    2. Set goals and determine their next steps as individuals and a group 

    PLAN YOUR MEETING: 

    • One-stop-shop for your “After Ambassadors” experience! Visit and bookmark the Graduate Resources web page. Easily continue your Girl Scout journey with resources at your fingertips about topics such as: Campus Girl Scouts, Girl Scout Network, lifetime membership, volunteering and more. 
    • Sign up for the Girl Scout Network newsletter: Girls should sign up for the complimentary  Girl Scout Network  to receive a monthly digital newsletter which includes career tips, event invitations, volunteer opportunities … and more! 
     
    • Campfire Chats hosted by the Girl Scout Network bring together powerful Girl Scout alums and supporters at the top of their fields to educate and inspire people who are striving for a better world. These virtual events showcase a wide variety of topics, from cooking to financial literacy and career advice. Register for an upcoming event today!  
    • Keep the local sisterhood active! Discuss how your troop will stay in touch after graduation. Does your council have an alum group? Ask your council what opportunities exist. 
    • College bound? Continue Girl Scouts there! Contact your council to ask for the Campus Girl Scouts Guidebook. There may already be a group at your college!  
    • Try short-term volunteering! Explore and sign up for opportunities today. Looking for something more? Become a troop leader! 
    • Looking for a summer job and beyond? Consider becoming a camp counselor or explore internships at Girl Scout councils around the country to continue to build skills, add credentials to your résumé, and meet new Girl Scout sisters!
    Becoming Me Program Series

    Who am I? Who do I want to become?

    Welcome to the Becoming Me program series! Developed especially for Girl Scouts and inspired by former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama’s book Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers, this special program series takes 6 – 8 sessions to complete. Girls explore their own story as they participate in a National Service Project, read the interactive Becoming Me journal, earn three Girl Scout badges and receive the Becoming Me patch! Find all you need to complete this special program series, with items available individually or bundled by grade level for your convenience.

    Ambassador Becoming Me Digital Download Guide and Requirements

    Becoming Me Journal Digital Download

    Girl Scouts Give Back: Honoring our Everyday Changemakers – National Service Project

    Purchase Becoming Me Patch and Badges

    D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y from GSMISTS Troop 4287

    Created by GSMISTS Troop 4287 as part of their Silver Award. 

    The purpose of this patch is to help girls to learn about D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y.. D.I.V.E.R.S.I.T.Y. is the main theme of our patch, and it stands for Different Individuals Valuing Each other Regardless of Skin, Intellect, Talents, or Years. With this patch, girls will have the opportunity to learn about various cultures and interact with the diversity in their communities. They will be able to expand their circle by interacting with new people while learning to appreciate their distinct customs. The participants will become more understanding of other backgrounds and become more culturally sensitive. 

    Visit their Silver Award website, https://sites.google.com/view/d-i-v-e-r-s-i-t-y-patch-forms/home, for details on earning the patch. Patches can also be ordered for $0.50 each plus $3 shipping per order through the website.


     

    Find even more adapted activities in the Volunteer Toolkit—just look for the “Virtual” icon! Browse Award and Badge Explorer to see all of the badges, Journeys, and awards that will excite your Ambassadors!

    Introducing the new Daisy, Brownie & Junior Collection. Shop Now.
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    Play. Grow. Explore. Girl Scouts. Learn More.
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