Girl Scouts create their own badges now

Girl Scouts of the USA recently created a Make Your Own Badge program in which girls select a skill they want to learn, then create the badge for that skill themselves. Girls take part in everything from setting earning requirements to designs. Badges come in categories: Legacy, Financial Literacy, Cookie Business, Skill Building, and Make Your Own, and scouts can still earn longtime badges such as Athlete. The organization has transformed itself to focus on leadership development, and offers digital programming for girls ages 5 through 17 so they can engage in an online community of girls changing the world. GSUSA has 3.2 million girl and adult members. For information on becoming a member or an adult volunteer, call (800) 478-7248 or visit www.girlscouts.org