Summer days can be long, especially for our active children. You’ve probably tapped out your usual list of fun activities in the first couple of weeks, leaving you to try to come up with new ideas. If you have one or more Girl Scouts in your household, you actually have a great opportunity to earn a badge or two while also having fun. If you have fellow troop members nearby, you may even be able to join up and work toward some badges together. Here are six great summer activities for your favorite Girl Scout this summer.
FIND WATER
If your children are like many others, summertime has them longing to be near the water. Check to see if there’s a water park or pool near your house and consider buying a season pass. You may even be lucky enough to have a pool in your neighborhood or apartment complex that you can use for free. You’ll all get exercise and your kids will have hours of fun.
GO ADVENTURING WITH GEOCACHING
With geocaching, participants use GPS to find hidden containers, called geocaches. Geocaching.com has a great Geocaching Adventure Kit for Girl Scouts that will help you make the most of your adventure.
GET CRAFTY
There’s no shortage of craft ideas for Girl Scouts, and summertime is ideal for exploring them. Part of the project is having your little ones track down craft ideas and present them to you. Pinterest is a great resource for Girl Scout craft ideas, but you’ll want to look for a project that requires minimal supplies and mess for easy clean-up.
CHALK ART
Chalk art lets kids draw on sidewalks, driveways, and even streets. It feels like something they wouldn’t normally be allowed to do, but it can usually be washed away with water, making it easy to remove when needed. You can even encourage your Girl Scout to promote the organization through art that you can then share on social media. It’s a fun way to get the word out about your troop!
HELP IN THE COMMUNITY
One of the best things bored children can do during the summer break is to volunteer. This is especially beneficial for a Girl Scout since it’s in the very spirit of the organization itself. Check with your local Council to see if they know of ways that children can help out. There are plenty of volunteer activities you can do on your own, though, including putting together care packages for those in need, gathering materials for local shelters, and reading to the elderly at retirement homes.
LEARN A NEW SPORT
Your children may have already grown tired of the same games and activities, but there’s an easy remedy for that. Choose a new sport and learn it together! Something unique like archery, pickle-ball or horseback riding is likely something your children will be excited about if it’s new to them.
As you seek new adventures, make sure you keep everyone safe. Invest in plenty of sunscreen and use it liberally. If you swim, keep a close eye on everyone and, if possible, choose water parks and pools with plenty of lifeguards around. You’ll create plenty of exciting new memories and possibly earn a few new badges along the way.
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: MAY 2022
