10,000 Girls, Leaders, and Influencers Will Take On the Top Issues Affecting Girls
When I was a little girl, I heard about the Girl Scouts through television. I dreamed of being a Girl Scout, but there were no Girl Scouts at my school. Honestly, I thought it was a suburbs thing, like many of the things I had seen on TV. But, now that I’m a mom of a girl, I’m so excited because there are Girl Scout troops in schools in my area, and I can’t wait for my daughter to be a Girl Scout! Who knows, maybe one day I will be a troop leader!
I love everything that the Girl Scouts stand for: girl empowerment, resilience, entrepreneurship and leadership.
When I was contacted to help spread the word on G.I.R.L. 2017, will bring together 10,000 girls, female leaders, celebrities and influencers for this first-ever, special three-day event focused entirely on girls and the issues they care about. The program is anticipated to be the largest girl-led event in the world, G.I.R.L. 2017 is open to all those who care about the future of girls.
G.I.R.L 2017 deets:
When? October 6–8
Where? Columbus, Ohio
What? G.I.R.L 2017, an event for girls K-12
Who? Anyone who cares about the future of girls!
Developed by a special team of 21 Girl Scouts from all over the U.S. (the “G-Team”), G.I.R.L. 2017 will feature unique opportunities for girls and their advocates to debate and engage on hard-hitting topics that are central to girls’ lives and well-being today. The event promises to be special and girls will have a say in all aspect of the event:
“In keeping with Girl Scouts’ philosophy of letting girls lead, the G-team [a team of 21 Girl Scouts from all over the U.S] has been involved in all aspects of planning G.I.R.L. 2017, from program content to the selection of guest speakers, to the creation of fun and educational activities focused on leadership development.”
In line with the new Girl Scout theme, “Experience the Power of a G.I.R.L.,” the event will provide every girl with opportunities to celebrate achievements, build on aspirations, get inspired, and gain the tools she needs to empower herself and create change in her community―whether it be local or global.
Issues on Girl’s Minds Today – To be Addressed at G.I.R.L.
What will be addressed at the G.IR.L. 2017?
- Global Cultural Awareness – Women’s issues around health, education, and civic engagement across the globe.
- Life Skills, Confidence, and Self-image – The importance of soft skills such as how to fail and get back up again (resiliency), breaking stereotypes, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and thinking outside the box.
- Healthy Relationships and Mental Health – The best ways to build healthy relationships, the importance of internet and dating safety awareness, and confronting challenges such as bullying, harassment, anxiety, and depression.
- Inequality, Overcoming Adversity, and Diversity – Exploring our country’s increasing diversity, the frequent inequality that accompanies it, and—ways to overcome adversity.
- Careers, College, and Self-branding – Exploring careers in STEM, the persistence of the wage gap, and how to create a positive digital footprint online.
- Environmental Issues and Agriculture – Examining environmental conservation and responsibility, and the sustainability of U.S. food systems.
- Art for Change – Art’s role in lifting up girl voices and offering new ways of looking at things. G.I.R.L. will feature an on-site girl art gallery, a film festival based on G.I.R.L. topics, and creative pieces related to theater, architecture, design, and fashion.
One of the organizers, Lauren, who is 16, says “The topics chosen were picked to make everyone attending proud to be themselves—proud to be girls. We want to build girls up to help them overcome any obstacles they face.”
“It’s important to form a sense of community between girls and women; we all have different skills sets, whether it be a Go-Getter, Innovator, Risk Taker, or Leader. When we combine all of those talents, we can do great things.”
G.I.R.L 2017 will be held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, and will include hands-on activities and explore a variety of subjects and fields. Below is the pricing information:
- Hall of Experience Passes are $10 for youth grades K–12; free for children 4 and under; and $20 for adults
- Early Bird Weekend Passes range from $150 for girls grades two through five and their chaperones, up to $345 for adults.
More than 10,000 people are expected for this amazing event! Interested in attending? Visit girlscouts.org/girl2017 for more information and you can also visit experiencecolumbus.com for visitor information and to plan your trip!
Photo credits: Girl Scouts of USA