Girl Scouts Learn to Be a Friend First with Kappa Delta Sorority

Eighty-five percent of the time, when a girl is bullied, no one intervenes. This can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety, health complaints and decreased academic achievement for the girls who are facing aggressive behaviors from others. In an effort to teach girls about standing up for themselves and for others, the Kappa Delta Sorority at Old Dominion University welcomed Girl Scouts on campus on Sunday, November 15 for a special workshop—BFF (Be a Friend First)— to teach girls about becoming peacemakers in their schools and communities.

Kappa Delta member Ariel Quant and Girl Scout Junior Veronyca

The workshop, which was attended by nearly 70 Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors, was designed to help girls build the valuable skills they need to develop healthy relationships and prevent bullying behavior. With guidance from the members of Kappa Delta, girls participated in activities to build teamwork, talked about the qualities of a good friend and discussed how to deal with peer pressure. They also made peacemaker kits, which are boxes that they decorated to hold mementos from the day to remind them of their experience.

Kappa Delta member Brittany Reigelsperger and
Girl Scout Junior Marcelina

Brittany Reigelsperger, a sophomore at ODU, took the lead to help organize the day for Girl Scouts. Reigelsperger was a Girl Scout while growing up in Alexandria and understands the important role that Girl Scouts plays in building confident leaders for the future.

“What we do to make a positive difference as Kappa Deltas aligns closely with the values that girls gain from being a Girl Scout,” Reigelsperger said. “It’s important that we take the time to help instill confidence and a high sense of self-esteem in young girls.”

Nationally, the Kappa Delta Sorority has been working with Girl Scouts since 1998. Through this ever-growing partnership, Kappa Delta members offer numerous opportunities for Girl Scouts to participate in workshops and activities focused on building girls of courage, confidence and character. The partnership also gives Girl Scouts the chance to visit college campuses and talk to students about their experiences in higher education.

For more information about Girl Scouts, visit www.gsccc.org.