I’m a long-time fan of Girl Scouting. I was a Girl Scout when I was a kid and have great memories from it! Standing out in my mind the most are the overnight trips we took. They were amazing learning experiences where we all learned to work together to maintain our camp (whether it was tents in summer or a lodge in winter), cook our meals, and keep things running. We also learned about nature, gained valuable life skills and just had FUN!
With modern times come modern concerns and challenges for kids. With the digital age, it is common for kids to spend more time indoors and more time sitting still glued to a screen. Along with that immobility can come unhealthy eating habits. Girl Scouts of the USA, in cooperation with Together Counts, is working to change that with the Healthy Habits Journey program.
This program is a natural fit with Girl Scouts since they have been encouraging girls to get active not only since I was a kid, but all the way back to when Girl Scouts ran foot races in 1912. (I’m not THAT old!) Healthy living activities like hiking, swimming, healthy food preparation and so much more are woven throughout the Girl Scout program to provide girls with choice and flexibility.
In this new partnership with the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, Girl Scouts USA has created three free, printable “healthy habits” booklets for volunteers to use in conjunction with their Journey Adult Guides. Each of these booklets (based on age levels) helps guide girls on a Journey to learn to lead active, healthy lifestyles. These guides serve as a resource for Girl Scout volunteers and families to help guide girls in fun, easy ways to achieve “energy balance” through awareness of:
Energy In: the calories you get from eating and drinking.
Energy Out: the calories you burn from physical activities
You can download all three Healthy Habits Journey Booklets HERE. They include:
- Between Earth and Sky with Healthy Habits
- WOW! Wonders of Water with Healthy Habits
- Get Moving! with Healthy Habits
The guides are all fun, engaging and colorful with age-appropriate information and activities. They’re a great way to get girls interested and inspired to lead healthier lives.
Twitter Party: Find out more about the Girl Scouts Journeys Healthy Habits booklets and how to encourage healthy, active lifestyles during the Healthy Habits Twitter Party on September 9 from 9-10pm EST. Just follow the hashtags #HealthyHabits and #GNO. Four party participants will win a $50 VISA gift card.
More Information: You can get more information and stay connected through social media with both Girl Scouts and Together Counts.
Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Facebook Page – http://on.fb.me/1tmZsSJ
Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital Twitter Account – http://bit.ly/1nbDjlD
Together Counts Website: http://bit.ly/1c3xNiV
Together Counts Twitter Account: http://bit.ly/1uYmWAE
Together Counts Blog: http://bit.ly/1BDK8pJ
Together Counts Pinterest: http://bit.ly/1wawcDe
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I love the Girl Scouts organization and I was a girl scout when I was a kid. These days, I have all boys, so we are a Boy Scout family 🙂
Jaime says
I loved Girl Scouts when I was growing up. And I really love this program (and the pamphlets they’ve created.)
Jenn says
This is a much-needed initiative. Drinking plenty of water is about the only healthy habit my kids have. Sigh.
Debra says
I love the Girl Scouts and was even a Junior Aide! I can’t wait until my daughter starts kindergarten next year and she can join Daisys and start on the wonderful path that is scouting.
Liz Mays says
That’s a great addition to their program. I’m a big Girl Scout supporter!
lisa says
I love that they are offering these books! I was a Girl Scout, my daughter is a Girl Scout and the benefits of being one are amazing.
Jeanine @ sixtimemommy.com says
Amazing for the program. I was a girlscout as a child.
Pam says
I was in Girl Scouts, and so was my daughter. I love that they are doing this to continue encouraging girls to make healthy choices!
Amy @ Marvelous Mommy says
I want to get my girls into Girl Scouts when they are older. I love your pictures, especially the one with the purple sky!
Krystal says
Fresh fruit is always a good idea! Thanks for inspiring these healthy hAbits!
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
I wasn’t a Girl Scout. I was a Camp Fire Girl, staring as a Blue Bird. Always had a lot of fun and great learning experience.
Carly Anderson says
These books look like a great resource for kids! I love that the Girl Scouts are trying to get kids healthier and moving more.
Ben @ Cheap is the New Classy says
These are pretty cool. Little books like this are a great way for little girls to explore their own sense of self-empowerment.
Stacie @ The Divine Miss Mommy says
These journals are great. They help girls learn healthy habits to improve their lives.
Courtney says
I love these journals. The Girl Scouts are great. I’m already thinking about signing up my daughter.
Nicole Brady says
What a great way to encourage healthy habits. My girls never joined Girl Scouts. They wanted to but all their friends were in a pack that was full and my daughters didn’t want to be with a bunch of other girls they didn’t know. Wish I had encouraged them!
Amber C. says
I loved being in the Girl Scouts when I was a little girl! I love how they’re encouraging a healthy lifestyle!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
I was a Girl Scout when I was a kid! I love the positive messages they send and love that they are urging kids to get moving!
Debbie Denny says
Great program. I love the Girl Scouts. Enjoyed it so much when I was younger.
Carly from The Puzzled Palate says
Great campaign from the GS! I am actually in the process of starting a troop for my daughter!
Shasta Walton says
These look awesome! I just decided to put my daughter in! I’ve been reading so much amazing stuff about it and my SIL has been talking about it for years. I hope my daughters love it, I’m sure they will.
Beth@FrugalFroggie says
Those journey booklets sound like a great tool to stay healthy. I loved being a girl scout when I was growing up.
Janel (A Mom's Take) says
This is great. My children are always asking me if things are healthy or not for them.
brett says
We will be doing the Get Moving Journey with my soon-to-be Junior troop this year. We don’t start meeting until the first Sunday in October though. I also have a Daisy troop this year, we’ll be doing LOTS of fun healthy living activities throughout the year!
Melissa @ This Girl's Life Blog says
Great little reads! I will have to pass these on to my daughter to read.
Melinda says
i think i’ve done good with raising my kids because they ask all the time if their choices are healthy. love this campaign but maybe selling so many cookies is a little contradictory
Laura says
I was a girl scout for a little while when I was younger, but we moved around a lot and it was not something I stuck with. I love the idea of girl scouts and plan on my little girl joining when she is old enough.
Christie says
I sorely miss being a Girl Scout! I want my girl to join when she gets of age. So cool what they’re doing now
Marina @ Mommy Snippets says
That’s awesome! I love the Girl Scouts. Such an awesome program.
Shannon Gosney says
What a great resource to use to teach them healthy eating habits. Thanks for sharing.
Travel Blogger says
What a great freebie! The girl scouts set some of the best examples.
Megan @mnmspecial says
My oldest daughter just told me that she doesn’t want to do any activities that make her use her legs. I think this would be an excellent program for her to be involved in.
Camesha says
Very cool. I can’t wait until my daughter is old enough to be a girl scout.
Mary says
What great little booklets. I feel like there is so much more for Girl Scouts now then when I was in them.
Stephanie says
I have not had any luck finding this online. Are they no longer available? My Junior troop is staring this Journey this week.
Chrysa says
Unfortunately it looks like they removed them from the web site. I’m not sure if they are available elsewhere. Maybe ask with your Girl Scout Council?