Redefinition of Fiercer Girl Scouting Spirit

By Cadet GS Maria Ella Juliana S. Capanang

 

Green spirits arise at daybreak regardless of what the clock says. Phones and laptops on standby for the 8 am updates, notification sounds switch the calm breakfast ambiance into a hyped-up one, and with the tick of the clock, the girl scouts pack their adventure list once again.

Even with the high and seemingly unbreakable walls built by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iloilo Girl Scouts’ hearts fluttering for ventures and challenges radiate during the Girl Scout Week 2020. With the adaptation of the virtual or online mode, screen-shared smiles and active social media accounts stole the show.

Ensuring that the daredevil inside every girl is mirrored, the individuals behind the scenes, the Iloilo Girl Scout Council Project Team loaded vigorous tasks into the Girl Scout Week 2020 Checklist. Equal opportunities are a sure thing in girl scouting. Those whose setbacks are the difficulty in internet access and lack of gadgets were catered through options like registration through SMS and messenger (other than the online registration mode) and assistance of girl scout friends and troop leaders in the online accomplishment of activities. To show the power of Ilonggas, the project team translated the activities’ titles into Hiligaynon, a language of their own.

With the birth commemoration of the heroine of Girl Scouts of the Philippines, the Founder’s Day/Escoda Day, highlighted by the JLE Trek, kicked off the week-long celebration. Environment Day turned their week greener with the creative mask making and outfit designing activities, sustainable eco-brick project, and the zestful “Build Me Up, Flowerpot!” Activity. Verse or quote, song, and story reflections outlined the bond of love and faith during the Faith Day. The thrilling endeavor of hunting down the meaning of your name, reminiscing of sentimental family moments, and the incomparable experience of “FUN FAMOVIE” movie marathon jampacked Family Day with high-level enjoyment. The Partnership/Community Day’s “Green Helping Hands’ Memory Lane,” “Share a Snack,” and “QuaranTell” activities got the girl scouts moving as they shared hope, compassion, and inspiration to their fellowmen. Virtual hugs through love letters, video calls, and the creation of frames were sent to the Titas during the Troop Leader’s Day. Putting an end to the week in an empowering way, Girl’s Day held a mental health webinar for the girls.

More essential than the giving out of badges and e-certificates, passing on the blazing torch of empowerment manifested Girl Power during the Girl Scout Week 2020. This blazing torch paragoned the adaptation and survival challenges of the pandemic, a breakthrough and a redefinition of fiercer girl scouting spirit.